26 replies to this topic

[luismx123]

It's unlikely a 40 year old car will ever be as reliable, but you don't need to fear it will let you down every time you drive it either. If it does, the chances of fixing it yourself are much higher, especially if you gain a little knowledge beforehand.

There's some great "basic principles" info online. I'd recommend University Motors YouTube channel - MG's, but much also applies to Mini engines, ignition and a particularly good intro to SU carbs.



A 1980 Min should be on 10" rims and drums, you could convert to 7.5 discs for a few hundred quid. Drums can stop you about as well, but discs don't need adjusting, resist fade and are less likely to lock up if you hit them hard.

ight, I'll give them a few views :)

Yea it's on 10s ATM, but I want to swap to some 12s later and some 12s with winter tires for the colder months. I thought discbrakes would be closer in the future than later, but I want to get a feel for the whole thing first and start doing basic cosmetics to get a hang of everything :)

I am guessing the 12" wheel is due to winter tyre and chain options.. I would still stick with the 10s for the summer wheels.

Hmm why so? So probably have to get some 7.5 discs I'm guessing.

Yea exactly. Haven't found a 10" winter tyre on the market except from old, used ones. Old-timers are legal to drive with Sommers here in Austria(afaik), but I don't want to risk it just for saving a few euros.

I'll look into some deep dish 10s... My favourite wheel, the supertrax 13s unfortunately aren't available in any other sizes than 13" I think weeler wheels look pretty cool with the 8 spokes. Could be wrong on the name there, don't quote me

[Ethel]

They're ok on 12's.

 

I think it'll be more about the wheels and tyres you want to run. You could fit either to 7.5's and it sounds like you already have a set of rims. Worth mentioning the rear brake drums and hubs are different on disc braked cars, but it's not critical and only really effects wheel spacing.

 

I reckon wet Mini ignition is more often down to the low voltage wiring than the distributor. Decent connector sleeves, filled with petroleum jelly, and clean wiring arranged to run water away from the connections helps a lot. 

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

 

Personally I've found the trickiest bit about learning how to fix the engine is finding time to learn before it breaks down and you're forced to sort it! I can do everything on a Mini absolutely fine, except the things I've never needed to do before.

Realistically the only thing that's particularly likely to cause you to breakdown in a well maintained Mini is the ignition circuit. As mentioned you can help with that by adding an electronic module to the distributor so you're not worrying about points. Then carry a spare coil and leads. The next stage for reliability would be to sack off the ignition entirely and fit a Megajolt setup that completely removes the distributor. Does it remove the coil as well, I can't remember. This is relatively straightforward in theory, but does involve fitting a trigger-wheel to the side of the engine which is tricky with the engine in.

That is exactly what I'm scared of. I'm hectically reading up and down forums, every single post possible to learn as much as possible as soon as possible for the case of a engine crash or issues somewhere on the highway :/

I'll take a look into the megajolt system. Price isn't an issue, just experience I guess. And to be honest, I have no clue where the next Rolling road or nearest mini specialist is, so screwing up could be a longer-term poophole for me.

I'll try to "rain proof" the dizzy and coils with rubber gloves and zipties etc and get a splash guard for the front and see how that holds up.
Reading for hours, still can't find a basic "this is the dizzy, this is the Xxxxx,and to do this you do xxxxx" etc type writeup. Most are like "yea swap the dizzy for a Xxxxx and connect the negative ground to the space rocket and then the pinwheel will create sparks that will turn cotton candy into a can of wd40 for" jeez my brain is Fried....

 

Things will always go wrong which you have to then learn about but that's all part of it.  Learn what you can but don't overthink it.  Get out and enjoy the vehicle.  Start with local trips and go further as your confidence improves.

 

As cal844 suggested breakdown cover which includes vehicle recovery is essential but that applies to any vehicle really.  Just think, we used to go everywhere, often not in the best cars, without mobile phones not so long ago but we didn't worry about it all the time.  If something happened you just sorted it out.

 

Have you got a Haynes manual?  You can learn an awful lot of what you need to know with one of these.  Great bedtime reading!

[cal844]

Best thing to do is to fit disc brakes, an electronic distributor (and suitable coil) then you want to check the suspension for play, then grease the grease points and try again... A quick tightness check too as your a new owner.

Carry an imperial socket and spanner set, spare plugs and leads and an AA card.

Ive also fitted a more modern stereo head unit with a USB so you can charge phones etc. In my estate I also have a power socket and twin USB for the dash cam.

Cheers m8. Haven't thought of the stereo part yet. Gonna slap some silent coat on the panels soon as the inner roof is ripped up and it's fairly loud ATM :///

You won't need much silent coat to stop panel vibration. Seal all the holes in the bulkhead and rear seat to rear quarter gaps.

I'd highly suggest you get the car to drive and get it tuned before moving to electronic ignition (it's actually alot more reliable than points as it won't need adjusted or cut out in the rain) we drive our minis in sun and monsoon(for Scotland anyway) rains, they never misfire or lack in power,

We have A+ engines in our cars, with the 65DM4 distributor

[cal844]

Personally I've found the trickiest bit about learning how to fix the engine is finding time to learn before it breaks down and you're forced to sort it! I can do everything on a Mini absolutely fine, except the things I've never needed to do before.

Realistically the only thing that's particularly likely to cause you to breakdown in a well maintained Mini is the ignition circuit. As mentioned you can help with that by adding an electronic module to the distributor so you're not worrying about points. Then carry a spare coil and leads. The next stage for reliability would be to sack off the ignition entirely and fit a Megajolt setup that completely removes the distributor. Does it remove the coil as well, I can't remember. This is relatively straightforward in theory, but does involve fitting a trigger-wheel to the side of the engine which is tricky with the engine in.

That is exactly what I'm scared of. I'm hectically reading up and down forums, every single post possible to learn as much as possible as soon as possible for the case of a engine crash or issues somewhere on the highway :/

I'll take a look into the megajolt system. Price isn't an issue, just experience I guess. And to be honest, I have no clue where the next Rolling road or nearest mini specialist is, so screwing up could be a longer-term poophole for me.

I'll try to "rain proof" the dizzy and coils with rubber gloves and zipties etc and get a splash guard for the front and see how that holds up.
Reading for hours, still can't find a basic "this is the dizzy, this is the Xxxxx,and to do this you do xxxxx" etc type writeup. Most are like "yea swap the dizzy for a Xxxxx and connect the negative ground to the space rocket and then the pinwheel will create sparks that will turn cotton candy into a can of wd40 for" jeez my brain is Fried....

Things will always go wrong which you have to then learn about but that's all part of it. Learn what you can but don't overthink it. Get out and enjoy the vehicle. Start with local trips and go further as your confidence improves.

As cal844 suggested breakdown cover which includes vehicle recovery is essential but that applies to any vehicle really. Just think, we used to go everywhere, often not in the best cars, without mobile phones not so long ago but we didn't worry about it all the time. If something happened you just sorted it out.

Have you got a Haynes manual? You can learn an awful lot of what you need to know with one of these. Great bedtime reading!

I like the last paragraph of this, it's true, they do ?

[luismx123]

They're ok on 12's.

I think it'll be more about the wheels and tyres you want to run. You could fit either to 7.5's and it sounds like you already have a set of rims. Worth mentioning the rear brake drums and hubs are different on disc braked cars, but it's not critical and only really effects wheel spacing.

I reckon wet Mini ignition is more often down to the low voltage wiring than the distributor. Decent connector sleeves, filled with petroleum jelly, and clean wiring arranged to run water away from the connections helps a lot.

Nah it's just the stock 10s. Was gonna ride them until I got everything else done. Long list of interior design ideas, motor and suspension, then lastly exterior. I know that's kinda countered to what many others do, but at the end of the day, I'm the driver and I see the car the most from the inside.

I'll check what's the best option for my future plans and get the brakes accordingly.

[luismx123]

Things will always go wrong which you have to then learn about but that's all part of it. Learn what you can but don't overthink it. Get out and enjoy the vehicle. Start with local trips and go further as your confidence improves.

As cal844 suggested breakdown cover which includes vehicle recovery is essential but that applies to any vehicle really. Just think, we used to go everywhere, often not in the best cars, without mobile phones not so long ago but we didn't worry about it all the time. If something happened you just sorted it out.

Have you got a Haynes manual? You can learn an awful lot of what you need to know with one of these. Great bedtime reading!

Which Haynes are you talking about?
I've thought of getting one or two, but not sure what's best.
I've seen there is mini restoration, a series tuning, anatomy, performance manual etc.

All are in someway applicable as I'd like to one day restore, tune, get perf. Etc.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

 

Things will always go wrong which you have to then learn about but that's all part of it. Learn what you can but don't overthink it. Get out and enjoy the vehicle. Start with local trips and go further as your confidence improves.

As cal844 suggested breakdown cover which includes vehicle recovery is essential but that applies to any vehicle really. Just think, we used to go everywhere, often not in the best cars, without mobile phones not so long ago but we didn't worry about it all the time. If something happened you just sorted it out.

Have you got a Haynes manual? You can learn an awful lot of what you need to know with one of these. Great bedtime reading!

Which Haynes are you talking about?
I've thought of getting one or two, but not sure what's best.
I've seen there is mini restoration, a series tuning, anatomy, performance manual etc.

All are in someway applicable as I'd like to one day restore, tune, get perf. Etc.

 

All are good but I mean the workshop manual which tells you how to service, remove and replace and overhaul everything.

[nicklouse]

not the latest one as it is a bit pants.

 

any of the ones that say WORKSHOP manual.

[cal844]

I have a 59-88 and a 69 to 2000

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

not the latest one as it is a bit pants.

 

any of the ones that say WORKSHOP manual.

Yes.  Not sure why they took something that worked and broke it.

[nicklouse]

 

not the latest one as it is a bit pants.

 

any of the ones that say WORKSHOP manual.

Yes.  Not sure why they took something that worked and broke it.

 

mine