22 replies to this topic

[rich2]

1979 mini clubman 1098 

 

Hello experts!

 

I'm just trying to get my head around how to connect up all the various pipes for the cooling system. Does this look right to you? Where does that little pipe out of the top of the radiator go to? Am I missing anything? Thanks!

 

[Dusky]

Its the overflow for when the pressure in the cooling system is too high.

[mini13]

yep, normally the overflow pipe just directs to the floor, although its not a bad idea to pipe it to somthing to catch the overflow, then you can pop it back in the rad if needed. if you go on a track/drag strip you normally need a 1 litre can, but for the road somthing like a beer can works well. I actually uuse one of those big one litre beer cans for the strip.

[cal844]

Erm no thats the wrong route

Bottom hose goes from bottom of radiator to water pump

Small top hose goes from thermostat housing to top of radiator

I wouldn't run the manifold plumbed in

Also invest in the dsn retrosport take off instead of the heater valve 😉

[Northernpower]

1979 mini clubman 1098 

 

Hello experts!

 

I'm just trying to get my head around how to connect up all the various pipes for the cooling system. Does this look right to you? Where does that little pipe out of the top of the radiator go to? Am I missing anything? Thanks!

 

No its not correct. The water comes out of the heater valve on the head through the manifold and into the heater matrix. It comes out of the matrix and into the bottom hose. The bottom of the radiator is connected to the water pump and the top of the radiator is connected to the thermostat housing

[jonlad]

I'm interested as I have to do this too.

 

Is the thinking that where no thermostat bypass is fitted to water pump/cyl head that a drilled thermostat should be used to allow some bypass in case the heater tap is closed?

[rich2]

Many thanks for your help, everyone! So my understanding now is it goes like this:

 

 

cal844: Why wouldn't you plumb in the manifold?

 

Also, do you mean the DSN retrosport thing like this?

 

If so, I guess that means its always 'on' and not connected to the control on the dashboard. Does that matter? Is it preferred?

 

I do also have the waterpump and cylinder head with a bypass pipe between them.

[Northernpower]

Many thanks for your help, everyone! So my understanding now is it goes like this:

 

 

cal844: Why wouldn't you plumb in the manifold?

 

Also, do you mean the DSN retrosport thing like this?

 

If so, I guess that means its always 'on' and not connected to the control on the dashboard. Does that matter? Is it preferred?

 

I do also have the waterpump and cylinder head with a bypass pipe between them.

Other than you're showing the bottom hose the wrong way round, it's correct. There was a problem with the heater valve (hence owners fitting the DSN one) but Minispares say they have identified what was wrong and the latest one from them fixes the issue. It depends if you want to turn the water to the heater off. I turn mine off on very hot days because my radiator on its own is now capable of cooling the engine.

[mini13]

the special brew can!!!

[cal844]

Many thanks for your help, everyone! So my understanding now is it goes like this:
 

 
cal844: Why wouldn't you plumb in the manifold?
 
Also, do you mean the DSN retrosport thing like this?
 
If so, I guess that means its always 'on' and not connected to the control on the dashboard. Does that matter? Is it preferred?
 
I do also have the waterpump and cylinder head with a bypass pipe between them.

Plumbing the manifold only prevents carb icing, which we won't get in the UK or EU. That's the dsn one, very good value although as you say it means that the coolant is constantly flowing through the heater matrix circuit.


As for the bypass hose it will still function correctly. I have a bypass hose on our 998 with no thermostat, runs fine

Edited by cal844, 16 November 2017 - 03:35 PM.

[cal844]

Many thanks for your help, everyone! So my understanding now is it goes like this:
 

 
cal844: Why wouldn't you plumb in the manifold?
 
Also, do you mean the DSN retrosport thing like this?
 
If so, I guess that means its always 'on' and not connected to the control on the dashboard. Does that matter? Is it preferred?
 
I do also have the waterpump and cylinder head with a bypass pipe between them.

Other than you're showing the bottom hose the wrong way round, it's correct. There was a problem with the heater valve (hence owners fitting the DSN one) but Minispares say they have identified what was wrong and the latest one from them fixes the issue. It depends if you want to turn the water to the heater off. I turn mine off on very hot days because my radiator on its own is now capable of cooling the engine.

Yes I've had a Huddersfield minispares one blow out on me, so fitted a retrosport unit as the valves are made in the same factory on the same line.....

[maccers]

I run the heater pipe with no tap, so it constantly flows. It does add a bit more cooling to the system, albeit at the discomfort of the people inside the car. Cant recall why I done this now, think I had a floating type valve and it leaked so just went without one.

[Northernpower]

Yes I've had a Huddersfield minispares one blow out on me, so fitted a retrosport unit as the valves are made in the same factory on the same line.....

 

I had the earlier Minispares one and it did the same to me. The later one seems to be crimped differently.

[Midas Mk1]

Early 90's inline valve would be a better option than no valve, my heater can scold my knee when open!!

[nicklouse]

Heated manifold does nothing to stop carb icing as the carb is insulated from the manifold. But it can help improve the fuel economy.

Not needed so don't bother with it. And please get a Haynes manual.