15 replies to this topic

[brucecjackson]

Hello All

 

After 5 years (nearly) of owning this car, bought on a whim and an unfulfilled promise of a space in a barn and only driving it about 10 miles, I am finally starting my project having eventually secured a corner of a unit.

 

The car is a Rio, but as you can see from below the previous owner had fettled it somewhat - but I have no details at all of any specifications - gonna find out as it comes to pieces.

 

My ultimate aim is a full engine and gearbox rebuild (and upgrade if / where necessary to a 'fast road' specification), full suspension and brakes overhaul / upgrade, new wiring all round and a bespoke but very stripped out interior - I've had a long time to think about this, and the project has undergone many changes in my head since 2015, but I think i know where i am going now ! - but you never know !!  This sis something I've always wanted to do since my first mini in 1988 (a Racing Green I purchased to get me reliably to clients in my first job).

 

I have spent the last 3 weeks kitting out my space - and since I have never done any engineering / mechanics before, its involved acquiring a lot of items - everything from a kettle to an engine hoist - with lots still to come no doubt

 

As stated, I hardly know one end of a spanner from another - so this is a long term project to keep me off the streets and out of the pub (!!), and luckily I have some good mates on hand who are keen to relive their formative years spent tearing around in minis.  Fingers crossed.

 

Tomorrow, the oil and water is being drained, and I'm gonna start dismantling the engine according to my second hand copy of Haynes manual.

 

 Opbq+l+EQ2yJzoqG82qlnQ.jpg   80.05K   3 downloads

 

I intend to keep the project documented on here, so I hope you enjoy anything I post, and advice is always grateful accepted !!!

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

[Junior Mini]

Welcome to the forum 

[mercenary62]

welcome mate nice looking mini project keep the pics coming

[brucecjackson]

OK - life got in the way and I have had no where near as much time as I would have liked to take the engine out - so all I have achieved so far is the extraction of the radiator, alternator, air filters, horn and disconnected a few cables - am working some things out as i go though which is good - also learning from the threads on this forum - so no complaints at all - having fun ! - there is no rush on this project

 

Then i discovered today that i need MORE tools - so that put a stop to todays playing - off to the internet for a decent FULL set of spanners, and some socket extensions

 

A couple of photos to come when i remember how to post them

[brucecjackson]

 rad out.jpeg   70K   3 downloads

 

 

[brucecjackson]

 airfilteroff.jpeg   39.49K   3 downloads

 

need some small spanners to get the choke and throttle cables off

 

 

and a socket extension to get to this brake servo bolt

 

 

 brake servo bolt.jpeg   31.43K   3 downloads

 

 

[DeadSquare]

PLEASE>>>>>>>PLEASE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>PLEASE

 

Take it from someone, who in the last 30 years has taken pity on about 20 owners, and reconstituted their Minis.................................................You are going to end up with boxes of unlabled bits.

 

Put it back together, fill it with water, oil and petrol..........charge the battery.............................bleed the brakes.............................................................................and drive it.

[brucecjackson]

 halfwayengineout.jpeg   44.03K   1 downloads

 

OOPS - that box of bits just got bigger !!!!  spent an hour today tinkering - distributor, starter motor, something else (!!!), oil filter housing all came off - ran out of tools - yesterday purchases not yet delivered 

 

seriously though DeadSquare, thanks for your concern - and i can well believe the number of unfinished projects that are probably out there

 

however i have been successfully completing projects on a professional basis for decades, and know what needs to be done

 

this one has people with the skills and experience (excluding me - but this after all is mainly a learning exercise for me only), it has a very reputable engine supplier giving support, it has no time limit and importantly, no budget constraints - we should be fine - not saying that i won't be on here asking for (and gratefully receiving) help and tips though

 

and as for that box of bits - yes, there is one already - and growing - its all going to be up for sale soon - everything bar the block, the gearbox casing and links, bell house and clutch bits i think  - so if anyone is interested in some spares watch this space

 

 

 

 

[brucecjackson]

K299 ADW   UPDATE

 

Its months since the car was touched - you can probably guess why - but some progress has been made last week.....

 

 

 

 IMG_2405.jpg   40.95K   4 downloads

 

 

the engine bay was surprisingly clean - good news !!  

 

 IMG_2409.jpg   69.15K   5 downloads

 

 

 

took off the head, then the flywheel and other bits - 

 

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 IMG_2519.jpg   33.26K   3 downloads

 

 

so all good so far

 

then bits of the suspension and steering were noticed to be a bit shabby

 

 

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 IMG_2504.jpg   57.01K   1 downloads

 

 

so i have decided to put a temporary halt on the engine, and drop the front sub frame and do a full rebuild / upgrade of it all on a bench - learning a lot along the way but having fun again now i can access the car !! - am putting a shopping list together as i write to include:

 

adjustable shocks

adjustable lower arms

adjustable tie rods

hi lo's and cones

lightweight swivel joints, drive flange, and big brake disc / callipers 

quick rack and tie rod ends

new bushes and fittings all round

etc

 

any advice on best lightweight swivels and brakes etc ? - KAD or Minisport? 

 

or any other advice at all !

 

also hi lo's - are the KAD or MED ones worth the extra investment ?

 

more news as soon as i make any sort of progress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ell.s]

I found no issue with minispares Hi-Lo's. Really robust.

[exuptoy]

Fair play to you. Keep on keeping on fella. Interested in this.

[brucecjackson]

One more day done 

 

car up on boards

 

 IMG_2680.jpg   30.15K   3 downloads

 

 

Front subframe out - thanks to you tube !!

 

 

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 IMG_2686.jpg   33.4K   3 downloads

 

 

Next to the welders for some strengthening, then blasting and powder coating - can't decide on colour yet

 

 

i have ordered boxes of new bolts and bushes, along with hi lows, shocks, cones, new swivel hubs (old ones not good at all),

 

 

 IMG_2624.jpg   56.56K   1 downloads

 

 

bearings, ball joints etc etc

 

 

just brakes and drive flanges and master cylinders to decide on (suggestions / advice welcome) , and the front end is coming together well

 

 

Then back to You tube for the back end  

[brucecjackson]

Another day in the shed

 

Started on the back end - got the tank out:

 

 

 IMG_2726.jpg   30.29K   5 downloads

 

then got the rear subframe out following on line instructions - got there in the end - and it was again, in surprisingly good nick

 

 

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 IMG_2723.jpg   34.07K   5 downloads

 

 

 IMG_2724.jpg   34.29K   8 downloads

 

 

shock absorber a bit done in - but all being replaced so ok with that

 

 

next week - strip both subframes, get welded up (just bought David Vizard on eBay), and then shot blast, powder-coated and then rebuild (almost certainly not achievable in a week!!) - boxes of bits are arriving from all over, but no brake callipers / discs yet - can't decide - help!!!!

 

i'm also thinking new aluminium tank - apart from Demon Weeks, where is a good place got look for one?

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nickrussan]

Aup do you still have the mini? I was the one that originally rebuilt mini some 14 years ago! It still pains me to this day that I parted with it holds a special place in my heart

[Nickrussan]

Oh by the way it's a mini Italian job 1275 not a rio 998 👍