ive got a 998 motor sitting around in pieces at home and id like to build it just to learn how, is there anything on the net or anywhere that i can get a hold of that explains the process of building a mini engine / gearbox. would be a handy skill i think

cheers

sean

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Potato

by a vizard book to start with. maybe a black book mechanics manual, or if you can get a red binder mini mechanics manual, they are more informative than repair manuals.

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Aussie Leyland, Aussie Factory, Aussie Mini S.

ive got a vizard book, where would i be able to find a red binder mini manual?

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Potato

I think I saw one on ebay tonight....

http://www.miniworld.com.au/prod14.htm

try that one. similar to the original red binder one issued to mechanics. It is for leyland australia, but should be more informative than the usual manuals.

http://www.miniworld.com.au/prod15.htm

and that is the normal owner repairer manual

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Aussie Leyland, Aussie Factory, Aussie Mini S.

heres a gearbox rebuild thread on miniforums

http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=9808

I found the Gregory's manual is pretty good for standard rebuild stuff. The Leyland Black book is also good I am told.

http://www.marque.com.au/scripts/BooksByMake.asp?Make=leyland&Type=C

Just beware of the points where all manuals say "use special tool 18Gblabla". There is usually a way to do whatever it is using standard tools or a little bit of ingenuity - this is where asking on the forum usually gets you unstuck.

good on you for having a go. it is the best way to learn, by far.

cheers
michael

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

If you want this in PDF format I can send you a copy. It is also on my CD ($5) with manuals and other tit bits

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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!

Haynes maunual is the best, IMHO, lot's of nice photos along the way.

Here is perfect too...

You can get the bits of information the manual doesn't tell you about...preferred end floats, priming the pump, pre-lubricating in the right places (and not the wrong places), how to get a recalcitrant oil pressure to rise before starting the engine, preferred gasket goos, how to get by without the apparently specialist tools...etc etc

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

So where is HERE Mick

Cheers
Steve

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1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT

Two post up...just after the first two words...in that little dot on the page. You might need a microscope...











I meant here as in right here in the forum...

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Well you had me going looking for little dots, finally I saw your last line of comment

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1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

You also might want to try and get a copy of the Repco Engine Service Manual. It does not deal with Mini Engines or any particular engine at all. It is in 2 sections. The first is Theory of Engine Operation and Design and the Second Section covers the finer points of what and how to check all the various parts. I got mine from Repco about 25 years ago. I don't know if they still carry it. It was I think one of the Text Books used at TAFE.

Another very good book I have come across in recent times is 'The 1275cc A-SERIES High Performance Manual' by Des Hammill. I think he also does one for the 998cc. Although this book is titled High Performance and there are many modifications shown, the chapters on basically screwing it all together are very good. In respect of actually putting it all together, Vizards Books are not so good, but his way of putting across theory and proof of modifications on the flow bench and dyno is very very good.

I have been 'screwing together' A Series Engines for 33 years now and I do still find it satisfying, but we can always learn something new. Despite the satisfaction I do get from doing Engines, I actually find Gearboxes more satisfying - hey we're kinky in our own ways!!

My advice - Make sure everything - and I do mean everything - the engine parts, your tools, your workshop and especially you - are CLEAN. When you think it is CLEAN, clean it again! If you spend less than 1 hour cleaning your block (for example) then it is NOT clean (even after having it hot tanked), the only other bit of advice, keep a very sharp eye on detail items. This will all take time.

If your first one does have some problems, don't be put off - it is your first one after all and you will learn the most from problems and solving them. If everything was straight forward, you'd learn little.

Hope this helps