|
|
Sept 7, 2012 22:41:38 GMT
|
Cheers all! I finally got the engine in. After replacing all the engine mounts, bushes, putting an extra steady on etc, its amazing how much of the old engine was loose. It was barely attached and none of the bushes had any rubber left in them. Its rigid now, should be nice! This is what yesterdays work became. Fully fitted loom and ancillaries as well as a painted subframe, ready for the engine. Spent 100 years trying to get the knackered gear linkage pin out before i could think about getting it in, but i finally got it out ready to go in and you can see the difference next to the old engine. Went in without too much struggle, took ages for the engine mount bolts to take though, had to wiggle the engine about all over the place before it was completely bolted down. New mounts with captive nuts made things far less stressful though. Got the new rad in, ive got a drain plug and bigger capacity now! what more could i want. And this is the engine all plumbed in. It doesnt run yet because it needs the tappets doing, starter motor fitting, gear linkage fitting up, and the clutch slave fitting and bleeding, but i can do that all tomorrow after work or sunday. Not too awful for 4 days work, looks much nicer I'm sure you'll agree and i cant wait to get the curse word running!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Some tremendous work happening here, I take my hat off. I'm not big into minis but I certainly appreciate the lengths you are going to to make a good job of all the usual mini problems - rust, knackered engine mounts etc. I bet you will fall in love with it all over again when you drive it with the new 'properly installed' engine. Keep it up!
PS I also hate the usual mini treatment which is red with cooper stripes, drilled ally window winders, loads of chrome tat and bodged up rust and which usually involves a tidy Metro being bummed for its 1275 engine then scrapped.
|
|
1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 Mazda 929 Coupé 1986 Mazda 929 Wagon 1979 Mazda 929 Hardtop 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 1989 Subaru 1800 Wagon 1982 Hyundai Pony 1200TL 2-dr 1985 Hyundai Pony 1200 GL 1986 Maserati 425 Biturbo 1992 Rover 214 SEi 5-dr 2000 Rover 45 V6 Club 1994 Peugeot 205 'Junior' Diesel 1988 Volvo 760 Turbodiesel Saloon 1992 Talbot Express Autosleeper Rambler 2003 Renault Laguna SPEARS OR REAPERS
|
|
|
|
Sept 8, 2012 17:08:12 GMT
|
Thankyou sir! really appreciate that comment, anyone with Stephen fry as an avatar is also high in my opinion!
I also know what you mean with the 'usual' mini treatment, its very difficult to be unique with minis because its nearly all been done. Ironically the retro look is going that way for minis, everyone wants 10s now, though thankfully 13s are still more popular so mine will stick out for the near future.
As for the metro, know bang on what you mean, its because for some stupid reason if you get a metro engine and paint it red they charge you more than it would cost to buy a whole car then get scrap value for the rest.
I'll try and get a video of this running tomorrow for the folks that do read this!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 8, 2012 18:13:59 GMT
|
fantastic build matey flip.
i have a niave/ignorant engine related question. does the front wheel drive B series engine (say for instance 1800 land crab) not fit into the mini? what are the reasons for not being a logical step, is it just packaging ?
|
|
|
|
mt2man
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,365
|
|
Sept 8, 2012 18:25:50 GMT
|
Looking good! Cant wait to get mine finished, may have to invite you round in the future to help
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 8, 2012 18:30:48 GMT
|
fantastic build matey flip. I have a niave/ignorant engine related question. does the front wheel drive B series engine (say for instance 1800 land crab) not fit into the mini? what are the reasons for not being a logical step, is it just packaging ? Hello! thankyou for the praise. As for the engine, pretty sure it will, for some of the filming of the original 1969 italian job, they had a mini with one of those engines fitted, might be worth a look in? Have a good internet search before you even think about asking on a mini forum if you're that serious about doing it, they'll just tell you to fit a vtec! But if you do end up doing it, let me know, i'd be really interested to see how it goes. But to simplify my long winded answer, probably could, just a case of modifying the subframe and whatever other places to make it fit! Looking good! Cant wait to get mine finished, may have to invite you round in the future to help Sounds dangerous, could pay me in wheels?
|
|
|
|
ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,201
Club RR Member Number: 170
|
1977 Mini 1000 - SoldChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
|
Sept 8, 2012 19:25:27 GMT
|
I see that you don't hang around! Great bit of progress there, and I am sure that you will enjoy the results once you get the car back on the road. fantastic build matey flip. I have a niave/ignorant engine related question. does the front wheel drive B series engine (say for instance 1800 land crab) not fit into the mini? what are the reasons for not being a logical step, is it just packaging ? Weight would be the other one. Whilst the A Series is not a light engine, remember than an 1800 B Series is not far off the weight of a Rover V8!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 10, 2012 18:53:06 GMT
|
Right guys. Engine is in, running etc. But I'm having problems like I knew I would.
Firstly the carb seems to work OK, but its got this funny problem where the idle is all squiff. I can let it warm, then set it to run ok, but as soon as I drive anywhere and stop, the idle is almost oscillating (changing speeds) and much higher than it was. Its the same sort of deal with the throttle, if you rev, it takes a while to go back to normal speed, its not nearly immediate like it was on the standard carb. Another thing, is once youve faffed about getting it to run properly, its a right useless pain when its cold, will not idle properly at all.
Second major problem is that ive got many electrical gremlins all of a sudden. I rolled the loom back into the bulkhead when I painted the engine bay, and it now has the following problems:
- Headlamps don't work, when you turn them on at the switch, the main beam light is constantly on both on sidelights and main headlights. The illumination for the dials works fine.
- Wipers only work on second speed, 'push to make' and first speed do nothing. Washers do not work either.
- Indicators have problems, right hand signal only flashes on the rear. Left hand signal flashes at the front, but at the rear it doesnt flash the orange indicator at all, instead it flashes both rear brake lights!?
I've checked all the fuses and they're fine. Anyone any ideas for any of the above? I cant really use it till they're fixed.
In other news, I did try and drive it to college today (first day back and all) and it made it all of 2 miles before the exhaust fell off. My bottle jack, despite being army issue, was curse word, and I was on soft ground anyway so I couldnt do naff all. Then I found out I didnt have any of the right sized spanners, so I had to phone my mum to run me an adjustable one and a hammer and I managed to get it in enough to limp it home. I think ive sorted that issue with some creative welding earlier, but the running and electrical issues are still outstanding.
Heeeeeeeeeeeeelp!
|
|
|
|
Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,740
Club RR Member Number: 34
|
1977 Mini 1000 - SoldDez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
|
Sept 10, 2012 19:02:01 GMT
|
all the electric problems sound like earthing issues. you sure youve not forgot to bolt an earth tab or two back down? or fresh paint stopping it getting a contact?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 10, 2012 19:15:48 GMT
|
I checked the main one but all the paint underneath it was cleaned off, is there usually more than the one?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 10, 2012 20:14:11 GMT
|
I checked the main one but all the paint underneath it was cleaned off, is there usually more than the one? Have you checked fuse board? Poor contact here can cause a lot of the issues you described, did you loosen it to paint? Sometimes damp can track into there also. Main earth strap may look okay, but need a good clean up or replacing as they do degrade. Are you getting correct voltage from regulator/ alternator? Your running issues could be the needle/ jet needs adjustment, vizard methods are pretty good to follow. Have you checked ful pump is working okay, assuming its the standard mechanical type?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 10, 2012 21:07:26 GMT
|
Vizard book has a section for setting up the fish carb on an a series. Have you got an air filter fitted?
Otherwise stick your SU back on, they are great carbs when set up properly...
O-series was tested in a metro (which is a descendant of the B-series)...so why not go for a T-16?
don't bother with the usual mini forums...they generally will give you a "poor" response if your deviating from the norm...
|
|
|
|
craig1010cc
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,993
Club RR Member Number: 35
|
1977 Mini 1000 - Soldcraig1010cc
@craig1010cc
Club Retro Rides Member 35
|
Sept 11, 2012 7:54:42 GMT
|
Wiring wise, work your way back through all the connections that you unplugged, and make sure that they are all good, but it does sound like an earth issue. It wont be the engine earth though, has nothing to do with the lights/horn ect. If that doesn't fix it, then time to get the multi meter out and work your way through the loom to see what has broken when it was disturbed ON the idling, could be an air leak. What carb is it you've fitted? And are you sure that the inlet and exhaust manifold flange thicknesses are the same (on my MPI I had to make stepped washers as the inlet wasn't tight enough and caused the same rev's issues). If its not that, try squirting some carb cleaner (or another flamable aerosole ) around the base of the carb with the engine running and see if the revs rise. Re the maxi conversion, I believe it does drop in and the pot joints are compatible with mini drive shafts, but it is a tall (and heavy) engine and needs a modified bonnet, but not in a clubman Always fancied building one, a clubby estate with a 1750 and a 5 speed box, that would make a pretty decent tourer in my eyes
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 11, 2012 11:22:13 GMT
|
Excellent work so far.
I think the thing to do with the electrical issues is to look at them one at a time, rather than the 'whole thing'. If you start with one fault, and it takes you back to a root cause for all the others, that's great. If not, a good methodical plan will help - all the issues together can seem a bit daunting...
I like a good Mini, but the amount of Metros that have been sacrificed 'for the cause' isn't good. In fact, I have cannibalised parts from my Mini to keep my Metro going, which I bet doesn't happen that often!
|
|
1950 Ferguson TE A20 1971 VW Beetle 1300 1972 VW Beetle 1302S 1977 Leyland Mini 850 1983 Austin Metro 1.0 HLE 1984 Honda Acty TN 550 1989 Rover Mini 30 1990 Rover Mini City E 1990 Mazda MX5
|
|
Midas
Part of things
Posts: 505
Club RR Member Number: 14
|
1977 Mini 1000 - SoldMidas
@midas
Club Retro Rides Member 14
|
Sept 11, 2012 11:53:45 GMT
|
With the running issues I'd start by looking at the carb and maybe eliminate it from the equation for now by fitting your SU. The Nikki was never massively popular and you could have fitted a completely worn out/oddly jetted example that you'll never get right. It's also pretty hard to beat a well set up SU.
The second port of call would be the distributor which again you could swap with your known unit to eliminate (or at least reduce) the chances of it causing your problems.
Carb first though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 11, 2012 12:01:12 GMT
|
ditch the nikki. you won't improve over a sorted SU HIF38 (off a 998 metro or pre 1993 mini 1275) for a 998cc engine
|
|
|
|
djefk
Part of things
Posts: 844
|
|
Sept 11, 2012 15:10:48 GMT
|
Agreed- David Wizard himself concluded that a well set up SU is the most efficient carburettor possible for an A series (or for most other road engines come to that) - This was after extensive testing. Theres no point sticking with a Nikki, especially in your case where it could be causing problems.
|
|
Last Edit: Sept 11, 2012 15:11:59 GMT by djefk
|
|
|
|
Sept 11, 2012 19:48:28 GMT
|
Hello! I fixed everything now. I don't know what the indicators was, I'm pretty sure it was a curse word connection. But i sorted them. Headlamps was corroded terminals, so a good clean sorted that, and the wiper motor was just ruined so i changed the whole thing. It even self parks now, which is a bonus! Massive thanks to all that helped! You were right to use the word daunting, i had no faith that i'd fix it all tonight, but i did. As for the carb, might swap on the original tomorrow to see if i can get it to run right. Then ive got plans to stick a weber 28/36 on it. I never liked the idea of a weber because until tonight i didnt know they did a downdraft that'd fit a mini, i also thought it'd be a pain in the to set up (which is might, but rolling road would do it) and i thought it'd ruin MPG. But it turns out it can equal or even improve it with the right driving, so i need to get hold of a manifold and a decent carb and i should be laughing. If anyones got a mini manifold, or a 28/36, let me know! And thanks again to anyone that commented, i always greatly appreciate it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hello folks. Decided to give this one last post to bring it to a natural end. Sold this last november. I was driving every day, getting bored with being thrown 4 feet into the air every time i hit a pothole or speedbump, and getting tired of the driving position and the clutch. I was also getting bored of fixing it every 25 minutes despite an entire engine swap. So i though it time to get something else. I knew it was going to cost a bit of wedge to get it through its next MOT, (£400 as it happened, which is what it cost its new owner) I wasnt ditching minis, ive still got 4 projects. I moved it on to a new (female) owner, at the time, the girlfriend of a friend of mine. I got £1000 plus his panda in part exchange. The panda was on a bit of a whim. I thought it'd be a more reliable more comfortable stop gap car. It is more reliable, but its on cut springs, so is even more uncomfortable than the mini was and the gearchange is appalling! I bought a dolomite 1850 last december, which is the same age as the mini, and I'm still restoring that! so the panda has become more than a temporary car. (much to my dismay) That basically covers the past 6 months or so. Some bint crashed into the panda but because of the clever way insurance works it was seen as my fault and i lost my no claims. Hopefully ill finish the Dolly soon so i can push the panda off the nearest cliff! The mini came back for a visit last week. Reminds me how much i miss it now. I knew i was never cut out to own anything post 80s, that'll teach me! But yes, thats how things are looking now. Ive just bought another (properly old) car on a whim this evening. Watch out for that popping up on here in the next couple of days, and give my other thread a nosey! Hope you enjoyed it while it lasted anyway.
|
|
|
|
|