Discussion
I've just aquired a free austin morris auto mini clubman '79 that's failed it's mot on one rotten sill, bald tyre and bulb gone, but it's a good runner and used on a daily basis until last week. I intend having the welding done professionally, but otherwise playing with it out myself. My plan is to convert it to a manual and add more power (probably through swaping the 998cc angine and auto box for a 1.3 manual), stripping the interior and fitting a full cage and a more supportive seat. I'm also picking up a J reg cooper s from a friend of a friend that's a 1/2 finished project to use as the donor car. I'm not bothered about authenticity or it being in "classic" or factory standard form, but just want something to have fun with.
And just to let people know - I'm not a kid - I'm best part of 30, but would like to get more involved in tinkering with cars rather than just reading magazines and discussing them down the pub. Whilst I don't want this to become an expensive hobby, I can spend a little here and there where required.
I've almost zero mini knowledge, and these cars have almost fallen in my lap at a time I'm looking for a project.
I'm no mechanic and know only the basics of any car mechanics, but I'm not scared to give things a go and scrape my knuckles and learn. I've ordered the How to Restore your Mini Haynes manual. What's the best way to learn about all the above and get the sorts of advice and support I need? Can anyone recomend any good mini repair, restoration, tuning, general performance books, or mini owners clubs in the Essex/Cambridge area? I can see me asking a lot of dumb questions in the next few months and could do with some support.
And just to let people know - I'm not a kid - I'm best part of 30, but would like to get more involved in tinkering with cars rather than just reading magazines and discussing them down the pub. Whilst I don't want this to become an expensive hobby, I can spend a little here and there where required.
I've almost zero mini knowledge, and these cars have almost fallen in my lap at a time I'm looking for a project.
I'm no mechanic and know only the basics of any car mechanics, but I'm not scared to give things a go and scrape my knuckles and learn. I've ordered the How to Restore your Mini Haynes manual. What's the best way to learn about all the above and get the sorts of advice and support I need? Can anyone recomend any good mini repair, restoration, tuning, general performance books, or mini owners clubs in the Essex/Cambridge area? I can see me asking a lot of dumb questions in the next few months and could do with some support.
OK, first off your man for bodywork etc is Chris Spennewyn who is based in Hitchin and is on 01462 711080. He does a lot of work for Cooperman and the results look first rate.
The best rated performance book is "Tuning BL's A Series Engine" by David Vizard.
If you want to change it over to manual, you will need to change the front subframe at the same time. I'm not sure if there are other things to do as well - quite probably altering the gear linkage setup would be required.
Other than that, I would make a list of what you want to do, and just get stuck in with the Haynes manual and asking questions on here. This is what I did - the Mini is not a difficult car to work on as everything is pretty simple and all of a manageable size.
The best rated performance book is "Tuning BL's A Series Engine" by David Vizard.
If you want to change it over to manual, you will need to change the front subframe at the same time. I'm not sure if there are other things to do as well - quite probably altering the gear linkage setup would be required.
Other than that, I would make a list of what you want to do, and just get stuck in with the Haynes manual and asking questions on here. This is what I did - the Mini is not a difficult car to work on as everything is pretty simple and all of a manageable size.
Hi Wildew, welcome to our Mini-fraternity.
You seem to be in the Cambs region, so if you want any specific help feel free to contact me.I live in Earith, just 10 miles from Cambridge and near St. Ives.
I'm always happy to talk Minis and/or offer advice and I rckon I've done most jobs on them over the years.
Peter
You seem to be in the Cambs region, so if you want any specific help feel free to contact me.I live in Earith, just 10 miles from Cambridge and near St. Ives.
I'm always happy to talk Minis and/or offer advice and I rckon I've done most jobs on them over the years.
Peter
Thanks for the offers of support. Does my starting point sound fairly sensible? I haven’t got J reg the cooper s yet, but have said I’ll have it. Is it a good donor vehicle for the clubman? And is it a pain in the ar5e to fit ‘90s mini bits onto a 70’s mini, or relatively straightforward? Is there something better I should use as a donor?
As I mentioned, I know very little about mini’s, but I’m hoping it’s as easy to learn more technical skills on as anything can be. I do have a penchant for small lightweight cars, and always thought the clubman looked cool.
As I mentioned, I know very little about mini’s, but I’m hoping it’s as easy to learn more technical skills on as anything can be. I do have a penchant for small lightweight cars, and always thought the clubman looked cool.
Some people don't like the Clubman, but I think it looks great. My buddy, who lives in March, and I built a fully prepared post-historic rally 1275GT a couple of years ago. It was pictured in 'MN' winning a rally last week. There is lots of space in the engine bay compared with a normal Mini.
You should have little problem fitting the 90's bits onto a 70's Mini. There are things you will need to change, like the Verto clutch to an earlier one, for example, and the gear linkage will be different, but it's not too difficult so long as you have a workshop and some decent tools, including some special Mini tools like flywheel puller, ball-joint splitter and crankshaft seal installation tool.
Email me with your real name and contact number and we can speak.
Just one important thing. Get the bodywork as perfect as you can before you do the mechanical work as it's much easier to do with the mechanicals stripped out. The Mini is very easy to work on once you find your way around it and get some experience. Many just lack the confidence, but the help you will get on here is really excellent and we're a friendly bunch.
Peter
You should have little problem fitting the 90's bits onto a 70's Mini. There are things you will need to change, like the Verto clutch to an earlier one, for example, and the gear linkage will be different, but it's not too difficult so long as you have a workshop and some decent tools, including some special Mini tools like flywheel puller, ball-joint splitter and crankshaft seal installation tool.
Email me with your real name and contact number and we can speak.
Just one important thing. Get the bodywork as perfect as you can before you do the mechanical work as it's much easier to do with the mechanicals stripped out. The Mini is very easy to work on once you find your way around it and get some experience. Many just lack the confidence, but the help you will get on here is really excellent and we're a friendly bunch.
Peter
Gassing Station | Classic Minis | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff