I thought I had drain the water out of the block but when I lifted the head water went everywhere. found the stop cock thingy on the back of the block was already open so figure "more gunge" so unscrewed the whole fitting and nothing came out. Stuck a small screw driver in and it feels like it is hitting cast iron just inside the hole. There is some black stuff I thought was oil but it dries quick to black powder like rust does. If there is access to the jacket it is a very small opening and certainly no waster escapes through here.
Does anyone know if this should open into the main jacket space or a narrow galley? Cant even get a fine jewellers screw driver though into open space. Just checked the other engine on the floor and although there is a small ridge across the bottom of the hole I can get the large driver right in.

Should I try and drill it out or do I run the risk of breaking into the oil gallery below?

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

the drain tap (on 850) or brass plug on most others does indeed go into the water jacket, but because Minis sit for 30 years without them being drained, bits of rust and gunk plugs the hole.
If you are patient, stick a succession of drill bits in there, and wiggle them by hand, it will eventually run water out.

I've given up bothering, I just pull the bottom hose off the water pump.
If you want more out, pull the pump off too.

I used to drain the radiator, but MiniSpares UK's accountant or Rover's saved £0.02 by deleting the fitting....

<edit> no oil gallery is near it so drill away, carefully!

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

OK Got in there with a drill bit. It was solid black gunk. A bit like the oil/dirt mud mix off the bottom of the car but much much harder - and not greasy so hopefully not oil. Drill all the way to the bore casing (but not into it ) No flow. Down from the top there is rusty mud about 1/3 up from the bottom but cant find the drill hole. Guess I'll be knocking out the welsh plugs at a later date and sending the block off for an acid wash.

It appears the PO was havinging an overheating problem as he painted the engine silver and the engine bay black but was pushing the preverbial up hill with the amount of gunge in the pump and by-pass, the radiator and now all this stuff around #4 cylinder.

Think I'll start a thread "The Adventures of Bluey and Wombat" - might inspire (or discourage) others from starting a project.

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

strip it, soak the bugger a coupla weeks in molasses 75% H2O 25%.
Drink beer whilst waiting...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.