Got rid of my old mini, and bought something that wouldn't rust, a Mini based Midas kit car.
It lasted all of 6 months in standard form due to low oil pressure, while I still had the mini engine, it was sent off to be rebuilt, and so began the beginning of the journey...
First the exhaust had to be chopped as it had been welding to solve blowing (solved nothing!);
Then after removing all the ancilleries, and the clutch wok we removed the engine with the use of a crane;
With the engine away being built, I had to crack on with a few other jobs, first the dashboard, I had to remove the old radio unit, cut the hole to accept a standard size DIN, and added a 'fasten belts' warning light (that comes on when the headlights come on ;) )
Also with a change of stereo, allowed me to update the speakers, I don't have any pictures but originally it had a very retro speaker box in the boot, and what looked like hi-fi speakers behind each seat. Unfortunately I also don't have photos of the speakers I put in, but I replaced the hi-fi speakers with some 17cm(iirc) round speakers, and put some boxed 6x9's in the boot, all hooked up to an amp secured to the rear bench seat (upside down);
Engine returned with the following specs; overbore to 1330, new pistons, crank, light weight flywheel, orange clutch plate, a more sporty cam - i already had a big valve head that I was very happy with but had never been ported so I had that done. The gearbox from the mini had been rebuilt 1000miles previously and was still in perfect condition (thanks guessworks!)
The engine went back in ( it was harder than I say and the photos look!);
Then I worked on replacing the exhaust, using the LCB and stainless centre pipe from my mini, plus a new double exit back box;
