Parts ordering day!

"fourvalleys" (fourvalleys) 05/09/2016 at 13:21 • Filed to: Classic Mini, Mini, Autocross, fourvalleys

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I’ve been awaiting this day for months... and it’s finally here!

Backstory:

Back when it was new, the 998cc A-series in the Mini was said to make 38hp. I’m not sure if that was at the crank or at the wheels, but this one hasn’t aged especially well.

It’s decently zippy around when it’s warm out, but the official 0-60mph time is “we need a longer road.” Beyond that, it hates the cold, and we’ve had a pretty up and down spring this year. So I’m putting a bit of time, effort, and money into making it right.

I’ve already bought a new cylinder head with hardened valve seats that will allow me to stop using lead additives in my fuel, but I put in a few orders for some other goodies.

The shopping list:

- A new head gasket (obviously)

- A full “stage one” kit, which includes the following:

- Full exhaust from the manifold back (I’m hoping it’ll sound a bit like !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! )

- A new intake manifold

- Hi-flow air filter (in the stock airbox - most pancake/cone filters for the Mini lose you a good bit of power)

- Full carb service kit

- All the fun assorted gaskets and hardware

- Hi-lift rockers plus a new rocker shaft

- Rear drum brake adjustment kit (to hopefully once again have a functioning handbrake)

- New spark plug leads

- A !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! magnetic oil drain plug (the Mini shares engine/gearbox oil so any shavings I find are extra scary)

- AEM Fuel/Air Mixture gauge (to be hidden in the glove box)

I’ve also got plans in the works to convert the front brakes from 8.4" discs to 7.5" discs so I can fit 10" wheels, but I think I’ll hold off on that project for awhile. The suspension will probably be replaced with an adjustable-height set then, too. But not yet.

I’ll need to do a lot of learning to get familiar with how to set the timing and how to tune the carb. I don’t really want to pay someone, I’d rather do it myself. I’m hoping the AFR gauge will make it a bit easier to learn.

The damage:

All in all, the Mini-specific parts cost under $800. Depending on how bad my current setup is, I could theoretically see double the power. I feel like that’s pretty outrageous.

Of course, that price doesn’t factor in delivery. Any guesses on what shipping will cost from England? I’ve had incredible experiences with DHL Express Courier in the past - nothing has taken more than 48 hours to my doorstep, and it is surprisingly inexpensive. I’m guessing this should be in the $200 range, maybe a bit more.

So.... does anyone want to help? My original goal was to have everything buttoned back up by Memorial Day, but I’m not sure if that’s still realistic. I’ve got a couple of other projects that will be going on at the same time. Specifically, some bracing for the gearbox and installation of a hidden 12v outlet.

I’ll probably get stuck adjusting the rear drums and I’ve got no idea how to tune this thing, but the rest of it should be pretty easy. It’ll also be my first time digging into a pushrod engine, so I’ve got to figure out if I should be nervous about that or not. I’m very fortunate to have a knowledgeable British car shop a few miles down the road if I need them, but with knowledge and experience comes cost. I want to learn.

Bonus autocross video for those who haven’t seen it:

McMike > fourvalleys 05/09/2016 at 13:36

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I have a stainless center-exit RC40. I think it sounds great.

(No revving sounds, tho)

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Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > fourvalleys 05/09/2016 at 13:38

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If you need a hand give me a heads up I work for pretty cheap. Skills include lifting things and holding things

fourvalleys > McMike 05/09/2016 at 13:40

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That sounds quite nice. I love the center-exit, too. Unfortunately for me, I love having the center-mounted license plate just a little bit more, so I went with the side-exit.

fourvalleys > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 05/09/2016 at 13:43

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Those are important skills, but how are your beer delivery skills?

Really though, I may take you up on your offer. If nothing else, you can use your lifting and holding skills to pick up the car while I work underneath. It’s probably only about a weekend’s worth of work at a reasonable pace.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > fourvalleys 05/09/2016 at 13:47

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Haha I thought it was customary for the person needing help to supply beer. But for sure I’ve also got a pair of Jack stands if you’d rather not rely on my spotty elbow for long periods of time. Just shoot me an email

Sampsonite24 @ Gmail dot com. Just please don’t sign me up for punishment enlargement pill spam.

Chinny Raccoon > fourvalleys 05/09/2016 at 14:07

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Depends on the weight & dims of the Package, but we send packages of ~10KGS to the US for around £60 With DHL/UPS. TNT prices are cheaper, but it takes longer.

fourvalleys > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 05/09/2016 at 14:11

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Haha, I’ve got the beer. Just need a runner from the fridge.

I’ll bug you once I get the parts!

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > fourvalleys 05/09/2016 at 14:14

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Ahh yeah I’m a pro at that. Also I’m free Fridays and Sundays so whatever works

fourvalleys > Chinny Raccoon 05/09/2016 at 14:15

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DHL has done me really well. The first package I ordered was about 12" cube and about 5kg, and it was less than £20 (around $30 at the time). It was delivered 24 hours and 16 minutes after it was accepted from the shipper.

I also ordered one that was about 1m long and maybe 15kg, and it was around £75. Delivered in two days, but only because I wasn’t there to sign on the first day. I guess that’s the benefit of living near their airport hub in the US.

PS, you’re welcome for the mixed units throughout my post. :-P

McMike > McMike 05/09/2016 at 14:17

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I just found a fracture in the tailpipe bead on the back of the muffler. I may see if I can find someone to weld it, since new stainless RC40s are $300.

twochevrons > fourvalleys 05/09/2016 at 22:15

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This is awesome! I’m quite jealous – I’m a British car nut through and through, but I’ve never had the chance to drive a Mini. Did you import it yourself? I’d be really interested in comparing notes; I’ve got a Triumph 2000 sitting in customs as I write this, and I’m desperately hoping everything goes OK.

In terms of tuning, you have nothing to fear. SU carburettors are incredibly easy to rebuild and adjust. The AFR meter certainly wouldn’t hurt, but I’ve always done fine by first doing a rough ‘by ear’ tune at idle, then looking at the spark plugs after a spirited run, and tweaking it from there. Timing is dead easy, too – wipe the dirt of the crank pulley, shoot a timing light at it, wiggle the distributor around till everything lines up, done. Just don’t forget to clamp it back down when you’re done!

In both cases, though, I would suggest taking the factory specs with a grain of salt. Wear and tear, as well as different fuel, is going to have an impact on all of that. Start with the factory settings, but if they’re not satisfactory, don’t be afraid to explore. I can run far more advance on my MGA than the factory specs (aimed at hideously low octane post-war British fuel) call for, but I’ve also found that I need to richen the mixture a bit for it to be happy.

fourvalleys > twochevrons 05/10/2016 at 09:09

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Thanks! This one’s actually got an HIF carb, but I’m hoping it isn’t too different from the SU. I don’t think it’ll be that difficult to do timing or tuning, but I’ve got no experience with either so I think it’s normal to be a bit apprehensive.

I bought the car after someone else imported it. Honestly, I probably paid about the same as I would have by importing one myself, I just saved the wait and the headache. Having said that, that Triumph is (A) gorgeous and (B) a lot less common in the US than a Mini. I’m sure it’ll be worth it. Great story, too.

As for the AFR gauge, I’m actually curious to see how it changes with the weather. I’m a numbers guy and even though I’m not crazy about trying to eke every last bit of power, it’ll be neat to see how the ratio changes when it’s cold outside. And from there, hopefully it’ll be easier to compensate. This thing does NOT like the cold right now.

Your car history is wonderful, too! Let me know if you’re ever over this way and you can take the Mini for a spin. I try to let all of my friends drive it if they want to.

twochevrons > fourvalleys 05/11/2016 at 23:12

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I suspect that letting a previous owner go through the bother of importing is the more sensible choice. The Triumph was given to me, and I had family members in New Zealand to sort everything out at that end, but there are so many gotchas and hidden costs to look out for. It’s definitely going to be more than the car is worth (not that that’s much – rare  valuable!), but the sentimental value of keeping it in the family makes it worth it to me.

Expect the AFR to be all over the place ;). As magical as SU carbs are (and I’m a huge fan of them), they’re no match for modern closed-loop control. Still, you should definitely be able to get decent cold-weather performance out of them. The HIF is just an SU designator for Horizontal Integrated Float (others are H, HS, and HD) – it’s all the same operating principle, just with the components laid out slightly differently. At least you’ve only got the one! I’ve only dealt with twin-carb setups – they’re not too difficult, but getting everything balanced is an exercise in perseverance, with every adjustment needing to be applied equally to both of them.

If you’re ever up in Minneapolis, you’re more than welcome to take the Triumph (or my MGA) for a spin. I’m all about letting other people try out my cars – especially with classics, it’s so satisfying seeing someone who’s only ever driven modern cars realise what all the fuss is about. I definitely want to get out to some of the British classic events, both close to home and further afield, so I might see you there!

fourvalleys > twochevrons 05/12/2016 at 08:28

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I fully understand importing the Triumph. Sentimental value can be completely worth it. As long as you’re not planning on trying to sell it, it doesn’t really matter what it costs. I’m glad you’re keeping it in the family.

As for twin-carb setups... I’m torn. I don’t feel like I’ll be held back by the single carb I’ve got, so I’m not really drawn to it. Plus, my bike has twin carbs that I’ve been fighting with for way too long. It’s just a headache. Actually, I really should fight with the bike again soon...

I also agree with your perspective on letting everyone else drive my cars. It’s wonderful to see the reaction to the Mini from someone who’s only ever driven cars that weigh twice as much, with at least triple the power (or more). They’re blown away how an old economy car can somehow be so much fun. Plus, most of them have never driven a RHD car, so that’s a thrill too. I’ve only regretted letting someone else drive it once, and even that wasn’t that bad.