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 Posted: Feb 10, 2017 09:43AM
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CA
A little off subject but if you have a tandem axel trailer and one tire goes Down , no need for a jack, just run the good wheel upon a short 2x4 and the tire can be changed quickly Miniyou , always carry that short 2 x 4 or brick to do the job

Big AL

[email protected]

Niagara Ontario Canada

 Posted: Feb 10, 2017 08:11AM
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When working on installing an engine with a rod change transmission, remember to put the bolt through the shifter steady rod before you put the exhaust manifold (or exhaust down pipe) on.

 Posted: Feb 9, 2017 05:56PM
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Where do I begin? I've been so stupid over the years, it's hard to narrow it down.

1. For starters, I agree to tighten all lugs before journeys. I just dropped the Lotus on the ground when a wheel came completely off, like sans lugs after a mere 2 miles. Luckily the fenders are so close the car rested the rotor on the inner rim and the tire went inside the fender. ZERO damage. Also lucky it's rear engined. I lifted the car onto the jack and bolted the wheel for a shameful ride home.

1a. Keep extra lugs when you are inevitably stupid. I walked 4 miles looking for the lugs. No luck.

2. Points. If you have points, spend the extra couple bucks and get a spare set. Then, if you're smart, you'll put them where you can find them. Likely it will be a year before you actually need them 40 miles from home.

3. Suspension. I still run Hydro, so keeping at least a bottle of water and a grease gun in the car for long trips is my norm. Then again, a nice chunk of wood to prop between the rubber bump stop and the car can get you to the next stop.

4. Head gear. It's been eluded to, but watch your head when working in the engine bay. I have permanent skin and brain damage from the safety latch.

5. Let people enjoy it. I let everyone enjoy the car. I let friends drive it, I let car show people sit in it. There is no better way to ensure great value in the future by young followers now. I recently saw a picture of the first mini I ever drove (at 12 years old). I caused a life quest and sheer pleasure at 32 when I finally got my own. After all, it's just a car. Every ding scratch and tear has a story.

6. Do with it what YOU want to. My car is a genuine MK1 Cooper S. I'm hesitant to do anything because I keep hearing "sell it to a real collector and play with a normal mini". I'd never sell it, but it's my car, and there are 100's of museum cars out there to carry on the history. The collector I got my car from stored it for future use from 1983 to 2003. 20 years that car sat waiting to be enjoyed. Then he passed away. I drive the snot out of it and enjoy it every day that Michigan lets me; about 3 months a year.

7. Don't think you're Paddy Hopkirk. I grew up in racing, I can drive a car pretty well. I took a corner pretty tight one day and found a truck coming to the corner as I cut it. I was forced to widen my line to miss him. That line was in the gravel. I nearly took the car into a curb, then certainly into a ravine. Stupid. You don't have to go THAT far.

Cool thread. FINALLY something fun to read and contribute to.

Mark Looman, Ada Michigan 1967 Austin Cooper S
 Posted: Feb 9, 2017 05:12PM
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Big Al,

Needed to replace an electronic fuel pump in Winona, Mn during MMEMW 2009...should have had a spare but noooo.  Sent wifey & friend out looking for a NAPA.  They were successful...pump has functioned perfectly ever since!

Your advice is good!

Rick

 Posted: Feb 7, 2017 03:52AM
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thanks Alex!

My original post is now corrected  


Norm

 Posted: Feb 7, 2017 12:55AM
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GB

RC car body R-clips are the right size, but once you've worked out the secret to doing the split pins in the clevis pins, there is no advantage either way.

The secret isn't a secret either, just take the driver seat out and push the pedal upwards to lock the clevis pin in position - this allows easy access and the the ability to work the split pin as required.

 Posted: Feb 6, 2017 05:34PM
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I have had one of the large ones fall out but not the smaller ones but they do rotate so when i fit one i press the pedal quite a few times to make sure nothing is catching, since using the smaller ones they are not long enough to catch and pop out.
Why i got into using R clips is i had a master cylinder on a Moke with brake problems (that i ended up removing and installing that master quite a few times) and the pin was rusted solid and the cotter pin just fell apart so i tried an R clip on someones advice and it worked for me.
Why Mini clutch and brake master cylinders come with the rod attached is beyond me they would be a lot easier to R&R if the rod was attached to the pedal assembly, but i guess no one would change the worn out pins then .

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Feb 6, 2017 03:55PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spank
Quote:
Originally Posted by malsal

When installing the master cylinders use small R clips to hold the pins in place they are a lot easier to remove.

I disagree with this one. Well, maybe if they are REAL small. But I haven't seen any REALL small.

I've had them get pushed out when the brake pedal is released and the clevis pin eventually falling out (Dennis and Julie Racine experienced this back in 2010 on track at Sonoma in a car I put together using an R clip on the Brake clevis. They drove most of the day with almost no brakes...

And I've also had it where the R clip prevented the brake pedal from returning fully-- this happened to me while I was driving cross country in my mini. It would be intermittent as the clevis rotated around.

I friggin hate using cotter pins, but my experience with the size R clips I've used has taught me to use cotter pins anyway.
+1 I've had R clips fall out in situations where there not really suitable or fail safe enough. With a split pin (cotter pin) you know it's not coming out and this is brakes were talking about after all.......................

Mini's are like buses they come along in a bunch

 Posted: Feb 6, 2017 03:51PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by malsal

When installing the master cylinders use small R clips to hold the pins in place they are a lot easier to remove.

I disagree with this one. Well, maybe if they are REAL small. But I haven't seen any REALL small.

I've had them get pushed out when the brake pedal is released and the clevis pin eventually falling out (Dennis and Julie Racine experienced this back in 2010 on track at Sonoma in a car I put together using an R clip on the Brake clevis. They drove most of the day with almost no brakes...

And I've also had it where the R clip prevented the brake pedal from returning fully-- this happened to me while I was driving cross country in my mini. It would be intermittent as the clevis rotated around.

I friggin hate using cotter pins, but my experience with the size R clips I've used has taught me to use cotter pins anyway.

 Posted: Feb 6, 2017 12:08PM
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My old man was a mechanic all his life and his cars were always full of toolboxes and spare parts but I never remember him having to use any of it! He always maintained his cars and never needed any of it.......Mind you it was  useful for us his kids when we broke down all over southern England and he got called out in the middle of the night.

Mini's are like buses they come along in a bunch

 Posted: Feb 6, 2017 05:19AM
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CA
Maybe over reacting but if you are using an electric fuel pump, think about carrying a new one as a spare in your must have bag of tools when going on a mini trip

Quite cheap, easy to install and will save. Your A$$ someday

Big AL

[email protected]

Niagara Ontario Canada

 Posted: Feb 4, 2017 03:03PM
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US
If it doesn't start with "Once upon a time" and end with "Happily ever after" then I will ignore it. 

 Posted: Feb 4, 2017 02:57PM
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Too funny, you took the words out of my mouth.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Feb 4, 2017 01:04PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doss
Always leave the steering wheel nut a couple threads on when pulling the steering wheel off, so when you finally get the wheel broke loose it doesn't jump off and pop you in the nose. 
Putting the wheel back on and driving yourself to the ER is tough when you eyes are swelled shut and you have blood everywhere.
Trust me on that.
Brings a whole new meaning to nut behind steering wheel..................

And the most important thing to never do is believe anything "the specialist" says, you could really do yourself or others damage listening to his advice/drivel.............................

Mini's are like buses they come along in a bunch

 Posted: Feb 4, 2017 07:51AM
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US
Always leave the steering wheel nut a couple threads on when pulling the steering wheel off, so when you finally get the wheel broke loose it doesn't jump off and pop you in the nose. 
Putting the wheel back on and driving yourself to the ER is tough when you eyes are swelled shut and you have blood everywhere.
Trust me on that.

 Posted: Feb 3, 2017 04:29PM
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CA
If you have theft proof lug nuts that require a locking nut for protection take great care to keep the special nut in a safe spot in your car

This usually becomes a problem when you go to a tire shop and of course the "nut" is lost or back home

As a special precaution,carry a hard steel socket just slightly under sized for the lug nuts and with a hammer, drive the socket on over the lug nut

You will probably ruin the lug nuts but what choice do you have at this point

Big AL

[email protected]

Niagara Ontario Canada

 Posted: Feb 3, 2017 11:40AM
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When installing the radiator with the lower hose attached make sure the head of the clamp is facing upwards as it will help with removal.

When installing the master cylinders use small R clips to hold the pins in place they are a lot easier to remove.

Don't over tighten the speedo cable at the gearbox end, a lot easier to remove when just nipped tight.

Use safety wire on the rod change coupler roll pins, loose one on the road and you will have no gears.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Feb 3, 2017 11:22AM
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Image Gallery
Make sure your Mini is properly supported when raised to remove the wheels....

After the One Lap of Australia, I wanted to take a look around my suspension & brake bits, so I jacked up the Mini, rounded up wood blocks from the garden (looking carefully first for Eastern Brown snakes...deadly bu..ers).  Only to discover the Mini was floating...flitting with disaster.  Steadied it with one hand while getting the jack underneath with the other.

The problem arose because I ignored the unsuitability of using an irregularly sloped, dual concrete strip drive.

Mini did not fall.  Inspection was completed, wheels on & Mini down with relief.

 Posted: Jan 31, 2017 05:39AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunter2
turbodave

I simply ignore every post from you know who and focus on the rest.

hunter2
...or read them only for comic relief, kind of like random acts of comedy, or "Friday Funnies" without sense of time or place.

.

"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."

 Posted: Jan 31, 2017 05:22AM
mur
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He still should stop posting his alternative facts.

Found 89 Messages

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