Recent posts

#81

Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini

Last post by MiniDave - May 02, 2026, 01:40:23 PM

yes, please!

#82

Daves Garage / Re: Red

Last post by MiniDave - May 02, 2026, 11:20:47 AM

I did a 100 mile run with the MINI club today and the car ran sweet - no issues. Sure is nice to have a quiet car on the highway at 75 mph!

The drive today helped highlight the work I need to do still in the suspension and motor mounts, but I'll get those sorted in the coming weeks. For now I'm pretty happy with it, and once I do get all the worn out parts replaced it should drive even better!

We had a nice turnout on the run today, 10 cars, several were JCW's eager to run. The road was smooth and fun, but being Saturday there was traffic, so we didn't get to hoon like they wanted to. I was happy to just cruise.....

Oh, and I paid $4.59/gal for gas this morning......<sighs>  I've seen $5 plus around town already. My average for the trip today was 31.3, so not too bad. I don't think my 03 JCW ever did over 30, even on a long run.

#83

Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini

Last post by cstudep - May 02, 2026, 11:12:56 AM

I have the harbor freight pressure test set. Not sure if it fits the mini or not but I can try it tonight and let you know if you want.

#84

Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini

Last post by MiniDave - May 02, 2026, 11:02:38 AM

That's why I wanted to get a pressure test done on it.....to be sure. A new chineseum radiator is only $70 shipped, but I don't want to get one and have it not be the issue.

#85

Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini

Last post by 94touring - May 02, 2026, 09:56:14 AM

Oh yeah the overflow tube is right there. Just now seeing that. 

#86

Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini

Last post by MPlayle - May 02, 2026, 09:08:44 AM

It also looks close in line with the tip of the overflow tube to me.

#87

Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini

Last post by MiniDave - May 01, 2026, 08:08:24 PM

Yeah, I'm thinking I need to get another one on the way to me.....

I've got a bunch of parts I need to order for the hot rod, some for this car and a bunch for the 06.....I guess I'll be spending some cash the next week or so.....

#88

Daves Garage / Re: Red

Last post by MiniDave - May 01, 2026, 05:27:39 PM

Picked Red up from the Shop today, it got mostly good marks, def some deferred maint. Today I lucked into a deal, a guy was selling a complete front end kit for MINI, it has pretty much everything, control arms, ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends and a new pair of coilover struts. His car was totaled the day after he bought all this stuff for it....

Red also needs all the motor mounts in addition to the stuff I already have. I bought the right one, but will need to get the others. So I have a whole passle of work to do next week.

It also needs an exhaust, so I'll noodle around and see what I can find. Too bad I can't find a new car take off, those were around up till a few years ago.

I've known the young man in the beard since 2006 when he got his first Mini at age 15, he's come a long way!

Not seen in this pic is an 80's Testarossa in for some work. The shop does a fairly large variety of work, including an M5 V-10 engine in for an overhaul. The Jag is a one year 1968 Series 1.5, a very rare car as they only made them for a few months to use up the stocks of Series 1 bodies and engines before starting production on Series 2 cars which had completely different bodies, carbs, engine detail like lower compression and other emissions equipment.

They also do alignments on all the local classic Minis now....the orange one is a Canadian Mini in for some front end work - it has a D series Vtec in it too.

#89

Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini

Last post by 94touring - May 01, 2026, 05:18:13 PM

Looks like a leak in that area to me. 

#90

Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini

Last post by MiniDave - May 01, 2026, 01:34:36 PM

After spending hours trying to get all the bolts out of the wok so I could get to the motor mount bolts, I finally gave up with one bolt left to get and decided to try and take the mount bolts out instead. It took more hours but I finally got them all out and the new one bolted in, then spent more hours putting the wok bolts back that I had removed!

But, the mounts are in at last.

I tried to find a coolant pressure tester but the one from the Auto parts store did not fit - it was supposed to be "universal" but I sure couldn't make it work. There are zero radiator repair shops in Kansas City anymore - none. All they do is replace radiators now. So, there is absolutely no place that can test it for me and I'm back to my own devices. I may try a different brand of auto parts and see if they have a pressure tester that will work.

I had used some of the MiniSpares one piece bushings for the engine stead but they had play in them and allowed the engine to move around under accel and decell, so I replaced them with some stock old school bushings with the sleeves in them. Those tightened up nicely and now the motor doesn't move at all!

That's where I left off today, tomorrow I'll take the alternator down to the parts store to have it tested, I may be ordering one of those along with a new radiator. This stain is what has me concerned - if it is a leak it's a tiny one, cause I only have to add water every few days of driving, and then only about 6 oz.