320 replies to this topic

[slyrmini]

[slyrmini]

[slyrmini]

[slyrmini]

[slyrmini]

[slyrmini]

A few 'arty' shots from my workshop...

[johnR]

Just read this all the way through - this car has evolved beautifully, keeps getting better and better. I approve of the subtler details it now has (smaller wheels and arches etc) and the blue paint is lovely. Like me you obviously enjoy the problem solving and fabrication of building custom elements so the car will probably never be 'finished'! Great job.    

[slyrmini]

Little bit arse backwards with the images here but over lockdown i rebuilt an engine that i'd picked up a year or so earlier.

Found it, minus the box, going cheap on marketplace and it was just down the road so i quickly messaged and went to pick it up.

 

As with a huge percentage of the engines out there, the previous owner was completely unsure of the condition, but i didn't mind as i enjoy pulling them apart and making good again, and knew thats what i'd end up doing at some point.

 

 

Turned out to be a tad rough... a big end had spun so one of the rods needed replacing, valves and guides were pretty worn and the bores were defiantly worn. Again though, i didn't mind... i had other rods, the slightly heavier ones with the large caps and these had some nice +20 pistons attached to them. Also had an 11 stud 12G940 head in mint condition that i'd restored previously so that would replace the head. The crank taper was in fantastic condition so just had the crank re-ground and ended up being .040 on the big ends and .010 on the mains. Block went in at the same time and was bored to +20 to accept the piston i had and i also did all the calcs to bring the pistons flush for a 10.5 CR.









I was also, at the same time rebuilding a box and diff that i had donkeys years ago from previous engine strip downs. This one had a note stuffed inside it that i wrote for myself.. this read... Second gear is knackered, rebuild!! So stripped it down and sure enough, it was knackered.

At this point i wish i'd have taken photos, but i get so involved i completely forget until it's too late. Though, i do have some of the box.

 

I fitted a centre pickup and one of the Mini Spares magnets that on the back of the pickup... Does anyone know if they actually work? I suppose there is no harm..?





The old school woodwork bench is my kitchen island and I luckily have a very understanding wife.   



Setting idler end float.

 

A+ box, MiniSpares SC drops, 24t primary, 30t idler, 23 input. Loud... i know! but i'm one these that loves that noise.
New MiniSpares uprated diff pin. New planets and thrusts. 3.44 final drive.


 

This was again one of them had it in a box for years in mint condition jobby. Kent 276.







New pump from MiniSpares Part No: GLP138. Stripped this down to check clearance and it was mint. I did though... find inside it two tiny bits of swarf!   Check, clean, double, triple clean. So glad i'm obsessed with double checking & cleaning things.

 

New plugs all round. Tapped and grubbed the one on the bottom of the block.

 

Primary end float.



Tool for fitting the primary oil seal makes this job, an easy job.

Unfortunately thats it for the photos i have, i did also completely rebuild and David Viz my HIF44.

Spec is as follows..
 

+20 A+ 10.5:1
Standard 12G940 11 Stud Cylinder Head, 35mm In, 29mm Ex.
MED Engineering 1.5 Roller Tip Rockers.
MiniSpares (C-AEG582) Performance Push Rods. MiniSpares Lightened Followers.
Kent 276 cam @ 104deg (Rota Slide Adjustable Duplex Gear Set.)
SU HIF44 Carb, BBC Needle. MiniSpares Alloy Inlet. MED Engineering Stub Stack & Air Filter Kit.
MiniSpares (C-27H7701) A+ Evolution Performance Electronic Distributor. Sport Gold Coil.
MiniSpares (C-27H7779) 8mm Performance Plug Leads. NGK BP7ES Plugs.
MiniSpares SC Drop Gears, 24t Primary, 30t Idler, 23t Input.
MiniSpares Lightweight Road/Rally Flywheel.
Powerlite High Torque Starter.
3.44:1 Final Drive.

Nutts Performance, South Wales (Highly recommended) ran the engine in for me and did a rolling road tune. The motor made 95bhp with 84lbf-ft. 

I enjoy the 276 but I will at some point change it out for a 266 or sw5 just to get the torque lower down. As i said above, i had the 276 in a box brand new so just put it in.

 

Edited by slyrmini, 11 May 2021 - 07:30 PM.

[Steve220]

 

I take it that was just for the shot and you used a load more on the bearings after?

[edp]

Just read this thread from the start... incredible. Also realised as I was reading that I saw your car at the Malvern Festival of Transport in 2019 and spent ages admiring.... Same colour as mine, great to have found this thread, many thanks.

[slyrmini]

I take it that was just for the shot and you used a load more on the bearings after?

I didn’t apply any more to that side of the bearing no...but I did spread it over the entire bearing and apply a similar amount to the other side of the bearing and the mains and big ends themselves.

Edited by slyrmini, 16 May 2021 - 11:08 PM.

[slyrmini]

Just read this thread from the start... incredible. Also realised as I was reading that I saw your car at the Malvern Festival of Transport in 2019 and spent ages admiring.... Same colour as mine, great to have found this thread, many thanks.

Fantastic, I love it when I find a car I’ve spent time admiring at a show. Glad you like it and hopefully the Malvern shows return, it’s a nice run out over there from my house in South Wales.

What year is your mini? You don’t see many saloons this colour.

Edited by slyrmini, 17 May 2021 - 04:34 AM.

[Steve220]

I take it that was just for the shot and you used a load more on the bearings after?

I didn’t apply any more to that side of the bearing no...but I did spread it over the entire bearing and apply a similar amount to the other side of the bearing and the mains and big ends themselves.

You need to use assembly lube liberally. Although you are using the better stuff 👌🏽

Edited by Steve220, 17 May 2021 - 10:03 AM.

[edp]

Fantastic, I love it when I find a car I’ve spent time admiring at a show. Glad you like it and hopefully the Malvern shows return, it’s a nice run out over there from my house in South Wales.

What year is your mini? You don’t see many saloons this colour.

 
Agree, the Malvern Show is a good one, a lot to see and a decent number of Minis too. 

 

My Mini is a 1985 Mayfair in Eclipse Blue - I think you car is the only other I've seen on the road in this colour, and not many others online.

[slyrmini]

Managed to get out after work last week for a drive over the Brecon Beacons and snapped a few iPhone shots.