13 replies to this topic

[jonlad]

Hi folks.

I am building a mini from a shell up with a collection of parts begged, borrowed and bought (not stolen any yet!).

 

The shell is a 1992 sprite, 1275 carb. I want to be as correct as I can be (within reason) to how this car would have left the factory. A little upgrade or modernization here or there is ok by me.

 

SO...

I am fitting a 1275 metro engine and I need a radiator and most of the parts associated with it. I had a look on mini spares which confused me...   this is the page for 'pre 1996' radiators. https://www.minispar...6.aspx?2~19~180

 

Q1) Which top mounting should I use?  The one listed here for a 998? item 15?

Q2) I'm thinking along the lines of a 3 core 'standard' rad - this will not be raced etc. Do I need an electric fan as well as the mechanical fan?

Q3) minispares seem to stock two electric fan types - one with sensor in rad, one with sensor in hose. any pros/cons?

 

I bought a replacement inner wing (the shell came without one!) with a large circular hole in it believing this to be correct to the year/model but haven't fitted it yet.

 

so finally.... Do you think I will be ok with:

            3 core 'standard' rad

            yellow plastic engine driven fan in the 'normal' fan shroud

            large circular hole in wing

            leccy fan on inner wing?   or not??

 

thanks in advance for your advice...  I feel a bit confused by all the options  

Edited by jonlad, 05 December 2017 - 04:17 PM.

[panky]

The inner wing should look like this if you are using a lekky fan. On my '91 Cooper.

 

 

If you're using a thermostat sandwich plate there should be a drilling for a temperature switch and you will need bracket PCU10135 in the diagram.

[nicklouse]

Hi folks.

I am building a mini from a shell up with a collection of parts begged, borrowed and bought (not stolen any yet!).

 

The shell is a 1992 sprite, 1275 carb. I want to be as correct as I can be (within reason) to how this car would have left the factory. A little upgrade or modernization here or there is ok by me.

 

SO...

I am fitting a 1275 metro engine and I need a radiator and most of the parts associated with it. I had a look on mini spares which confused me...   this is the page for 'pre 1996' radiators. https://www.minispar...6.aspx?2~19~180

 

Q1) Which top mounting should I use?  The one listed here for a 998? item 15?

Q2) I'm thinking along the lines of a 3 core 'standard' rad - this will not be raced etc. Do I need an electric fan as well as the mechanical fan?

Q3) minispares seem to stock two electric fan types - one with sensor in rad, one with sensor in hose. any pros/cons?

 

I bought a replacement inner wing (the shell came without one!) with a large circular hole in it believing this to be correct to the year/model but haven't fitted it yet.

 

so finally.... Do you think I will be ok with:

            3 core 'standard' rad

            yellow plastic engine driven fan in the 'normal' fan shroud

            large circular hole in wing

            leccy fan on inner wing?   or not??

 

thanks in advance for your advice...  I feel a bit confused by all the options  

Q1 one for a 1275

Q2 no

Q3 no.

 

electric fan not needed.

[jonlad]

Thanks gents

 

Sorry i didn't explain myself very well on q1)  ​ 

 

I don't have a sandwich plate. The metro engine didn't come with one. Trying to use a thermostat housing without one.  will the 1275 top bracket fit?

 

Thanks for your other responses.

 

*edit, sorry, just figured out why the 998 one won't fit, the orientation of the thermostat housing studs is different. I'll keep looking for a 1275 one without sandwich plate, mini spares website isn't very obvious sometimes...*

 

*second edit, found what i'm looking for, thanks*

Edited by jonlad, 05 December 2017 - 09:12 PM.

[cal844]

The inner wing should look like this if you are using a lekky fan. On my '91 Cooper.
 

 
If you're using a thermostat sandwich plate there should be a drilling for a temperature switch and you will need bracket PCU10135 in the diagram.

On our 1993 cars they have the SPI type inner wings, without grilles.

I'd recommend fitting a lekky fan wired to a switch on the dash as a just incase.

[the.stroker]

The inner wing should look like this if you are using a lekky fan. On my '91 Cooper.
 
 
If you're using a thermostat sandwich plate there should be a drilling for a temperature switch and you will need bracket PCU10135 in the diagram.

On our 1993 cars they have the SPI type inner wings, without grilles.
I'd recommend fitting a lekky fan wired to a switch on the dash as a just incase.

+1 on the installation of an electric fan wired to a switch

[cal844]

The inner wing should look like this if you are using a lekky fan. On my '91 Cooper.
 
 
If you're using a thermostat sandwich plate there should be a drilling for a temperature switch and you will need bracket PCU10135 in the diagram.

On our 1993 cars they have the SPI type inner wings, without grilles.
I'd recommend fitting a lekky fan wired to a switch on the dash as a just incase.

+1 on the installation of an electric fan wired to a switch

I will be doing this modification to all of our minis(the temperature needle climbs to H, unsure if it's overheating or not though but best to take precautions!)

[nicklouse]

Thanks gents

 

Sorry i didn't explain myself very well on q1)  ​ 

 

I don't have a sandwich plate. The metro engine didn't come with one. Trying to use a thermostat housing without one.  will the 1275 top bracket fit?

 

Thanks for your other responses.

 

*edit, sorry, just figured out why the 998 one won't fit, the orientation of the thermostat housing studs is different. I'll keep looking for a 1275 one without sandwich plate, mini spares website isn't very obvious sometimes...*

 

*second edit, found what i'm looking for, thanks*

sandwich plate not needed. but what you actually need depends on what you actually have. and how you go about sorting it depends on how much or how little you want to spend.

[jonlad]

Thanks Nick, I get that.

 

What I was looking for was some advice, some guidance, from you experienced chaps.

 

I have very little. I need a lot.

[cal844]

Thanks Nick, I get that.
 
What I was looking for was some advice, some guidance, from you experienced chaps.
 
I have very little. I need a lot.

As Nick says the sandwich plate is not needed, you'll need shorter bolts if not using the plate

[jonlad]

Thanks all for the info, its all of great help

 

I went with the 3 core rad with correct 1275 mounts once id found them, no sandwich plate, but i did buy a larger bore 'stat housing as i had thought i'd re-use one i got off a 998 head, but it looked out of proportion with the later cooper large bore version. hoses to suit obviously.

 

I'll stick with the round hole front wing and fit a fan on a switch later on. I used to use these on off-roaders so know that they can be useful in some circumstances. For some reason i hadn't thought of a switch so you have been very helpful!

 

I was reading elsewhere about fluid capacity being important so will try and stick with the larger bore heater hose as much as possible too.

Cheers all

Edited by jonlad, 06 December 2017 - 07:33 PM.

[gav]

You'll need to use a water pump with a bypass to the head or simply drill a small hole in the thermostat if you're not running a sandwich plate/bypass.

[jonlad]

Thanks for the reminder gav, i'd already seen recommendations for drilling the stat from mike spider, but appreciate the reminder!

[panky]

Drilled the stat on my Minor when I fitted the A+12G940 head, works fine.