57 replies to this topic

[topcat]

Took the engine/subframe out on saturday. Got the mini back in the garden!

[B18c Mini]

Any more work done on the car???

I got some more of the boot floor/arch cut away..

Will try and get a thread going soon! (I'm lazy)

I had a bit of a hangover after the afternoon of beer!

[terryg]

nice one mate. last time i saw that engine it was behind me at castle combe lol

[topcat]

Just starting to get a bit more time to spend on the conversion now. Got the engine cleaned up and painted. Need to get a new clutch. Got a new F20WR gearbox. Also got a MPi Fuel tank and pump and fuel lines.

The new F20WR gearbox has a hydraulic clutch which I am thinking of using. Does anyone know if the standard mini clutch master cylinder will work?

[GreaseMonkey]

The new F20WR gearbox has a hydraulic clutch which I am thinking of using. Does anyone know if the standard mini clutch master cylinder will work?

Yup it should do, popular conversion changing the gearboxes from cable clutch to hydraulic clutch when putting in mini

Edited by GreaseMonkey, 28 July 2010 - 10:11 PM.

[topcat]

No going back now, chopped the front end of tonight:

[craig 1010cc]

Bet there where a few moments of doubt before you made the 1st cut!

Making good progress there chap and a MPI tank/lines is def an easier solution that the way I did it. And I'm sure the mini master is what the XE boys use

[topcat]

New Clutch Fitted:



New F18WR gearbox fitted:

[topcat]

Finally got round to re-doing some of the welding on the frame and cleaning it up:



I then decided to re-make 2 of the engine mounts. I didn't like the way you could only hand tighten the rubber mounts to a nut inside the box section. I have now bolted the rubber mount to a plate which can be bolted to nuts welded into the frame:



I still need to strengthen this one with some gussets:



Engine in the frame:



I hope I don't have to take the engine out the frame now because it's pretty heavy. It's going to be tricky getting it through my living room door though!

[topcat]

Oh forgot to add, got my front end! Thanks ABS Motorsport, looks good!

[M J W J]

Are those engine mounts flat to the sub frame? You are better angling them in. That way any movement of the engine and gearbox back and forth puts the mounts into (some) compression which they are designed for not shear. If you have a look at an all speed frame their mounts are angled in.

Good luck with the project

[daveeeeee]

I second that, but it's a chance to do some more of that tidy welding

[topcat]

Yer they are flat, in hind sight they would be better angled in, however they previous owner had them flat and the engine didn't really move much and the old rubber mounts didn't show any signs of degradation so I guess it's ok. The allspeed kit uses softer rubbers I think, these are land rover V8 mounts which are quite stiff. Yer I was quite pleased with that weld on the gearbox mount! It's so much easier welding thick steel!

[M J W J]

The conversion kit is out of pootle right? From what I read of that build, pootle wasn't driven that much with the engine in. I would imagine that 20000 miles later it may be a different matter. I would personally change them now as you have the chance. It is the joint between the metal stud and the rubber that will most likely break first.

[topcat]

Well I can't honestly see it making any difference, plus I doubt I will be doing 20000 miles with that engine, will probably have changed again to honda or something. Plus It's not exactly difficult or expensive to change a rubber mount if necessary.