One Carb Or Two?
Posted 16 February 2022 - 10:57 PM
Those ARP studs are awesome. I could feel the difference when tightening. I could also feel the gasket compressing, hopefully it's the end of head gasket problems but time will tell.
Before I fitted the head, I timed the camshaft with the DTI on the pushrod to 107 degrees.
With the head on, I checked it at the valve......
It was 104.5 degrees.... EEK!
A quick tweak of the vernier pulley and it's now back to 107.
Looks like this now
Pete
Up Into Fourth
Posted 17 February 2022 - 04:15 AM
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 17 February 2022 - 11:59 PM
Looking good Pete. Not much left to go now?
Thanks timmy850. I've quite a lot to sort out to hopefully get the car spot on. Front subframe will be coming off to clean all the oil from the leaking pot joints. I've got most of it off but the shell needs cleaning too. Also have to fit a new steering rack but my main focus at the moment is the engine and bay.
When I built it I fitted an extra engine stabliser. It was quite a lump and fouled both the tappet chest breather, and the bottom hose. It's a bit tight in that area.
I've since bought a different stabliser which won't even fit along with the tappet chest breather........
This is the solution. I've been after one of these for ages and finally found one. I think it's a breather from an early Mini but can't find much info
I'm refurbishing it at the moment
Pete
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 18 February 2022 - 07:54 PM
Fitting the inner CV or pot joints can be quite tricky because the circlip doesn't sit central
A blob of grease holds the circlip in place
The pot joint then slides on easily
Pete
Crazy About Mini's
Posted 19 February 2022 - 10:22 AM
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 19 February 2022 - 11:32 PM
I’d use a dsn engine steady on the thermostat. works a treat and far less intrusive than other steadies. Far easier to release when needed too, just one bolt on a rose joint.
Thanks Midas Mk1, I'll upgrade to one assuming the engine and gearbox delivers what I'm expecting.
At the moment, I want to get the basics right which is a working engine and gearbox.
I can't believe I'm in this situation if the truth be known. I've never had so many problems with an engine I've built and I'm in total disbelief about some of the parts that have been supplied to me.
I've talked to a lot of people and read a lot of threads, it's disappointing I'm not the only one.
Pete
Speeding Along Now
Posted 20 February 2022 - 04:43 AM
Love the close up shots.. looking forward to your hard work paying off...
Formally known as W1NG3D
Posted 20 February 2022 - 09:26 AM
I’d use a dsn engine steady on the thermostat. works a treat and far less intrusive than other steadies. Far easier to release when needed too, just one bolt on a rose joint.
These DSN thermostat steadies are really good, and well designed. I've got one which I originally planned to use but unfortunately they don't clear twin HS4s quite so easily, so I'm having to go for a gearbox-to-subframe type instead. Should be no problem on a single-carb'd car though! I do have their adjustable top steady in the factory position on the left which works surprisingly well on its own for now, considering I don't have any other steady whatsoever at the moment!
Edited by MiniCarJack, 20 February 2022 - 09:28 AM.
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 20 February 2022 - 02:51 PM
I've 2 adjustable top steadies and one at the bottom from the gearbox to the subframe. The bottom bracket is the upgraded thicker one.
Mr. 7-Port
Posted 20 February 2022 - 03:03 PM
These DSN thermostat steadies are really good, and well designed. I've got one which I originally planned to use but unfortunately they don't clear twin HS4s quite so easily, so I'm having to go for a gearbox-to-subframe type instead. Should be no problem on a single-carb'd car though! I do have their adjustable top steady in the factory position on the left which works surprisingly well on its own for now, considering I don't have any other steady whatsoever at the moment!
You're not the only one who couldn't fit the thermostat steady to a twin carb set up so, DSN now manufacture a thermostat steady for twin carb set up.
Formally known as W1NG3D
Posted 20 February 2022 - 03:29 PM
These DSN thermostat steadies are really good, and well designed. I've got one which I originally planned to use but unfortunately they don't clear twin HS4s quite so easily, so I'm having to go for a gearbox-to-subframe type instead. Should be no problem on a single-carb'd car though! I do have their adjustable top steady in the factory position on the left which works surprisingly well on its own for now, considering I don't have any other steady whatsoever at the moment!
You're not the only one who couldn't fit the thermostat steady to a twin carb set up so, DSN now manufacture a thermostat steady for twin carb set up.
If only that'd come out a few months ago when I placed my last order 
looks like my wallet is about to get lighter...
Mr. 7-Port
Posted 20 February 2022 - 03:56 PM
These DSN thermostat steadies are really good, and well designed. I've got one which I originally planned to use but unfortunately they don't clear twin HS4s quite so easily, so I'm having to go for a gearbox-to-subframe type instead. Should be no problem on a single-carb'd car though! I do have their adjustable top steady in the factory position on the left which works surprisingly well on its own for now, considering I don't have any other steady whatsoever at the moment!
You're not the only one who couldn't fit the thermostat steady to a twin carb set up so, DSN now manufacture a thermostat steady for twin carb set up.
If only that'd come out a few months ago when I placed my last order
It's only money, and besides you'll be able to sell the old one no problem. 
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 21 February 2022 - 11:42 PM
It can be difficult where to throw the wonga on these cars, there is so much to choose from, especially the bling. I keep trying to "go back to basics"
I found this pic of the 998 engine I built in 1982. Similar spec to this car but it had stock head studs, the block wasn't even decked, just rebored. The head was a 12g295 with big rimflow inlets and stock exhaust valves. I used a copper head gasket. It made 55hp on the rollers at GRV. Harry Ratcliffe set it up and filed the needles in the twin SU's. I thrashed the hell out of it on many rallies and it never let me down. I then towed a boat with it for many a trip to the lakes. Remi Moses of Man United fame bought the car in the end. The engine had done about 60K miles
The point is, I did't have any problems with that engine. I reckon the head gasket on this car went before I got it out of the garage. Some of the parts that are being supplied are utter rubbish.
Hopefully this time all will be good
Breather fitted
Clearance for the bottom hose / heater take off pipe is good
Checking LCB fit and clearance
AC Dodd has my distributer for mods to suit the cam, I've ordered a breather take off for the clutch housing but that's about it for the engine and gearbox.
Pete
Stage One Kit Fitted
Posted 22 February 2022 - 06:17 PM
Lovely story on the 998 in 1982 guise….I’m very sorry but I feel you’re obliged by history to spend more hard earned on a proper set of twin HS2’s as a proper tribute to the power unit that had served you so extremely well in the past. I mean, you just have to! ;)
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 22 February 2022 - 11:41 PM
Lovely story on the 998 in 1982 guise….I’m very sorry but I feel you’re obliged by history to spend more hard earned on a proper set of twin HS2’s as a proper tribute to the power unit that had served you so extremely well in the past. I mean, you just have to! ;)
That was my plan. I bought a set and restored them but was then told a HIF38 would give more power. The other problem I have is finding someone who can profile the needles to suit the engine. It seems those days are gone around here in the North West.
I've fitted a AAA needle to the HIF38, I'm hoping it's close enough
DSN Breather take off for the clutch housing
Engine and box is now ready to be dropped in
Next job is to remove the front subframe
Pete
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