16v project gets sidelined for 8v for a while.

[iowlee]

Right Guys
I have been on here for a while now as a forum user so I supose it is about time I start telling you about my project/s.
Please bear with me on this build diary. I will post as and when I can.
It is a bit of a rebuild diary, and will probably be a work in progress for a while.
How does the story start.
I decided after doing a trackday at goodwood in my 1460 a series mini that I wanted more, as you do. So I sourced a subframe from here. Then got a redtop engine from a mates old race car that is reportedly in excess of 200bhp? Running 45s and a full mbe kit. The build started. I am self employed and my spare time comes in fits and starts (normally around January and February) so progress has been slow. I saw in the classifieds section on here this car

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk129/alexorski/SDC11784.jpg

Cheers Alex, one of terryg's old projects.

I bought the car knowing that it was a non starter. within 20 mins or so after getting the car home I had it running, all be it not very well. But it did accellerate well (in the car park opposite, not on the highway as it had no tax or insurance. Then It wouldn't start, BLAST I thought. That was too easy so with the help of a mate we tried to narrow down the problem, first things first, there was an electrical problem, easy throw away the injection and run a set of dellortos. Now running but rough as you like. compression test mmm, BLAST again. 1 and 2 down! 3 and 4 good. Head off one of the bolts shears off DOUBLE BLAST!!!!!!!! Look on Ebay, mmm 2.0 8v ex rally engine complete including dino sheet. Got the case of must haves. engine is now in. Sounds like a heap of pooh. Deja vu? Compression test 1 and 2 down 3 and 4 ok!!!!!!!!!!! head off ok this time. head off to machinist 3pm back on the car following day (cheers fred) forgot about car for a little while as I am still spitting feathers. Right, went out there today to get fiddling and sort out things like split cv gators and the like and while i am here get the car running reasonably. BLAST the car is getting HOT. change rad, still getting hotter. remove thermostat to check flow (what flow!!!!!!) Think I have a Water pump problem ( Can I remove the pump without removing the bottom pulley wheel? Any help guys) I ran out of time. So here is the start of the rebuild of the 8v mini so far.

When she is mot'd and running well I will move on to the redtop one and start a build diary of that. I will put more pictures up soon.
I Love it when a plan comes together, please can someone let me know when it does as at the moment it is one step forward and a huge leap back!!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta keep smiling.
Lee :)

[iowlee]

right, got the water pump off, and guess what, it seems ok?
Back to the drawing board, any suggestions greatfully received. :?:
If there is a blockage where would it likely be?
Should i get water flowing from the thermostat housing with no pipe attached and the engine running? (with the thermostat removed)
Lee :?

[tinxy]

i dont think so as the thermostat is on the way into the engine i think



love that car proper machine ive got one of terrys kits too and am about to embark on changine it to redtop too :D

[iowlee]

Right, got time over the last few days to get out and try and do some more to the cars. The 16v one seems to have gone backwards as I keep changing my mind what I want but more on that one later.
The 8v one is a slightly different story, now got the engine swapped and running and all seems to be OK so far. I have a short video (not much I know) of it running. Right now need to finish sorting the electrics and get it ready for MOT. May need to re think the seats that I am using as I really am struggling to get my rear in to the ones I have put in.
Hopefully I will be able to post some more updates over the coming weeks.
http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg68/iowlee/?action=view&current=IMG_0038.mp4

[cooper_mark]

nice one Lee(think i've remember your name rite.....:rolleyes:)
good to see/hear this running again

[iowlee]

It's been a while since I have updated this thread, however this last week things have moved on quite a bit. (With the 16v one.)
A month ago I booked the car in to get painted, With the idea of getting out there as often as I could. With a target in mind to work to.
1 week ago I suddenly though arse, I've only got a few days left.
With the Wife trying to persuade me to get rid of in her words 'junk that is cluttering up the garage and car park'.I have completely dis assembled the mini back down to the shell. Removed as much excess weight as possible, now I ask the question, have I removed too much? Oh well you can always add it back I suppose.
So I loaded the doors front arches etc in the back of the discovery then borrowed a small box trailer from a mate that was exactly the same size as the floor pan of the mini. Result.
However not really taking into account how high the trailer sides were, I thought I should really make sure it doesn't come off as I go around corners. I bolted and strapped it down as it sat as high if not higher than the disco. Drove gingerly to the body shop. Made it, phew.
Hopefully I will now start getting the build diary moving when it comes back.
I think I have most of the parts accumulated over the last 2 or 3 years (has it really been that long!)
Should get it back within a couple of weeks as the guy spraying it is doing it at a good price, to be able to do it in his own time.
Then to decide if to try and make it road legal or just use it for sprints, trackdays, autotests etc.
Watch this space.

[iowlee]

Actually I think I will start a new thread for this one when it comes back.