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 Posted: Jan 7, 2018 02:16PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by malsal
That removable slam panel which i am guessing is unique to Aussie window vans (as i have not seen it on UK Clubman Estates) sure makes life a lot easier when removing the engine/box.
Standard fitting on all square fronted Oz Minis....

Cheers, Ian

 Posted: Jan 7, 2018 12:43PM
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That removable slam panel which i am guessing is unique to Aussie window vans (as i have not seen it on UK Clubman Estates) sure makes life a lot easier when removing the engine/box.

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: Jan 4, 2018 02:15PM
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I am enjoying your work, the pictures,  and appreciate (like you) the helpers. Mine got their hands dirty like this with our mini.
Keep the photos coming
Thanks, Harvey

 Posted: Jan 4, 2018 02:08PM
 Edited:  Jan 4, 2018 05:06PM
Total posts: 6469
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Member since:Nov 2, 2006
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Day 3 A very short one, engine out, wiring harness disconnected, headlamp buckets out....

However, I promised a photo...when the exhaust strap fails, as in 1st photo, this is what the u-joint does to the downpipe, photo 2.

Amazing thing NO NOISE and pipe not breached.

Will degrease engine/transmission tomorrow, before separating, and get started on engine bay clean up.

 Posted: Jan 4, 2018 08:17AM
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Day 2 (1/2 days only)...engine bay stripped ready to lift out the power unit. Key helpers my son & grandson, the latter learning how to work the hoist.

More good reasons to have taken ROO off the road...rust in & fraying of the throttle cable, clutch master locating pin (NEW in 2014) corroded & worn (difficult to extract), exhaust bracket at transmission broken, leads into...wait until you see the photo of the down pipe later today.

All bits bagged and/or boxed & labeled.

Seats, carpet & underlay out to get at rack & sub frame bolts...found a 20 cent OZ coin & US quarter dollar.  Looking at the OZ coin, it must have been there awhile.

Was easier to get the radiator out than when Peter & I turned the fan around the right way on Kinkuna Street in Wishart, Qld. 6 1/2 years ago.  Rear mounting bracket for alternator different because bolt locations in block are lower.  Whole exhaust system looks like scrap.

Musing about drilling & tapping block for a drain cock at back below #4 cylinder.

On to Day 3....

 Posted: Jan 3, 2018 11:44AM
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That is one long intake !!! Looking at the clearances you may be better off moving the whole engine forward in the sub frame as they did in the last of the HIF carbed 90's Mini's and use also the later 1275 stabilizer bar maybe even the shorter dash pot plunger.

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: Jan 3, 2018 09:39AM
 Edited:  Jan 4, 2018 08:39AM
Total posts: 6469
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Day 1  And so it begins...ROO into my son's garage, disassembly commenced...front apron cross member out with removal of 7 bolts in captured nuts!  And, some test fitting...of a Russell Engineering long runner intake for HIF44 (before pulling the lump).

Timely park up for removal/rebuild...chunk missing from flange of standard clamped exhaust union at intake/exhaust manifold, float bowl gasket wanted to leak on emptying fuel from carb....

More today...my thanks to Son Jeremy & Grandson Kaden!

 Posted: Dec 30, 2017 11:11PM
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Jonathan/Sxsman,

Power unit is being pulled shortly for complete rebuild.  The end result an 1185cc build after Graham Russell.  Thanks to your ahem 'heads up', I bought the OEM 12G295 head from Speedwell last January, took it to Australia in April & Graham as you have probably seen.

Came home with modified head, larger Paul Ivey race valves, RE 100+ pistons/rings, RE 266SS cam/lifters/pushrods, Cooper S springs, head gaskets & RE long runner intake for HIF44.

Have since brought in Keith Calver 1.4:1 steel rockers...expecting lightweight flywheel & backing plate any day.  Have misc. bits, engine, tranny gasket sets, cam bearings, etc.

Will use Cooper Freeflow header & twin box, rally clutch spring & standard disc.  May use 123 distributor.

First, strip engine & gearbox.  Crank & rods should be OK for prep & reuse (& not using any oil).  Tranny will need a good look - I have new steel baulk rings, new cross pin diff & new U-joint outputs & new AH & TR greaseable drive axle U-joints for QH set up.  We might pressurize the nose of the new competition layshaft.  The aluminium pit!

My son Jeremy will give me a hand getting the power unit out.  I'll remove, master cylinders, wiper motor & rack etc. & clean up the engine bay before the Mini goes for engine bay & under bonnet paint, front subbie & steering rack will come out where painting to be done.

Have freshly modified & painted front subbie to take all the front suspension bits (after inspect/clean up) and a new RH steering rack to go in.

So lots to do to get ready for the ALCAN 5000 Summer Rally 2018 in August.

First up in 2018 our Mini Club's New Year's Day run named after CHRIS CARTER, a young Member who died tragically as the result of a driver turning left in front of his motor cycle.  Chris would hop in his Mini & go for a drive...for any reason or none at all.

Mini into the garage January 2.

Rick/Hunter2

 Posted: Dec 30, 2017 12:55PM
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Have you mounted the head and had it running yet ?

 Posted: Dec 26, 2017 12:04PM
 Edited:  Dec 26, 2017 02:16PM
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The trip to OZ - returned home 6 months ago today - was only slightly Mini related.  Yes, the head work & parts with Graham Russell, yes a visit with Ken Nelson in Ipswich, yes a 'Mini Reunion' of 7 of the 8 who set off in 4 old Minis for Tasmania and yes, a Mini club run the day before flying home.

However, the main purpose of the trip was to head for the Kimberley in Western Australia, crossing the Gibb River Road from near Kununurra/Wyndham on the Cambridge Gulf to near Derby on King Sound.  First we headed north through Queensland to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria, were thwarted on crossing west on the Savannah Way (roads not repaired after the wet in the Northern Territory).  So south to Camoweal and west to Three Ways & north to Daly Waters & Katherine.

We were 5 on this portion of the trip - my Cousin, her Husband & me in a Toyota LC 100 with car top tent & single axle camping trailer & friends from Pitt Meadows in a Britz rental Toyota LC 70 with car top tent.

My wife Elaine flew in to Darwin & bused south to Katherine to join us for the westward adventure.  So we 6 got onto the GRR and explored the unsealed roads open after the wet.  El Questro & its hikes, springs & swim in the NO crocodile allowed diversion from the Pentecost River.  Crossing the Pentecost River after other rivers had joined in.  Home Valley Station, Ellenbrae Station, Manning River & Gorge, Mornington Wilderness Conservancy & Sir John Gorge on the upper Fitzroy River...finally out to Broome in one piece - NO damage to either Toyota or their wheels/tyres.

We did see a recovery vehicle hauling a rental Toyota, with broken rear axle housing at the diff, out to Kununurra...going to be a very expensive 4x4 rental.  We only 'lost' the trailer spare when the mount welds broke & it fell off as I was driving into Purnululu Nat. Park/Bungle Bungle...recovered the next morning on a 3 1/2 hour trip out & back in.  Repaired under warranty!

Derby & Broome were both delightful with gentle breezes off the Indian Ocean, Camels to ride on Cable Beach, wildlife parks, pearl shops and a wild ride up Cape Levesque on the Postie's Run.  Postie said people thought he was crazy...well he did drive a gutted out, unsealed road like a maniac.

Turning eastward, we headed for Fitzroy Crossing & Geikie Gorge, Purnululu/Bungle Bungle, the Ord River & Lake Argyle, before getting back to Kununurra & Katherine.  Then it was on to Darwin where our friends from home turned in their Britz rental to fly home.  We headed south on the Stuart Hwy. facing oncoming masses of caravaners heading north into the tropics for winter June-August.  Daly Waters was crammed unlike our trip north.  Returning to Three Ways we headed for Barkly Homestead, Mt. Isa before heading south to Winton, Longreach & Mitchell...reaching Brisbane on Day 47.

An example of an unsealed road off the GRR...going into Mornington, I drove across 40 dry wadis & 16 wet ones,...112 round trip.  2 hours, 45 minutes to go barely 50 miles.

Then some effort to extract, eliminate the invasive, pervasive 'red dust'!  Done!

I have tons of photos - we swam in gorges, rivers, springs, hiked & cruised along rivers/gorges/saltwater....however this one of sunset on the Thomson River near Longreach, Queensland.

 Posted: Dec 16, 2017 07:21PM
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Update on the Aussie Mini Window Van - it will be the ride in the ALCAN 5000 Summer Rally 2018 next August.  Next year, the summer rally will see some 4,600 miles overall including approx. 500 miles of TSD stages over 9 days from Washington State, through B.C. & Yukon Territory to Alaska and the finish in Fairbanks.  So a test of endurance for both humans & Mini.

The Mini's 1098 will come out between Christmas & New Years for an 1185cc build after Graham Russell.  The engine bits are in hand and a fresh front subbie has been prepared (modified, blasted & into epoxy primer & paint).  Will be picking up new steering rack, sump guard & spare tires on Tuesday.  Will be stripping the engine bay for primer & paint before installing the new rack & fresh front subbie build.

Fortunately, the Window Van has uprated suspension with Moulton cones, hi-los, adjustable front caster & camber (incl. rear), adjustable dampers front/rear & 8.4 discs up front.  So basically a full servicing, including new bushes, tools & spares assembly.  Minifins & spacers will replace iron S drums.

Will also relocate the battery under the load deck to provide more driver's seat movement.  Have Mini roof racks that will get a carrier for extra fuel.

My Swedish Mini friend, Micke Pettersson, is coming to co-drive.

PHOTOS: Minifin drums prepped for paint today, fresh modified front subbie ready for swap

2018 will be a busy year!

 Posted: Nov 27, 2017 02:00PM
 Edited:  Nov 27, 2017 02:02PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunter2

Can check two 23 kg/46 lb bags, so head & soft goods in one small bag going & returning.  Will need to create room in bag 2 for pistons/rings, cam, intake for the return home.
Sounds a bit like Radar O'Reilly  (M*A*S*H) mailing a Jeep home from Korea.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunter2
CAUTION:  Bus trips for older folks not so much fun.  I honestly do not know how the kids can fold themselves up & sleep through the night.

... because they CAN fold themselves up.

.

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

 Posted: Nov 27, 2017 12:47PM
 Edited:  Nov 27, 2017 12:51PM
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hunter2.. what is up with new law in OZ.. over ALL pre 1999 cars..with older asbestos brakes.. being DENIED now.. to Australia.?/ have great journey.. later bc  ps.. drink a few Fosters  lager for us..

 Posted: Nov 27, 2017 10:31AM
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It was brought to my attention today that I had provided a lead up to the last trip to Australia.  Did not quickly see any further info...(though there may be some).

The head Saxman pointed me at last January went to Australia April 20 and with me on a Greyhound Bus overnight to Sydney for the Rivercat Ferry to Paramatta.  Graham Russell met me at the dock and off we went to his works.

5 hours later, head was modified with hardened exhaust seats, seats cut for larger Paul Ivy race valves, runners cleaned up under the seats, 266SS cam ground, lifters faced...so I got back on the bus with a much heavier bag including pushrods, 100+ pistons & rings & RE long runner intake for HIF.

No issues flying into OZ with the head or back into Canada with head & other bits.

Have since obtained Calver's 1.4:1steel rockers and 9.8 lb. flywheel & light backing plate to arrive next week.  1098 power unit to come out soon.  Maybe a good project between Christmas & New Years.

Packing the head & extras around was not so much fun but the ferry to Paramatta was an early morning joy (left Circular Quay before 7 a.m.) and I was back to Sydney Central Station (rail & bus) to return to Brisbane on another overnight Greyhound ride.

CAUTION:  Bus trips for older folks not so much fun.  I honestly do not know how the kids can fold themselves up & sleep through the night.

 Posted: Apr 3, 2017 05:50PM
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You bet!   Prepared to leave things for Aussie 'Good Will'.

In fact I could probably scrap the TB since I get home before I left (on crossing the Int'l dateline).

 Posted: Apr 2, 2017 05:40PM
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Rick, I've resolved your concern about having room in your luggage for all of the RE goodies on the return trip ; stick a toothbrush in your back pocket. That's it. Your personal item packing is complete.

 Posted: Apr 2, 2017 07:51AM
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On the plus side, I have previous trips to Australia & New Zealand with no issues.

Yes I paid one speeding ticket in NSW almost 6 years ago now on the Rylstone Classic Rally.  Nabbed decelerating from 80 to 50 kmh (50 to 30 mph).  That ticket stuck in my craw.  On arrival in Brisbane, 2 years after paying the fine, my cousin said, "You have mail."  It was a letter from NSW authorities agreeing with my written statement - I was driving not my cousin, then a senior Qld Police Officer, now retired - at the time the fine was paid. 

Can check two 23 kg/46 lb bags, so head & soft goods in one small bag going & returning.  Will need to create room in bag 2 for pistons/rings, cam, intake for the return home.

 Posted: Apr 2, 2017 05:12AM
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hunter..  CUSTOMS here in the USA.. here  really go after anyone or anything incoming ( classic minis.  / land rover defenders that they do NOT understand..    and ALL Muslins are suspect..  I can NOT imagine what hassle they are giving  folks from SYRIA now..  later bc 

 Posted: Apr 1, 2017 02:58PM
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Bill, when I arrived at BNE in 2011 with my box of stuff - tent frame, tools, Bowies style knife, wiring harness for GPS & GPS in capped ABS tube and auxiliary radiator all wrapped in my tent - a handsome woman looked up from the X-ray screen and asked, "Are those automotive electrical parts that I see Sir?"  "Yes"  Did not open the box...or...in Canada on my return.

Will take my Bill of Sale from Speedwell in San Fernando, Calif. and copies of email with GR in NSW, to substantiate that I am coming to employ Australian talent buy some parts and take all back to Canada.

 Posted: Apr 1, 2017 04:06AM
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hunter  have fun with CUSTOMS.. last time I went to the UK.. brought a new head back.. stayed in CBP all day.. as the young prick.. had to X ray the head..  anyway..  it is on my mini  pick up today.. finally.. later bc

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