26 replies to this topic

[blueovalcraig]

Hi folks,
 
I thought I should post some photos of my mini.  It's a 1992 Cooper on a K plate.  It belonged to a mate of mine who had started ripping it apart but then got bored.  (He's more into vintage tractors).  I made him an offer and it's now sitting on my driveway awaiting some attention.
 
My plan is to get it on the road as soon as possible with the intention of giving it a complete rebuild later on in life.  I have yet to hear it running and I notice that it is fitted with a carb when I thought it would be SPi.  Luckily I am a mechanic to trade so I intend to get the engine out and see what's needed to get it running.  I was told that the Carb was PI***NG fuel out before he took it off so I'll be having a look at that first.
 
The bodyshell isn't in too bad shape with a few holes in the boot floor and at each inner sill (Ignore the cover sills in the photo's, I won't be fitting them!)
 
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Hopefully I'll be able to keep you all updated as I progress if you are interested and I'm sure I'll have a few queries needing answered as I go.

Edited by blueovalcraig, 04 June 2019 - 05:37 PM.

[blueovalcraig]

Brought the rest of the bits home. Bootlid needs repaired as does passenger door and the bonnet catch has rusted away

[cityspeed]

Great find, and have fun taking it to pieces,
I'm currently doing a 93 spi in a similar state, will keep an eye on this!

[blueovalcraig]

Great find, and have fun taking it to pieces,
I'm currently doing a 93 spi in a similar state, will keep an eye on this!

Likewise ! Mine doesn't have the SPI stuff anymore though, previous owner has fitted a carb

[blueovalcraig]

I have just ordered a few panels from M-Machine so hopefully I can make a start.

I ordered a Boot Floor repair panel, Rear Valance, Rear Valance Corners and two outer sills to start me off :)

I think you can guess what I'll be doing Easter Weekend :)

[blueovalcraig]

Haven't welded for over five years so I thought I'd practice by welding a patch onto bootlid. Wasn't too bad although it did resemble pigeon **** in places but at least I got welder set up and I don't need to buy a new bootlid for now. I'll post up a pic later

[blueovalcraig]

Haven't done much to my mini but hopefully with this better weather etc I should be able to do something

[blueovalcraig]

Took some photos tonight. I took the rocker cover off and noticed one of the rockers is burst. Definitely going to do an engine rebuild now

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[blueovalcraig]

Question,

My car should be a SPi model but someone has ripped all the SPi stuff out and fitted a HiF44 carb. Is it worth replacing everything back to SPi or should I keep the carb? The carb needs a rebuild anyway.

[ryomini]

blueoval

very nice project for you here

I reckon most on the forum will tell you to go carb because of the relative ease of tuning

consumption can get high though for a carb mini depending on state of tune

 

I have a Spi - there are some good posts in the spi only section

having had carb bikes for years and finally getting an efi - i just love the injection and consumption is unbeatable

 

same with the spi as far as I know for it's displacement it's the most economical and can be tuned up to 100bhp

or over if you install your own injection mapping

I am currently rebuilding a spi in my own thread 'project w' if there is anything in there that is of help to you

look forward to seeing it run

[FlyingScot]

Trying to get an SPi which has been "carbed" through an MOT might be tricky. It probably the reason why the fuel is pouring out of the carb too if its using the original electric pump in tank spi fuel pump. The pressure is hugely over what the carb needs.

FS

[blueovalcraig]

I've decided to restore it back to the way it should be.  On the lookout for ECU, wiring looms etc !

 

Cheers for your input guys,  engine coming out over weekend and hopefully get the welding done over the next few months then strip down and rebuild the engine over the winter

[blueovalcraig]

Had a quick look over the engine tonight and I have a feeling that the engine has been replaced and it's not an SPI engine Taking it out over weekend so will get a better look then

[blueovalcraig]

Having not been able to do any work to the mini due to my workshop being my driveway I decided to invest in a marquee thingy. Yes I'll have to watch when grinding or welding but it's the only way I can do it just now.

I'll post a photo later as I'm on my phone just now and can't upload from here

[blueovalcraig]

Here's my new workshop. Haven't put it full height or full length yet as there's no need. Hopefully I can now make a start on my project. Need to think of a name for the car anyone have any ideas?