Well, call me mad but I am thinking of taking up the challenge and re-bodying my clubman, as current body is stuffed, but running gear could be good.

I don't profess to being a mechanic, nor having the strongest patience in the world but I guess have to give it a go.

Can anybody suggest a good book or books that may assist in the planning, order of attack etc etc.

Appreciate any feeddback, and you can bet there will probably be a lot more posts, and screams for help, over the next 6 or so months.....

A1

I second this notion. I'm a complete novice when it comes to Mini mechanics but i'd love to learn so i can atleast save some money and fix her if she breaks.

i dont know i reckon with a clubman gregories to know how stuff comes off and goes back together and a bit of common sense is all you need.

Dad built a morris shell out of a clubby bits and did it with some common sense a gregories and a bit of advice.

Maybe there is a definitive book i dont know.

MINI - Guide To Purchase & D.I.Y. Restoration

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Tuning The A-Series Engine

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How To Modify Your Mini

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A GOOD Mini workshop manual.

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No more Minis!......For now.

IMHO the best "manual" is the factory repair manual put out by Leyland (in Oz). Most Mini shops that carry books should have it.

Cheers, Ian

Just don't believe the Oz Clubby wiring diagrams in it, they are lifted from UK manuals and are wrong...
And, if you want to fix the gearbox, the Gregory's 02 manual has clear steps shown (unlike the Leyland Black Book) and far more information. A better book generally, IMO.
I have about 6 or 7 different Mini manuals.... nothing like a bit of light reading, eh.

<edit> The one thing that make the Leyland Black Book worthwhile (to me) is it has the full automatic gearbox shop manual included- 46 pages. All the other manuals give you just a page or two of info, and adjustment details for kickdown linkage, etc.

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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.

I have both the Leyland black book and the Gregory's out when I'm doing any job. Being a novice I've found that sometimes the info can be a bit confusing and just the slight difference in wording can clinch it for me. Of course Ausmini is always there when you just don't understand what they are on about
Ziff

You definitely can't go past the Leyland black book. It's been invaluable to me with my little knowledge body and mechanically wise. That combined with workshop manual and the one's Maxi23 mentioned would be your best bet.

cheque book works if nothing else ...

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Spritey!
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Lower your standards. Increase your success rate.

I have the black Leyland book as well as Gregorys and some PDF's on servicing the Mini etc that I printed off.

I have been using all 3 of these since I started doing my own thing on Sally and I seem to be doing OK

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1978 Leyland Mini 998LS All Original *Sally*
2002 Mini Cooper *Coopa*

I agree, leyland black book plus gregorys seems to be the best cost/benefit option for me. I would never pass up the chance to add to the collection though.

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Noli Illegitimi Carborundum