"Chinny Raccoon" (chinnyraccoon)
04/08/2018 at 15:37 • Filed to: None
10
6|
"Chinny Raccoon" (chinnyraccoon)
04/08/2018 at 15:37 • Filed to: None | 10
| 6 |
Engine’s out, and a plan is coming together.
Mmm, Asbestos!
The thing that was holding up the plan was the front brakes- we want something more up to date than drums all round. Luckily I’ve found a conversion kit that should work, which has saved a load of hassle. Before that I’d looked at swapping axles from an LDV pilot, as thanks to the wonders of the British motor industry they were using an almost identical setup until about 2005. That would give other issues as the steering setup would be on the wrong side and other hassle with the rear.
Fortunately IH appeared to use this axle setup for about 30 years.
Getting the front drum off was a challenge- the drum is well seized to the hub so I ended up pulling the whole hub off. We’re going to be renewing bearings anyway, so some heat should sort that out.
Wierd tools are required. Also LH threaded wheel nuts, which is something I remember briefly reading about online.
Plenty of room!
Measuring up it looks like the Mazda drivetrain will be a good fit, the front grill is almost perfectly sized for a NA radiator. Not actually got the drivetrain yet, just a case of waiting for the right car to come up for sale at the right price and not too far away.
I mined nearly 60 years of oiled road crud off the steering box- there’s a reasonably large amount of play in it, but it looks like rebuilt or rebuild kits are available.
The driver’s side shock mount has snapped off, but easily repaired and reinforced. The shocks are sad- I think they are a ford part, but need to do a bit more digging.
The next phase should be finding a way to fit the engine/ transmission and lowering the floor. Also cleaning and treating the underside, so far this thing has less rusted on fixings than my Ignis, so it needs to stay that way!
RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> Chinny Raccoon
04/08/2018 at 15:50 |
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It looks like a lot of rust cleaning will be required! Glad to hear of work continuing on this! :D
MM54
> Chinny Raccoon
04/08/2018 at 16:13 |
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Wait, what? Mazda drivetrain? I missed something.
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Chinny Raccoon
> MM54
04/08/2018 at 16:46 |
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We’re after a fairly simple, reasonably priced, reliable RWD Auto (Mostly because of the shifter location) drivetrain. Aftermarket support is a bonus.
It’s replacing a 50HP 1500cc engine, it’s not until 61 that the Mite came with the bigger 150ci IH engine. I can only assume the small engine wasn’t suited to the US.
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Chinny Raccoon
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/08/2018 at 16:48 |
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It’s actually really solid- there’s only one panel that needs a replacement welded in. Rest is just surface, and most of the underside has underseal on it, and the metal under that is like new.
Out, but with a W - has found the answer
> Chinny Raccoon
04/08/2018 at 16:50 |
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“Aftermarket support”
250 whp it is then?
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Chinny Raccoon
> Out, but with a W - has found the answer
04/08/2018 at 17:25 |
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Would be interesting, it’s got a crazy low diff ratio- 6.1:1. Acceleration would be good until something broke.