Many thanks to Dan (94 Touring) my old RX7 buddy who has great taste in cars like I do. ;D
I have been harrassing him for years to sell me his pickup and he refused. Keeping his eyes open he connected me with a guy selling a 1978 Austin Pickup with a 1275 engine working A/C and a custom bed cover.
I just insured and registered it today. I drove it all over town, RHD is tricky to get used to and I am still not relaxed driving it, it takes some thinking.
I already have a few projects in mind, one is a exhaust leak, I am not sure where but I hear it and it bothers me.
I am going to have to get used to oil leaks but I am going to try like hell to make them minimal.
I am also going to do a full tune up and then figure out what maintenance needs to be done as well.
If any of you remember I posed up a bunch of pics of my Grandfathers British Leyland repair shop that he owned in the 60's and 70's in NYC.
Here is the truck:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131104_170531_zpsa8c0b1e9.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131104_170546_zps199704a8.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131104_170600_zpscb97f1c5.jpg)
I just realized you have Australian doors, bastard! Those are the rarest and most sought after doors for early makes that would typically have sliders. Not only can you have your arm out the window but you have ac to boot. Lucky 36.gif
Yeah, I had no idea those doors were a big deal, the seller told me they were Australian but there were no keys for them.
One of my goals is to have all the cylinders match one key. Lofty goal I am sure.
I already found a Mini Prism pole, I am trying to set this up so I can do some Land Surveying out of it once in a while.
I have a ton of questions I hope no one minds.
First, I am not a fan of the "bed cover" it leaks water profusely and I think it takes away from the looks of the truck.
Anyone know where I could find a bed cover for the truck? It has the grommets or twist locks for a tonneau cover in place already. I think I could handle building my own if needed. Ideally ordering a custom one.
When I start the engine for about 1 second there is a bearing knock as the oil pressure comes up, normally I would be alarmed by this with ANY car but I know these cars are different so I am not sure this is a huge deal or not. I do not hear the knock anywhere else.
I mentioned to Dan it feels down on power, I am going to do a full tune up and compression check, hopefully in a week or 2 as soon as I procure the parts. My only comparison is my 1995 Toyota pickup, it weighs 2700 lbs and has 115 HP with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder.
This is supposed to weigh 1600 lbs and have 80 HP it feels very sluggish, I like I have to beat the snot out of it in order to keep up with traffic from a red light.
I also noticed the PO has the idle set to 1700 RPM, then I realized he has that for when the AC is running, I had to do the same with my old RX7 so I understood that.
More questions coming. I have to get to work.
OK, any suggestions as to how to mount the US tag over the euro?
Right now I have the US tag up in the back window and I am leaving it there until I am told to move it. ;D
I like the Euro Tag on there and do not want to take it off.
Some guys have a bracket to mount it below the rear bumper down low.
Sorry, no help with your questions...but wicked neat looking PU!! 4.gif
Seems a little too 'finished' for Dan to have been involved with, though...
I found where mini mania says the tonneau covers are no longer available. Looks like I get to do a custom one myself now. I'm thinking a big piece of vinyl bound at the edges with the clips at their prospective places. To prevent sag there needs to be ribs that run across the top of the bed the cover rest on. I'm thinking something that's incorporated into slots in the cover with rubber ends as to not damage paint where it sits, with the ability to slide them out of the slots to fold it all up if needed.
She is finally tusked away properly in the garage. I made my 20 y/o son do a lot of heavy lifting to get the racing Karts out of the way so the Mini out of the "British weather" we have been experiencing lately.
I really need to get up to speed on this car fast, I have a million questions and want to buy parts for her and have no idea what I am doing.
Dan, expect an email by the end of the weekend with an extensive wish list of items I want but have no idea which ones to get.
Here she is next to my RX8 R3 in the garage, she is so tiny!! She is also in the space that my 500+ HP RX7 took up for 14 years so it is pretty weird seeing a different car there. I sold the RX7 after buying the RX8. Time to grow up..... a little.....
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131108_165838_zps8cdca21e.jpg)
My wife laughed when she saw how much room was in the garage after the mini was placed in there, the racing Karts took up more room:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131108_165850_zpsd4a2639a.jpg)
The PO sent me these manuals, I am vary grateful for them, should I shop for a Bentley Manual as well?
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131108_175821_zpsce76f47d.jpg)
I am pretty certain the car is not running 100%, I am going to do a full tune up on it and see if that helps.
My parents are coming down Sunday to visit, my mother is completely geeking out over this truck as well as he younger brother.
As mentioned their father, my grandfather serviced these vehicles back in the 60's and 70's when they were the cars to own by the who is who. While my grandfather would never would own one, he felt they were garbage. LOL!! I could not resist. This has caused quite a bit of nostalgia for my mother and uncle. Myself as well, if it were not for that man (my grandfather) I would never be the man I am today. He was a huge influence on me.
His shop did own a couple of Mini trucks though..... Actually Morris Minor Vans...
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/George%20Adams/IMG_0009.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/George%20Adams/IMG_0011.jpg)
Haynes manuals, you're set. Speaking of rx7's, I miss mine terribly.
Bentley Manuals are much better in my experience.
I sort of miss mine but I urge you to drive a R3 RX8, most amazing out of the box car (suspension wise) I have ever driven.
Racing karts? Would be interested in hearing more...last year we signed up for some indoor karting that we never followed through on - maybe this winter will get us off the fence. How old were your kids when they got into it?
Last generation RX7 here...mmm....sexiest car ever.
Both were around 7 years old when they started. My older boy was karting in the scca more than on tracks. We did it more for fun than to race. So we frequented open practice sessions and just played. I used to have a KT100 Kart and my older son has a Briggs World Formula. We just installed a new engine in it (and I blew out my back lifting the engine over and over getting it aligned right) with the plan of selling it. My younger son outgrew his kids kart (50cc kart for 6-9 year old kids) and we are debating what kart to get next. Most likely a Rotax.
This is my younger son on track in the 50cc Kids Kart a couple of years ago.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/Kartin/DSC_0127_zps2dd9ada2.jpg)
Here's my old ride, well one of them.
Quote from: 94touring on November 08, 2013, 07:49:38 PM
Here's my old ride, well one of them.
Gorgeous. I can see why you got into Mini's. 8.gif
Looking on Craigslist for karts - I guess I need to first work out where they can use them around here to see what kind we should get. I think autocrosses allow them - that might be the only venue near us.
Quote from: Mudhen on November 09, 2013, 05:27:12 AM
Quote from: 94touring on November 08, 2013, 07:49:38 PM
Here's my old ride, well one of them.
Gorgeous. I can see why you got into Mini's. 8.gif
yeah makes sense right?
A '99 Saab Viggen was the most powerful car we've owned (although I think Martha's JCW is close to that)...obviously nowhere near what the RX's put out but it seemed like by the time I was having fun I was risking my license or hurting someone.
Now I'm older I think I've learned that putting a car on the edge is the fun for me - so a slow car like a Mini reaching that edge at a much lower rate of speed is perfect...
Didn't those RX's have TONS of issues? Like bad engine problems?
Mmm to me no, but they don't last 200k miles either. A couple reliability mods took care of most the factory gremlins with the 3rd gens.
I went through a couple of engines in my RX7 as I pushed the envelope really hard. I built mine to be a Autocross menace. It was too, it would take top time at most every event I went to with it. When I sold it it was making 460RWHP and weighed 2600 lbs. To put that into perspective, when I would take it to a track day it would out pace full racing trim Ferrari 460's.
My 2 engine failures were my fault. Both cases were not the engine but in one a faulty thermostat and the other a faulty boost controller, actually it was wired up wrong.
The last engine was in it for 5 years have over 20K miles on it and made multiple trips from Florida to North Carolina to the Tail of the Dragon and back. It was build right, and everything surrounding it was done right.
RE: Karting, find a local track and see what they run there before purchasing. My nearest track was a circle track, I did not like it for 2 reasons. I hate roundy round racing and the track was not safe, there were some serious issues and I feel it is a matter of time before a kid is killed there.
The second nearest track is a road course and it is well run and very safe, they run mostly Rotax Karts there with supporting racign series. Since we did not want to get into racing (due to time and $$ constraints) we did not care what kind of kart we picked up, we just wanted something to have fun in on practice nights.
Back to the Mini, I cleaned it up real good over the weekend, washed it with detergent soap then did a mild compound and really good synthetic wax. She looks much better now.
Dan, I am going to get that shopping list together this evening. Busy weekend.
My mom and dad came down to visit Sunday, mom was dying to see that car and go for a ride.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131110_160803_zpsb3d7c8d5.jpg)
Now Dan, you mentioned that I need to figure out what Dizzy I have, here is a pic, let me know what I need to do to determine that.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131110_170512_zps0288f263.jpg)
This is also the culprit of my big oil leak, I notied the valve cover gasket is seeping too so I will probably redo that as well. Any info on what to order for what looks like the exit for the shifter linkage?
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131110_170548_zpsf2117c21.jpg)
A couple more engine shots so you can see how she is equipped:
Looks like I have headers and a full exhaust on it.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131110_170537_zps3bdb25c3.jpg)
As well as a K&N intake.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131110_170500_zps4d65815d.jpg)
I also notice it has braided brake lines, and I am not 100% sure on what shocks are in it, by the looks of the rims and fender flares I would guess a PO was gearing towards sportiness.
Also by the pinstriping and badging on the rear fender, it seems these guys owned it at one time.
http://www.plmini.com/ (http://www.plmini.com/)
http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Gearbox/Gaskets/Oil_Seals/MSSK050.aspx?150401&ReturnUrl=/search/classic/seal.aspx (http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Gearbox/Gaskets/Oil_Seals/MSSK050.aspx?150401&ReturnUrl=/search/classic/seal.aspx)
Your dizzy is really buried in there, you'll have to get the cap off and look for some Id or something. I just ordered a seal kit for the shifter linkage on the car I'm reassembling, had I known I would have bought two. Looks good!
Just looked and can get all the parts that come in that kit from my vendor.
Yeah, the AC really take sup some space under the hood. I will be loving it next summer though.
I might have time this afternoon to dig in there and get some info off the dizzy, then I will put together a shopping list this evening.
After milling this over a bit I am going to go for a updated dizzy. This will be my first update / TLC item on this car.
I am thinking this is the ticket:
http://www.123ignitionusa.com/MG.html (http://www.123ignitionusa.com/MG.html)
I think I have an A+ engine, I have not looked at all the cue but one of them is the dipstick, mine drops directly into the block, no tube.
I need to look for the lack of a bypass hose from the water pump to the head to make sure.
If anyone has experience with this, please chime in as to which one I will need exactly, otherwise I will shoot off an email to them to see if they will help.
I am also on a hell bent hunt to find a perfect motor oil / and additive combo. I am thinking Castrol GTX 20W/50 with a zinc additive and lucas oil treatment.
Dan, I need to get you my list, it is daunting........
Definitely run 20/50 oil. Sounds like you're on the right track.
Looks like I am adding a clutch master cylinder to the list....
I took it to work today, I happened to be driving near the house and smelt gas real strong, turned out to be a gas station I was passing and not the Mini. I decided to head to the house and see if the mini was leaking gas, turned the corner to the house and the clutch pedal went to the floor, looked at my work boot and it is covered in fluid.
My son and I pushed her back into the garage. May as well do the slave while I am at it.
Great looking Mini.....LOVE your old FD. I had a couple FC's, loved them.....I had an '88 SE and also had a '91 Turbo II....Would love to have another one in the future, probably an 89-91 Turbo II Vert.
Quote from: Jims5543 on November 15, 2013, 08:21:21 AM
Looks like I am adding a clutch master cylinder to the list....
I took it to work today, I happened to be driving near the house and smelt gas real strong, turned out to be a gas station I was passing and not the Mini. I decided to head to the house and see if the mini was leaking gas, turned the corner to the house and the clutch pedal went to the floor, looked at my work boot and it is covered in fluid.
My son and I pushed her back into the garage. May as well do the slave while I am at it.
Pretty sure they all do that.
;D
Never knew that about the dipstick tube - just went out and looked and sure enough, the 1100 from my '80 has no tube...and the crosshatch on the block - A+. The 1275 in my '65 has no crosshatch...with a tube...A. That's the 1 new thing I'm learning today...guess I can start drinking! 4.gif
That is not my FD that is 94 Touring's.... well, 94 Touring.
I had a black FC with a FD engine swapped into it, then tons of goodies added to that.
This is a pic of the FC next to my RX8 right when I got the RX8, I sold the FC about 6 months ago. Hence the Mini truck now. The RX8 made more sense for me with a kid at home, now I can drive a fun car and take the family in it. The RX7 always sat and never was driven.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/b4353c8a.jpg)
The FC is great looking too and I've always had a soft spot for them. The RX8 does make more sense with a kid. Between the Trabant and the Mini I don't have the space for one right now, but I feel confident I'll have another one.
Jim you're gona be a mini mechanic in no time lol. Sounds like this truck sat around a lot up until now. Once you work some of the initial kinks out and keep it driving you'll have minimal issues.
Quote from: 94touring on November 15, 2013, 06:04:55 PM
Jim you're gona be a mini mechanic in no time lol. Sounds like this truck sat around a lot up until now. Once you work some of the initial kinks out and keep it driving you'll have minimal issues.
Yeah, I think that is what is going on here, I have a car that sat unloved for a lot of years. Once I get my shopping list filled (thank you for helping me with that Dan) I think she will be a solid little driver.
What is amazing me is how cheap parts are, this is coming from a guy who has a Mazdaspeed Membership, for those of you that do not know, prove to Mazda you race in at least 2 timed SCCA events a year (Autocross) and you can keep a Mazdaspeed Membership, this entitles you to 50% or better discounts for every part you need to keep your car running and racing.
Also, if you have never owned a Porsche (I had a 1980 911) I can only say it is not for the faint of heart. A rear brake caliper is $350. Oil change takes 15 quarts of Mobile 1. etc.....
I am pretty lucky to have access to parts at wholesale cost and skip the middle man. It's going to be good for anyone who buys from me as I start adding to the store too. Now if I could start flying for fed ex and ship my own parts for free I'd really be set.
I purchased a handle set from Mini Mania, forgetting I have Aussie doors, so the window winders do not match. Not 110% sure how I can make them work. I might try to modify the new ones.
Good news is I really needed the door handle on the inside so the window handles are not an emergency. Though I would like it all to match.
Here is a blurry picture I took with a toaster.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131120_190350_zps5a6d190f.jpg)
Since they don't work on your doors, I think we should trade doors. 113.gif
I am very frustrated right now.
I thought I was ordering this clutch master for a 1978 Mini.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131127_195629_zps1b090b81.jpg)
I had to agree the sale was final and this is what I got:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20131127_195615_zps031ec410.jpg)
I opened the box up looking forward to a Friday after T-day project only to find I have the wrong master.
dammit...
I do not know why I bothered buy I ordered the "right" master from them and now have to eat this one.
If anyone needs this style let me know I will cut you a deal.
Doh! You need gmc1008, guess who has one ordered already?
If you want this one for your stock say the word and I will send it to you Dan.
I really wanted to put her back on the road next week.
I think it's for a sprite and/or midget. 8.gif
Maybe you could make a nice planter out of it...
That sucks. Are the metal ones being made again? Years ago I had to buy a new one for my '65 - crappy plastic one sure looked awful but it was all I could get...
I've got 5 different searches saved now for used karts...seems all the good ones are $1500+ and nowhere near us. This is the most promising:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/131055710927?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/131055710927?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648)
Rough, but at least would get us going. They'll be helmets, neck braces, and suits under the tree...(I didn't want to buy that battery box and door repair panels this year anyway).
They still make the metal cans, though twice as expensive as the plastic ones.
Correct Master Clutch cylinder installed!
2 points of contention -
1 - the outside 13mm nut that is in the engine bay was easy to remove, the other one, WTF!! While I could get a shorty 13mm wrench on it, one of those new ratcheting swiveling ones would have been the trick (I now own a set of Husky brand ones from Home Depot.
2 - Working under the dash..... I removed the drivers seat for better access. Taking it apart was easy, getting the damn pin back in then the cotter pi into that was the fun.
It was nice to driver her again though, ran some errands with it Saturday. I also taped the start up and the knock lasted a really long time, since it sat so long. I also was alarmed by how long it took the oil pressure to come back up. As soon as it got pressure the knocking stopped.
Video in the next day or so, I am on my travel netbook. Not so sure it can handle video uploading etc.
BTW - I ended up with a plastic reservoir and to be honest, prefer it, now I can glance at it and see if the level is low, if I could see it before I would have known I had a problem brewing.
Do I need a new engine?
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/th_FILE0277_zps70b5337e.jpg) (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/FILE0277_zps70b5337e.mp4)
It knocks that loudly for a full minute before the oil pressure comes up and it goes away?
OH by the way I boxed up your parts today. I hope you have a good back, I can barely carry it its so heavy.
Quote from: 94touring on December 15, 2013, 05:46:29 PM
OH by the way I boxed up your parts today. I hope you have a good back, I can barely carry it its so heavy.
The second the oil pressure rises the knock goes away.
My guess is a connecting rod bearing.
I will shoot an under hood video with shoud so you can hear the RPM band under load.
So it takes a minute for the oil pressure to rise? Should just be a few seconds.
With this car when driving weekley it takes about 10-15 seconds to get oil pressure.
Because is was sitting for 2-3 weeks and not running I would say 1 minute before pressure happened.
Think I have a problem? LOL!!
I guess I better move on that engine I found.
Deans mini that was in the shop getting paint, his oil pressure would take awhile before coming up, and the pump actually died when he was driving it home last year. He didn't have that loud knock though. I suppose you could pull the head and see what's going on.
Quote from: Jims5543 on December 15, 2013, 04:19:53 PM
Correct Master Clutch cylinder installed!
2 points of contention -
1 - the outside 13mm nut that is in the engine bay was easy to remove, the other one, WTF!! While I could get a shorty 13mm wrench on it, one of those new ratcheting swiveling ones would have been the trick (I now own a set of Husky brand ones from Home Depot.
2 - Working under the dash..... I removed the drivers seat for better access. Taking it apart was easy, getting the damn pin back in then the cotter pi into that was the fun.
It was nice to driver her again though, ran some errands with it Saturday. I also taped the start up and the knock lasted a really long time, since it sat so long. I also was alarmed by how long it took the oil pressure to come back up. As soon as it got pressure the knocking stopped.
Video in the next day or so, I am on my travel netbook. Not so sure it can handle video uploading etc.
I have gaskets for your master, you can take it out again lol. The rear nut is so so, but the cotter pin can be a bitch. Wait till you do your first lower radiator hose.
Isn't most of that noise the valves? or have you already checked them...
Just drop the oil pan and throw a new oil pump in. Argh..damn you Sir Alec... :-[
If it is that easy to change out an oil pump I might give it a try.
I almost broke down on my way home this evening. Lost power over 4K RPM but she ran o.k. down low so I had to short shift her.
I was only 2 miles from the house so I took it easy and got her tucked back int he garage.
Started a project thread as I get ready to tear into her and get her sorted out.
Quote from: Jims5543 on January 20, 2014, 08:35:29 PM
If it is that easy to change out an oil pump I might give it a try.
No, unfortunately, I was just joking...I thought the engine would have to come out but supposedly it can be done by removing the clutch cover, flywheel, and transmission cover, without complete removal of engine/tranny. No experience attempting it, though.
Pulling the engine isn't too bad though. Good time to do the shift seal kit too.
Quote from: 94touring on January 21, 2014, 05:37:47 AM
Pulling the engine isn't too bad though. Good time to do the shift seal kit too.
Do you think it would be structurally a real bad idea to cut out the metal where the hood latches/top of the grill (not sure what the real name for it is) so the engine could slide out a lot easier without all the tipping, etc? Then just set it up to bolt back in of course...
The slam panel? I've never had a problem with that being in my way. You can also simply lift the car off the subframe, then work on the engine from there.
Quote from: 94touring on January 21, 2014, 07:12:48 AM
The slam panel? I've never had a problem with that being in my way. You can also simply lift the car off the subframe, then work on the engine from there.
Things you say are simple aren't always for everyone you know...hated getting the motor in/out having to rotate it down through between the slam panel and the firewall. But still think I liked it better than the whole subframe thing. Pretty sure I read somewhere that cutting the slam panel is a big no-no, though.
Ready for the field tomorrow. Wish it was lettered up. Guy that is supposed to do it is MIA.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20140306_195141_zpsygppsu9k.jpg) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Jims5543/media/20140306_195141_zpsygppsu9k.jpg.html)
Sweet
It was a fun day running around in Stimpy (what I named her)
She has tons of pep now and will break a tire loose if you hit second too hard. ;D
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20140307_094008_zpsbybxybhz.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20140307_094032_zpsqh5vi6y9.jpg)
My vinyl guy was supposed to call me to meet up this afternoon, once again he is MIA.... I am going to take the vinyl from him and put it on myself.
Gotta be good for business 4.gif
That's an awesome looking truck right there. 4.gif
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20140307_164048_zpsnipicnlz.jpg) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Jims5543/media/20140307_164048_zpsnipicnlz.jpg.html)
I guess figured out that my gas gauge does not work....the hard way.
I was a mile from the house so I had Mime run me over a half gallon I had in the shed for the lawn mower. I then put 6.7 gallons in her at the gas station.
A guy I met in town with a honda engine swapped mini stopped to offer help and to chat.
I lost track how many times I ran out lol. One of my drives I had a 5 gallon can in the back because the route I was on I couldn't make it from station to station.
Finally hooked up with my buddy that does vinyl work. Had to meet him while he was working on a used car lot in a Buick Dealership. About 1/2 the sales staff stopped by to chat it up over the truck, some knew what it was a couple had no idea, one asked if it was a kit car.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20140313_154612_zpsv3zfezay.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Jims5543/20140313_154640_zpseafqheqp.jpg)
I like the tribute, very cool man.