Hey all,

It's been ~4 years between drinks but contrary to all my efforts, I'm still alive

The Mini has been off the road for most of this time with a cracked head.. being a heavily modified '295 I'm keen to see it repaired but in the meantime, I have a spare to go on which needs some love. Does anyone know of a machine shop they'd trust in Melbourne's north? I'm so far removed from the scene these days I don't know where to start.. besides here

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

I've used Martini Heads in Bundoora and they did a fantastic job on my 295. They know what they're up to and I'd definitely use them (hopefully I don't need to though).

Cheers,
James.

Welcome back Simon.

I haven't used Martini but I know they have advertised in the VMCI mag for some time and I've heard other Mini enthusiasts endorse them.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Oooh thanks guys, I think I'll be giving them a call.

That ad says they can do crack repairs for cast iron heads... if that's true then that answers the next question I was going to pose

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Not sure where in Vic but there is auger engines

I think its Orger Rob. Yep I think they would be very professional
http://orgerengines.com.au/

I had a good long chat with Mr Martini (didn't get the guy's name) this afternoon, he definitely knows his stuff. Unfortunately his "magician cast iron welder" "went and died on him" so he repairs cast differently these days, but from my conversation with him I'd definitely trust him with my heads.

Will drop the '295 (and a spare virgin '202 as a plan B) off next week. Thanks @JEA and @winabbey for the referral!

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

As Doug said , welcome back Simon , tis a pity that a lot more of the original Ausminiers didn't pop back in from time to time .

Back on topic , just curious as to whereabouts the head cracked Simon , do you have a pic?

Hey goodie, thanks for the welcome Life changes, I guess...

I haven't eyeballed the crack myself yet. The head had some TLC a few years ago (but not that many miles tbh) to replace valves and install seat inserts, but a while afterwards the engine started using more coolant than usual, and was getting hard to start, running on 3 cylinders for a while until properly warm.

In getting to the bottom of that I noticed that one plug was looking mighty clean.. too clean, you might say.. and during one inspection while the engine was hot I heard a faint "tssst tssst tssst" while I had that plug out.

You guessed it, coolant dripping from above one of the valves :/ It was pooling on the piston crown.

So anyway, long story short, I'll have the head off tomorrow and if I can get the valves out I'll be able to get a pic.

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Yeah life certainly changes for sure , sooner or later we all head off in different directions .

As for the head, i'm interested in where it has cracked as i'm in the process of doing an 1100 engine for my van project that will have a recoed 295 head going on it , just wondering if the 295's have a weak point ( i've not heard of any ) like the AEG 163 heads have that are renowned for cracking through the valve seats , might give me something to check before it goes on the motor .

I have used Rob at Martini heads in Bundoora for many years. He knows A series heads very well.
I also used Orger engines in Bayswater for my race engine machining. They had a excellent machine shop and were very professional. They were taken over a few years back, I have not used them since then.

These days I use Top Torque in Vermont for all of my machine work, Kryan is the head specialist there and uses a very new CNC Serdi head machine, his work is second to none. We do our own porting and assembly work. Top Torque also do our block machining and our crank & rods. Highly recommended.
https://toptorque.com.au/

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Have a Nice Day.
If already having a nice day please disregard.

Who does good head repairs on the AEG163 heads in Newcastle?

Lee Mears at East Maitland is excellent for head work and general machining Dont think he does welding