846 replies to this topic

[timmy850]

I've received a nice heavy parcel in the mail today that's come all the way from South Africa! A big thanks to Jared for the unique South African crankshaft that'll come in handy one day 

[Jared Mk3]

At last! Glad it got to you 

[70K1100]

Is that crank the SA 1100 crank?

[timmy850]

Yes it is. It'll be interesting one day in the distant future to compare my current project 1100 engine (small bore, long stroke) to the SA1100 engine (big bore, short stroke). 

[70K1100]

Did I read correctly that the SA 1100 have the same big end sizes as the 1275 crank?

[timmy850]

They are 1.75", which is the same as most 1275 engines. The Cooper S and very early 1275 engines had 1.625" bearings. 

 

It is essentially a short stroke 1275, so you use a 1275 block etc. 

Edited by timmy850, 12 April 2017 - 06:51 AM.

[70K1100]

sounds like a good addition to your 1275.   How is your other engine build going?

[timmy850]

I haven't done anything on the engine in the last month as we were away on leave. I need to dig out the engine stand and get some new thrust bearings and then I can get the crank in. I'll need to do a big order for an oil pump, gasket kit etc. 

 

Today the car had it's annual inspection and passed with no problems   . It's very cheap to keep the car on the road now with the Historic Vehicle scheme, under $100 (£60) for the inspection and registration fees and the insurance is under $130 (£80) for me!

[70K1100]

I wish Queensland had as good historic registration scheme as the rest of the country.

[timmy850]

I had a couple of hours free this afternoon, so I took some brave pills and decided to start fitting the right hand side tank.


When marking it out I noticed there was an area of paint that had reacted and rather luckily it's now either cut out or behind the rubber seal I've also got a nice paint sample of both the original Tartan Red and the current exterior red.


I'd bought a hole saw just for this job. As is often the case, having the right tool for the job makes your life much easier.


The hole saw cut through effortlessly, and left a nice clean hole. It was de-burred and I gave it a coat of paint to protect it.


Fortunately the tank lined up nicely with the hole and I could get the tank in without any problems


Next up I need to sort out the strap, bottom bracket and plumb it in. The tank, strap and bottom bracket all need a coat of paint before the final assembly too.

[Vinay-RS]

That looks really good, as if it came from the factory! Does the bracket work in the same way as the one on the left hand side tank? 

[timmy850]

Thanks! It was pretty stressful marking it out and drilling the hole... I was very happy once it fit in 

 

Yes, it is very similar to the left tank. There is a small flat bracket that is connected to the boot floor, and the strap which goes to the seat back and the boot floor. I've also got to change the fuel breathers, they need to go up and over to the opposite sides so they don't leak when parked on a hill. 

[Jared Mk3]

You're brave 

[timmy850]

You're brave 

The worst bit is always the first hole, no going back after that! I've also been putting off doing this for a while as I was going to repaint the tank first. I then figured it might get scratched a bit during trial fitting so I'll paint it at the end. I've had the tank since October so I've been a bit lazy..

 

We went to a show last weekend too, a good mix of cars and a nice sunny day out too. 

[Vinay-RS]

The worst bit is always the first hole, no going back after that! 

 

 

This would make a rather funny user tag... Just saying