11 replies to this topic

[boogs61]

[b]Model:mini
[b]Year:81 with a 998 a+ engine

Ok I am brand new to the world of owning a classic mini. I've searched all over and cant find good resources, pictures, info on this topic. I cantt even find a good place with pictures to identify all the parts on the car. Haynes manual or moss catalog arent really that helpful. Any good informational resources would be appreciated.

So I have an 81 that was converted to a centre speedo before I purchased it. Now, I want to do the oval conversion and add an oil gauge and a temp gauge.

I dont really know where to start.

I dont see where the oil gauge line would screw into the block, can someone show me a pic or tell me exactly where to screw it in.

How do you go about hooking up a temperature gauge?
I see a spade connector on the block next to the distributor. is this where I attach? If so, what exactly to I do? attach a simple wire from spade to gauge? wire from spade to fuse box to gauge? etc I'm quite hopeless.

I know I will need bulb holders to go into the gauges, how and where do I go about attaching these?

I purchased new Smiths gauges from Mini Spares. I will also swap out to a new speedo which should just be an easy flip flop, but nothing never ends up being as easy as I would think.

You guys are great on these forums, any help, pics, insight, prayers..........would be much appreciated.

matt

I also see a spade attached to the block right about the alternator. There is something attached to that one though. What is this spade for?

Edited by boogs61, 01 November 2009 - 09:36 PM.

[woodley miniman]

Hello Matt, I have just replaced my dash gauges with some Smith's ones and they look great. It's quite easy to fit these gauges. You will need both gauges with fittings and a 'T' peice for the oil pressure switch which you need to fit to the block. You should have a temp sender on the block. The bulb's are easy too, you just have to find the feed wire and tap into the wire with the bulb fitting wire, there is no earth has the bulb holder when fitted to the gauge earths out. I brought my gauges from a chap who overhauls old gauges and they work great. if you need any info on the gauges or anything else just email me

[lrostoke]

These are the bits you need to fit an oil pressure gauge assuming its the mechincal type

http://www.minispare...ty=pb&pid=37667 <-----pipe

http://www.minispare...ty=pb&pid=37666 <-----adaptor

http://www.minispare...ty=pb&pid=37438 < T piece

Just to the left of the distributor should be the oil pressure switch, remove that and screw in the T piece.

The adaptor screws into the side of the T piece and the pipe screws to the adaptor, the pipe then goes to the gauge.

The oil pressure switch screws into the end of the T piece.

The sender near the alternator sounds like the water temp sender, if its got a wire on it sounds like yours is wired already, just find the connections in the dash board

[Piper x]

Hi.

I have a similar issue, in that I purchased the Smiths Dual Oil Pressure/Water temp gauge. The oil pressure part is working fine, however what I didnt realise at the time of purchasing was the Mini engine can have either a mechanical or electrical temperature sensor (at least thats how I understand it). Im assuming mine is electrical, as the original temp gauge is connected to the engine block just under the thermostat housing above the alternator via a wee spade connection!

Youve guessed it - my Smiths dual gauge has a mechanical sensor on it! I purchased without realising there were two different kinds. Is there any way to "change" the electrical sensor on the block for the mechanical thermocouple attached to the gauge via a long "spring"? Or is there another bit the mechanical sensor can be attached?

Thanks!!

[Dan]

  Smiths dual gauges are always all mechanical.  I thought all the mechanical gauge fittings were 5/8" and so the same as the electrical sender though, doesn't it fit in place?

[Piper x]

Thermocouple looks a lot bigger than 5/8", though to be fair I havent measured! I will have another look. Im guessing it would just be a case of unscrewing the electrical connector ....

[Piper x]

Spot on Dan!

Thermocouple adaptor does have a 5/8 thread, as does the sender. Just two different bolt head sizes! Job done!!

[Piper x]

Actually, job not done. The bloody thermocouple is too long to go into the block!!!

Old electrical connection back on....

[GuamMini]

Can anyone give me an idea where to pass the capilliary tube going into the cabin? Thanks

[Scousemouse]

Just thread it thru with the main harness

[Dusky]

Mine goes through a hole on the far left side ( when looking from in the car). Might not be present on RHD cars.
If the thermmocouple ( aka expansionbulb) of your mechnaical gauge is too big just use a 3/8 to 3/8 adapter.
They're too long most of the time.

[Catsatmat34]

Hi, I'm having trouble with some electrical gauges I have just put in my 1969 mini with an A+ metro engine. I have put in an oil pressure gauge and a water coolant temperature gauge both from MLR. They are not working.

Any advice. I am getting frustrated with them now after working on them for the last three days!!!!