25 replies to this topic

[Mini Waco]

In reading ‘How to fix a Primary Gear Oil Seal Leak’ in the November issue of Mini Magazine, I noticed that all standard sockets sizes ( 7/16, ½ , 9/16) were used.   While I am preparing to purchase my mini, I would have bet on the fact that all required tools would be metric.  Does the Mini actually use Standard wrenches / sockets vs metric ones?

 

[Tupers]

Nearly everything on a Mini is standard/imperial. 

[nicklouse]

The Mini was designed and produced before the metric system was introduced in the UK.

So no metric needed.

But be aware if seems the odd repair panbel are not quite to standard and have used metric threads on the captive nuts.

[Dan]

It depends on the age of the car you buy. Originally as it was designed in the '50s the car was all imperial but over the years various metric parts were added, generally later parts that were also in use on other cars designed more recently and so made to metric standards.

[Mini Waco]

Wow.. I would have lost the bet.. thanks all.  I have a majority of metric tools for our other vehicle so I thought I was set with the Mini..... 

[Spider]

Yes, Imperial Spanners and Sockets for sure. Despite when the Mini was designed and First Produced from, it had an AWEFUL lot of metric parts and threads in it (from day one), rather surprising when one really does start looking in to it.

[Guess-Works.com]

As far as I am aware the first metric thread to be used on the mini was the cone. I can't think of any metric part, thread, screw used on the mini prior to this. The MPi was the first model where Metric screws were used on the engine. The flywheel bolt for the verto clutch although had a metric sized hex, was still a whitworth thread.

[Spider]

As far as I am aware the first metric thread to be used on the mini was the cone. I can't think of any metric part, thread, screw used on the mini prior to this. The MPi was the first model where Metric screws were used on the engine. The flywheel bolt for the verto clutch although had a metric sized hex, was still a whitworth thread.

 

The Smiths Speedo Cable is Metric - M20 x 1 on the Gearbox end x M12 x 1 on the Speedo end.

Spark Plugs are 14 mm.

Our Front Wheel Bearings are Metric.

Some of the bearings in the gearbox are metric.

The Tappet Adjusting Screws in the forged and pressed types are M7, I haven't yet checked the sintered ones

and yes, the later cones from sometime in the early 70's are M14.

 

Anyways, they are just some off the top of my head

[Guess-Works.com]

Very few of the above require the use of a socket, spanner... and most were existing standards, take the speedo cable and the spark plug.

 

The needle rollers in the gearbox are measured in mm, as again, an existing standard, but all the others are imperial, interestingly the mainshaft in the mini gearbox started off at a 25mm diameter and then changed to a 1" diameter, this is why the really early gearboxes use a different double roller bearing.

 

I am surprised about the adjusting screws tho'....

 

You learn something new everyday...

[spiguy]

By the time you get to removing anything though, it will probably be so rusted that you would be better off using the next metric size down!

[Spider]

I am surprised about the adjusting screws tho'....

 

You learn something new everyday...

 

Yeap, just to drive us mad! M7 thread with a 7/16" AF Nut!! Only BMC,,,,,,,,,,

 

Yes, as you've mentioned, few of the fasteners require special or metric spanners.

 

I also have something way in the back of my mind that some of the stuff on SUs is also metric, could be wrong on that though.

[Cooperman]

Although there a few anomalies, in general a good imperial socket set & spanners are needed to work on the Mini.

And don't forget to get a 'metric adjustable' spanner  .

 

The most amazing imperial/metric component, and it cannot be mentioned too often, are the 3/8 UNF threads on one end of the brake pipes, and M10 Fine threads on the other end of the same pipes where those pipes go into the bulkhead mounted pressure regulator unit. Verging on criminally insane design philosophy just for Rover to save a few quid.

[Carlos W]

The most amazing imperial/metric component, and it cannot be mentioned too often, are the 3/8 UNF threads on one end of the brake pipes, and M10 Fine threads on the other end of the same pipes where those pipes go into the bulkhead mounted pressure regulator unit. Verging on criminally insane design philosophy just for Rover to save a few quid.

 

Absolutely, and the fact the threads kind of almost fit if you get it the wrong way around.

 

A good imperial socket set is the way to go. Some of the metrics are kind of close but you'll start rounding heads of bolts which will just cause grief. 

[Dusky]

The seat bracket mounting nuts are also a pain. Used metric bolts on them and they went in 3/4 fine, then broke -.-

[phil hill]

The Smiths Speedo Cable is Metric - M20 x 1 on the Gearbox end x M12 x 1 on the Speedo end.

The speedo drive on the gearbox is 3/4" x 25tpi, M20 happens to be "close enough".
 
Phil.

Edited by phil hill, 14 November 2014 - 11:32 AM.