MacEwen's '80 Mini 1000 Refurb!

Started by Hercplt, November 10, 2015, 05:11:27 PM

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Hercplt

Everyone seems to like pictures here, so I thought I'd start a thread to track my (slow) progress on getting the Mini back on the road.
Been on blocks since '06... so I'm itching for both time and money just to get it drivable again!!  Basically rebuilding both subframes, with Hi Lo kits and adjustable stuff.... and a general suspension redo. 
Enjoy!
... more to follow as often as I can...

Rich

1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

Hercplt

Before and after....
... pulled the engine a few weeks ago to get at the front sub.  Going to remove it and recondition it before it goes back together....
1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

Hercplt

1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

94touring

Thanks for sharing.  I dig the old green paint hidden on the sub attach panel.

MtyMous

awesome. Love the old photo, too. Herc pilot, eh? My dad was a 130 driver for 26 years.

Hercplt

Had some time on my hands with some good weather (which has been hard to get up here...)  Finally managed to drop the subframe and get the upper arms and cones out!  71.gif
Gonna start cleaning and painting things...
1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

Hercplt

Well, its been quite a while and a lot had changed... Sometimes repairs are easy, and sometimes more issues are found at each moment a piece is removed!  Just a simple suspension upgrade has officially turned into a full bare metal show quality restoration!  "Restoration Mini" indeed... 71.gif

So, here are some pics of the progress... Enjoy!

First pics here are the initial tear down to bare shell...
1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

Hercplt

Rear sub and disc brakes almost ready...
1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

Hercplt

Initial body work... after all the welding to the inner wings, rear sub attachments and covering the "Canadian" side lights...
1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

MiniDave

Isn't that how it always goes? I pulled the engine out of my old Jag to fix an oil leak and wound up doing a 4 year total restoration!

Keep up with the pics and story, we love restos!

What color are you going back with?
Complete failure at retirement

1989 Cooper Racing Green
2009 Clubman S
2014 Audi Allroad

Hercplt

#10
Quote from: MiniDave on March 02, 2019, 09:10:20 PM
Isn't that how it always goes? I pulled the engine out of my old Jag to fix an oil leak and wound up doing a 4 year total restoration!

Keep up with the pics and story, we love restos!

What color are you going back with?

Dark BRG with a Black roof... it will match my Dads '67 MGB...
1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

ADRay

Looks like good work, the type I have in my future. Are the disc brakes a new upgrade from drums?

Quote from: Hercplt on November 10, 2015, 05:15:09 PM
... back in the day.... 1994....

also, any chance you still have those wheels?  ;D
1982 Mini 1000 HL
@andyray998

Hercplt

I sold those old hub caps years ago... it had 6x10 Starmags most recently.  I wish I kept the caps though... I can't find any now!

The Discs are all new.  Drums were good, but the tweeked engine needs a better set up..
1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

Hercplt

Engine was refreshed.  Torn down for all new seals etc... and a classic paint job!

It was rebored many years ago +60, with a ported 12G295 head.  I had been running an HIF44, but it was too much... it will have a set of HS2 Twins when it goes back in.  Not your average 998... 77.gif
1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

Hercplt

Latest shot that I have... just about ready for paint...
1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

MiniDave

What will you spend to have the paint/body work done?

It's gotten pretty expensive here in the states, wonder how it compares in the GWN?
Complete failure at retirement

1989 Cooper Racing Green
2009 Clubman S
2014 Audi Allroad

Hercplt

Quote from: MiniDave on March 03, 2019, 09:32:33 AM
What will you spend to have the paint/body work done?

It's gotten pretty expensive here in the states, wonder how it compares in the GWN?

This is a great question...   :-X
1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

Jimini II

Quote from: Hercplt on March 03, 2019, 08:19:30 AM
Engine was refreshed.  Torn down for all new seals etc... and a classic paint job!

It was rebored many years ago +60, with a ported 12G295 head.  I had been running an HIF44, but it was too much... it will have a set of HS2 Twins when it goes back in.  Not your average 998... 77.gif

Nice work looks great.
I have a ported polished 12G295 head to install on my 998 stock bore A+ Moke along with twin 1.25's and a Maniflow 3 into 1 header, i have used this set up before and it works well as much as everyone seems to like the 1275's the 998 is a much smoother revving engine imo.

BTW your engine fan is on backwards.

MiniDave

"BTW your engine fan is on backwards."

;D ;D ;D ;D
Complete failure at retirement

1989 Cooper Racing Green
2009 Clubman S
2014 Audi Allroad

Hercplt

1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

Bradfield

Your Mini is certainly shaping up nicely! Good catch regarding the engine fan btw.

Hercplt

Latest pics from a few weeks ago!! Out of paint... and on to build up...
1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

MiniDave

Complete failure at retirement

1989 Cooper Racing Green
2009 Clubman S
2014 Audi Allroad

Hercplt

Ok... opinions please!  Do I send the body back to paint in order to have the drip rail painted green???  or do I just live with it?  Its a dark green, so it isn't as contrasting as some other lighter colours.  Thoughts??

Cheers!
1980 Mini 1000 (Canadian Spec).
998cc +60.  12G295 Head (ported, skimmed etc), VP7 Cam, Twin HS2.... sweet sweet 7.5" Cooper brakes!

Willie_B

I have seen a lot of cars with contrasting roofs that have black trim on the gutter rails. So I think it looks fine the way it is.