36 replies to this topic

[mini-luke]

Have you considered building it yourself and getting the machining done locally? It's a great learning experience and will save you lots of money

[Bungle]

Paul Inch in Plymouth been doing minis when his father Chris ran the company in the 60/70s, Pauls son/daughter both race minis and they have a good name down in the SW

Paul built my engine and i'm very happy with his work

[ACDodd]

ML Motorsport are full of road engines at the moment, no more capacity. ML specialize in road engines, that is why they are busy, more people need road based engines that race ones. Why the rush?


AC

[Noris8322]

ML Motorsport are full of road engines at the moment, no more capacity. ML specialize in road engines, that is why they are busy, more people need road based engines that race ones. Why the rush?


AC

I've heard some really good things about ML Motorsport and they always seem really helpful when I've spoke them at Southern Mini Days. Also they are less than 20 miles from where I live.
There is no real rush but wanted to get things underway, but I'm thinking of having the gearbox rebuilt (this is the main problem). Then checking the overall condition of the engine, replacing whats needed and putting it back in. Then trying to get my name on MLM's waiting list to have it rebuilt and modified at a later date

[Noris8322]

Have you considered building it yourself and getting the machining done locally? It's a great learning experience and will save you lots of money

This was my original idea, but then when you start taking compression ratios and precision measuring and cam timing. I think I would be in over my head, I thought it would be best left to the professionals. If it was a case of just assembling the engine and checking clearences then that wouldn't be a problem

[ACDodd]

if you can wait why not let ML assist with your project?

AC

[Skortchio]

Out of curiosity, what's the lead time on ML having space, AC?

I've just about got my new build spec'd up (subject to better suggestion) but am having difficulty in finding a builder it seems :)

[ACDodd]

I think it is 3 months, call Andy at the workshop to discuss, 01474 825123.

AC

[JDImini]

Hi Noris8322, just wondering how the engine build went last year as I'm in the South and looking to have some engine work done. May well go to Ian Hargreaves as he lives round the corner and have met him a couple of times. He is a really nice person and has an absolute wealth of knowledge about minis

[ACDodd]

Yup I am busy too, doing my own work and supplying ML Motorsport. Patience is key!

Ac

[cooperdan]

I was going get someone to do my engine..

but thought thats silly, might aswell do it myself.. its learning curve, plus you know engine in and out...

Ive got local machining shops for the bits and bobs, but rest im.doing

[Cooperman]

The reason good engine builders can be hard to find is that too many classic car owners with A-Series engines want them done 'on the cheap'.

When I retired a few years ago I decided that I would build a few engines. However, too many people didn't want to pay for a 'proper' job, so I decided that as I was supposed to be retired, I would do just that and now I just build engines for myself & my friends, plus work on diesel engines at my gliding club (changed a diesel Land Rover cam belt today).

 

For example, it is not possible to build a top quality engine for £1000, despite what anyone will tell you.

[JDImini]

Hi Cooperman

very interested in your comment, what should you budget for a good 998 road engine?

Cooperman, on 20 Apr 2014 - 6:01 PM, said:
For example, it is not possible to build a top quality engine for £1000, despite what anyone will tell you.

[cian]

I would do it yourself mate, im just after building mine with no previous experince and its turned out great, just do the research into endfloats etc and give it a go! Its not a dark art or rocket science just do the research and take your time! Who knows you might even enjoy it and if you just give it to someone else you arent learning anything or gaining experience

[Cooperman]

First of all do a parts costing using, say, Mini Sparesweb site.

 

You will need:

 

Pistons

Main & big-end bearings

Crank thrust bearings

Camshaft & followers

Oil pump

Water pump

Full gasket set

Full set of valves & valve guides

Timing chain & tensioner (or Duplex chain kit)

Primary gear bushes

'Red' primary gear seal

Timing cover seal

Distributor re-build parts - points, condenser and possibly shaft & bushes.

Fan belt

 

Plus any other parts you decide to change(engine mounts for example).

 

Then add the labour. To build an A-Series properly, including all machining, measuring, trial build(s), final assembly and painting will take around 30 hours. If someone says they can do it quicker, then I would query how thoroughly they are doing it. Work on £35 to £40 per hour for the labour. If the head needs full gas-flowing as well as just guides & valves, add another 8 hours to the total.

 

If doing the gearbox as well, allow around £350 to £500 for a full re-build as a standard gearbox (check with 'GuessWorks' for an accurate price).

 

When you have done that you will see why so many learn to build their own engines, sub-contracting the machining to a reputable firm like AC Dodd, Rob Walker Engineering or similar company.

 

This is just a guide and labour times may vary, but not by much as it takes time to do a 'proper' job.