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Restoring a 1966 Mini Deluxe
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Author:  marc2131 [ Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Restoring a 1966 Mini Deluxe
Hi,
I have been a Mini fan since the early 1990s but have been out of it over the last 5 years or so because of work commitments, kids etc.
My 1966 Mini Deluxe has been in hibernation in the garage for several years now, and I am beginning to feel like doing it up again. Unfortunately I do have 1 problem.

1. the hydrolastic displacers are shot. in the late 1990s, i mistakenly allowed a mechanic to isolate the front from the back displacers. This made the ride very rough. i expect this will cost a mint to replace them, and so now am thinking of replacing them with rubber cone suspension instead. Comments?

Also want to know how I should start the work. The car needs a respray, and some minor body work. An A-panel replacement is about is serious
as it gets.

How should I start?

marc from Sydney. :?:
Author:  850man [ Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hi Marc & welcome to Ausmini. You will find a number of people on here with a lot of good information & willing to help you as much as possible.

What makes you think that the Hydro bags are no good? Fitting the Front to rear pipes back into your car may fix the harsh ride but if the bags are no good then you should be able to get 4 good Hydro bags and the correct pipes from someone on this forum or a mini business in NSW (such as the Mini King) Hydro bags are not as rare as everyone thinks and to keep your car original it would be worth replacing them. If you decide to replace the bags with rubber cones then it is a simple conversion.

Regards
David.
Author:  marc2131 [ Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:15 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks 850man,
It seems like a lifetime since I tinkered with the old mini.
I was told about a decade ago the hydro bags are breaking apart - old age. Remember going thru the price list back then and calculated the cost of replace all 4 would be just under $1K. Is this so? I have a very limited budget.
Regards
marc
Author:  850man [ Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
Marc, yes hydro bags are becoming harder to get due to there age & failure rate but std hydro bags (not S type) you should be able to purchase from a mini business for around $100 each, maybe cheaper if you find someone on this forum that has some. If not then you have the option to change to rubber cones, most of the parts you need for that you should be able to purchase S/H cheaply.
Author:  marc2131 [ Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
That's good to hear. I thought otherwise.
Another question:
The body is in need of a respray. Should I do the body work and interior first and then work on the suspension or vice versa?

marc
Author:  Mick [ Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
The bags are easily found by picking up complete hydro sub frames as they come up for sale. Pretty cheap way of finding them....I picked up a cheap subframe and lucked out with S hydro dampers...

Look carefully at the way the mechanic linked the front two hydro bags, he may have simply screwed a custom fitting into the standard threaded end fitting on the hose. if the bag isn't leaking then you can reuse them.
Author:  850man [ Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Whatever makes it easy for you. I would fix the suspension first so the car can be driven, then do the body work & finally the interior. If you do the interior first you have the risk that it may get damaged/dirty etc when you do the bodywork.
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