9689 replies to this topic

[and90cooper]

Actually drove my 1330 for first time since Christmas I think! I enjoyed it very much😎😎
Can’t wait to put some more miles on it

[DClarke1954]

Found out why the cab absolutely reeks of petrol.

The fuel pump diaphragm is letting by ever so slightly and neat fuel is dripping out near the hot exhaust.  

 

I took the pump off using my reverse ratchet wrists and fingers (what a tight space it is in there)  I eventually ended up cutting a spanner in half in order to be able to undo the nuts 1/4 turn at a time.

A shiny new pump was unboxed but "curses" the input-output pipes are fixed in their positions such that the output points straight at the exhaust. The old SU original (ABD1001) has input/output on the same face of the top half of the pump and they are pointed away from the exhaust and towards the left wall of the engine bay.
Q: Did the diaphragm fail due to age or has the use of E5/E10 petrol caused it to go brittle? It is a 3-layer rubberised cloth sandwich. I reckon E5/10 has been the last straw for a tired diaphragm.
So there was a frantic search online to find a replacement diaphragm (having been told "You cannot get rebuild kits" any more) and bingo, I found one. 

 

EX MOD stock. 

Old pump now in bits awaiting the new diaphragm. Hopefully it will mean all the old piping and connections can just go back as they were after I have put it all back together.
As and when this NOS (packed in the box in 1977) diaphragm fails I will be forced to rework all the plumbing and use the modern "Made In China" one.
 

 

[Cooperman]

The problem with the mechanical pump is that when the diaphragm fails, petrol can get mixed with the oil. In addition, as you say, it's difficult to get access to it.

That's why many of us fit a Facit electric pump at the rear of the car and re-pipe in the engine bay. You just make up a blanking plate and a gasket and you never have that problem again.

Also, with an electric pump, it's easy to fit a hidden isolation switch to improve security.

[DClarke1954]

The NOS SU fuel pump rebuild kit arrived in its 1977 MOD packaging and I replaced all the parts in my pump.

I put it back on the car and after spinning over for a few seconds she burst into flames   life.  Yay...happy dance.  

As I was able to put the pipework back exactly as before everything fits.

 

It has occured to me that a fuel-filter would be a good thing to put in, but there is very little room to insert one in the current layout.

I have got some "bits" on the way to help form pipework into nice shapes so I may re-run all the piping from Pump-Out to Carb in and insert one in there somewhere.

 

Q.  What do folks recommend for attaching 6mm pipework securely to the bulkhead without too much fuss?

[Podman]

I changed the indicator relay and ended up crimping some new connectors on to the wires, as one was quite corroded and I couldn't get it off at all.

[Landie]

The NOS SU fuel pump rebuild kit arrived in its 1977 MOD packaging and I replaced all the parts in my pump.

I put it back on the car and after spinning over for a few seconds she burst into flames   life.  Yay...happy dance.  

As I was able to put the pipework back exactly as before everything fits.

 

It has occured to me that a fuel-filter would be a good thing to put in, but there is very little room to insert one in the current layout.

I have got some "bits" on the way to help form pipework into nice shapes so I may re-run all the piping from Pump-Out to Carb in and insert one in there somewhere.

 

Q.  What do folks recommend for attaching 6mm pipework securely to the bulkhead without too much fuss?

I would use these type of clamps in the link below they hold line/cables tight without chafing. I have seen many brake/fuel lines with holes in them due to rubbing/being rubbed even by plastic parts. I am sure Amazon will have the same thing.

 

https://picocanada.c..._product/7314-M

 

They come in various sizes.

Edited by Landie, 13 March 2025 - 04:41 PM.

[roblightbody]

My Mini is back from getting its annual TLC from our local specialist and I'm very happy.

 

Something I've been wanting to do/get done for years - the 82C thermostat swapped for the correct 88C one, and the wiring for the sandwich plate fan switch re-instated properly to factory spec.  The car seems much happier being a bit hotter, sounds nicer too, and the temp guage is now very close to the normal mark, whereas before it was a long way below it.

 

On top of that the full clutch system was overhauled - new slave and master cylinders, and the clutch itself, resolved an issue with a low biting point and juddering when cold.  The clutch fluid hadn't been changed for many years, which hadn't helped with the conditions of the cylinders... be warned!

[DClarke1954]

No "work" as such on the car today, just a trip to the petrol station for a top-up and adding some Classic Valvemaster (previously not included just raw E5 motion-lotion).

 

Surprisingly the rear number plate lights and lenses I ordered yesterday afternoon arrived this morning and when the new screws also arrive (some are missing on  the existing setup) I can replace the existing cracked and broken lenses and the missing bulb holder.

 

Now I have the car running so much better it is probably time to do an oil and filter change and give the engine some love.

[imack]

Today's blast down the lanes resulted in grounding the 3 into 1 collector (not for the first time) and squashing and splitting it. Got it back into shape with heat and brazed up the damage again.

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[petey81]

I had an annoying rattle and found this .

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[DClarke1954]

I was going to do an oil/filter change today but Hail-Frauds didn't have any suitable oil in stock, and nor did my local auto-parts store.

So I did a wash & polish instead, just to give the old gal some love.

I did a search around and found some 20/50 mineral with high Zddp for £79 for 20Ltrs and free delivery.

That's cheaper than the £120 for 4 x 5L at Hail-Frauds (when they actually have some).

The car won't be doing high miles or being pushed really hard so as long as it meets the spec it will do me.

YMMV of course. 

Edited by DClarke1954, 16 March 2025 - 02:48 PM.

[Mito]

Drilled the front panel ready for the works lamp bar

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[ycy]

I took my non working radio out of the dash, took it apart as much as I dare, couldn't see anything wrong with it so put it back together

refitted it and hey presto I now have working radio. 

[petey81]

Fitted a new timing chain,sprockets and tensioner. All run up and sounds much much better.

[DClarke1954]

Having done the oil change this week I also added a fuel filter today along with some new fuel hoses.

A bit disappointing to find that only half the filter is getting used as the filter is horizontal, if filled up to the level of the inlet/outlet pipes and not the whole filter.  LOL

Clearly, It wants to be in a vertical orientation for maximum effectiveness.