12 replies to this topic

[DavidHopkins]

Morning all, as I slowly refit the inside of my LHD 1969 mk 2 1000 i’m wondering wether anyone thinks it’s a good idea (or even possible) to open up a fresh air vent both sides of the car? If i did the pipes would only have to go directly to the vent and be route via the heater system which is fine as it is. It’s part a madcap idea perhaps and partly to resolve the wooden dash issue which all come with the air vent holes. Any views?

[mab01uk]

The 1969 Mk3 onwards Mini has holes in the inner wing panel behind the dash liner for mounting the fresh air eyeball vents, (or round metal blanking plates when vents were not fitted). I don't think late Mk2 Minis had the holes or blanking plates. If you were able to cut suitable holes, the left hand dash vent was fed cold fresh air by a plastic pipe routed under the wing to a plastic duct down in the front panel behind the grille. The right hand vent would have to be done in a similar way, as the Mk2 Mini does not have a large plastic air box for feeding the heater in the RH wheel arch. (see diagrams in link below).

 

Fresh air and demister ducts 1969 on:-

https://www.somerfor...r-ducts-1969-on

Edited by mab01uk, 22 December 2024 - 03:56 PM.

[Quinlan minor]

The Mk3 Mini has holes in the inner wing panel behind the dash liner for mounting the fresh air eyeball vents, (or round metal blanking plates when vents were not fitted). I don't think late Mk2 Minis had the holes or blanking plates. If you were able to cut suitable holes, the left hand dash vent was fed cold fresh air by a plastic pipe routed under the wing to a plastic duct down in the front panel behind the grille. The right hand vent would have to be done in a similar way, as the Mk2 Mini does not have a large plastic air box for feeding the heater in the RH wheel arch.

Don't tell the DVLA if you do cut the holes.

[DavidHopkins]

The Mk3 Mini has holes in the inner wing panel behind the dash liner for mounting the fresh air eyeball vents, (or round metal blanking plates when vents were not fitted). I don't think late Mk2 Minis had the holes or blanking plates. If you were able to cut suitable holes, the left hand dash vent was fed cold fresh air by a plastic pipe routed under the wing to a plastic duct down in the front panel behind the grille. The right hand vent would have to be done in a similar way, as the Mk2 Mini does not have a large plastic air box for feeding the heater in the RH wheel arch.

Don't tell the DVLA if you do cut the holes.

The vehicle is in France and registered as a ‘collection’ car .. ie: classic as it’s 55 years old. But thanks for the tip! I don’t think the French CT (MOT) would be that worried .. it’s only very 5 years here .. for vehicles in 1960 or easier it’s never!

[DavidHopkins]

The 1969 Mk3 onwards Mini has holes in the inner wing panel behind the dash liner for mounting the fresh air eyeball vents, (or round metal blanking plates when vents were not fitted). I don't think late Mk2 Minis had the holes or blanking plates. If you were able to cut suitable holes, the left hand dash vent was fed cold fresh air by a plastic pipe routed under the wing to a plastic duct down in the front panel behind the grille. The right hand vent would have to be done in a similar way, as the Mk2 Mini does not have a large plastic air box for feeding the heater in the RH wheel arch. (see diagrams in link below).
 
Fresh air and demister ducts 1969 on:-
https://www.somerfor...r-ducts-1969-on

Thanks! You’ve confirmed it’s possible and I’ll see how I can route things as obviously the engines on the other side being LHD .. I might try and seek out a Mk3 to see where the pipes go as I’m not bothered with joining it to the heater they will literally be straight in vents from the grill frontage … if I can wangle the space!

[mab01uk]

 

The 1969 Mk3 onwards Mini has holes in the inner wing panel behind the dash liner for mounting the fresh air eyeball vents, (or round metal blanking plates when vents were not fitted). I don't think late Mk2 Minis had the holes or blanking plates. If you were able to cut suitable holes, the left hand dash vent was fed cold fresh air by a plastic pipe routed under the wing to a plastic duct down in the front panel behind the grille. The right hand vent would have to be done in a similar way, as the Mk2 Mini does not have a large plastic air box for feeding the heater in the RH wheel arch. (see diagrams in link below).
 
Fresh air and demister ducts 1969 on:-
https://www.somerfor...r-ducts-1969-on

Thanks! You’ve confirmed it’s possible and I’ll see how I can route things as obviously the engines on the other side being LHD .. I might try and seek out a Mk3 to see where the pipes go as I’m not bothered with joining it to the heater they will literally be straight in vents from the grill frontage … if I can wangle the space!

 

 

The Mk3 fresh air vents are not fed any hot air from the heater, they both only get unheated air from the front of the car when moving. The large plastic air distribution box on the Mk3 drivers side (UK) only shares the incoming air to feed the RH eyeball dash vent and feed the heater. That is why I said you can just make both of your vents go direct to the grille area the same way the Mk3 Mini LH eyeball vent goes direct to the front grille intake (see diagram in previous link).

Most of the plastic mouldings for the grille end intake ducts are no longer available so you may have to find used parts on ebay, etc or make your own.....unless someone has 3D printed some.

Edited by mab01uk, 22 December 2024 - 08:26 PM.

[Ethel]

I reckon one of the best features of the eyeball vents is that they blow harder the faster you go. Nowadays they'd call 'em haptic devices & charge £££ thousands extra.

 

If you've got the "elephant's trunk" under the bonnet, I wonder if it might be possible to plumb something on to that. It'd likely be a fair bit more gentle.

 

I guess Mk3s got 'em in lieu of being able to crack open a gap at the front of the door glass. The obvious alternative, easier, hole fillers are tweeter speakers.

[mab01uk]

Out of interest the first car I remember with eyeball air vents each end of the dash were Ford Cortina's....when BL later recruited Roy Haynes and other designers from Ford in the late 1960's, several Ford styling and other features appeared on BL cars including Minis such as eyeball air vents, and the 3-spoke Clubman Steering wheel and front end/grille, all very similar in concept to the Mk2 Ford Cortina.

 

Mini Clubman development story:-

https://www.aronline...elopment-story/

Edited by mab01uk, 22 December 2024 - 11:45 PM.

[DavidHopkins]

I reckon one of the best features of the eyeball vents is that they blow harder the faster you go. Nowadays they'd call 'em haptic devices & charge £££ thousands extra.

If you've got the "elephant's trunk" under the bonnet, I wonder if it might be possible to plumb something on to that. It'd likely be a fair bit more gentle.

I guess Mk3s got 'em in lieu of being able to crack open a gap at the front of the door glass. The obvious alternative, easier, hole fillers are tweeter speakers.

Thanks! The trunk is in place and comes through the bulkhead to feed the heater directly .. not a bad shout to see if I can get a split on that to feed the vents .. may need to get a t piece made up and some inside tube engineering but it could work and it would negate cutting holes. Thanks

[DavidHopkins]

The 1969 Mk3 onwards Mini has holes in the inner wing panel behind the dash liner for mounting the fresh air eyeball vents, (or round metal blanking plates when vents were not fitted). I don't think late Mk2 Minis had the holes or blanking plates. If you were able to cut suitable holes, the left hand dash vent was fed cold fresh air by a plastic pipe routed under the wing to a plastic duct down in the front panel behind the grille. The right hand vent would have to be done in a similar way, as the Mk2 Mini does not have a large plastic air box for feeding the heater in the RH wheel arch. (see diagrams in link below).

Fresh air and demister ducts 1969 on:-
https://www.somerfor...r-ducts-1969-on

Thanks! You’ve confirmed it’s possible and I’ll see how I can route things as obviously the engines on the other side being LHD .. I might try and seek out a Mk3 to see where the pipes go as I’m not bothered with joining it to the heater they will literally be straight in vents from the grill frontage … if I can wangle the space!

The Mk3 fresh air vents are not fed any hot air from the heater, they both only get unheated air from the front of the car when moving. The large plastic air distribution box on the Mk3 drivers side (UK) only shares the incoming air to feed the RH eyeball dash vent and feed the heater. That is why I said you can just make both of your vents go direct to the grille area the same way the Mk3 Mini LH eyeball vent goes direct to the front grille intake (see diagram in previous link).
Most of the plastic mouldings for the grille end intake ducts are no longer available so you may have to find used parts on ebay, etc or make your own.....unless someone has 3D printed some.

Thanks .. I think we were thinking the same thing .. another idea would be to use the existing feed (trunk) to the heater and t off that somehow .. that’s what I love about the mini and the community .. If there’s a problem we can all offer a great number of solutions!

[coopertaz]

cutting the holes for the vents does need thinking about as a mod is to weld up thes holes and fit speakers due to rust they are in the worst place on a mini for spray.

[Ethel]

cutting the holes for the vents does need thinking about as a mod is to weld up these holes and fit speakers due to rust they are in the worst place on a mini for spray.

 

Isn't it anyway? IIRC the factory fitted  blanking plates to the base models...fitted for, but not with, eyeball vents. 

[Ethel]

Just because they originally blew cold doesn't mean yours have to, but I'm not sure how much extra airflow you could rob, presumably from the already weedy screen demisters. It would likely be easier to tap in to the cold side of the heater box, with the added advantage of getting flow off the centrifugal blower even when you're not moving. 

 

If you have some tin bending skills you should be able to knock up a new centre section for the metal heater housing, it's just flat sheet, save chopping holes in the original. Using light gauge aluminium, you could use the heater itself as a former. There's not much space, but the top against the bulkhead is a round peg in a square hole, so must leave some.