116 replies to this topic

[Jayme 1275]

Looking good. Not a wile pile of clerance between manifold and bulkhead. Will that be an issue?

[mini_nutz]

Hi everyone,

A quick update of the progress so far.

Last week I completely stripped out my engine bay inc all ancillaries, as I had a small brake fluid leak last year from one of my master cylinders which destroyed the paint work. I managed to get my hand on some master cylinder extenders to prevent another leak. Once the engine was out I wanted to re-use some newish parts off my old 1400cc lump to fit onto my new engine. Prior to fitting the parts I had to clean and blast them, all brackets have been primed, painted black and lacquered. Unfortunalty I don’t have access to a painting oven therefore I have to wait for good weather. As the weather was perfect today my mate Alex painted the engine bay for me.

The old 1.4 lump ready to be removed.
 DSCN0276_640x480.jpg   58.01K   87 downloads

Close up on damaged paint area.
 DSCN0278_640x480.jpg   39.91K   98 downloads

Me prepping the engine bay for etch primer.
 DSCN0290_640x480.jpg   43.83K   145 downloads

Engine bay re-painted and lacquered ready for engine.
 DSCN0317_640x480.jpg   49.45K   117 downloads

I have spent the week putting the final touches onto the engine; I fitted the clutch housing cover from the old engine with a new clutch arm and clutch release bearing. I have also fitted new engine mounts. I came across a minor problem as I there was not enough room to fit the cam belt tensioner. I had a 5mm spacer made that would fit between the damper and the crank driving wheel. This increased the gap between the engine side plate and the crank damper and gave me 3mm clearance gap. I decided to scrap the idea of using the v belt crank damper and instead I’m using the up rated belt system that I had on my old engine. As the up rated belt is wider than the 'v' belt I need to fit a bigger spacer under the crank position sensor arm to ensure it aligns with the crank position wheels correctly. All pipe work has been temporally fitted to ensure I’m ready to start installation tomorrow.

Pics of the completed engine.
 DSC_0002_640x425.jpg   43.12K   226 downloads
 DSC_0003_319x480.jpg   39.79K   168 downloads
 DSC_0007_319x480.jpg   39.71K   265 downloads
 DSC_0012_319x480.jpg   43.2K   304 downloads

Tomorrow I will install the engine and start installing all the components and accessories inc the ECU.

Check back soon for more progress.

Warren

[mini_nutz]

Forgot to add a pic of the back of the engine.
 DSC_0004_640x425.jpg   47.56K   303 downloads

[mini_nutz]

Well here you go. Its in.

 DSC_0014_640x425.jpg   57.14K   322 downloads
 DSC_0015_319x480.jpg   43.23K   267 downloads
 DSC_0016_319x480.jpg   40.36K   221 downloads
 DSC_0018_319x480.jpg   42.16K   241 downloads
 DSC_0017_319x480.jpg   38.33K   190 downloads

Warren

[andymini12]

That looks great.

[Stevee]

wow that looks sweet

quite tempting to do

[george91]

Very nice, will be a suprise for people when you open the bonnet and they see that. What ECU are you using?

EDIT: just been reading, your using the SC ecu.

Edited by george91, 31 March 2011 - 09:55 PM.

[mini_nutz]

Hi all,

Just a quick update on progress.

Things have been going well just a little slow. I have now plumbed in 95% of the engine, all that is left is the hoses either end of the copper fuel pipe. Had some troubles trying to get the lower radiator hose to fit without fouling on the cam belt. Below is a pic of the final solution.

I have installed two new 8mm copper fuel (feed and return) lines under the car, this job was akward. I should have installed them prior to installing the engine as it would have been easier with both the front sub frame and rear beam axel removed. Anyhow only removed the beam axel in the end. The mpi fuel tank has also been fitted.

Still need to fit the radiator but currently working on that one.

The original bonnet fails to close. doh! I dont want to prop the front or rear up so managed to get KAD twin cam fiberglass bonnet, that needs some small work as someone cut the front lip off. I dont want any external fixings so i have cut up an old steel bonnet for the fixings, I just need to bond them onto the fibreglass now. I hope Sikaflex and some additional fiberglassing should do the trick. :-s

All the wiring has now been completed and tested. The engine turns over with excellent oil pressure on the starter motor.

I have also made the oil filler point to go onto the clutch housing. Just to paint and fit it.

Enjoy the pictures.

 DSC_0078_640x425.jpg   36.63K   111 downloads
 DSC_0080_640x425.jpg   40.06K   119 downloads
 DSC_0079_640x425.jpg   52.56K   233 downloads
 DSC_0083_640x425.jpg   28.33K   107 downloads
 DSC_0084_640x425.jpg   34.45K   77 downloads
 DSC_0085_640x425.jpg   22.91K   41 downloads

Warren

[Artstu]

Simply stunning, that BMW head looks right at home in a Mini

[mini_nutz]

Hi all,

Its Alive!!

Needs setting up but it runs.

Have a look at the video K1380rs.

Warren

Edited by mini_nutz, 18 May 2011 - 07:46 PM.

[mini 4o]

Hi
Glad alls going well,
that exhaust downpipe is mini porn, I might get one for my bedroom.
Looking at the photos is the fan on the right way?
Happy motoring sound and looks really nice.
Good job

John

[mini_nutz]

Hi
Glad alls going well,
that exhaust downpipe is mini porn, I might get one for my bedroom.
Looking at the photos is the fan on the right way?
Happy motoring sound and looks really nice.
Good job

John

Hi John,

Well spotted! When I first built the engine I had clearance issues with the fan blades and the crank trigger wheel as i was missing the all important fan spacer. I have now fitted a fan spacer and put the fan on the correct way round.

Warren

[Jayme 1275]

That looks at home in the engine bay indeed. Items it your going to spray the bonnet the same as they car

[mini_nutz]

Sorry about the video going pixelated at the end will upload another video later.

Warren

[mini_nutz]

That looks at home in the engine bay indeed. Items it your going to spray the bonnet the same as they car

Bonnet will be carbon wrapped once all modifications have been completed. If i decide at a later date I dont like the carbon look it can always be painted to match the car.

Warren