568 replies to this topic

[colinf1]

Got engine lifted out, bit of a rush job as engine hoist is needed at work tomorrow. Forgot to remove gear linkage,so bit of faffing to get that roll pin out. Then had a scare as hook wasn't fully engaged with the lifting lug, was sure it was gonna slip off if tried to lower it back into, so clamped some vice grips between hook and lug just as added protection.



Took off clutch wok, bearing was toast..
I think I put it in the wrong way around...



Clutch plate looks fine, but its a 190mm diameter rather than a 180mm for a 998.




Oil leak on radiator side is coming from mechanical fuel pump, new gaskets ordered for that.

Then clutch master cylinder decided to start leaking, quickly cleaned it all up and drained out the rest of the fluid, will investigate that tomorrow.

[70K1100]

Is there any drawback with running to 190mm clutch instead of the 180mm clutch plate. 

[colinf1]

Got new clutch put on today, took my time making sure everything was on properly lined up and more importantly, on the right way 🤦‍♂️

Also got the fuel pump gaskets changed and one side ball joints replaced. Had to use a lot more shims than previous set. I need to invest in a ball joint splitter after having to sacrifice these due to needing the engine out in a hurry.

@70K1100, the flywheel can take either 180mm or 190mm clutch plate, the bigger plate is for 1275. I changed this out completely for peace of mind

[stuart bowes]

smaller clutch, less inertia, more responsive, quicker revs (same reason you'd lighten a flywheel)

 

larger clutch, more surface area, better grip for more power application if necessary

 

how much difference 10mm will make to these things is up for debate but I guess someone somewhere must have decided the 1275 needed more I can only assume some maths or trial and error was involved

Edited by stuart bowes, 03 June 2023 - 06:32 PM.

[sonscar]

It can cause drag if you fit the larger clutch to a flywheel which has previously had the smaller clutch fitted due to a potential wear ridge.Steve..

[colinf1]

Engine is now back in car, while putting the exhaust in the rear subframe front exhaust mount sheared off the rubber block! So that's the rear most bobbin and this one that have sheared, both from a genuine rover mg fitting kit.

Also got a start on the arches, very stressful drilling into the freshly painted bodywork. Plenty of zinc paint applied to the hole edges, then stainless steel M5 rivet nuts compressed into place. Put rivet nuts along the slam panel for mounting the grille. Drivers side is done, need to heat up the sill trim in hot water to make it un-curl then thinking about a bit of polyurethane sealant to hold it all in place and prevent water sitting under it.

Kilbroney car show is on Saturday week (17th) so times ticking to get it all done, fuelling adjusted, wheel alignment, tax and insurance...

[colinf1]

Lots done today, exhaust mostly on, just waiting for rear brackets. Carb and all cables and pipes done, all wiring connected back up.
Hubs and wheels on with new ball joints, driveshaft nuts torqued up and split pins installed. New stainless clips on driveshaft boots. Put some more rivet nuts on the number plate mounting bracket, as it was quite fiddly to get a M5 nyloc nut on the back of it. Offered up the sill trim, still need to cut it to size...

[colinf1]

Got it out of the shed today, then parked on the lawn while I tinkered with some stuff. Bonnet prop was missing it's clip, so I've tapped the end of it M6, a few washers and a nyloc nut to secure it.
Got passenger side arches on, slow and steady with the drill! The rivet nut compressor is an old one borrowed from work, it got stuck on the last one, couldn't get it to unwind for a good 30mins...I guess I figured out why it was no longer used!

Left it sat on the patio now, with stormforce cover over it. I'll check for any signs of leaking in the morning. Clutch engagement feels fine, no metal on metal screeching, had ht leads 2 and 3 reversed, swapped them around and it no longer sounded like a lawnmower.

Grease up ball joints, one new nipple wasn't allowing any grease in, thankfully I kept a few old ones.

[stuart bowes]

looking really good there, must be itching to get it out on the road

 

how does it get out of the garden is that alley wide enough or have you got a big gate somewhere else

 

just being nosy 

Edited by stuart bowes, 11 June 2023 - 09:34 PM.

[colinf1]

a big gate somewhere would be very handy to have, unfortunately it needs to go down side alley, it's just wide enough at the narrowest point to get the wheels through.

Rear wall of the shed backs onto marsh/swamp ground so no way of getting it out that way.
Helicopter or a crane would be the next options lol

[stuart bowes]

haha probably a bit costly 

 

i thought I saw in a previous pic you'd tried to drive it through the neighbours fence

[johnR]

very smart!

[Viktor]

What a lovely looking Mini, well done mate!

[colinf1]

Took it out for a spin around the village yesterday evening, all went well, still having a bit of an oil leak at the back of the engine, took off tappet chest cover and re-seated the gasket and tightened it back up, but still at it.

 

Then took it to work this morning for it first proper drive. Good oil pressure and water temp steady at 90c, nothing too unusual in terms of rattles or noises, tracking not as bad, slightly off to the right. Speedo was working for about 10kms, then stopped again, had my phone setup with a GPS speedo to keep an eye on the speed. A bit flat/bogging down under load, so maybe a bit rich. I'll check sparkplugs later. 34kms in 35mins. Checked oil after it had cooled down for an hour or so, and its middle of dipstick, so not losing that much but would like to be losing none.

[Colinmac1330]

Are you going to make Kilbroney then?