13 replies to this topic

[Ianm11]

Finally getting back to doing some time on my mini restoration after our new baby arrived in May of last year. Im just thinking about blanking off my fresh air system for the inside of the car. I can get smiffy bits blanking plates and gaskets and weld up the other round hole in the Rh inner wing. Is it worth blanking this all off and relying on just having the windows open? Also will i need to change the type heater box fitted to the car for this to work or what do i need to block off in the old heater box in the car

Thanks again

Ian

[sonscar]

I would keep the fresh air,one of the things that makes later cars nicer in my opinion.I used to drive all year round until this last event stopped it and the improved ventilation was welcome.Steve..

[Cooperman]

I recently did this on my Grandson's Mayfair which is being built as Mk.1 Cooper 'Tribute'.
The fresh air vents can ge unscrewed abd I just cut two circular aluminium discs and screwed them in. The hole in the wing has been fited with a shaped aluminium sheet painted body colour. The extra electrical relays will be fitted onto this.
The car has a sliding window conversion and a centre speedo.

[roblightbody]

I think it's absolutely essential, personally... Not sure why you'd deliberately make the car worse.

However i have a question that your question made me think of. The face level vents only came along later, but which minis didn't have a fresh air source inside the car at all?

[Aria Aradhea]

I think it's absolutely essential, personally... Not sure why you'd deliberately make the car worse.

However i have a question that your question made me think of. The face level vents only came along later, but which minis didn't have a fresh air source inside the car at all?

Some export specification Minis don't have any fresh air source at all (short of opening the windows). The Indonesian market spec was just that, it is sold with the vents blanked off and no heater box/fan fitted.

[Cooperman]

The original Minis had a heater as an optional extra and they were simply recirculating with no fresh air ducting.

To get fresh air one slid one of the windows back a bit.

[roblightbody]

The original Minis had a heater as an optional extra and they were simply recirculating with no fresh air ducting.
To get fresh air one slid one of the windows back a bit.

Thanks! So what year/mk got the fresh air ducting, was it only with the mk2

[Ethel]

Certainly available on MK3's. Couldn't say with absolute certainty that no earlier cars had 'em. I'm less certain about the heater plumbing, I think the underwing ducting got introduced earlier. Not all Mk3's has fresh air vents though. Poverty models right through the 850 & City didn't either, along with Speedos only & fixed side glass.

 

The heater will work, you'd need to fettle the intake hose on later heaters. However, it will recirculate as much humidity as heat. I'd keep it as it is, particularly if you ever need to demist the screen.

 

I love the Mini fresh air vents, it's haptic feedback 

[beardylondon]

Having both a Mk1 and a Mk5 mini, the fresh air vents on the mk5 are one of the best improvements, why anyone would want to remove them is a mystery, as has been said it actually enhances the driving experience!

[Cooperman]

If the car is to be used for competition the fresh air vents need to be blanked off as the fresh ait passesthrough a duct inside the engine bay. I guess the pipe could be modified to draw the air from inside the wheel arch, but a lot of DGS would come in, especially in wet or muddy conditions.

 

In the case of my grandson's car. it will have a centre speedo and sliding windows and it is not possible to have eyeball vents with the dash liners.

 

From memory, the original fresh air system was introduced around 1962 or 62 when a pipe was led from the front grill through the engine bay and into the car via the bulkhead and then down in to the heater box. That is what my 1964 Cooper was like when I bought it new in June 1964. that is why the really early cars steamed up on cold and wet days.

[whistler]

The original Minis had a heater as an optional extra and they were simply recirculating with no fresh air ducting.

To get fresh air one slid one of the windows back a bit.

Or opened a quarter panel window (if fitted with hinges.)

[whistler]

If the car is to be used for competition the fresh air vents need to be blanked off as the fresh ait passesthrough a duct inside the engine bay. I guess the pipe could be modified to draw the air from inside the wheel arch, but a lot of DGS would come in, especially in wet or muddy conditions.

 

In the case of my grandson's car. it will have a centre speedo and sliding windows and it is not possible to have eyeball vents with the dash liners.

 

From memory, the original fresh air system was introduced around 1962 or 62 when a pipe was led from the front grill through the engine bay and into the car via the bulkhead and then down in to the heater box. That is what my 1964 Cooper was like when I bought it new in June 1964. that is why the really early cars steamed up on cold and wet days.

Edited by whistler, 01 February 2021 - 05:20 PM.

[ads7]

A lot of fan/timing chain rattle engine noise is transmitted through the passenger side vent so I blocked mine off, kept the offside vent though.

[roblightbody]

A lot of fan/timing chain rattle engine noise is transmitted through the passenger side vent so I blocked mine off, kept the offside vent though.

That usually happens if the plastic tube has been dislodged or is damaged.