11 replies to this topic

[mobleringen]

Hi! I have got a -70 carb mini, and got my hands on a SPI engine block/top. My old engine is out, and the new is already in. 

I have used all the part from the old engine ( carb,ignition etc).

So far all good, it starts and are running fine.

But how do you wire the coolant hoses?

 

As this is an -70, i have got the matrix heater valve on the engine top.

Do i need to change the hoses to spi types, and how do i set up the cooling system for maxium flow..?

The differens on the cooling system( if i am rigth..) is the blanking on the SPI top, and the waterpump witout bypass..

Edited by mobleringen, 27 July 2022 - 11:28 AM.

[nicklouse]

Just set it up as you want. You may need to drill some holes and cut some threads. 

[mobleringen]

Was thinking of putting the matrix heater on the top, But if you close this to get cold air inside the car, wil there be any circulation of coolent in the engine? The old engine did have a bypass, but i dont think the SPI have it..

[cal844]

I fitted a 1275 carb engine (last of the carb engines) to my 80 Clubman Estate.

(heater had the hoses on either side of the bulkhead)

I had to drill the heater take off in the cylinder head (above cyl #4) as it was blanked from standard but the two small (3/8ths) threads were drilled and tapped.

I had to use the earlier thermostat housing and make a top radiator bracket as I couldn't get a factory one to fit.

Hope this helps

Cal844

[viz139]

The bypass in the SPi is through the heated inlet manifold. Unless your mini is a 1970  Cooper S you are upgrading from an 850 or 998 so fitting a water heated inlet manifold with a cooper freeflow or LCB  exhaust manifold would be the easiest way to go. For the heater flow you can either use the SPi valve or drill and tap the head. Unless you change to a later heater you will also have to fit reducers from 15mm to 13mm hoses.

[viz139]

I fitted a 1275 carb engine (last of the carb engines) to my 80 Clubman Estate.

(heater had the hoses on either side of the bulkhead)

I had to drill the heater take off in the cylinder head (above cyl #4) as it was blanked from standard but the two small (3/8ths) threads were drilled and tapped.

I had to use the earlier thermostat housing and make a top radiator bracket as I couldn't get a factory one to fit.

Hope this helps

Cal844

Think you will find what you need is the 1275GT rad bracket.

[RooBoonix]

I fitted a 1275 carb engine (last of the carb engines) to my 80 Clubman Estate.

(heater had the hoses on either side of the bulkhead)

I had to drill the heater take off in the cylinder head (above cyl #4) as it was blanked from standard but the two small (3/8ths) threads were drilled and tapped.

I had to use the earlier thermostat housing and make a top radiator bracket as I couldn't get a factory one to fit.

Hope this helps

Cal844

 

Heater take off threads are 1/4" UNF 

[mobleringen]

https://imgur.com/a/G3IMo1Z  

Could this be  the way to do it?  ( just like the old engine,,)

 

 

<blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/G3IMo1Z" data-context="false" ><a href="//imgur.com/a/G3IMo1Z"></a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Edited by mobleringen, 27 July 2022 - 02:18 PM.

[wile e coyote]

The other thing to consider is the spi head (assuming12G940B) won't have the engine temp sensor hole tapped forgot this necessary little detail when transplanting mine - got round it by using one from a morris minor with the sensor hole in the thermostat housing... hard to find though....its ref number is 12a408

 

The spi heads do (at least in my experience) have the holes drilled and tapped for the take off valve and a clear detent where to drill through  so a couple of studs, washers and nuts (possibly salvageable from your old head and you should be good to go)  I run mine with a thermostat with half a dozen 5mm holes drilled in the outer ring to allow the bypass...

 

You may also need a reducing diameter hose joiner.....plumbing suppliers have nice brass ones for peanuts e.g  https://www.thehosem...2UaAuetEALw_wcB

[Spider]

For the Heater Hose Connection Points, I'd suggest as it was done in the 70's - one take off on the far end of the Head and the return to the Lower Hose.

In regards to the By-pass, I would recommend leaving it blanked off. The issue with the By-pass is once the Thermostat opens, there remains a reasonable flow of hot coolant out of the Head, directly back in to the Block, by-passing the Radiator. You'll find no ill-effects from having it blanked off other than a heater that works and an engine that runs cooler.

[cal844]

Thanks to Viz139 and RooBoonix for the clarifications! Top work and as they say, every day is a school day 😁

[mobleringen]

I have used all the «old parts», so then i think all will be ok. I have a temp sensor from a older minor, so that is ok, but it is above the termostat. So it will maby read a lilte hotter then it should.. i will try it for the weekend, and give a feedback. Thank you all 😃