10 replies to this topic

[DClarke1954]

Hi folks,

 

I won GWEN the mini in a UK Minis raffle.

 

Described as being 1275cc A+ and with a Stage 2 head and "Lumpy Cam" ???? .....  Well this means not a jot to me other than the words suggest an aggressive performance orientation.

 

However,  the ruddy thing won't start/run and the HIF44 carb jet was wound down way beyond "rich" and into "ruddy-ridiculous" territory and I think the timing is set so far advanced it's just not able to start.

 

I'm not really interested in winning races away from the lights or track days etc.  I just want to have a fun little road car that starts on the button and runs well.

 

So to this end, the Dizzy without a Vacuum advance unit is coming off and a Powerspark 65DM4 is going on in its place.

I will pull the carb's needle out to confirm which one it has in there (I think it is a BDD?).

 

What is a "standard" HIF44 needle for a 1275 fast road (NOT RACE) engine?

 

How badly will a "Lumpy" cam make the engine perform if I am not trying to run it at max-rev's balls-out go-faster race mode?

 

Answers on a postcard please to:

 

Confused old bloke @ theminiforum. 

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Dan.

[DeadSquare]

I wonder why the previous owner, gave it as a raffle prize ?

[beardylondon]

You probably want to find out what exact cam is in it first, my tuppences worth!

[KTS]

the MG metro's used a BDL which may be a decent starting point - it should be a bit leaner than the BDD in the midrange section

 

running rich will ruin an engine faster than running lean (..assuming you're not caning it!)

[DClarke1954]

Thank you all for the valuable input.

My understanding is that the previous owner only sold it back to them because he had 2 minis and he was off work sick and couldn't keep both and needed cash to stay afloat and pay the bills.

If the blurb is to be believed (no reason not to at this stage) it has a new (to it?) head and the previous owner told me this is because the old one cracked. 

I associate "cracked heads" with overheating so may be the problems I am experiencing are what did that.

I will have to take this step-by-step.  New dizzy arrives this week and I will set it up as per "standard" *whatever that means with these much molested minis.

Then see if the thing can be made to start reliably (without choke on an ordinary day) and run smoothly, and then go from there.

I have seen a lot of AC Dodd's videos and he seems to get them running as smooth as sewing machines, but I am not him, so I don't expect the same.

 

Thanks again. I will let you all know how I get on.

Edited by DClarke1954, 20 January 2025 - 04:33 PM.

[Spider]

If you want it easy to drive and easy to look after, I'd suggest have a factory cam fitted to it, along with a factory distributor and needle in the Carb. Look through a workshop manual, pick either a standard 1275 or a MG Metro spec. then the distributor and needle will be listed there.

 

Come tune up time, just open the book and the settings are there.

 

It will well have enough power for fun driving on the roads, but at the same time, easy driving and not temperamental, your mother will be able to drive it.

 

[nicklouse]

I would look to contact AC Dodd about a session getting it set up correctly.

[sonscar]

Read up on tuning,get it going,drive it.I would drive it first to get a feel for what it is like now,it could be surprisingly good( or not) but at least you will know.Avoid it becoming a project.These are just my thoughts,Steve..

[coopertaz]

would suggest at least measuring lift to try to determine what cam is actually in it, or fit a new cam so you then know the spec. this will mean pulling engine though

[Kevybmini]

AC Dodd or rolling road - no alternative honestly 

[bpirie1000]

Colour tune maybe an option for you.

Clear bright sparks