71 replies to this topic

[gaspen]

Hello

 

I decided to strip down this little car and start the long re-building procedure. Maybe some of you interested.

 

It was born in Pamplona, Spain in 1975, same year as me. I bought it a year ago and drove some little trips on summer. But now I decided to restore it as original as possible. No fancy wheel arches, no tuned engine, no wide suspension etc. I just want a clean MK III. 

 

Now the engine and gearbox is removed and dismantled for investigation. Unfortunately I found many faulty parts which has to be changed. But it's nice to win from here :)

 

At sunset

 

 IMG_20190324_164112.jpg   52.04K   6 downloads

 

Broken bushes :

 

 IMG_20190907_164430.jpg   42.43K   6 downloads

 

Sign of corrosion due to standing still for many years, but it still ran fine 

 

 IMG_20190908_111506.jpg   27.66K   1 downloads

 

Reverse gear

 

 IMG_20190920_105101.jpg   38.35K   1 downloads

 

Layshaft axle at the bearing

 

 IMG_20190913_175223.jpg   35.08K   1 downloads

 

And the layshaft

 

 IMG_20190920_111957.jpg   27.32K   2 downloads

 

Cracked syncro

 

 IMG_20190913_171210.jpg   40.59K   1 downloads

[gaspen]

About 2 kg of putty/filler/paint removed here   I think front wing has to go, it was welded from two pieces.

 

And I decided to overbore the block to +0.02, and I'll install dished pistons. 

 

Attached Files

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•  IMG_20190929_174655.jpg   79.25K   9 downloads

[GraemeC]

If the wing and surrounding areas are sound and rust free, I wouldn't be changing it just because of that repair.  It is unusual, but that's all - there's nothing wrong with it.

[62S]

I agree with GraemeC about the wing - unusual but looks to be a well carried out repair.

 

Now you are getting the paint off what do you think is the original colour?

[gaspen]

I agree with GraemeC about the wing - unusual but looks to be a well carried out repair.

 

Now you are getting the paint off what do you think is the original colour?

 

There is rust beetween the wing and inner wing where they were welded together. So I have to remove the wings. At weekend I removed the paint from the left side also, I see the same repair here. It seems that something happed with the front end in the past. Evidence of this "something" is visible on the front subframe also. Fortunately the original body number plate ( which is not the VIN plate) was saved. You'll find it onl Authis.

 

Now I have ~3 kg's of paint/filler/putty removed from the body and that's only from the front. At same place it had 3 ( yes three) mm's of putty. Best tuning is decrease the weight 

 

To the best of my knowledge this car was painted red by the factory, but I don't know the exact paint code. You can see the signs of red on the sanded areas. After lot's of thinking about the color I've already decided that I'll paint it Damask Red. It is a very elegant color and will fit nicely to the mink seats.

Attached Files

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•  IMG_20190515_104835.jpg   41.14K   1 downloads
•  IMG_20190911_182832.jpg   43.57K   1 downloads

[DeadSquare]

I once welded up some wings a bit like that, took ages to get the bonnet sides to line up.

 

It took even longer to fudge the bonnet, but I needed an extra 4" to get a V4 Saab engine and gear box in.

[Itsaminithing]

According to this website if it was originally red it would have been Rojo Llama 207 (a flame red) http://www.austinmin...aint_authi.html

The best place to find the original colour is often up inside the rear wheel arch where it has been covered by underseal.

[gaspen]

According to this website if it was originally red it would have been Rojo Llama 207 (a flame red) http://www.austinmin...aint_authi.html

The best place to find the original colour is often up inside the rear wheel arch where it has been covered by underseal.

 

Those colors were available for the spanish market, but I'm not sure about the exported models. The car was re-painted inside and outside also, but I see the original paints on more places. It could be Flame Red, but I'm going for this color :  https://www.adrianfl...s-forever-mini/

[Itsaminithing]

Export models were almost certainly painted in the same colour range, only 6,000 Authi Minis were exported in 1973 so probably not enough to warrant a separate paint line.

4% of all new cars sold in Switzerland at this time were Minis & Authi couldn't make enough so probably any colour Mini would sell, Switzerland also imported Italian made Innocenti Minis to help fulfill customer orders.

[gaspen]

How much could be the radial clearence of the primary gear ? In other words the clearence in diameter. And what is the std. diameter of the crankshaft where the p.g. spins ?

[gaspen]

A little process : block and head machined, cam bearings installed and bored, valve guides installed, valve seats and valves machined.

 

Not everybody knows what is "Morris" in this region 

 

 

Attached Files

•  IMG_20191113_110911.jpg   62.25K   0 downloads
•  IMG_20191113_113648.jpg   59.59K   0 downloads

[Magneto]

You all still have leaded gas? If not, I would have put hardened seats in on the exhaust.....

[gaspen]

You all still have leaded gas? If not, I would have put hardened seats in on the exhaust.....

 

There is no leaded gas available on the market. I'll use lead substitute additives. 

[gaspen]

A little update : the gearbox is painted in RAL 8003 and assembled 

 

I think it is the closest color to the original.

 

 

Attached Files

•  IMG_20191224_120244.jpg   61.58K   2 downloads
•  IMG_20191225_163802 (1).jpg   95.83K   4 downloads
•  IMG_20191225_164021.jpg   57.49K   3 downloads

[hardtop]

interesting that the gearbox was painted