846 replies to this topic

[timmy850]

They're looking really good. What silver paint did you use for these? High temp engine enamel? 

Thanks Vinay, it's VHT high temp engine enamel. It probably doesn't need to be high temp but that's what I have and it's worked well in the past. 

[timmy850]

I painted the outside of the gearbox case

 

I started watching the video here on how to reassemble a remote gearbox and decided to get started. I now have the reverse gear and the shift levers installed. 
https://youtu.be/BYoM33pWEmA

 

Finally I put the shifter housing on and I was able to move through all the gear positions. Next up is to sort out the main gear cluster 

[Vinay-RS]

It's looking good! Will it be getting new bearings, seals, synchros or are the original parts in good condition? 

[timmy850]

The gears will be good condition used parts, the baulk/synchro rings are used factory ones which are supposed to last better. Most of the bearings will be new, with the roller bearings inside 1st ,2nd & 3rd gears being reused. I bought a new gasket/seal kit for everything else (hopefully). 

 

[timmy850]

I've been away on holidays for a couple of weeks so I haven't been in the garage much. The last thing I got up to was checking the gear selection and trial fitting the laygear. The brand new layshaft seems to be faulty as I can't install the needle bearings and get the layer to rotate properly. I also can't rotate the layshaft inside the gearbox case to line it up with the retaining plate. It seems to be slightly bent when you roll it on a smooth surface. Hopefully I can get it sorted with the supplier despite it being 2 years since I bought it. 

 

The gear selection is pretty good overall, there is less slop in the system than my current remote shift and it seems easy to find the right gear. 

 

There is a lot of wear on the two bushes in the diff cover so they will need to be replaced. The shaft is still in good condition, which is good because I don't think they are available anymore. 

 

The engine started right up after sitting for a couple of weeks, and its nice to be back behind the wheel again!

[timmy850]

I had a holiday over Christmas and came back in January full of energy to get the gearbox sorted. Luckily Justin who lives local to me was able to sort me out. He is able to press the new bushings into the diff housing and has helped me to source the parts to get everything done!

 

The laygear was trial fitted using a perfect secondhand shaft and shimmed with the thrust washers. It now spins freely, which is a bonus!

Lots of fun times ahead!

 

I made it to the annual Minis In the Gong show in late January for the 6th year. I even cleaned inside the engine bay and opened the bonnet which is a first for me!

 

 

 

 

[timmy850]

This afternoon was very productive, as Justin had brought back the re-bushed diff cover and a couple of parts that I was missing. A couple of hours later the main assembly was all complete!

 

The magic wand shift is really nice too, very little slop and very easy to select all the gears!

 

 

 

 

Left to go is:
Speedo drive cover to be bolted on when I find the studs
Diff to assemble and install
Centre oil pickup to be bolted in
Clean up flywheel housing + drill and tap for breather
Install idler gear bearings + check the end float

[johnR]

Looking good!

[Vinay-RS]

 

This is stunning! Great job, Tim! 

[timmy850]

Thanks guys! I have the rest of my photos from the day here:
https://www.flickr.c...157702610010232

Here is a photo showing the throw of the new shifter assembly. It's about 7cm from neutral to 1st or 2nd gear, which is a little better than my current worn out remote setup.

[timmy850]

I thought I would try adding some vacuum advance to the Dellorto to see if i could improve the fuel economy or the low end response. I ordered in a pair of vacuum takeoffs from the UK


The standard blanking screws were replaced with the takeoffs, and they were joined together with a T-piece to try and stabilise the vacuum signal. Before connecting the distributor up I checked the vacuum reading from the carb against a vacuum gauge. It read very similar to how the SU did, but it fluctuated a little bit at idle.


I then connected it up to the distributor. I checked the numbers on the original 25D - it's a 40768 with the vacuum unit 54411478. While the mechanical advance has now been bypassed the vacuum unit is a 7-13-5, which should mean it starts advancing at 7 in Hg, reach maximum at 13 in Hg and tops out at 5 degrees of advance.


I had a quick test drive around and it seems to work pretty well. The extra advance seems to perk it up a bit at part throttle, it'll be a while before I can check how the economy will change.

[johnR]

How much difference in noise do you find between having the bulkhead sound deadening or not?

[timmy850]

How much difference in noise do you find between having the bulkhead sound deadening or not?

It’s an unbelievable difference! I like having it off most of the time as the Dellorto sound through the speedo hole is really addictive. I put it back on for the weekend as I was bringing my wife along. This insulation blanket is nice and thick, textured vinyl on the front and foam on the back. It’s also fairly heavy and makes the firewall look a bit tidier

[johnR]

Did you make your own or buy one? - I think I'll see how loud my new engine is then decide what soundproofing I need.

[timmy850]

Did you make your own or buy one? - I think I'll see how loud my new engine is then decide what soundproofing I need.

I bought it pre-made from a mini supplier here in Australia.

It’s the same as this insulation here:
https://www.carbuild...-liner-floormat