45 replies to this topic

[JXC Mini GT]

I have been looking for a Cooper S for a while now and finally found one that ticks all the boxes.

 

Its a 1968 Cooper S Mk2 which bodywise appears to be in very good condition having had some restoration work carried out at various stages in its life.

 

There are a number of points which require attention that I am hoping to carry out as running repairs.

 

There are lots of smaller tasks to carry out, no horn, no door mirrors, sliding windows don't lock, wipers dont give a full sweep, stiff gearchange to name a few but the priority is to give it a good service and tune and to sort out the brakes.

 

Here's a poor quality photo, I will add more as things progress.

 

 

[floormanager]

Congratulations and welcome to the club!

[wingnut]

Well done for finding one and I look forward to the updates.Have you rung Ben at Mill Road yet to tell him his got some more work coming his way

[JXC Mini GT]

Well done for finding one and I look forward to the updates.Have you rung Ben at Mill Road yet to tell him his got some more work coming his way

Funny you should mention that, I am visiting the Isle of Wight in a week or so's time, so I will drop in and see him and make enquiries of when he has some time to fit the new Mini in.

 

I have been working through some of the minor problems but it seems to be one step forward and then 2 back.

 

On checking why the handbrake was so poor I have discovered that it needs new drums as the original ones are scored but there currently out of stock at Minispares so that will have to wait, I then thought I would check why the window locks weren't working, the locks had been fitted back to front and without gaskets so a new set will be ordered. I then moved on to the wipers but can't work out why they dont give a full sweep?

[JXC Mini GT]

Sorted the Horn problem by replacing this

 

Fitted some door mirrors

I tried fitting new spacered drums to the rear brakes but found that the spacered drums currently fitted are about 10mm less than the replacement, anyone had similar problems?

 

[Homersimpson]

Sorted the Horn problem by replacing this

 

Fitted some door mirrors

I tried fitting new spacered drums to the rear brakes but found that the spacered drums currently fitted are about 10mm less than the replacement, anyone had similar problems?

I always thought that all spacered drums were the same?  The ones you have are not metro rear ones are they?

[JXC Mini GT]

I have just looked at Metro drum height sizes, they are 60, 83, 89, and 91mm. The spaced drums I have purchased are 83mm and the ones on the car are 70mm.

[GraemeC]

GDB105 - Standard

21A1457 - 1/4" built in spacer

GDB106 - 3/4" built in spacer

 

If you are running 7" Cooper discs then the 21A1457 is the correct rear drum.

If you are running 7.5" Cooper S discs then GDB106.  Obviously this will add 1/2" to the rear track each side over what you have now, so the wheels may then stick out.

Edited by GraemeC, 21 July 2023 - 03:00 PM.

[JXC Mini GT]

Thanks Graeme, that explains things clearly.

 

I have purchased a pair of the GDB 106 drums but in order to fit them I would need longer wheel studs and with the 165 tyres I have it would require arches to be fitted.

 

It would appear that the 21A1457 is no longer available so I may need to get standard drums and fit a 10mm spacer.

Edited by JXC Mini GT, 21 July 2023 - 03:18 PM.

[GraemeC]

That drum was Cooper fitment, not Cooper S so I assume someone has changed them at some time to accommodate a change in wheel without needing arches.

 

I think there are both 5mm and 9.5mm spacers available - I'm sure one of those would suit perfectly

[GT Jimmy]

Looks a good mini, will you be keeping the GT and running both?

[JXC Mini GT]

Looks a good mini, will you be keeping the GT and running both?

Intention is to keep both, the GT is my favourite and will continue to be used regularly.

 

The S will be used less frequently, if I can sort out some minor problems I am hoping to take it on the IOW mini run in September.

[Steve220]

Nice find!

[JXC Mini GT]

My brake drum problems continue, I purchased 9.5mm spacer with standard drums

 

After fitting the tyre has about 1mm clearance from the shock absorber, I have spoken to Minispares who have suggested using a 3mm wheel spacer shim, hopefully that will solve the problem.

 

Also while flushing the cooling sytem through I noticed the cylinder head bolt moving, on checking, the bolt has sheared off, so my next job is to remove the cylinder head to replace the bolt, would it be prudent to replace the existing cylinder head studs with new ?

[JXC Mini GT]

Took the cylinder head off today to remove the remains of the broken bolt.

 

I believe the engine has only covered about 1500 miles since being rebuilt, and the conditon of No 4 piston confirms that.

 

 

I am also going to replace all hoses, water pump, thermostat and temp sensor after discovering this when I removed the radiator.