I call Custard.

I fell in love with minis a very long time ago. Back then I had to hang out with guys who had them to learn about them. I got them to teach me and let me work on their's till I could get one ( Aug 1968 ) of my own. I began buying and reading everything I could find. I have two of most books and all editions of Vizards big book. I keep a set clean at home and a set at the shop for reference. I ask questions when I want to know something. I read and study if I don't get the answer. I recently bought 100 back copies of Mini World. I'm having a great time reading though them. I'm about 1/3 of the way though. They will be filed by date then I will work on an index of articles I have found helpful. No idea what any of this has to do with anything. Since minis have been around since 1959 info from 1999 should answer you question as well as having someone go over it for the 50th time this year.

As you pointed out you are a guest here and should act accordingly. Buy what you want where you want.  Out of respect many here will suggest you try the host which is the correct reply. I think the amount of help you get has nothing to do with where you buy. It is more over a matter of what you post and how you word it. I don't think we can hold your hand all the way though this process. People will tell you all kinds of things. You will learn what to take and what to leave behind. Have fun and enjoy I was 18 when I bought my first mini and it was my third car. Now I have several and have used one for transportation for years. Drive mine everywhere everyday. Steve (CTR) 

thanks mightymouse, you're right about having a plan before jumping into it and mess everythingup. agreed!

i just want my mini to be a reliable weekend or daily driver, i heard minis are notorious when it comes to overheating, again i wanna anticipate on that before my mini overheats and stall, one guy here even put another radiator and an electric fan to prevent overheating, the same guy who went on a joyride along Bigsur and Malibu. forgot his name, i mean i'd appreciate it if he can explain things about his added radiator and fan, which one to buy and what specs, links perhaps on where to buy it. for a newbie like me, where the only thing i know is to twist that key and start the engine, help will be greatly appreciated,

another thing, i hope im wrong, i know MM is running a business , selling parts and all that, i know im a member of this forum, and also have the right to choose where to buy my parts, ebay or wherever, (someone actually said "flea bay"), i notice if i plan to buy from other vendor, i get less help.,hope im wrong. and i hope that's not the case., i mean if you really want to help a newbie, help irregardless, like what i did on my shifter budget modification to make it tighter, i shared it to all ( i know, some are taking down notes)

i already said that i have the  59D4 distributor, nobody ever said which electronic distributor is compatible to it.

but there is a guy, forgot his name, he even itemized the things i need to buy before i even jump on getting the entire dist shaft and all that, he even put the price on each and every item, i appreciate what he did. , another guy even posted links on Haynes technical guide and wants me to learn everything, he's nice.,

yes the forum's search engine works but, i just need the real time advices, because some newbies out there are with me on the same boat. i don't want to search advices from way back 1999, technology happens everyday.

thanks mytmous 

 i enjoy this forum..members are nice.  

Ubolt cost 30 bucks??

Robster, I admire your spirit, but I will give you a bit of advice that my father gave to me and my brothers. "Have a plan and march to it". In other words, don't go running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Instead, get a game plan together. What do you want this car to be? A Hotrod? A dragster? A reliable daily driver? A weekend toy? A show car? WHAT?! So far you want an automatic stick shift with a 1275/998/1098/V-Tec. And you want it all for less than $14.38.

Instead of asking every single question you have, you really should use the search function. Then once you've searched the forum (or google), you will have a better understanding. And if you still need to ask, then hop on here and post a clear and fully thought out message. We're all guilty of asking a question or two that others have thought was a bit daft. But that's ok.

You're eager to have a fun toy. But we all think you're building some sort of damned Transformer at this point. If you get a plan as to what you want this car to be, you can start building it to that in small steps. And you will get a lot more help from those on this forum who are experienced with whatever direction you happen to take.

Oh... and I have to address "living in a texting world where spelling don't matter". It does, and it always will. Don't kid yourself. Being able to clearly articulate your thoughts will always matter. And I think you'll find that your life is a lot easier and somewhat more fruitful the sooner you come around to that notion.

All that said, I actually do enjoy your enthusiasm to a degree and hope you can rein it in a bit.

It's SxS or side by side man, it's a gun thing, not a sex thing, as in double barrel shotgun . 

That's my username on ebay and other auction sites.

Some soccer mom wanted to know if it was a sex thing, she was more upset when I told her t was a gun thing.

People.......

Maybe I'll start using my old signature

Have guns, will travel .

LOL,  i live in a texting world, where spelling dont matter. lol, just kidding, i live in Arizona USA , im young but with an old school mentality. 

i betya, i have surprised and impressed Dr Mini, reviing an almost dying extremely loose gear Shifter is one helluva big $avings,  MM i going to scold me for this, my shifter went back to its original condition, using only makeshift waher and silicon rubber and bicycle handle grip. 

whoever wants to revive their loose shifter shoot me an email and ill be glad to give you a tutorial.

thanks SEXSMAN, i m on a tight budget right now thats why i use what i have in my backyard before i buy anything. 

I'm pretty sure you already surprise him ( and others).

Wondering (not criticizing), don't you have auto spell correct on your computer ?

I was hyperactive and dyslectic, not the best speller by any means, my computer (or this forum) helps me in my spelling.

Were you born here in the states ? Or did you grow up elsewhere ?

Just trying to get a little more info.  

SxS (Side by Side)  

again, one day i'll surpise you Dr. Mini...lol

Sounds expensive...I think (ahem, HE thinks) he can do a VTEC conversion cheaper than what those parts cost...

Since robster's car may be an 83 and it does have a rod-change transmission, isn't it likely to already have a Verto clutch sytem?

Now don't confuse him. I think his car is an 83, non fuelie, he would  need a verto clutch kit w/TOBearing , verto clutch arm, verto slave, verto mounting bracket, verto slave hose, verto banjo bolt, verto plunger , verto flywheel bolt, verto key, then he would need to now how to set it up. (Few other parts needed for conversion). You can call Brian at MM, he could put a "kit" together. 

Or learn to enjoy the car for what it is.

I have not seen you transmission you may already have a verto clutch. It would probably be easier and cheaper to buy a bad engine/gearbox with all the verto parts still attached as there are a lot of parts needed but you should install a new clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing as well. The verto set up was used on later Mini's see if you can find a Mini to drive with one installed. Look for a link on this site.

oh , please lead me to where i can buy the Verto clutch, any link , are they standard? which one do you think fits my transmission?

thanks.. 

Or you could convert to a verto clutch which requires way less effort to operate.

I have an auto front sub frame and a 998 auto or a 1275 auto later in the year. Having one sent over from Germany. Will be surplus to my need once the head is pulled. Can supply another head about same mileage. Steve (CTR) You are a long way away but we can ship. 

Stick with the manual... a sore leg means you aren't getting ENOUGH exercise and you need to drive your Mini more!

Study your sitting position and how you place your feet. Is your seat too far forward or back and putting your leg at an un-natural position or one where your leg has poor mechanical advantage? You should be able to operate both the clutch (left foot) and the brake/accellerator without lifting you heels off the floor. Your heel should act as a pivot for your foot action. The only time your right heel might come off the floor is in a panic stop.

The other thing to consider is your footwear - your shoes should have a firm sole, stiff enough it doesn't flex where you push on the brake pedal. This is for two reasons: first, your foot doesn't get sore and second, in a panic stop you won't break bones in your foot. ( That's why it is illegal in many places to drive baefoot.) Don't wear high top shooes or boots (work boots etc.) as they prevent your ankle from flexing, requiring you to lift you whole leg to apply pedal pressure.

DRMini... ease up a bit. Robster is new at the hobby, but is very keen. He is learning as fast as he can. We who have been messing with cars for decades tend to forget how much there is to absorb.

no Doc, i like the looks of the mini, it's my dream car since high school. i have other muscle cars and motorcycles and BMW Maxi scooters and a Seado Jetboat, but the Mini will stay. ..i just have to go to the gym and do some work out on my thighs.

Robster, do yourself a favor and sell your Mini.  You don't love it enought to own it.  Buy a cheap automatic Jap car...perhaps a good second hand Honda would suit you better.

Not that easy. You either need to modify the block to make it work or the easier approach is to buy a used engine and trans and the front sub frame is different and needs to be changed also. As the auto transmissions run with the same oil as the engine they are usually well worn as owners do not change the oil every 1500 to 2000 miles so you can pretty much figure it will need a re build as well. Go the the gym build up your leg muscles and stick with what you have or buy an automatic Mini but stick with the 1275 as it has park and a bit more grunt.