Thanks for the tip about the fan.  Knowing me, I would have installed it incorrectly.  lol.  I had read that mini's seem to do better with a lower ration of antifreeze to water.  I have already purchased full strength antifreeze and will dilute it accordingly.  I was not able to find anything pre-mixed that was less than a 50/50 mixture. 

When you re install the water pump make sure you put the fan on the correct way.
The smooth side should say engine side in very small letters and it is fitted facing the engine, the other side with the openings in it goes towards the radiator which is the opposite of what most owners think.
It will still work when fitted incorrectly but is just not as efficient and as Mini's have such a small radiator capacity they need all the help they can get.
Another thing is don't use too much anti freeze it does not help with the cooling 30% should be plenty unless you live in Alaska

There is no need to drill holes in the thermostat on a 998cc Mini Bill as it will have the by pass hose fitted.
The only time it really helps to drill the thermostat is when the engine is warming up as it lets the coolant start to flow before the thermostat fully opens and this only applies to 1275's due to them not having a by pass hose fitted.

Or just ask for an

oil filter for a Dodge Neon

BIG AL

 I get my oil filter at Advance auto parts.. same as 73 MG midget..  

I'll keep the cardboard / paper plate in mind for next time.  LOL.  The oil filter wouldn't budge at first.  I have an oil filter wrench that "should" have fit the bottom of the filter.  After numerous attempts and a few choice words, I tried using other methods that only made things worse.  To add to the difficulty, my 18 year old son wanted to argue about which way I was turning the oil filter to remove it by saying "You're turning it the wrong way.  It's righty tighty, lefty loosey".  Also told me I was wrong when I explained that that process does work but the view was mirror image.  Kids, you got to love them.  Anyway, another trip to the parts store to purchase a different oil filter wrench solved the problem. 

A folded bit of cardboard or even a folded paper plate works wonders at directing the oil to a drain pan when changing the oil filter

After a lot of research, I ended up using 20W50 oil. I think Castrol. Changing the oil was an adventure. Finding the oil and filter was a breeze.  Learning I had to buy a new socket just to change the oil (since I didn't have one big enough) was interesting.  Removing the grill to get to the oil filter was surprising.  Removing the old oil filter...well, I will just say that was an adventure. However, everything went well even though it took a little longer than I thought an oil change should.  Now I am completely prepared for all oil changes in the future. 

When I changed the thermostat, I started looking at the entire cooling system.  Some of the hoses are beginning to crack and my current radiator doesn't have a drain plug.  I have enroute a new radiator, radiator cap, fan, top and bottom radiator hoses, and water pump.  I don't think I need a new water pump but since I was replacing the majority of the cooling system, I figured I would go ahead and replace that while everything else was out.

red riley. about 2008 maybe.. ?/ did I have a  Choke with me that day??yea.. totally agree. the BMW owners were ALL DIKS..   I do NOT think we even have a all British car show in Charlotte NC area anymore either.. Tanglewood also long gone..  that Brit car at Wake Forest Univ.. used to be real cool.. it is also gone..  Gunslinger.. might try. just buying new alloy rad.. about $45 from Winning Spares from China on ebay.com about $50 for shipping.. I drill about six holes in my thermostat and this makes the water flow better.  but you can NOT just take it out. as water flows TOO QUICK and does NOT cool properly..   might also try using moke overflow tank as well.. hope to see you new classic minis SOON.. later bc

What oil did you use?

Nope, Bill. Haven't been back up there since the last time I saw you there, don't know what year that was. The whole field was a huge mud bog. And the BMW folks were a bunch of d!cks.

red riley.  have you been to Euro Day car show in greenville sc since they moved from BMW plant in Greer to the golf course..??   sure it is like when they moved British car day from Chateau elan. to berry college in Rome...  it will also. BELLY FLOP..  later bc

That sounds like a fun event.  If I am free that weekend, I will definitely try to come check it out. 

Gunslinger, Come back down to Charleston the last weekend before Halloween in October for the Charleston British Car Club's annual British Car Day. It's not a Mini show, but it's all British and there are always at least a few of us there with our classics. https://www.britishcarclubcharleston.com/index1.php

The Midlands Center British Car Club's show in April is always a fun one, too. //www.bccmc.com/carolina-british-classics-xii/

This is my first time ever importing a vehicle and I have learned so much from the process.  I did tow the vehicle from the port of Charleston.  I also learned that when trying to title an imported vehicle, you are not a problem child, you are THE problem child.  Haha!  After three trips to two separate DMV branches over two weeks, I am completely legal here in SC.  I have a clear title, SC tag, and insurance.  Initially had an overheating problem due to a faulty thermostat.  One thermostat for a 1973 MG Midget, a coolant flush, and an oil change and we were back in business.  Thanks to the forum with the information on parts conversion, I was able to find the parts that would fit without having to order them. Ever since then I have been building a wish list of things to buy, replace, and upgrade.  

  I am around on the weekends. .in the afternoons.. to show cars. welcome to come up any weekend.. I am gone some during the week to pick up cars for other dealers.. as I have a TWIC card.. later bc

gunslinger.. sounds like you do NOT have your SC title yet.. easy down there.. sure NOT in NC.. you just need to TOW  over the mini to you local DMV tag office.. someone behind the counter will come check the vin number IF you want title only.. otherwise.. the PHAT lady behind the counter.. will want the CBP form 7510,, DOT form HS7.. EPA form 3501.. bill of sale.. the foreign title. ( with translation if NOT in english).. bill of sale. and proof of duty paid. easy peacy.. later  bc  ps.  I usually do NOT work and minis that I did  NOT import...sorry... just too busy..

So much information!  Thank you all for the assistance.  thewerewolf, once I am able to find my way out of this pile of paperwork and have a little free time, I may just head up that way (but definitely not unannounced).  Also, thank you for the information on the mechanic and shop that would be able to do some work on my Mini.  I have some degree of skill when it comes to normal maintenance, but will need help for the more challenging projects.  I look forward to picking all of your brains in the near future!

I used clear plate covers with back panels. I drilled the back panels to suit the Eurpoean style mounting hole locations. For the front plate, I wanted it high enough to not catch curbs etc. so made stand-offs from solid plastic blocks (from one of my many scrap collections) The bolts go through from the backing plate to the factory brackets, with the nuts behind the brackets. For the boot lid, I used the two inner holes (my car came from Germany) and just plugged the two outer holes with clear silicone sealant as the car had just been painted when I got it. Since the holes are only about 3mm (1/8") they look like 2 small dots. (Someday I might add tiny red LEDs connected to the brake lights.)
The plates and clear covers are each bolted on with 4 short 1/4" bolts and acorn nuts all in stainless steel. 4 per plate because I hate the look of empty holes.

It was a direct import.