9 replies to this topic

[AlasdairM]

Hi folks

 

New to the forum here. Bought a cooper 2 years ago and had it welded and resprayed by a local garage. 

 

The previous owner had stripped a lot out of it before I got it, so need to figure out how to put it all back together! The car was last MOT'd 10 years ago, so has been sitting for quite some time. I managed to start it last week though (briefly as there is no radiator installed), so that was encouraging.

 

The forum has been very helpful so far, so thanks a lot. 

 

Attached is a picture of the car. 

 

My tasks are, amongst others... replace the heater matrix (it isn't installed), plumb up radiator and hoses, replace inlet manifold (as pipe outlet has rusted), service engine (oil+filters), replace shock absorbers and address any running gear issues, underseal car(Dinatrol?), fit lights, fit interior, fit windows, bonnet and boot. 

 

Shouldn't take too long then!

 

If I should do anything else which I have missed, or if there's something else I should watch out for: please let me know!

 

Alasdair

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[Ethel]

Welcome,

 

That must be a good way to buy one, fewer nasty surprises.

[AlasdairM]

H Reg is 1990 and the sunroof suggests it could be an RSP. Nearly all RSPs are H Reg. The way to tell is from the VIN. Mainstream (carb) Coopers have BBD in the VIN while RSPs have BAD. 

 

Thanks for this- I will check and report back whether or not it has BAD or BBD in the VIN. 

[Cooperman]

Welcome to the Forum.

The last of the carb Coopers are excellent, but I would say that as I have a 1990 H-plate Cooper myself which is a road-rally car.

Feel free to ask anything on here. No-one will think any question is a silly question. If you don't know the answer then just ask away.

We are all here to help and do so very willingly.

[panky]

Welcome to the Forum.

The last of the carb Coopers are excellent, 

 

I second that, but then I'm biased

[AlasdairM]

Hi 

 

Turns out mine is a BBD, not BAD. 

 

I have a few more questions:

 

1. Do you know what size the screws are for the heater matrix to be screwed into the dash? 

 

2.(pic attached) I need to buy a top mount radiator bracket but I am unsure which one to buy (since I don't have the old one). From https://www.minispar...6.aspx?2~19~180, do I need to buy parts 15-20? Or part 18 instead of 15? Or 15 instead of 18? 

 

3. (pic attached) I also have a rusty inlet manifold port. I think cleaning wouldn't work, so I might just buy a new inlet manifold. From https://www.minispar...n.aspx?2~12~115 it looks like I need CAM6618, however this link doesn't work. Is that the right part? If so, where's the best place to get one? 

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Alasdair

 

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Edited by ali.m.1, 09 March 2020 - 10:33 AM.

[Cooperman]

Don't bother with a new inlet manifold. Most of us don't connect the hot water pipes to the manifold as it is better to have the manifold unheated. None of the early 1275 cars (Mk.1 Cooper 'S', etc) had heated manifolds.

[AlasdairM]

By chance I had to undo the heater to access the switches on my RSP. The screws are 1" no.10 or 25mm/5mm - round-headed pozidrive.

As for the other questions, it may be worth checking the website for Somerford Mini. They have built up a brilliant on-line catalogue, which goes into great detail about what is correct for a particular model.

Thanks for checking on the VIN. The mainstream Coopers seem to be rarer now than the RSPs even though they made about 20,000 of them. They are very desirable.

The correct workshop manuals are the official Rover Mini Repair Manual AKM 6353 (2nd edition) and Haynes Mini '69 to '91.

Thanks a lot for the advice: much appreciated!