1985 Austin Metro 1275 Auto
Discussion
A long overdue update.
I lost my job in January so all plans were put on hold. I’ve managed to get an interim job driving a recovery truck for pretty much minimum wage and I’m in the process of getting my HGV licence but that won’t be for a few months yet. All this has meant I’ve had to scale back my plans for the little Metro as I don’t know when I’m going to have a decent amount of money coming in again.
The bike head conversion will have to wait. I’ve got the spare block stored in the garage so that can be done one day. I’ve found someone locally that can modify the auto block to convert it to manual. He’s done hundreds of them for his race cars so I’m happy he knows what he’s doing. While the engine is out I’m replacing the various bearings to freshen it all up and I’m going to chuck a Swiftune cam in there to liven it up a bit too. Along with the manual gearbox and a slightly larger carb’ this should make it much more fun to drive.
I need to sell my F56 Cooper S as I can no longer afford the monthly payments or fuel in that so in preparation for finally using the Metro as a daily I decided to sort the cooling system out. When I drove the car to the Brooklands New Years Day Gathering it was getting a bit warm going along the A3. I decided to replace the water pump, thermostat and flush the cooling system through as well.
This is what I was greeted with this morning. The crap weather the other day had blown the cover off the car.
I got straight on and removed the front fog lamps. I haven’t been a fan of them since I bought the car. The bumper isn’t great under the brackets but I can get another one at some point. Then the front panel came off and I started draining the coolant. I say coolant, it was more of a pinky rusty colour that came out.
Once the rad, alternator and coolant hoses were all off I got on with removing the thermostat and water pump. The pump didn’t look very old at all but I’d already bought a replacement so it was getting used. Annoyingly the only replacement I could find was one with a water bypass pipe. These aren’t used in the Metro so I tapped the hole and thread locked a bolt in there along with some silicone for good measure. Hopefully it doesn’t leak!!
With that done I bolted the new pump in and reattached everything. It started raining at this point so this is the last photo I took!
The front panel went back on but I’ve left the Rover grill off. I’ve got the proper Austin one to go on so I’ll give that a clean up and then fit it. I also realised I didn’t have any coolant so I’ll need to pop to the motor factors and get some during the week. Once it’s filled up I can drive it to work one day and see how the coolant temp is looking. Nothing was blocked when I flushed it so hopefully it was just a knackered thermostat causing the car to get hot.
Oh, I also found a nice puddle of water in the passenger footwells when I looked in there earlier. Looks like it’s coming through the passenger rear window seal so I’ll need to order a new seal for that. Not the end of the world. I think I’ll do the other side while I’m at it too!
I lost my job in January so all plans were put on hold. I’ve managed to get an interim job driving a recovery truck for pretty much minimum wage and I’m in the process of getting my HGV licence but that won’t be for a few months yet. All this has meant I’ve had to scale back my plans for the little Metro as I don’t know when I’m going to have a decent amount of money coming in again.
The bike head conversion will have to wait. I’ve got the spare block stored in the garage so that can be done one day. I’ve found someone locally that can modify the auto block to convert it to manual. He’s done hundreds of them for his race cars so I’m happy he knows what he’s doing. While the engine is out I’m replacing the various bearings to freshen it all up and I’m going to chuck a Swiftune cam in there to liven it up a bit too. Along with the manual gearbox and a slightly larger carb’ this should make it much more fun to drive.
I need to sell my F56 Cooper S as I can no longer afford the monthly payments or fuel in that so in preparation for finally using the Metro as a daily I decided to sort the cooling system out. When I drove the car to the Brooklands New Years Day Gathering it was getting a bit warm going along the A3. I decided to replace the water pump, thermostat and flush the cooling system through as well.
This is what I was greeted with this morning. The crap weather the other day had blown the cover off the car.
I got straight on and removed the front fog lamps. I haven’t been a fan of them since I bought the car. The bumper isn’t great under the brackets but I can get another one at some point. Then the front panel came off and I started draining the coolant. I say coolant, it was more of a pinky rusty colour that came out.
Once the rad, alternator and coolant hoses were all off I got on with removing the thermostat and water pump. The pump didn’t look very old at all but I’d already bought a replacement so it was getting used. Annoyingly the only replacement I could find was one with a water bypass pipe. These aren’t used in the Metro so I tapped the hole and thread locked a bolt in there along with some silicone for good measure. Hopefully it doesn’t leak!!
With that done I bolted the new pump in and reattached everything. It started raining at this point so this is the last photo I took!
The front panel went back on but I’ve left the Rover grill off. I’ve got the proper Austin one to go on so I’ll give that a clean up and then fit it. I also realised I didn’t have any coolant so I’ll need to pop to the motor factors and get some during the week. Once it’s filled up I can drive it to work one day and see how the coolant temp is looking. Nothing was blocked when I flushed it so hopefully it was just a knackered thermostat causing the car to get hot.
Oh, I also found a nice puddle of water in the passenger footwells when I looked in there earlier. Looks like it’s coming through the passenger rear window seal so I’ll need to order a new seal for that. Not the end of the world. I think I’ll do the other side while I’m at it too!
Filled the engine with coolant today. Good news, no leaks and the temp is now staying slap bang in the middle of the gauge 
Also fitted a steering wheel that I’ve had kicking around for ages. Much nicer to use than the standard bus wheel!
The engine is still running like a sack of s
t though so it’s going to a local Mini specialist on Wednesday for a tune up.
The car is now officially being used as my daily so it better behave!
Also fitted a steering wheel that I’ve had kicking around for ages. Much nicer to use than the standard bus wheel!
The engine is still running like a sack of s
t though so it’s going to a local Mini specialist on Wednesday for a tune up. The car is now officially being used as my daily so it better behave!
Another quick update.
I decided to take the Metro to work today. It still isn’t running right but it made it there with no dramas. On the way home I had to jump on the A3 to go and get dog food. It started getting quite hot on the way there and then on the way back it started boiling over! The section of A3 I was on has nowhere to pull over so I had to just keep going. The engine was rattling its poor little head off by the time I got off the A3. By that point I figured whatever damage is done is done so I carried on the extra five minutes home with it rattling and steaming away
I got home and couldn’t get the bonnet open so it’s been abandoned outside the house for now.
Absolutely no idea what to check next as I’ve flushed the cooling system, replaced the water pump and thermostat and checked the fan is working.
I decided to take the Metro to work today. It still isn’t running right but it made it there with no dramas. On the way home I had to jump on the A3 to go and get dog food. It started getting quite hot on the way there and then on the way back it started boiling over! The section of A3 I was on has nowhere to pull over so I had to just keep going. The engine was rattling its poor little head off by the time I got off the A3. By that point I figured whatever damage is done is done so I carried on the extra five minutes home with it rattling and steaming away
I got home and couldn’t get the bonnet open so it’s been abandoned outside the house for now. Absolutely no idea what to check next as I’ve flushed the cooling system, replaced the water pump and thermostat and checked the fan is working.
FHCNICK said:
Sorry to hear about your recent misfortunes. Have you got hot air coming from your vents with the heater on? Could the puddle of water in the passenger footwell be from the heater matrix letting go?
All the best
Nick
The puddle is definitely coming through the rear window seal so no issues there. All the best
Nick
I was going to strip the engine down at some point anyway, change it to manual and add a few choice bits along the way. This has just sped that process up a bit now I reckon.
bongtom said:
Head or gasket issue or airlock?
Probably head gasket. I’ve just popped over there with my truck and it started straight up and idled nicely. Thankfully the overheating doesn’t seem to have done the engine any harm!
I’ve moved the car over to my Nans where all my tools are and it’s a much safer road to leave it rather than outside my house!
May as well update this seeing as it’s been over a year!
The Metro is still sitting at my Nans house. It’s been promoted to the driveway and has been covered up and that’s about it.
I advertised it for sale a few months back but haven’t really had any interest, so I’m going to order a head gasket set for it and replace all that, take it to the local classic Mini garage and get the carb sorted and then chuck an MOT on it. Still no idea what I’ll do with it then as I still have no money a year and a half after losing my job but at least I’ll be able to take it to some shows with a for sale sign in the window.
The Metro is still sitting at my Nans house. It’s been promoted to the driveway and has been covered up and that’s about it.
I advertised it for sale a few months back but haven’t really had any interest, so I’m going to order a head gasket set for it and replace all that, take it to the local classic Mini garage and get the carb sorted and then chuck an MOT on it. Still no idea what I’ll do with it then as I still have no money a year and a half after losing my job but at least I’ll be able to take it to some shows with a for sale sign in the window.
I finally ordered a head gasket set for this the other day 
We have a baby due any day now so I’ve got exactly 0 spare time to do anything at the moment, but at least I’ve got the set there for when some spare time comes up!
I thought I’d try and start the Metro the other day seeing as it’s been sat on the driveway for quite a while. It was cranking quite happily and was just starting to catch when I noticed a puddle of oil running past my foot. The oil filter seal has given up again…
Anyway, as and when I have any spare time I’m going to whip the engine out, strip it down and get the block modified to be converted to manual. I’ve got a manual gearbox, pedal box and shift linkage for it. Just a few more odds and sods required for the complete conversion.
Funnily enough I walked out of work the other day and spotted this in the car park. It belongs to one of our warehouse guys and he’s using it as his daily now!
We have a baby due any day now so I’ve got exactly 0 spare time to do anything at the moment, but at least I’ve got the set there for when some spare time comes up!I thought I’d try and start the Metro the other day seeing as it’s been sat on the driveway for quite a while. It was cranking quite happily and was just starting to catch when I noticed a puddle of oil running past my foot. The oil filter seal has given up again…
Anyway, as and when I have any spare time I’m going to whip the engine out, strip it down and get the block modified to be converted to manual. I’ve got a manual gearbox, pedal box and shift linkage for it. Just a few more odds and sods required for the complete conversion.
Funnily enough I walked out of work the other day and spotted this in the car park. It belongs to one of our warehouse guys and he’s using it as his daily now!
Sammo123 said:
I finally ordered a head gasket set for this the other day We have a baby due any day now so I’ve got exactly 0 spare time to do anything at the moment, but at least I’ve got the set there for when some spare time comes up!
I thought I’d try and start the Metro the other day seeing as it’s been sat on the driveway for quite a while. It was cranking quite happily and was just starting to catch when I noticed a puddle of oil running past my foot. The oil filter seal has given up again…
Anyway, as and when I have any spare time I’m going to whip the engine out, strip it down and get the block modified to be converted to manual. I’ve got a manual gearbox, pedal box and shift linkage for it. Just a few more odds and sods required for the complete conversion.
Funnily enough I walked out of work the other day and spotted this in the car park. It belongs to one of our warehouse guys and he’s using it as his daily now!
That looks a bit "odd" with the later grille and bumpers, but very early steel wheels. We have a baby due any day now so I’ve got exactly 0 spare time to do anything at the moment, but at least I’ve got the set there for when some spare time comes up!I thought I’d try and start the Metro the other day seeing as it’s been sat on the driveway for quite a while. It was cranking quite happily and was just starting to catch when I noticed a puddle of oil running past my foot. The oil filter seal has given up again…
Anyway, as and when I have any spare time I’m going to whip the engine out, strip it down and get the block modified to be converted to manual. I’ve got a manual gearbox, pedal box and shift linkage for it. Just a few more odds and sods required for the complete conversion.
Funnily enough I walked out of work the other day and spotted this in the car park. It belongs to one of our warehouse guys and he’s using it as his daily now!
Greta to see it in use, though, and good luck with yours. My own car life changed radically after the arrival of my kids...
Turbobanana said:
That looks a bit "odd" with the later grille and bumpers, but very early steel wheels.
Greta to see it in use, though, and good luck with yours. My own car life changed radically after the arrival of my kids...
I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what didn’t look right on it. You’re totally right though. It’s the old style steel wheels!Greta to see it in use, though, and good luck with yours. My own car life changed radically after the arrival of my kids...
A very nice looking Metro, and (each to their own of course) rare and worth keeping as it is - it's value will be in originality. If people are looking for a Metro for what it is, they will be less interested in modified examples. Original or close to is everything. But no offense to the OP of course.
It's doubly worth saving because it's automatic, I'd say, not in spite of.
I was a BL guy when a youth, and had all manner of Mini's/Allegro's)/etc. One Mini was an automatic, very rare even then and the subject of much curiosity as many just couldn't believe that an automatic Mini was a thing.
It's a clever piece of engineering by AP Automotive, and mine was faultless over 1000s of miles, but as said regular oil changes are vital. Holding it in gear or excessive kickdown is pointless as it does little good, the A series is a torquey unit, and the box is really just best left to it's own devices. It wasn't terribly efficient though, I averaged about 36mpg which was poor for a Mini. Gear change quality was dependent on regular oil changes, and was generally fine with some occasional rouge thumpers thrown in for free.
The same (or similar) box was found in my Vanden Plas 1500 (it's not an Allegro...) with the added delight of sluggish performance when cold - sometimes it was best to let the engine idle for a few moments to warm up the oil...
The biggest favour you can do your Metro is to remember something that literally everyone else forgot in the day - it has grease nipples in the suspension! Get yourself a grease gun and a tin of grease, and be prepared to use a lot at first because they will never have been done. Each rear radius arm will require a full gun each side - after that just a top up every 6000 miles. The ones in the front knuckles will lighten the steering if it's stiff. Once it's worked it's way in over a week or so you won't believe the difference it will make to the ride - passengers used to be astonished at how well mine drove compared to others.
Oh, and rustproofing...
It's doubly worth saving because it's automatic, I'd say, not in spite of.
I was a BL guy when a youth, and had all manner of Mini's/Allegro's)/etc. One Mini was an automatic, very rare even then and the subject of much curiosity as many just couldn't believe that an automatic Mini was a thing.
It's a clever piece of engineering by AP Automotive, and mine was faultless over 1000s of miles, but as said regular oil changes are vital. Holding it in gear or excessive kickdown is pointless as it does little good, the A series is a torquey unit, and the box is really just best left to it's own devices. It wasn't terribly efficient though, I averaged about 36mpg which was poor for a Mini. Gear change quality was dependent on regular oil changes, and was generally fine with some occasional rouge thumpers thrown in for free.
The same (or similar) box was found in my Vanden Plas 1500 (it's not an Allegro...) with the added delight of sluggish performance when cold - sometimes it was best to let the engine idle for a few moments to warm up the oil...
The biggest favour you can do your Metro is to remember something that literally everyone else forgot in the day - it has grease nipples in the suspension! Get yourself a grease gun and a tin of grease, and be prepared to use a lot at first because they will never have been done. Each rear radius arm will require a full gun each side - after that just a top up every 6000 miles. The ones in the front knuckles will lighten the steering if it's stiff. Once it's worked it's way in over a week or so you won't believe the difference it will make to the ride - passengers used to be astonished at how well mine drove compared to others.
Oh, and rustproofing...
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this one, hows it going with the HGV lessons?
Personally, I'd have kept it as an auto as I can't imagine there are more than a handful of them and rare but nobody cares car like this should be kept as they are. But I can see why you're doing the conversion and at the very least it won't end up in a scrapyard.
Michael
Personally, I'd have kept it as an auto as I can't imagine there are more than a handful of them and rare but nobody cares car like this should be kept as they are. But I can see why you're doing the conversion and at the very least it won't end up in a scrapyard.
Michael
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