31 replies to this topic

[Cooperman]

As said, most of the jobs your car seems to need are fairly straight forward. Following a Haynes manual or asking on here, you would see a huge saving
For example, it will cost you £350 for a head gasket and valves to be done
If you were to do it yourself you'd have almost that much to spend on other things
I did a head gasket change and de-coked the head and lapped valves in. It because me £18 for a gasket and a few quid for lapping paste

+1.

It's the only way most of us can afford our classic car hobby.

With labour rates between around £35 an £50 per hour, and anyone working for much less might be a 'cowboy', the amount of on-going work any 50+ year old design of car will cost a small fortune.

DIY is really the only way, well it certainly is for many of us on here. That way there are several advantages:

The first is that you will know the jobs have been done right.

Secondly you will know the source and quality of the parts used.

Thirdly the labour cost is zero.

[AlexMozza]

 

As said, most of the jobs your car seems to need are fairly straight forward. Following a Haynes manual or asking on here, you would see a huge saving
For example, it will cost you £350 for a head gasket and valves to be done
If you were to do it yourself you'd have almost that much to spend on other things
I did a head gasket change and de-coked the head and lapped valves in. It because me £18 for a gasket and a few quid for lapping paste

+1.

It's the only way most of us can afford our classic car hobby.

With labour rates between around £35 an £50 per hour, and anyone working for much less might be a 'cowboy', the amount of on-going work any 50+ year old design of car will cost a small fortune.

DIY is really the only way, well it certainly is for many of us on here. That way there are several advantages:

The first is that you will know the jobs have been done right.

Secondly you will know the source and quality of the parts used.

Thirdly the labour cost is zero.

 

 

Don't forget its also FUN and there's are great deal of satisfaction in doing the job well yourself! 

[gazza82]

So Becky ... Are you willing to get your hands dirty? Or know anyone willing to help?

[MiniBean]

Lol! I don't mind getting my hands dirty and I do look rather cute in a pair of overalls if I do say so myself!! But I just wont have the time, strength, knowledge or tools to do it myself.

I asked all my mechanical friends to come and chip in and I would supply tea/beer and biscuits and no one could be bothered in the end :'( so paying someone is really my obly choice unfortunately.

I've asked matey to give me couple of days to see if I can source anything as I'm worried will pay for gasket and valves and it will all be in vain (will have wasted £80 on a service though! !!)

If I buy cheap engine it will need rebuilding cause a risk buying something that cheap "untested". Few on ebay for £799 already rebuilt but then I've not got the cash to pay for engine swap (£240)

I don't know what to do but just gutted spent £700 and not got anywhere! Wish this had been spotted before he did other stuff :'(

Thanks for your inputs guys :-D

[PaulColeman]

Why not join a local club and see if you can get help there? I have to say that I'm a member of a few other marque forums and the guys on here seem a lot more enthusiastic about working on their own cars than any other forum I've been on. See if there are any members here who live near you that may be willing to help for the tea and beer you were suggesting - if you don't ask you don't get!

 

My daughter has a 1976 Mini 1000 and whenever it needs work doing to it she's out there in the garage with me getting her hands dirty. Unless you're willing to do that you'd better have very deep pockets to 'play classic cars', whatever the marque. You only have to look on websites like eBay to see the abandoned projects for sale where people have often run out of money trying to restore/maintain them.

 

Paul.

Edited by PaulColeman, 20 January 2015 - 12:44 PM.

[MiniBean]

There's not many members left in my nearest club and I really don't think anyone would be up for helping unfortunately.
I know like 5 mechanics but they're not interested in working on minis.
Due to it being sat for 8 years I wanted it all done properly so I don't mind chucking this money at it (would have only spent it on dresses and shoes if not!) I just don't know if to risk the cheaper option first!?

Chances are I will never have enough money to replace engine in the future though if it does throw piston out

[ACDodd]

Ok a scored bore does not automatically mean a rebuild. Was the engine warm when compression tested? Can you get a cylinder leakage test performed?

[Shawbags]

I know it won't fix it but i don't know how long its been like it so I'm pinning all my hopes its been like it ages and will run a bit longer?!

Matey reckons a rebore is going to cost between £1200 & £2000 - I've got £1500 for whole project and bodyworks not been touched while i already owe garage £700! :'(

That seems a lot of money for a rebore or am I out of touch .

[Nick Warwick]

You arn't too far away from me. I could potential try and help you out if you want to cover the travel costs and tea?

[racingenglishcars]

While searching evilbay, quite often some good engines at good prices are missed because of their wording. For example, try searching for 1293 engine instead of 1275.

example http://www.ebay.co.u...=item234966304d

[PaulColeman]

You arn't too far away from me. I could potential try and help you out if you want to cover the travel costs and tea?

There you go, you see!

 

These Mini owners are more passionate about these cars than your average classic car owner - they really are an odd bunch (and I mean that in the nicest way). A lot of classic car owners are loaded and have no problem just throwing money at their cars for others to do the work but this Mini lot help each other out far more than other forums I've been on. It's probably because they tend to be younger people who are more enthusiastic about being out in the garage than us old farts!!

 

Paul.

[Mat]

The engine in my mini has at least one scored bore, and I don't have the cash at the moment to sort it. It runs fine, so I just keep it topped up with oil, it's not the end of the world! Don't panic too much, just don't look in the rear view mirror as you accelerate to avoid smoke-related embarrassment.

[MiniBean]

Thats very kind of you Nick! Thank you!

Shawbags thats to have it sent away, engine dropped, crank done etc basically a full rebuild so matey reckons.

ACDodd, I really don't know to honest!

I think I'm going to look for a 1275 engine and if can get one close to what I'm paying for this "make do" fix will go for that.

Is £240 for an engine swap dear?

[MiniBean]

Oh and Mat thanks for the great advice lol! Nice to know yours is a bit squiffy but runs too!

[ACDodd]

Hang, on don't throw the baby out with the bathwater! The low compression on one cylinder could be just a leaking valve. This is a much cheaper fix. A leakage test would show this up.

Ac

Edited by ACDodd, 20 January 2015 - 11:09 PM.