403 replies to this topic

[mini_mad69]

Looking good, how much difference do you think those carb modifications will make?



Ben

[Asphalt]

Looking good, how much difference do you think those carb modifications will make?

Ben

I realy don't know... I don't think they make much more HP, but aid the 'smoothness' and economy of the engine. Maybe a little more torque

The inner CV joint did bug me the last couple of days. Or better one of 4 (2 to bin and two off a set of donnor drive shafts) That thing didn't want to go off the drive shaft I tried everything; love, brute force, diplomacy, more brute force, heat, rust breaker, hitting it even harder, screaming, pleasing - nothing did work. So in the end I had to take the grinder and cut to slots along the inner part of the joint and brake it with a nut splitter. And then I was bale to knock off the (now) two parts of the joint (still took some force!)... Man - what a bugger!!



I could've used the donnor drive shafts instead, but I realy wanted to continue using the original drive shafts as they only weight about 50% or the later driveshafts (as fitted to SPI) Should be good for unsprung masses!

Top: my drive shafts (rare!?)
Bottom: SPI drive shafts



And then things went quick. Knock on the new CV joints, fill pots with good Molycote grease and put the engine in.




The rest of the day I spent with convincing the engine mounts to go into place To be continued tomorrow...

Cheers,
Jan

Edited by Asphalt, 10 June 2009 - 04:03 PM.

[Retro_10s]

The carb mods add a potential of up to 20% more flow apparently - I'll be able to tell you in a few weeks when i'e compared them on the flow bench. And the table in Vizards yellow book indicates an increase that hovers around the 4-5bhp mark.

[Asphalt]

The carb mods add a potential of up to 20% more flow apparently - I'll be able to tell you in a few weeks when i'e compared them on the flow bench. And the table in Vizards yellow book indicates an increase that hovers around the 4-5bhp mark.

Oh, was it realy this much? Cool...

Last night I made a little HP calculation for my new engine...

Base of engine: 53HP
Inno head: Inno = 64-70HP. = + ~13HP
MG cam: MG = 72HP -> + ~19HP
Inno Rockers: +3HP
Carb: +5HP
Stage1 Kit: +15HP

Equals: 108HP - Ok, to be honest: I expect a real 65-70HP

And agains my initial planing I will take her to a RR and get a HP figure. I'm interestet now, how much HP you can gain with just mixing stock-ish parts togehter and give them a little fine tune

So lets talk about cost: the change from 998 to engine as it is now totaled at about £1300 (without inflation I guess it would be around the 900 mark ). Plus some 300 for a set of disc brakes. Much money? Maybe... I don't care (anymore).

Cheers,
Jan

[Asphalt]

So... A little update... Put in the instruments. TRied to wire them up - gave up. Took a second try & a wiring diagramme and everything's working finde

Then installed all the bits & bobs on the engine. Still no speedo drive in sight (slightly *ARGH*) - so put in the 17 toothed one...
Then plumbed in the radiator und filled up with coolant. Only to see al the old gaskets I didn't renew (I've been too lazy ) are *peeing* like a cow...

So... I thought - well, I don't care - it's time for first start... Put in the ignition key, turned - *wooooob... woooooooooooob ..... klick.* - battery flat!

Charged over night - and today I replaced all the gaskets (have the coolant *drunk* out the bottom water hose ) and gave it a second try. Fired up after some fiddling with the ignition timing on the third try! OOOOOPS - did I forgett the exhaust? On SUNDAY?? Oh my god - HOW could I! (the neighbours now REALY hate me )

But hey: IT'S ALIVE!!!

Injection type manifold nuts: they are simply the best! The big washer is integrated and can wobble around; which means they can compensate for height differences between in & ex manifold



Nightmare:



But then made it looke like this - and fired her up



The speedo facings need some work, after 6 years of use, so the interior still looks a little sad... And the old style heater isn't yet overhauled, that's why I 'looped' the heater hoses.



As you can see, I'm in the middle of putting in a MkIII switch panel. All the controll lights will be in the middle of the two switches (Light & hazzards). I'm giving the panel a black crackle finish and the lights will be from a Porsche tractor http://i23.ebayimg.c...b/7b/c4_1_b.JPG

Didn't do anymore and went to a local classic car exhibition... Wow! Some realy nice cars there!
Especially a matt black Porsche 356 turned me on:








Cheers,
Jan

[analogue_radio]

Result!

[Asphalt]

Soooo - I can say I have my own personal Waterloo now

First of all: the engine is not tuned yet, but still pulls quite good, much better than before. Acceleration is faster - the 3.21:1 final gear suits it well and it not too short and not too long - everything like I suspected it!

So much for the good news. Now the bad... Michael Jackson - yeah, you all know by now...

The gearbox is fubard... I can't select 2nd gear, gear change fells strange and reverse is like driving against a wall. Long story cut short: it was the worst idea I ever had to use all 4 Rover synchros... It obviously didn't work... at least that's my suspicion (and hope ). With the car standing still and idling I can select all gears fine, but one the car starts to move, I don't have 2nd gear and the synchros are constantly whining/grinding... Shamefull defeat!

I've let it rest for a week now - and today took out the engine again.

And set a new personal world record: 3.5 hours (even without a jack)! *Woohoo!*

Tomorrow i'l strip the gearbox again and try to get some old, 2nd hand synchros from 4. gear (the are usualy OK and not worn much). Next weekend is the first big mini-meet this year - I'll try my best to get her ready (if all else fails - I still have a spare box with should do for a short period).

Two steps forward - 3 steps back... I guess that's live

Cheers,
Jan

Edited by Asphalt, 26 June 2009 - 07:44 PM.

[mighty mini jack]

Defeated to say the least!

Well at least you can sort it dude, good luck.

[Asphalt]

So, sourced the fourth gearbox now and found to usable baulk rings...

Workbench is somehow overloaded...



Sorting out good & bad baulk rings...



And I changed over the selector forks with a different pair as my local Mini specialist pointed out, they might be bend. And I replaced the 1./2. gear synchro hub with a less worn one I found in the 4th donor 'box.

AND this beauty turned up; the long sought after 16 teeth speedo drive:




Gearbox is 80% reasembled, but my ordered diff cover gaskets & speedo cable and some other little seals & gaskets didn't turn up - so again I need to work slowly... Anoying!

Cheers,
Jan

[Deathrow]

Looking good Jan!

I really admire your dedication! I think I'd be heart broken if I built my gearbox and it didn't work correctly.

[Asphalt]

Looking good Jan!

I really admire your dedication! I think I'd be heart broken if I built my gearbox and it didn't work correctly.

Thank you!! But sometimes it's more of resignation than pure dedication (there's just no other way than start it all again)... On the other hand: these are the moments you learn the most from without defeat there's no win - or something along those lines

Anyways; back to buiseness... Spend the whole day to fix that damn 3./4. gear synchrohub... Another lesson learned: never try to select gears without the selector's restrictor bush fitted... But eventually assembled it without dismantling the gearbox again Took some swearing and a big hose clamp.

Gearbox is assembled again, rotates freely (with 3 sorts of different baulk rings ) - I'm just waiting to collect the last missing gaskets from the post office tomorrow. This means: tomorrow it's a hell of a lot of work to do. Finish the gearbox, put everything together, start the engine and tune it - friday's the first Mini meet!

Cheers,
Jan

PS: Oh, and I just finished reading this book (that's why I didn't do anything to the Mini )... Wow! Just... Wow!



Can you see a future project comming? Google for 'Terrapin single seater'

[mighty mini jack]

Ahh the book came, guessing it was a good read then?

[Asphalt]

Ahh the book came, guessing it was a good read then?

Yes! One of the best books I've read so far! It's truly inspring!!
Too sad Allan Staniforth passed away not too long ago... Would've had a lot of qustions

[Asphalt]

Today - I got the probably best aftermarket Mini part ever made!




Aaaand - a steering wheel I've been searching for a couple of years... Or better... Not the steering wheel (I've worn a few of them through meanwhile ), but the horn push holder thingy... It's the last version being made (wheel is a 'Victor F', made in germany) and is quite rare (especially in perfect condition).



If you compare to the wheel actually fitted to the Mini:



It's a smal but noticable difference between the two horn buttom holder things...

Oh - well, and the Mini is of course back on the road! But have not been out driving her much, because the fuel pump has a major leak and I'm leaving a trail of fuel And of course I'm too lazy to sort it (it's been raining all day & week - BAH!).

So I've concentrated on restoring the heater unit & the fascias 'round the centre binnacle. They are 5-6 years old now - and that's about the time the cheap spray-glue held the vynil to the cards... It's all peeling of now

Cheers,
Jan

[Pitcrew6464]

where did you get you excellent bracket????