Project: 1979 Austin Mini

**Disco Dan** · 13th July 2007, 16:56

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, 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** · 13th July 2007, 17:00

You can race it when you done!

:spudguita

**FROSTY:Me** · 13th July 2007, 17:06

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

**R6_kid:Me** · 13th July 2007, 18:16

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

**peasea** · 13th July 2007, 18:53

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** · 13th July 2007, 19:15

Originally Posted by R6_kid

wouldn't mind getting my hands on a mini!

Keep it in the bedroom, fella.

**kiwifruit** · 13th July 2007, 19:21

cool man

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

my old man would repair it daily

good luck!

**Disco Dan** · 13th July 2007, 19:27

Originally Posted by FROSTY

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...

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'

Originally Posted by R6_kid

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

Originally Posted by 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?

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...

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** · 13th July 2007, 19:47

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** · 13th July 2007, 20:34

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** · 13th July 2007, 20:50

Originally Posted by Disco Dan

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...

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...

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** · 13th July 2007, 22:38

I'd offer to help but I need to get my project 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** · 13th July 2007, 23:01

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** · 13th July 2007, 23:37

Originally Posted by Busy

I'd offer to help but I need to get my project 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?