846 replies to this topic

[timmy850]

During the Christmas holiday break I installed the Accuspark Stealth Blackbox system and the original 25D distributor. First up the mechanical advance was locked up by removing the springs and wiring them tight. The points were also replaced with an electronic ignition kit. It's one of the few items going from the "original parts" box back into the car and not vice versa.

The old igniton system was then removed. It included the igniton module on the right and the coil in the middle along with a 45D.

The 25D was installed to check it was working correctly and set the base timing. As the new Stealth unit would be managing the advance timing the base timing was set to TDC. The distributor now acts as a crank angle sensor

I dug out the old laptop we had lying around to see if I could install the accuspark program on it. Getting the program running and the blackbox to communicate to the computer took longer than swapping the distributor! A basic timing map was loaded on the unit to start with.

Next up I installed the blackbox, it has four wires (distributor, coil, earth, positive) so even I could manage it! It is currently temporarily mounted under the dash until I've finished tuning it. It's funny seeing the USB port in a 1960's car too!

I've also rerouted the mechanical temp gauge tube and it's much tidier now under the bonnet.

It ran really well on the test drive and it's now very easy to make changes to the igniton timing

[Jared Mk3]

Nice   Engine bay is looking less cluttered now - clean and simple.

[timmy850]

Nice   Engine bay is looking less cluttered now - clean and simple.

Thanks!
 
When I installed the blackbox I noticed there was a random wire hanging around near the distributor. It was yellow/green and the wiring diagram suggested it was the oil pressure warning light. I guess it was removed when the mechanical gauge was put in. I picked up a T-piece and oil pressure switch and installed them. Hopefully I'll never need to use it, but it's nice to know it's there.
I also picked up a vacuum line that screws onto the original vacuum unit and plumbed it in. 

I'm aiming to get the 1098 engine and gearbox sorted this year. The gearbox should be pretty easy to sort as I've got all the bits to put it back together. I've also now got a decent sized workbench (which Mrs timmy850 helped me to build over the weekend) and I'm no longer working weekends so I've got no excuse now!

On the Rylstone trip last year it was a bit of a pain with the single tank as we had to fill up nearly every time we saw a petrol station. I was able to find a right hand fuel tank locally with the strap, and I've had a new filler neck put on to repair some damage and also get a good seal.

It needs a quick coat of paint to make it match the other one, then it's time to take the brave pills and drill all the holes!

Edited by timmy850, 16 February 2017 - 05:34 AM.

[Vinay-RS]

Awesome find with the right hand tank :) That's a perfect mod for a mini. 

[Mini Manannán]

I could do with one of those, bit tricky to fit to an estate though

[JamesC]

Love the work bench, super tidy!

[timmy850]

Awesome find with the right hand tank :) That's a perfect mod for a mini.

  
Yes, it's going to be great having double the fuel range!

I could do with one of those, bit tricky to fit to an estate though

  
Not many options with a van or estate are there. One of the minis near me is a turbocharged van, not a great fuel range with it!

Love the work bench, super tidy!

Thanks, I'm really glad to have a good workstation, I've almost got the garage sorted now.

I had an issue with the brakes last week. The pedal went straight to the floor when I was driving it out of the garage. I checked and adjusted all the wheel cylinders and nothing changed, I then noticed the master cylinder was empty so where did the brake fluid go? The answer is the floorpan...

I was able to get the master cylinder out with a bit of a struggle and I've got a new one ordered.


My engine block is finished at the engine shop too, so I'll be collecting that this week and dropping off a head to get done.

[GT Jimmy]

Arrgghh! The sight of that clevis pin fills me with dread

[timmy850]

Arrgghh! The sight of that clevis pin fills me with dread

The split pin came straight out in under a minute. Unfortunately the clevis pin was seized in (you can see the rusty area in the photo) and it took a fair bit of time and effort to get it out... Both the front seats and the gearstick were taken out to try and get the right angle of attack

[timmy850]

Some progress on the engine recently! The 1098 block is back from the engine shop:
Bored out to +080 - that's approx 1167cc
Decked block
New pistons installed to rods
Rods checked and straightened
Cam bearings installed
Cam reground
Cam followers reground



I've dropped off a 12G202 head to get rebuilt and modified to suit the engine. I'll get started on the short block and gearbox assembly soon, hope to be done this year if possible...

[Jared Mk3]

Looks good!

[timmy850]

I ordered in a new master cylinder and extension sleeve to keep an eye on the fluid level.


I bench bled the master and got it all together this week. Even prior to bleeding the line the pedal was nice and high and locked the wheels up nicely. I went up to a car show today and it's all fine, which is good as I've got the annual inspection due by the end of the month..

[Vinay-RS]

And doesn't the shiny new master cylinder look good 

Dumb question time, what is the thing mounted next to the master cylinder? Is it an alarm/horn/something else?  

[Jared Mk3]

Those extension sleeves make a difference. Have one on each master on mine.

[timmy850]

And doesn't the shiny new master cylinder look good 
Dumb question time, what is the thing mounted next to the master cylinder? Is it an alarm/horn/something else?

That's the Australian Lucas 9H horn. Aussie cars were taxed higher if they were imported (or made using imported parts) so they tried to add as much local content as possible. One strange thing about the car is it has a UK loom, and they extended the wiring to move the horn up there. I'm guessing in the UK they were originally fitted down near the grille. Why our factory moved them I haven't worked out.

Those extension sleeves make a difference. Have one on each master on mine.

Yes, it's nice to be able to keep an eye on the level just by a quick look under the bonnet!