307 replies to this topic

[davej]

Just a small update, the engine is back in and running, just need to properly tune the carbs and take her for a run I`ll get some photos up soon.

Dave

[Andrew O]

Excellent news.

Andrew.

[davej]

Well its update time. I had a full day on the old girl today, managed to get the walnut dash fitted properly after I wired in the three extra gauges the other week. I will get a picture of that next weekend as I forgot today and away with work all this week.

 

We took set the jets of the carbs to what they should from the guide we've got so we knew where we were starting from, she fired up first time which was big surprise as its been sat all winter. We then set the choke and idle on the carbs and it was running very well so on went the bonnet and the grille and it was time for a drive. That's when things went down hill  I was luckily only round my estate and the throttle stuck open, turns out to be something will the cable. Got it working a bit better so went for another drive and noticed oil dripping out underneath when I got back on the drive  Going to have to get it on the ramps and see where it is coming from as I can't tell.

 

After that I decided I would give it a wash and and a polish and it cheered me up. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers

Dave

 

[Andrew O]

That's not rust coming through on the gutter in the last picture is it ?

Andrew

[davej]

Nah its just the gutter has a few lumps and dips in it, I got the rust out of it but didn't fill it smooth.

 

Well I've been away with work all week and come home to find my Dad has been pretty busy. The oil was coming from the clutch oil seal, it had popped out at the bottom for some reason. So a new seal ordered and the proper fitting tool and the new one is now in. Luckily there was no oil on the friction plates of the clutch. The clutch and flywheel are back in so just needs the cover and starter going back on tomorrow. I'm debating himley hall in it on Sunday   We have got a new throttle cable too so hopefully that will solve the sticking open issue.

 

Cheers

 

Dave

[ToM 2012]

looks great i have just finished mine in time for himley. to and its a mayfair to. i had the same issue with dripping oil from the seal. going to clean mini tomoz and hopefully get tax and go to the show for my first time if you do decide to go ile look out for you. 

[davej]

Cheers mate. I've just had a look at what needs doing tomorrow and its a fair bit of fiddly work, hopefully the new seal will sort the oil leak. Still undecided about Himley, see how tomorrow goes, enjoy it if you go.

[Midas Mk1]

Very nice!

[ToM 2012]

Cheers mate. I've just had a look at what needs doing tomorrow and its a fair bit of fiddly work, hopefully the new seal will sort the oil leak. Still undecided about Himley, see how tomorrow goes, enjoy it if you go.

hope you make it just dont stop hehe. hopefully will get there cheers tom 

[davej]

Long over sue update with some good and bad news. I'll do the good news first, last week me and the mini went on our first mini camping adventure:

 

Packed up before I left

 

 

First stop at the bottom of Cadair Idris

 

 

Next stop Aberdaron, had a few issues with the bonnet catch on the run, it kept popping up. Managed to kind of get it to stay down in the end.

 

 

On the way from Aberdaron up the peninsula to Anglesey

 

Camp on Anglesey

 

Sat under the Menai bridge

 

Then some lovely roads home, I was so impressed with how she handles and how much fun it is to drive on roads like that....

 

.....until the dreaded blue smoke returned, I had been seeing puffs here and there but nothing like that on the way through the hills on the way home. I took the plugs out today and 1 and 2 are black and covered in oil, 3 and 4 aren't as bad but not good. I have now done at least 500 miles since the second rebuild and before I went the pugs were a good greyish brownish colour as they should be. I will try and get a picture of them tomorrow.

 

So my thinking is I'm going to need a new motor at some point soon. I'm fed up with this one, its had a hone then new rings put in, new valve stem oil seals, headgasket is fine. I could bore it out again as its at 1293cc now but who is to say it won't do the same again after I've spent god knows how much on new pistons etc.  

 

Anyway that is where I'm up to.

Cheers

Dave

[Andrew O]

Cars looking as great as ever Dave, I can't wait to take mine on a trip like this in a few weeks.
Gutting news about the engine though.

Andrew

[davej]

Cheers Andrew, it was great fun and you get looks everywhere you go and get people looking around it in car parks.

 

Not great about the engine yeah, it runs really well but then the smoke comes back and I can feel it hesitate. Shouldn't be doing that now.

[davej]

Took her for a quick run today to get it warm, went ok and when I got the plugs out they had gone to a decent colour again and burnt off some of the crap. Did a compression test and this is what I got:

1: 185

2: 150

3: 155

4: 165

 

Going to hopefully get a cylinder leakage tester on 2 and 3 sometime this week and see if that gives us anymore clues.

 

Dave

[Archived4]

Sorry to hear about the engine. Sucks when things keep going wrong, but you don't seem like one to give up easily   Car looks amazing too. Love it!

[davej]

Cheers mate, I sometime feel like throwing the towel in but I won't as I've put too much into it.

 

Well its bad news on the engine front, she`s coming out. I did a leakage test on it today and these are the figures:

1: 32%

2: 50%

3: 75%

4: 40%

 

When number 2 was pressurized I could hear air coming out of number 3 plug hole so head gasket leaking. Tried it on number 3 and there was lots of air coming out of the dip stick hole so it's going down through the rings. I have no idea why seen as the engine has not done 1000 miles since it was rebuilt again and this time we have got the mixture spot on.

 

I'm going to SORN it this week and then take the head off and see whats what but I'm going to be looking for another 1275 engine. 

 

Dave