1498 replies to this topic

[analogue_radio]

& I'm a TMF member too now .

[analogue_radio]

Update once again, both rear tyres are well worn down, so worn down they count as Illegal, and seeing as I'm broke at the moment, Dad is going to buy me a new set of rear tyres and add it to my standing order, works out an extra tenner each month so it's okay!

I'll ask for the front tyres to be stuck on the back, and the new ones to be put on the front, once I get her home again I'll jack her up and take each tyre off, give it a proper clean down.

Front right at the moment deflates pretty rapidly, so tonight I've taken that one off and replaced that with the spare, going to take the tyre down to my local garage in the village and ask him if he can fix the puncture.

Pretty pleased as I thought I'd be out of pocket for ages after replacing the tyres, but Dad saved me again, so I'm pretty chuffed.

[pyromaniac_yeti]

i could be wrong, but isnt that a gold top engine in that?? someone else might know...

the gold top engine was a factory reconditioned engine, so it may have been bored out, im not too sure on the spec - it might be more than 998. not too sure where that leaves you with your insurance though if its bored. i mean i kept hush about it with my cooper when that had a rebore to 1293cc, but you may not want to chance it.

just thought id make the point

either way, on a different note, lovely car...should realy get round to giving mine the once over. replace the grille, bumpers, fit clear tail lights & indicators, haddent thought on replacing the plates though - but they do look realy good! ill have to make some enquiries.

good luck with it

[analogue_radio]

Aha, yes you're right.

It is a recondition engine, although I'm completely unaware of what that actually means.. so I've got no idea if it is a 998cc or not, would a trip to a rolling road give me an answer?

As of late,

+ Both rear tyres have been replaced with some Yoko A539's.

+ Front near side tyre was 'repaired' although the guy still isn't convinced the leak has been fixed, plugged a hole and replace the valve, but he thinks the rim is causing a leak, so I'll keep an eye on that.

+ Dad bought a few things from a garage today, going to give it a service on Monday, change the oil, replace the sparks, well everything we bought will be either replaced or fixed, gear rod selector included.

Pictures ,

[Retro_10s]

i could be wrong, but isnt that a gold top engine in that?? someone else might know...

the gold top engine was a factory reconditioned engine, so it may have been bored out, im not too sure on the spec - it might be more than 998. not too sure where that leaves you with your insurance though if its bored

Close... but no cigar.


Factory reconditioned engines were rebuilt by Unipart to the original spec of the engine (rumour has it they were constructed with a little more care than rover), A gold seal unit is a factory reconditioned 998,... It will NOT have been bored out,.. most likely however is that it will have had the Bores Linered, this is where cylindrical steel inserts are forced into the bores and then the bore is re-bored to the original spec,... the upside is that these engines tend to be more capable of Higher mileages because the steel cylinder walls do not wear anywhere near as fast as the original Cast iron bores would have.

[analogue_radio]

Ah I see, thanks for that information mate .

[analogue_radio]

Well Dad and I had a pretty good day today! got plenty of things done.

+ Drained and replaced the oil.

+ Replaced the gear rod selector seal (hopefully stopped the leak.)

+ Replaced the spark plugs with some new ones.

+ Replaced the oil filter.

+ Replaced the capacitor and the points in the dizzy.

+ Replaced the earth strap with one Dad cleverly made.

Pictures, enjoy .

Edited by theIMAGE, 05 May 2008 - 09:19 PM.

[Retro_10s]

with regards to the gold seal engine posts.... having seen your engine now... is it painted yellow or gold?... if it's yellow it's just a 998. if it's gold then you have a gold seal engine.

[analogue_radio]

It's gold, there were two studs which would've held a plate with the engine number on, but it's long gone now..

I might give the chap who owned it before I did an email and see if he knows anything about the plate, or even when the engine was reconditioned.

[analogue_radio]

Just been out with my Dad doing a few more jobs, small but effective ones.

+ Replaced the old radiator hose straps with new ones, didn't stop the leak though, so a new radiator is in need.

+ Replaced the temporary earth strap with a proper one, nice and tight now.

+ Split the ignition and fitted a rocker switch, temporary fix until I buy an alarm, but that quick job tonight could've saved my minis life.

Pictures from tonight,

Temporary clips,



New Jubilee clips,



Temporary earth strap,



New earth strap,



Rocker switch,



I won't tell you all where the rocker switch has been positioned But it was bloody tricky, and Dad thinks we need to do it again but with some longer wire.

[1987_ParkLane]

Balancing the mini and my girlfriend is tricky .

Yer I no, mine gone stressy with me over my mini lol

Oh god, I didn't realise how long Tcutting & polishing takes! I was only out for about 2-3 hours and got the front right wing done & the bonnet, but they're looking wonderful.

All woth it though

Cheers

[analogue_radio]

Dad managed to get my laptop back up and running so I can update this,

Yesterday we spent a few hours on her in the morning.

+ Replaced angled heated valve (the old one had fused & wasn't working at all)

+ Syphoned out the petrol (again, yurrck) & fitted the new sender unit.

+ Replaced the battery earth strap again with a new proper one.

+ Took off the gauges & refitted the console thing again as it keeps working it's way loose.

I'll upload pictures when I get a chance.

Tried sorting my electrical problem but still nothing I've got a feeling this will be ongoing for a while.. need to take the heater matrix out to get to the wires behind and really sort this.

Couple of things to look forward too .

- My birthday on Wednesday so I think I've got an alarm & a sound system coming .

- Swapping my fixed windows for some opening ones hopefully the weekend after next with Bud.

[Deathrow]

I thought they had stopped making A539's?

[analogue_radio]

Why

[Deathrow]

I heard they replaced them with something else which wasn't anywhere nears as good.

Don't worry, they're bloody fantastic tyres! Ironically though, being so good, the only Mini I've ever crashed in had them, haha.