Project: 1979 Austin Mini

[Disco Dan]

Well things have been progressing well with "project mini" it has changed hands many times and has had a very hard life...

I plan to keep a photo blog on my home page here (http://homepages.woosh.co.nz/dsoutham/), as it is not motorcycle related. This threads purpose however is for people that have any mechanical knowledge of engines, painting etc etc to contact me. To be quite honest... I need all the help I can get! I have just about 'undone' the damage and mistakes caused by the previous 'infamous' owner now.. but there is much to be done.

Parts are being ordered as funds allow, but since they are coming from the U.K it takes a while.

Basically, if you have any knowledge of mini's, mechanical knowhow.. even tools... I want to hear from you!

If you want to be a part of this project - send me a PM or email me on disco_dan@kiwibiker.co.nz

This is my forth mini I have owned over the years so know alot about them, I have just never done a full restoration on this scale before!

[Joni]

You can race it when you done! :wari::yes::spudguita

[FROSTY]

I'll help you if you promise NEVER to let the last owner touch it

[R6_kid]

hey dude, let me know if you want a hand with anything... would mind getting my hands on/into a mini!

[peasea]

Read any David Vizard book on these things. He's a master.

I cut my teeth (and my fingers) on these engines, you can get them to go quite well without loads of silly mods. (Did someone mention silly mods?...oops)

How far down are you going to tear the motor?
What size is it?

A few pointers:

They MUST have a good oil pump.
It helps if you balance them.
Check the valve springs, they were sad when new.
They respond well to a three-angle valve job and mild pocket porting.
Those pistons look like the low compression jobbies. Biff 'em.
GT cam. (Not too lumpy.)
Get the dizzy right, they flog the bushes and you get spark scatter.
If the SU carb is in good nick it'll be fine.
Headers.

If you want to get serious use the Metro rods, drill the oil galleries, get two Webers and a nitrous oxide kit. Oh, you'll need the turbo Metro head gasket too if you NOS it.

Or did I go too far?

[Mully]

wouldn't mind getting my hands on a mini!

Keep it in the bedroom, fella.

[kiwifruit]

cool man

my first car (road legal car) was a 1980 leyland mini with a 1275cc

my old man would repair it daily :love:

good luck!

[Disco Dan]

I'll help you if you promise NEVER to let the last owner touch it

Cheers, yeah... the "previous owner" never bothered tightening even the most important of bolts... every bolt I touch is either finger tight or not there at all... :gob: the flipping sub-frame was not even attached securely! Clutch housing 'fell' off when engine was moved... ...there is lots of back peddling to be done before I can start ordering parts! At least the carb is in mint nick, just a new needle and jet and she is ready for action.

Once I get to the 'paint job' things will go secret squirrel until it is finished... as I want the WOW factor... lets just say its going to be very 'different' ;)


hey dude, let me know if you want a hand with anything... would mind getting my hands on/into a mini!


Read any David Vizard book on these things. He's a master.

I cut my teeth (and my fingers) on these engines, you can get them to go quite well without loads of silly mods. (Did someone mention silly mods?...oops)

How far down are you going to tear the motor?
What size is it?

A few pointers:

They MUST have a good oil pump.
It helps if you balance them.
Check the valve springs, they were sad when new.
They respond well to a three-angle valve job and mild pocket porting.
Those pistons look like the low compression jobbies. Biff 'em.
GT cam. (Not too lumpy.)
Get the dizzy right, they flog the bushes and you get spark scatter.
If the SU carb is in good nick it'll be fine.
Headers.

If you want to get serious use the Metro rods, drill the oil galleries, get two Webers and a nitrous oxide kit. Oh, you'll need the turbo Metro head gasket too if you NOS it.

Or did I go too far?

Yeah, they are great fun! Vizard is a true god with mini's!

Yes - stock standard 1000cc A series engine, pistons are the low compression ones 10:1 I think from memory.

Engine is coming completly apart....... well if I can get the clutch out without a clutch puller... :innocent:

oh FYI - thats skidmarks 'bike' in the first picture (the one on my desk).

Tomorrows plan: armed with a blow torch I will start burning off the underseal in the engine bay.... nasty tarry stuff... ick...

[Dave Lobster]

Are Metro Turbo engines available here? My brother and I put one in an otherwise standard mini a few years ago. It threw a rod before I'd had chance to put wider wheels on it.. It'd spin up in third in the wet!!

[slowpoke]

When I was in Perth tidying up my Turbo mini I started using these guys in Adelaide:

http://www.minisport.com.au/

They aren't exactly on your doorstep but are closer than the UK, might be worth comparing prices.

I've still got a lightweight clutch pressure plate lying about somewhere, along with original 60's workshop manual(s), flywheel puller, Vizard bibles and a few other specialist tools that I haven't got around to putting on Trademe.

[peasea]

Cheers, yeah... the "previous owner" never bothered tightening even the most important of bolts... every bolt I touch is either finger tight or not there at all... :gob: the flipping sub-frame was not even attached securely! Clutch housing 'fell' off when engine was moved... ...there is lots of back peddling to be done before I can start ordering parts! At least the carb is in mint nick, just a new needle and jet and she is ready for action.

Once I get to the 'paint job' things will go secret squirrel until it is finished... as I want the WOW factor... lets just say its going to be very 'different' ;)






Yeah, they are great fun! Vizard is a true god with mini's!

Yes - stock standard 1000cc A series engine, pistons are the low compression ones 10:1 I think from memory.

Engine is coming completly apart....... well if I can get the clutch out without a clutch puller... :innocent:

oh FYI - thats skidmarks 'bike' in the first picture (the one on my desk).

Tomorrows plan: armed with a blow torch I will start burning off the underseal in the engine bay.... nasty tarry stuff... ick...

I doubt it's ten to one dude, maybe if it had an 850 head on it! Anyways, if it's coming completely apart balance it and do the head at least. I'd be happy to advise. (30 yrs as an engine builder can't be all bad.)

[Busy]

I'd offer to help but I need to get my project (http://www.munchtech.com/bedford/) finished

If you want to chop it (roof chop), drop it or maybe even tandem it let me know.

Here's some ideas for you ;)

Oh and the blow torch is a bad idea, use paint stripper (automotive), prepsol and scrapper, otherwise you'll just warp the panels or worse send the car up in a puff of smoke

[crashe]

Good to hear the mini is back in good hands again.

Happy to help out...... good with tools etc.
And don't mind getting me hands dirty on doing up a old car.

You know how to contact me.

[peasea]

I'd offer to help but I need to get my project (http://www.munchtech.com/bedford/) finished

If you want to chop it (roof chop), drop it or maybe even tandem it let me know.

Here's some ideas for you ;)

Oh and the blow torch is a bad idea, use paint stripper (automotive), prepsol and scrapper, otherwise you'll just warp the panels or worse send the car up in a puff of smoke

Pardon me, but what's that in those attachments?

[Busy]

Pardon me, but what's that in those attachments? they are mini's

[FROSTY]

Oh and the blow torch is a bad idea, use paint stripper (automotive), prepsol and scrapper, otherwise you'll just warp the panels or worse send the car up in a puff of smoke
mate --a Mini is what remains AFTER someone hits a car with a blowtorch

[Disco Dan]

The body is almost ready to be sanded down ready for painting.... the engine and some of the auxilleries will be sent away to be rebuilt soon so time for some bodywork fun!

After I have finished a few minor repairs to the shell I will be having a "sanding day" - inviting everyone thats willing to bring a sander and get sanding! Will supply food and lots of beer for 'helpers' :yes:

PM me if your interested! :Punk:

[peasea]

they are mini's


OMG, people with too much time on their hands.....

[Mooch]

Are you restoring to standard or going to do some modding ?

I'm doing a similar project at the moment

[Highlander]

Engine is coming completly apart....... well if I can get the clutch out without a clutch puller... :innocent:



We did that a while back. Was a somewhat bigger job than we thought it would be.The shaft is tapered so once you break the seal the fly wheel basically jumps off allowing easy access.

[Disco Dan]

Are you restoring to standard or going to do some modding ?

I'm doing a similar project at the moment

Going standard, but with a few modern components.


We did that a while back. Was a somewhat bigger job than we thought it would be.The shaft is tapered so once you break the seal the fly wheel basically jumps off allowing easy access.

Yes, they are a pain to get off, especially when I dont have a large enough socket! :shutup:

[Kflasher]

[QUOTE=Disco Dan;1131010]...Basically, if you have any knowledge of mini's, mechanical knowhow.. even tools... I want to hear from you!...[QUOTE]

Hey dude I ahve a box of bits (carbs etcs) just sitting around.
I'm on the shore if if ya wanna hook up.....
I converted mine to a tilt front... way cool at shows.

[crashe]

Yes, they are a pain to get off, especially when I dont have a large enough socket! :shutup:

What size socket piece are you after?

[Disco Dan]

What size socket piece are you after?

Regretting this already... inch and a half. Went and bought one... got it off...

[crashe]

Regretting this already... inch and a half. Went and bought one... got it off...

Was it expensive to buy a single one?

[skidMark]

I'll help you if you promise NEVER to let the last owner touch it

hardee har har........:dodge:

[skidMark]

Good to hear the mini is back in good hands again.



that wasnt rude at all

the minis bolts were all loose....because the car all needed to be in one place...the old man got sick of mini bits all over the garage, so i put the bolts in everywhere so when i had the funds to actually do it up that i knew where everything went, rather than them all sitting in a bucket,

all of you stop digging shit at me, the only reason dan has it back, at a very very cheap price i have lost alot of money on it, but i don't really care about that as i know dan has the funds and time to make a really nice job of the car, which i knew i would not have for sometime, i will be buying another mini when i have some money, but thought it was best dan got this one as i would rather see it on the road, than up the side of my house doing nothing.

i'm done, keep going hard dan, i will check progress when i next come to work on the vfr, wednesday hopefully, i will come at 1030/11ish but will call you first.

and nobody go on and on about this, ive said my bit and i don't need a bitchfight in here ruining another good thread, as i can only take so much being dug into and used for satire.

regards: Mark

[Disco Dan]

Hey dude I ahve a box of bits (carbs etcs) just sitting around.
I'm on the shore if if ya wanna hook up.....
I converted mine to a tilt front... way cool at shows.

Cheers for that, my carb has just been reconditioned and is ready to go back on the car. Keen for any other bits though like door handles, guages, mirrors etc etc


the minis bolts were all loose....because the car all needed to be in one place...the old man got sick of mini bits all over the garage, so i put the bolts in everywhere so when i had the funds to actually do it up that i knew where everything went, rather than them all sitting in a bucket,

Yeah... just gave me twice as much work to do though ay ;) hehe

Ok folks, paint stripper is not looking very cost effective so far - so after talking to a few friends 'in the know' im on the hunt for sand blasting gear...:yes: I will buy it if I have to, but would prefer to 'borrow' or pay for someone to do it for me, which ever works out cheaper/easier. PM me if you can help please.

Also, I need a flywheel puller to get the flywheel off the engine - will only need it for 5-10 minutes. So again - if you can assist please PM me!

Mark - thanks for your post... I moved your 'bits of bike' so the mini shell can fit in my garage again. My makeshift paint booth will be used for sandblasting soon.... mwuahahaha...

Update on progress: suspension parts arrive soon, front/rear subframes have been treated and painted ready for suspension parts to go back on. Engine is waiting for flywheel to come off before pistons and rings get replaced, and the whole thing can start going back together with new (yes new) gearbox. Then all the bits go into storage for a few weeks while I work on the bodywork - sandblasting then painting. Then the really fun part begins... I get to put the subframes back on, wheels etc so I can start work on the interior! I have a few ideas, but wont be letting on colour schemes for outside/inside... will be a surprise ;)


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[Disco Dan]

*Bump Bump*

[Busy]

While sand blasting it yourself "could" be cheaper it is very time consuming unless you have a very BIG compressor. So, two options I'd suggest is 1/ get it sand blasted - there is a crowd down Henderson valley road who does it, among others, fairly reasonable, or 2/ get it acid dipped - kiwk strip is down Partiki Road and is probably cheaper but they have a smaller tank, probably could take a mini but wouldn't take a full car, closest place for that would be Rotorua.

The reason I say it could be cheaper is because if you buy say four bags of real sandblasting sand and seal the room your in (to recycle the sand) you could probably get away with just the four but it will take at a guess about a month and a bit after work and weekends with a 15cu compressor. Thats if it's the original paint, otherwise add a few weeks and it wont take off thick (rubbery) underseal and sealer very well

[0arbreaka]

Um dont know how much this will help, but brake fluid strips paint, havent done this myself but I was made very aware of it as I worked at a prestigious car company as a detailer.

[Disco Dan]

While sand blasting it yourself "could" be cheaper it is very time consuming unless you have a very BIG compressor. So, two options I'd suggest is 1/ get it sand blasted - there is a crowd down Henderson valley road who does it, among others, fairly reasonable, or 2/ get it acid dipped - kiwk strip is down Partiki Road and is probably cheaper but they have a smaller tank, probably could take a mini but wouldn't take a full car, closest place for that would be Rotorua.

The reason I say it could be cheaper is because if you buy say four bags of real sandblasting sand and seal the room your in (to recycle the sand) you could probably get away with just the four but it will take at a guess about a month and a bit after work and weekends with a 15cu compressor. Thats if it's the original paint, otherwise add a few weeks and it wont take off thick (rubbery) underseal and sealer very well

Cheers for that, I have found great place in Henderson that manufacture sanding disks of all descriptions for angle grinders and power drills. They are 1/3 the price you would pay in hardware shop too.

I picked up a couple of open weave paint stripping disks for my angle grinder and got to work... did the trick on the roof alright! straight back to bare metal without damaging the surface. Took me most of the afternoon, but one disk will do half the car... so for about $6 I can strip the entire car... nice :Punk:

[Disco Dan]

Update:

Engine is back and going back together, still waiting on the clutch to be replaced. Rear subframe is out now, and started stripping it back and getting all the surface rust off it.

Got my thinking cap on regarding stripping the underseal off.... :shit:

[Busy]

You should of given me a call today, wasn't doing much and ended up going for a cruise up south head.

If your home tomorrow give me a call, I gotta go up the road tomorrow to get some smokes so could take the long way to the shop (which is at the end of the street off mine)

[Highlander]

Can get the fly wheel off without a puller. Pig of a job though. Have to put a bar through the hole the starter motor fits in and knock it with small hammer then turn the wheel and repeat. After about a morning of muttering and smacking it pops off.

Good luck.

[Disco Dan]

Can get the fly wheel off without a puller. Pig of a job though. Have to put a bar through the hole the starter motor fits in and knock it with small hammer then turn the wheel and repeat. After about a morning of muttering and smacking it pops off.

Good luck.

Yeah I tried that but after about 40 minutes I was bored. I was thinking of getting the blow torch on the flywheel and heating it up so it would expand off the tapered spline then hit a block of wood with a huge pair of heavy bolt cutters I have lying around... :shutup::innocent: (already tried that method minus the blow torch)

[peasea]

Yeah I tried that but after about 40 minutes I was bored. I was thinking of getting the blow torch on the flywheel and heating it up so it would expand off the tapered spline then hit a block of wood with a huge pair of heavy bolt cutters I have lying around... :shutup::innocent: (already tried that method minus the blow torch)


It rarely works, trust me. I've seen those solid wee flywheels warped/buckled by animals doing that, just find the right puller, which has a large ram to bring up to the crank snout then a smaller (usually grease-filled) centre ram which you then wind in, and there's an almighty 'bang' when the taper lets go.

Ring around some engine reconditioners, I'm sure you'll find the right tool for the job and you won't bugger any parts. Patience........

[skidMark]

Um dont know how much this will help, but brake fluid strips paint, havent done this myself but I was made very aware of it as I worked at a prestigious car company as a detailer.


all i heard was...


wank wank,,,,wank wank wank....brake fluid ...wankwank wankwank wankel rotary engine ....wank wank wank prestigious car company as a detailer.

[avgas]

Or did I go too far?
No not at all, i would have said, move the firewall back a few inches and get some real big fat dual carbs, really milds cams (something that smoothes out over 3K), dual coby system from split headers, 1318 kit, 10x10" rears, 8x10" fronts.
It was the only thing that used to shut me up when i was born down in Scarfies turf apparently. Used to piss the neighbors off though.
Kinda sucks the old man blew the motor up for the 3rd time and gave up. Then we had the Ford Thames.

[avgas]

Um dont know how much this will help, but brake fluid strips paint, havent done this myself but I was made very aware of it as I worked at a prestigious car company as a detailer.
Yep works real good, someone put "Asshole" across someone bonnet many moons ago, and slut across someone elses.
It had to be all sanded back.

[Disco Dan]

Spending the day working on my MINI,

If anyone wants to donate some time... gimme a text/call on 0211601457

sanding the body and waterblasting it etc...

bring ya sanders!!!!

[Disco Dan]

also... after some welding gear. Any sort. I'll make do!

Need:

Welding gear
Sanders
People!

[LilSel]

..........


Have you seen my mini thread Dan?? :love: