14 replies to this topic

[Squiks]

Hi to all,

I'm pretty new to this forum so excuse my lack of knowledge on the does and don'ts.

Recently purchased an old rust bucket (85 mini austin) with the idea of rebuilding it together with my 14 year old daughter so that she gains some knowledge about the in's and out's of a old school type car and as a gift when she turns of age............. that's if shes still interessted....... :)

Already bought some body panels from Minispares and sourced a rollover jig and sand blaster.

The engine that came out of this mini was the 998cc in a very poor state. Recently saw a good 1098 on ebay but missed it by a few quid due to a tight budget.

Does any one know ( where I can get a complete refurbed engine complete with gearbox, starter, alternator, carbs etc?

tried ebay........... ........tried Gumtree......... ......... tried mini manis............ ........ tried classic engines and all the other search engines............

Any direction is better than the one I'm at.

Cheers D.

[Mini Waco]

Hey D... unable to help with the engine, but I’m in the same boat if father-daughter restoration. Both my daughters help, but they have lost a little interest.... we are restoring an ‘82 mini as can be seen in the attached link. I hope the best for you guys
https://youtu.be/ZDeRDqYsCO0

[Chris1275gt]

Hi D
Have you not thought of getting the engine/gearbox refurbished and the carburretor can be refurbished as well. You can generally get it done at a reasonable price and yours may not be as bad as you think? To me buying an engine off eBay could be a minefield if you have no experience with engines, but good luck with it all.

[xrocketengineer]

A possible option:

 

http://www.guess-wor...om/Shop/Engine/

[sca]

do your car up first thrugh the summer months which will give you plenty of time to refurb or sauce a different engine

[blacktulip]

Where are you based? I'm sure some people on here have spare engines

[DeanP]

Hi and welcome. What makes you think it’s in a poor state? These engines are pretty bullet proof and I actually think many get stripped down needlessly. It may just want a damn good clean. One of my engines stood for 25 years fired it up and 10 years later still going strong.

Edited by DeanP, 23 April 2020 - 05:38 PM.

[Algordo1100]

Hi and welcome. What makes you think it’s in a poor state? These engines are pretty bullet proof and I actually think many get stripped down needlessly. It may just want a damn good clean. One of my engines stood for 25 years fired it up and 10 years later still going strong.

Agreed.
My first Mini, a 998, stood for 12 years.
Yes the body was shot but the motor, after some simple TLC, fired right up. That engine/box even ended up in another mini after I totalled the car and ran for another 5 or so years before a rebuild.

And my second mini, similar story. 5 years not moving and resurrected without much effort.
Metros I've had, yep. Same!. Grandad's Allegro..Yep!

Basically yes, it could well be goosed, but don't write it off. These old A series may suprise you.

Edited by Algordo1100, 24 April 2020 - 10:07 PM.

[Squiks]

Hi guys. Your advise and opinions are much appreciated and welcomed. Very valid points made which I will seriously consider.

 

I'm based in North London and bought this car off the Internet from up North for £2k approx 7 months ago. It arrived on a back of a truck, started but ran very rough.

Body at the time didn't look too sad until I started taking it apart. I have since bought body panels from a local shop and due to collect a Rollover jig from a manufacturer near by. The front and rear sub-frames have been removed which I'm hoping to take to a sand blaster next week. Covid depending . 

My daughter at first was "Yeah" this will be cool, my car, my project, lets do it................ well, it turns out to be my project only, my blood and skin, my aches and pains, not to forget, my wallet. 

I have to purchase all tools and necessary equipment to just make a little start on this car, leaving my bike to now stay outside as the garage is been occupied by this rust bucket :).

I suppose it wouldn't be exciting without all of the above.

Thanks again for your responses.

Cheers 

Edited by Squiks, 26 April 2020 - 09:41 AM.

[84sprite]

Hi Squiks
I am in the same position as you too .. bought a 1983 mini sprite a few months ago with my 17 year old daughter ... at the moment she still has limited interest and does do the odd job .. ours was under a gazebo until storm Ciera ripped it out the ground so have had to build a garage in the back garden to house the mini .. We have stripped the shell and engine/gearbox and started a few panel rub downs and to be fair my daughter has been taking part ... hundreds spent at mini spares and tool suppliers and she has been helping with the bills .. if you look for my posts on here you can see the progress there are a couple of threads with pictures ...

I wish you luck and a happy build

[Squiks]

Hi all. Well got all the panels on. Loads of rubbing, sanding, filling, more sanding, welding, not to mention the skin burns............. I'm sure you all be there.

OK...... on a more serious note. Took the mini off the roller jig. Fitted the front subframe. Tough on your own, but did it.

battled for about, which felt like "forever" but finally got the complete rear sub frame mounted. The mini is now standing on all fours. Yupeeee....That's what I thought till I noticed the rear wheels were kinda pointing slightly inwards, if you looking from the rear of the car. Please tell me this is a easily - non expensive fix...... pleaseeeeee!!!!

My wallet is running on empty, almost lost my right index finger, and still my wife and daughter are reluctant to help

I really look forward to hearing from any of you.

NB: If you in the area, feeling bored, want share your wealth of knowledge, i got beers, music and a listening ear..... thanks for reading.

 

Cheers

[sonscar]

In at the bottom and out at the top is normal as is in at the front and out at the rear but only slightly.It may look worse until loaded and rolled to and fro.Check the cones and knuckles for seating.Steve..

[johnR]

With regard to the engine it would be worth buying/borrowing a compression tester to check the condition of the engine first. If that's OK running rough may just be a set-up problem which cleaning the carb and some tweaks may sort.

[Squiks]

The whole of the rear subframe and it's counter parts are new.

 

Bought the complete rear and front sub frames from a reputable chap so hoping (as you say) when it's loaded it'll work out

 

 Is there an adjustment to bring the wheels straight?

[mab01uk]

Rear wheels on a Mini 'toe in' a little as standard (between 1 mm and 3 mm).

 

The shape of the rear of the body of a Mini often makes it look worse than it is.

 

The rear aches tapering in toward the rear of the car:-

https://www.theminif...ls-toe-inwards/