1985 Mini: rebuild ongoing (as always), 6yr update

Well, pootle failed on Thursday but not too badly

Emissions to high
fog light switch doesn't light up
drivers track-rod end worn
both seats don't lock down
drivers front corner suspension deflated (he thought it had wet suspension ) but will raise it a touch as it is a little lower on that corner.

he's booked in at Spamspeed on wed for a tune up.

But had a productive night last night
new track-rod end fitted and drivers front corner raise 2 turns on the Hi-Lo (will have to see how t settles and see if it needs to come down after the MOT).

then on to the fog switch not lighting up. Took it apart and replaced the bulb, but still no joy. Checked for volts and a good 12v is there so a new switch was supplied by Al

The timing was then set to 6 deg, the drivers seat moved forwards so that the locking subframe mechinism was in the right place and a bracket was welded to the assengers seat.

All that needs sorting is the emissions which Spam should be able to crack on Wed (and we can se how much power he is putting out )

But not too bad for a 85 mini really. Too be honest, I should have sorted all bar the track rod end before the MOT as I knew about them, but its always good to give the MOT'r an easy one to fail or they start to look tooo hard ;D
Anyway, should be all leagal for the weekend giving me a week to bed in the brakes and give it a nut check.

Brilliant Craig. The power spread is very good! Now enjoy it!

What an eventful week this last week has been.

Got the little besty back home on Tuesday to put some 'bedding in' miles on the clock, Wednesday, went out 1st of to get a slow puncture fixed and then returned after 3 miles with a miss fire
thursday cured missfire (plugs had all fouled) but couldn't work out why they had
Friday, figured it out (the bretaher tank vent hole was too small so too much pressure in the breather system), went off to coombe to be noise tested (passed, 99Db) and fun on the lanes

Saturday, trackday ;D

Arrived at coombe early with west country minis in the rain having sprinted at coombe iin the wet, this was not what I was hoping for. Plus I haven't refitted the heater, so teh windscreen was fogging up on the way there.

Anyway, went out for the 1st session and it was as I had feared, an ice rink. But it was good to be back out at coombe and watched a couple of spins in front of me.

back in the pits, checked over the fluids and all looked well (used a bit of oil, but it is a mini ;D)and started to pray from some sun. and it came

The 2nd session was much more like it. able to give it plenty of beans and over took quite a few minis ( a new experience), but the brakes are still not there yet and I cooked the pads as well, but brillient fun

Anyway, some pics from the day












So over the winter will sort the brakes, fit the rear cage, get the speedo working and tidy the interior ready for a full season at coombe next year

Cheers, i'm pretty chuffed with how he's turned out and the on track performance. Just need to get the brakes working properly and it'll be even better

cheers chap

A couple more pics i've swiped




one of my inprovised catch tank ;D

and my crib sheet speedo


can't wait for next years track days now.

Time for a bit of an update, since last year at coombe, he's been back on the rollers, made a good solid 94 BHP this time The nice cold weather helping no end i think.

After the retro day at coombe, it turned out I had popped the headgasket, so a gentle skim on the head and all was good and ready for Keevile. An excellent track for a mini IMO and only £95 for a full day, open pitlane (plus 4 miles down the road from my house )

The first session was ace. Pootle was flying and surprised many in much faster cars. The brakes performed well (they stunk, but no fade) and the temp stayed under 90 so after 10 laps I pulled off.

after 1/2 an hour or so, decided time to head back out. But Pootle had other ideas, no Spark To cut a long story short, th eignition module had died and I couldn't get another on until the following day

So, to get ready for coombe yesterday, I needed to change the ignition module that played up at the last track day so I got one in, then went on holiday for 2 weeks and came back with a cold. So decided to take Friday off to sort it out and a bit of a new look for pootle. With in a hour a new module (and a cap and rotor for good measure) where fitted and a quick road test and refuel confirmed all was well
So on with the cosmetics, decided that I wanted a new look for pootle, but still in the hot-rod theme and with no power or equipment at home, had to be done via rattle cans. I haven't got any good pic's yet, but will post some up soon. but involes more red and metal flake

Anyway, back to the track, I loaded Pootle up Friday night and pushed him out of the garage early on Sat morning. Jumped in and no go :angry No spark again. 1/2 hour later the AA turn up and diagnose that the ignition module has gone again :angry so a quick dash over to bristol for a new one, and a new coil to be safe all fitted and got to coombe for 12 ;D

Only had the 1 session out, but pootle was flying, although I had no idea how fast or hard we where revving the engine as the revcounters wire came off out of the pits Passed several minis and had a good tussle with a 1380 putting out a claimed 120 BHP

the only on track pic so far, more added as I find/steal them



Now the winter rest and a new engine to go in, 2.0 8v vauxh

A couple more pics from the track






(no comments regarding pies and their consumption )





And a pic of the new subframe/ engine combo fitted in the previous owners mini



It ran 15.5 second 1/4's at the Pod this year, but that is with the CR box and I am going to be fitting a WR Box as I want the ratios/ MPG to be better suited (should sit a 3k at 70, even on the 10's

Hopefully some progress soon, the strip down has been put back a week whilst we make room for him, but should be back on the road in March

Yup, staying n the reverse rims (will blast and paint them properly though).

He should be good fun with about 130 BHP ;D

i do like the top pics, they where taken on a 35mm and then scanned in, it does give a nice warm feel to them