Hi there. Just joined here after stumbling upon this fantastic site, while following a few links from another Mini forum. My name is Rich, and I recently acquired a Mini after wanting one for many years. The car needs a bit of work right now, but does run. She has some rust to take care of, but I have seen (and owned) worse.
I like the idea of a forum that is based around the restoration, (and I also like that it's in the states), so I thought I would start up a build thread here. For now though, I will copy and paste from my other forum, so I don't have to retype it all!
I have wanted an original Mini since the first time I laid eyes upon one. I have finally found one, though I have not yet taken possession of it.
My Mini (which I will be obtaining sometime before the end of January) is a ''1985 with a 1995 1275 SPi engine'', with the steering on the "right'' side of the car (I wouldn't have it any other way). The car is a bit of a project, but does run and drive. It has a bit of rot that needs to be taken care of, nothing too bad. Needs the A panel on the passenger side replaced, and there is some rust along the seams where the front wings meet the front panel (someone tried, unsuccessfully, to put filler over it. I will be repairing it the proper way). The floors are fairly solid, but will eventually need to be patched. The drip rails are perfect! Also, the boot is a little wrinkled from a previous owner backing into something, very minor though.
My plan is to repair the worst areas of rust, give it a fresh tune, detail, new wheels/tires, etc., and use it as a daily driver until I have the funds to do a full restoration on it.
Here are the pics I snapped when I went to go look at the car. Looks worse than it really is, it has been sitting for a little while. The gentleman who owns it has a repair shop locally to me. He is from the UK and goes back there quite often and brings Mini's back with him.
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20121218_113026.jpg)
I know that it does not look to pretty, but she does run!
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20121218_113222.jpg)
Seats and interior are in really good shape (yes the door panels and carpets are there, they have been removed to look for hidden rust).
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20121218_113051.jpg)
Here you can see the rot on the A panel, and the seams for the front wings.
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20121218_113035.jpg)
I am still learning about these wonderful little cars, and any advice would be very welcome. I am hoping that this forum will be a great guide to repairing and restoring a Mini.
That was just before Christmas, and an agonizing two weeks went by until I could go back, hear her run, and leave a deposit on her.
Stopped by the seller's shop that week to take a second look at the car and leave a deposit on it. Got to hear it run for the first time (tank was out last time) and it sounds fantastic!
Has a little more rust than I noticed before, nothing too bad though. Floors are solid, rear quarters, window frames, and rain gutters are perfect! it will eventually need a new drivers door, but still in good enough shape overall to start driving.
Has 83k on the clock, and even has the factory Rover alarm system AND the remote for it! There are a few things that have been unplugged and it may take a little hunting to find where they all go.
Anyway, here are a few pics from the visit. We rolled it out, had to adjust the rear drum, as it was stuck. We put a little fuel in it (after we put the tank back in) popped a battery in and fired her up.
83k on a very optimistic 110mph speedo
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130103_105846.jpg)
Pretty solid floors with just some surface rust-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130103_105410.jpg)
Random pictures-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130103_113201.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130103_112943.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130103_113300.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130103_113553.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130103_120345.jpg)
And the wheels I plan on getting for the as of yet un-named Mini. 12x7's!
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/KGrHqV_pMF_7GsjkGBQIuU9mKCQ60_57JPG.jpg)
Ok, now to bring it to current-
Last time I went to work on it, we couldn't get the car to run on its own (we had to keep spraying starter fluid into the throttle body). I went and did a bit of work today, got the tank back in the right way, got the fuel pump working, and she starts and runs beautifully!
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/th_20130115_125030.jpg) (http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/?action=view¤t=20130115_125030.mp4)
Idle is a bit high in that video, but it was just caused by a slightly sticking throttle cable.
After I got the fuel system all situated, I had to change the belt, as the old one was trash, and all I can say is that I am glad that I have small hands, haha. Found this connector hanging out down by the pedals, I can't seem to find where it goes, looks like it is possibly for a relay?
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130115_125749.jpg)
I got to drive her for the first time, and it was fantastic! Even with mis-matched tyres, bad shocks, and no interior, the handling and feel was great. I had to resist the urge to go tearing down the dirt road one street over. I need to wait till I have everything situated before I give her too much abuse.
After driving her and getting to know her personality a bit, she now has a name. Meet Flur. I know it's an odd name for a car, but she is an odd sort of car, so it works
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130103_113300-1_zps83b48447.jpg)
Welcome! Nice to see a new project. The current car I'm working on is the same year/model as you have here. Just looking at the front end rust along the seams, you're probably gona want to just replace the panels. Once these things start rotting around the front lights and seams up there it just doesn't stop. Starts from the inside and works it way outward. For wings I recommend heritage, but have had good luck with knockoff front end panels. Solid floors are a huge plus. Its no easy task to work on them unless the car is on a rotissier. Keep the pics coming!
Thanks for the welcome! Is yours the same year that mine claims to be or the same year that it really is? haha.
Thanks for the advice. I had seen some horror stories (and pictures) of the pattern panels being just plain awful. When I do get to the point of stripping it down, I will be using heritage panels. For now though, it will just be a daily driver that I work on little by little, so for the moment I will be hitting everything with rust killer to stop whats there and sealing it up so it doesn't spread. I will be doing that A panel soon though.. it looks bad, haha.
The good news is that my car does NOT have oversills... the bad news is that the sill panels are a bit rusty... but the main floor section is good!
I will have more pictures next week after I put the interior back together and work on straightening out the boot area. My plan is to have it on the road by this time next month.
I love having the injection on it. When I worked on it last, it had been a week and a half since it started last. I put some gas in, hooked up the battery, bumped the key, and she fired right up! She actually starts up quicker than my 2003 Trailblazer, lol.
I use to own an MPI and it always started right up.
The car I'm working on is a rolling shell and just happens to have side blinker wings with an antenna, go figure.
I was looking for a carb'd Mini, just for simplicity, but I couldn't pass this one up. He had 8 Minis there and this one just spoke to me. It was also a steal of a deal for a driveable Mini.
Where are these minis located? Might be nice to find some drivable projects in the near future if the price is right.
Central Florida. The guy brings back Minis and other UK cars when ever he goes over there to visit. He only buys cars that run and drive (but they all need some work) and he buys in bulk, ships a whole container of them back, some he sells pretty cheap. Some he keeps for himself, like a Clubman estate that he has at the shop.
He also mentioned to me that he may be going back to the UK permanently, and may be liquidating his cars. He also has a stock pile of Mini parts... probably enough to build 2 or 3 minis from scratch.
Welcome aboard. You have been infected with the m1n1 virus. There is no cure, so just enjoy it.
Welcome to the dark side..... 4.gif
Quote from: Twichel04 on January 17, 2013, 09:21:11 PM
After driving her and getting to know her personality a bit, she now has a name. Meet Flur. I know it's an odd name for a car, but she is an odd sort of car, so it works
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130103_113300-1_zps83b48447.jpg)
Cool pic - welcome!
Quote from: Mudhen on January 19, 2013, 11:26:22 AM
Cool pic - welcome!
Thanks. I figured I had to do something to make her look good, haha.
Quote from: Twichel04 on January 19, 2013, 11:54:07 AM
Quote from: Mudhen on January 19, 2013, 11:26:22 AM
Cool pic - welcome!
Thanks. I figured I had to do something to make her look good, haha.
lol. Looks better than what I started with! And, actually looks a lot better even a year later! :-[
I don't know, I might have to disagree with you there. I just looked through your build thread, and mine may be starting out as a complete, driveable car, but yours has way less rust! Plus, yours cost a third of mine.
I love rally Mini's, and though mine wont be a rally car, I may still do a bit of rally-x on the weekend for some fun! I just want to drive it for now, I'll take it apart and restore it later, after I've had some fun.
Went out to work on Flur for a bit today. I was pleased that after a week straight of just sitting there, she started right up without hesitation. Mostly just worked on little things here and there. I straightened out the rear panel a little bit, so that I could get the boot lid to fit (it was previously rear ended and it got pushed in a little). The boot lit fits now, for the most part, but will still need some tweaking, but at least it's on there now! I forgot to take pictures of it though.
I also started working on refitting the interior-
(http://imageshack.us/a/img72/566/20130122140005.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img6/9882/20130122140021.jpg)
I still need to get a carpet for it, as the one that she came with was basically trash. Anyone have an old carpet they want to sell? I dont care about color or stains, as long as it not torn or full of holes! 4.gif
Did a few other things... fixed the hood latch, reattached the hood.
Also hid some rust from view. (don't worry, patch panel is already on it's way, I just didn't want to look at the rust hole anymore!) I thought I would have some fun with it-
Before-
(http://imageshack.us/a/img715/2185/20130103120345.jpg)
After-
(http://imageshack.us/a/img705/4673/201301221407491.jpg)
Took Flur for another drive today. I put my foot in it a little more this time, now that the seats are actually attached, and I now feel confident in the condition of the drivetrain. I still can't get over how much fun it is to drive her. Spent about a half hour tearing up and down bumpy back roads at 55-60mph was just so awesome! 71.gif
I liked the creativity to hide the rust. For carpet, check out the suppliers link and look for a budget set. Pretty inexpensive and better than used.
Quote from: Twichel04 on January 22, 2013, 03:03:54 PM
(http://imageshack.us/a/img705/4673/201301221407491.jpg)
(http://mudhen.smugmug.com/Funerals/GIFS/i-mgzVndT/0/Th/clap-Th.gif)
Quote from: 94touring on January 22, 2013, 11:10:39 PM
I liked the creativity to hide the rust.
It's made of colored Duct Tape, haha. Like I said, I just couldn't stand looking at it. I like the Union Jack, I did it as a joke, but I think once I replace the A-panel I'll stick with the theme.
Well since this is a budget build, I thought I would share one of my money saving solutions with you guys.
The replacement boot lid that I have for Flur has no handle/lock. So instead of spending $60 or so dollars on a replacement one from an online vendor, I decided to let ingenuity have a chance.
Took a trip to Lowes and got this-
(http://imageshack.us/a/img600/9206/20130124200551.jpg)
It's a handle with lock and key for a garage door. Looks very similar to the actual handle, just sticks out a little further (which I kinda like) and even uses the same kind of square peg for the lock, I just have to shorten it a bit.
Here is an actual Mini boot handle for comparison-
(http://www.gbcarparts.com/prodimages/JRC2844.jpg)
Price comparison- Original style $55 + tax + shipping from GBcarparts, Lowes budget version- $9.98 + tax.
Just realized that the Lowes budget handle looks like the mk1/2 boot handle... kind of a cross between the two-
(http://www.minisport-usa.com/mini-spare-parts/handle-set-mk2.jpg)
You'll have to post a pic once you fit it. There is some resemblence there. 22.gif
Not much of an update, but an update none the less.
Did a little work to Flur today and she is finally starting to look like a Mini! Got some used wheel arches to put on her, and painted the steel wheels silver for now, until I get some real wheels, just so she doesn't look bad with the dirty mismatched steel wheels. Also went under the car today with a wire brush and some rust converter just to stop all of the surface rust from becoming a major problem. Also under coated the whole car today too.
New brakes on the rear-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130128_135547.jpg)
Made a scary realization... I think I could park Flur inside my SUV, haha-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130128_151217.jpg)
You can see some of the damage to the rear end in that picture.
Unfortunately, while I was under the car, I found a small coolant leak. It's not a big deal, I was planning on redoing the entire cooling system anyway, I will just be doing it sooner rather than later.
I didn't get any pictures of my garage/boot handle experiment on the car, because my phone died, BUT, it fits perfectly, no modifications needed at all. The mounting holes on the handle line up perfectly with the holes in the boot lid, and the square peg is the exact same size as the correct boot handle, so the garage handle works perfectly with the original latch! 4.gif The only thing I will have to do is trim the peg a bit.
Took these pictures earlier when I was testing to see if the two parts would work together-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130128_181926.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130128_181933.jpg)
And finally, the obligatory photo shoot edits ;D
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130128_151333-1.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/flur1.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130128_153756-1.jpg)
I would like to get Flur alone and take her panels off. Looks like a lot of work, the kind of project I like. The boot handle is a lot better than that rope!
Haha, yeah, she will eventually need a full strip and resto, but I don't have the patients for that, so I will probably buy just a shell next year and start restoring that, once it's done, I'll swap all of Flur's goodies over. That way she wont be off the road too long.
The ratchet strap was just a temporary latch until I sorted out the boot handle, haha. It did work well though.
I need to paint that boot lid...it looks bad on there. That's why I never have any pictures of the rear, haha.
Quote from: 94touring on January 28, 2013, 04:51:11 PM
I would like to get Flur alone and take her panels off. Looks like a lot of work, the kind of project I like. The boot handle is a lot better than that rope!
I read that 5 times before my brain stopped converting 'panels' to 'panties'...couldn't figure out what the heck you were talking about. 22.gif
HAHAHAHA :D 4.gif 22.gif
:D
:-[
hehehe!!!
Small update- did a bit of work on Flur today, but it felt like I was going backwards. This whole time, I have been putting her back together to get back on the road, but because of the coolant leak, today I was taking her apart :(
The leak was just a spit hose, but I knew that the radiator would need to come out anyway, so I bought a new one, and I am really glad that I did. If you just touch the fins on the old radiator, they fall off, haha.
Old-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130207_122104_zpsc32b6643.jpg)
New-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130207_122122_zps487db891.jpg)
That's about as far as I got on the cooling system today, because my new hoses hadn't arrived yet. So I went about getting some of the little things done that I need to do before she goes on the road... Cleaned up all the grounds, got the tail lights in, and blinkers working, finished fitting the interior (save for the carpet), took the grille off so that I can try to fix it, etc.
All that's left to do before I can start driving her everyday is to refit the cooling system, put in some seat belts, and new headlamps. Then she's good to go.
I feel like I took a step back though, cause she started the day like this-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130128_153751.jpg)
and ended like this 50.gif-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130207_122056_zps1ce06f61.jpg)
Nice looking radiator.
Haha, thanks. I like the way it looks too, but the main reason I bought it was because @ $56 shipped, it was also the cheapest new radiator that I could find, haha.
Speaking of cheap... I am a serious penny pincher when it comes to the car. The grille on Flur was on it's way out. At one point the bonnet release broke, so someone tore into the grille to get to it-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20121218_113026.jpg)
Flur will not be perfect by any means, she is just a daily driver, but I can't stand the bent up grille with half the slats falling off, but I also don't want to spend the money on a new grille that will look better than the rest of the car, so I decided to try to bend the slats back as best I could, reattach them, and polish it up.
Before-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130207_172113_zps65bba99c.jpg)
Taped up to keep from scratching the slats and to paint the metal backing. I kind of like the green slats... but I don't think it would be a good look for Flur-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130207_181437_zps9be5dd6c.jpg)
After-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130207_183143_zps52206ca9.jpg)
Still not perfect, but A LOT better than before, and it was cheaper than even buying a used grille, which would have looked about the same. All in all, I am happy with it.
My mini is not a show but is a driver. I can drive and park it anywhere and not worry about it. That sure makes it more fun to drive it as much as possible. I have done some creative things also to keep it on the road. The grille on it now is black and white checkered painted as it too was in not real good condition. I go to maybe one car show a year, I got the car to have fun and drive, not go to car shows. Keep up the good work and have fun working and driving. 4.gif
I like the checkers! I was planning on painting my grille if I couldn't get it to polish up at all, but I think it came out decent.
Another DIY clean up..... the fan shroud was pretty rough looking-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130208_123905_zpsf8685122.jpg)
After a bit of work with some steel wool, and some paint, it ended up like this-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130208_145548_zps457fbf45.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130208_145609_zpsd6bbae49.jpg)
Not perfect by any means, but a ton better to look at, and perfectly usable for a daily driver :)
Sorry I keep boring you guys with all this little stuff, I am just trying to keep a good record of all the work I am doing to Flur.
You are not boring us. May promt us to fiddle some with ours. Keep up the good work.
Yes, definitely keep sending us all your updates, it definitely helps those of us who are, uh, a little less than persistent with the work on our own projects.
Interested in the radiator - keep seeing different aluminum ones on ebay..wondering what the difference is between a $50 one and a $300 one from MiniMania or some other shop.
I need to look on ebay, but I would expect to pay 300 plus for those alloy super two core rads.
As far as I can tell by comparing the $56 ebay listing, and all the $100+ 2 core rads out there they all seem to be the same. I mean, I can't speak fully for the quality yet, as I still have not installed it, but just from looking at it, it appears to be well made. The welds are very good, and I really like that they didn't grind them down, they are very pretty welds and nice to look at, and it's even polished. So far, I am very pleased with it. shipping was fairly quick (4000 miles in 4 days) and the radiator was extremely well packed. Better even than if you went down to a major parts store to buy a new rad.
I also purchased a set of silicone hoses on ebay. These ones here, to be exact- http://www.ebay.com/itm/150962074284?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/150962074284?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)
Quality is very nice. They seem to be really well made for Chinese hoses. These same EXACT hoses are $100+ shipping from GBcarparts. Even the shipping was fast. It only took 8 days to get here from eastern China. I know that Chinese parts are not always great quality, but I figured cheap silicone would still be better than good rubber.
I just looked at the ebay rads and now I'm trying to see what the difference really is. Mainly on the 3 core and if they have a super 2 core that everyone likes using.
I thought I saw one time someone quoting a particular thickness of aluminum...
Comparing the 2 core rad that I bought on ebay VS the MiniMania Alloy Super 2 core that they sell for $300, I will say that there are some visual differences between the two. However, based on MiniMania's description, they seem to be equal. Both are 2 core, 1'' each, both are V shaped fins. Only difference that I can find based on their description, is that theirs weighs in at 4.75 lbs, and according my scale (which may be off by a little, but not much) mine weighs in at 3.5 lbs.
I will know more once I install it, but so far, I am confident. I did save the old rad, just in case though. It's seen better days, but it wasn't leaking, so it has become an emergency back up.
I must amend my previous statement. After taking a tape measure to mine, it turns out that mine has 2 cores measuring .9'' each.... So it could be that mine is a bit narrower, or it could be that MiniMania is also rounding up. Here is the same radiator on GBcarparts for $124 except it looks like theirs is not polished and their welds don't look as good- http://www.gbcarparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=CS-RadAlloy2 (http://www.gbcarparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=CS-RadAlloy2)
The widest 2 core on ebay I found was 50mm. There was also a 42 and 46mm. The three core was 55mm. I think its the v shaped fins that give it the cooling advantage?
Mine is the 46mm the 50mm would (theoretically) have full 1'' cores, or close enough that makes no difference. From what I understand, yes the V shaped fins give a cooling advantage over the factory style horizontal fins.
I'm learning all sorts of stuff. Yeah 50mm was just a hair shy of two inches. Well, rather than spend 300+ for a shiney super two core I may get one of these. Anyone know why the super two cools better than the standard 3 core? If I use to know I've forgotten.
Don't quote me on this, but I think that, despite the fact that it has one less core, the cores are bigger and allow for more cooling... that's just my assumption though, I could be wrong.
I hadn't thought of it like that, I was wondering if the thickness reduced airflow.
The newer two core radiators are designed to give more exposed surface area for each core to increase heat transfer. The older 3 & 4 core radiators did not have good spacing between the cores so only the first 1 or 2 cores shed heat. The third & forth cores were exposed to the already heated air from the first two cores. That would actually reduce efficiency.
The fin style also creates more surface area for heat transfer.
Don't forget about the "sale" side of MiniMania, "minimotors.com". I have this rad from them and had no issues at all for the last year or so. The only wonky thing is the overflow tube points a different direction.
http://www.minimotors.com/Mini_Cooper_Parts_and_Accessories.cfm?pn=C%2DARA5000%20%20%20%20%20%20&pID=895501 (http://www.minimotors.com/Mini_Cooper_Parts_and_Accessories.cfm?pn=C%2DARA5000%20%20%20%20%20%20&pID=895501)
Good price on it also. I always price check there when hunting parts.
I had my local rad shop fab up the rads for my minis. I had him use a larger diameter core tube in them both to allow for better cooling. Been happy with them both.
Can anyone tell me an idea of a normal operating temp for a 1275 mini on a warm day while sitting at idle?
It somewhat depends on the thermostat installed. The typical range that seems accepted ranges from 190 to 215 degrees F when in stop & go traffic with a 185-190 degree thermostat installed.
Some folks put in a 160 degree thermostat for summer driving and a 195 for winter.
Thanks. That makes me feel better. I got the new radiator and hoses installed today. I didn't change the t-stat, but only because it felt like one of the bolts was going to break off, so I decided that it was probably best to leave it. I am assuming that it is a 190 t-stat. According to my inferred thermometer, that's about when the coolant started flowing. After idling for about a half hour, it did climb up to 214, but never any higher. This was on a hot day in Florida with the regular plastic fan, not the tropical one. The very instant any small amount of throttle was given, the temp dropped down to 190-195.
So I think I am ok, but I will be replacing the factory electric fan (because it doesn't work) with a new full time fan.
The factory electric fan is a supplemental fan. It is on a relay and the activation switch is usually located in the bottom front corner. There should be small two-wire cable down near that corner. Connect the two wires together to test the fan itself.
I think the relay is up near the firewall behind the radiator cap.
The temp switch and the relay are both good, but the fan is toast. My new radiator does not have a place for the temp switch, which I knew when I bought it. I was just planning on permanently connecting it so that the fan would be a full time. But, since I need a new one anyway, I am going to get one that can put out a little more cfm. I need all the cooling that I can get here in Florida.
You are limited in options for what will fit in the fender. I added an auxiliary electric fan to my 1961 Mini. Below is the one I ordered. It has the highest cfm for a 10" fan - which is the largest that really fits in the fender where the later factory electric fan is located. I wired it in with an aftermarket temp sensor and relay kit. You can also wire it on a manual switch. You won't need it on all the time, just as a supplement in slow, heavy traffic. (I live in south Texas.)
http://www.jegs.com/i/Proform/778/67010/10002/-1 (http://www.jegs.com/i/Proform/778/67010/10002/-1)
thanks for the link. I was just trying to figure out what size fan I can use. Though I did find one that claims to put out 1500 cfm. I plan on using the factory wiring and relay for the fan. I will be making it full time though because I am paranoid and would rather be safe than sorry, haha. I know it's over kill, but it always makes me feel better to have a full timer.
I found plenty that had greater cfm ratings. They were all too big to fit in the Mini's fender well.
Most of the other 10" fans I found were all in the 650 to 850 cfm range. I did not think those would move enough air. Then I found the one I linked. The little I got to use it before the transmission acted up showed it a good choice. In stop-n-go traffic, the car's temperature would begin to rise toward 210 at the stop lights. Then the fan would kick on and quickly drop it to 195 to 200 while still idling at the light.
I also wired mine (per the relay kit's instructions) to be able to cycle after turning the car off.
New exhaust arrived today! Well not new, it's used, but used very little. I'm still not sure how it will sound, it's just an RC40 resonator (front box only) set up with a center exit. I couldn't pass it up for the price. If I don't like the sound, back up on ebay it will go.
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130213_154254_zpse44d9824.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130213_154321_zpsf7678785.jpg)
When I had a system just like that and it got too loud I added the second muffler and made it side exit. I am still using that system. Cheaper than starting all over again.
Good point. That's probably what I will do if it's too loud. I like side exits better anyway, but this was only $31 so I jumped on it.
No real update here, just did a bit of tinkering today. I finished up all the little things, and she is officially back together and ready for the road!!!! ;D I ordered a 10'' fan that claims to be 1500 cfm, but I think it's really 1000 cfm... which is fine by me. I was going to install it today, but I didn't realise that I needed to take the radiator back out again just to remove the original electric fan, so that will have to wait. That's alright though, because it's running at an ok temp, and most of my driving will be at night.
Oh and I finally put some carpet in! It's actually carpet for a LHD, but it was only $25. And what a difference it made!
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130221_112008_zps9fab2e84.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130221_112025_zpsdef2deae.jpg)
It's not the right color, but I can re dye it later. I am also glad that I took the time to straighten out and fix the grille, I think it made a big difference in the appearance.
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130221_115523-1-1_zps048de7e8.jpg)
I think I need to paint my boot lid though....and get a bumper.... looks a little rough back there
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130221_115426_zpse28138b0.jpg)
AND.....The best news of all.....The IRS finally approved my tax return and will be depositing my money into my account on Monday morning!!!!!!!!!!!! So the count down commences... 4 DAYS TILL FLUR!!!!!
Flur finally came home!
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130223_160838_zpsc18d734f.jpg)
I towed her home just because it's a Saturday and I couldnt go to the tag office to register her, and I didn't want to risk getting stopped.
Finally got some time to clean her too. The roof after a light hand wax-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130223_170226_zps6dc602bc.jpg)
4.gif
NICE!!!
Well I have been experiencing my first genuine frustration with Mini ownership this past week. It just seems like one thing after another. First it wasn't charging the battery, this was frustrating, but a simple fix...the belt was loose.... But then I started having a problem with cold starts. It felt like it would only run on 1 or 2 cyls when starting until I would feather the throttle for a bit then it would come to life. On Friday night, it was really bad, and while trying to get it to run, the throttle cable broke! 50.gif After fixing the cable, in the middle of the night on the side of the road, I tried to start it again. It was still struggling, but I had the air box off from fixing the cable and this time I heard it back fire out of the intake.....so timing issue....which is controlled by the ECU, which reads from the crank position sensor.... a couple of taps with a socket and she fired right up! YAY! 4.gif
Cut to the next day- She started up great in the morning and ran perfect on the way to work. Afterwards, I noticed a little bit of jerking/hesitation under heavy throttle. I took the CPS out and cleaned it...no change.... The next day (yesterday) I took her for a drive and when I got to 3rd and 4th the whole car was jumping/jerking/bucking and felt like it was about to fall apart!
After cleaning the CPS again, and checking connections with no change, I made my way to the throttle position sensor. Just as a little test, I unplugged it and took it for a drive.....and it did great.... still had a little hesitation if I got on it too hard from idle, but it was drivable.
So it looks like I need a TPS.....which, as it turns out, is almost impossible to find in the states. Anybody have one!? haha.
Remind me again why I wanted an injected mini? 11.gif I do understand now one reason why people like to put Honda drivetrains in these things!
Ok, rant over. Any advice from you Mini gurus will be very much appreciated!
If it is a SPI (Single Point Injection) characterized by still having a side mounted radiator, it can readily be converted to a carb setup.
Yeah, I have been considering that too....
Well guys.... I am sad to say, that due to an unforeseen financial situation, and the fact that the Mini has been giving me some issues.... and I can't afford to put any money into it at all for a while.... She is, unfortunately, up for sale......
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cooper-/130863273356?_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&forcev4exp=true (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cooper-/130863273356?_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&forcev4exp=true)
Oh man, I was hoping for another update. That was an abrupt change, sorry to hear. What's the buy it now price if you don't mind my asking?
you have a pm
NOOOOOOO i feel your pain! Im scrambling for a contract job so I dont have to ditch my mini. Currently for sale for WAYYYYYYY more than i expect to actually get.
DAN! buy it now! great start and i really wanted to see her all fixed up.
Not that you dont have a pickup to fix up or anything. ;D But im sure you can sell it to BATMAN or trade for a truck or something!
Wait, I thought I was the only one needing to sell off projects due to financial issues. If I'd have put bigger wheels and a trailer hitch on my rotisserie it would already be gone... :o
Really sorry to hear it. Hope things turn around fast and you're back here soon with another project!!
Pat
I may buy it actually.
Got a little bored today, so I cleaned up the engine bay a bit for the potential future owner
Before
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130305_150302_zpsc27939e0.jpg)
After
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn150/Twichel04/20130307_113643_zps87ba3082.jpg)
Im bummed out for you! Good luck with everything and hopefully another will come along soon!
Flur belongs to me now. Updates in a month or two.
4.gif
Keepin' it in the family!
NIce. Who know maybe he will be able to buy it off of you after the refurb!
Mplayle- here's the beginning of your car.
Excellent. I was wondering what had happened to this little animal.