I thought I'd have a go at making a Hydrolastic pump as per Micks How to. But as advised by Mick the grease barrel pump that he used had disappeared from ebay, so I stumbled across this. It is a plumbers leak test pump that I got from ebay from this store, http://stores.ebay.com.au/entropyonline/, it was $110 with free freight. The low loss connector is the same as Mick used, but I got mine over the counter from here; http://www.airtecdirect.com.au/products ... uck-h-556/
The fitting to connect them together is available from any fitting place. The fluid that I used is as pictured and recommended by Dr Mini. I think it is mixed 50/50 with demineralised water. The pump its self is very well built, it has 2mm thick steel sides, the pump is stainless steel and has replaceable seals available from any o ring and seal supplier. It has a tank capacity of 10 litres which is a bit of an overkill for what I need, but it was the rating of over 700psi that I was interested in. I was naturally assuming that the Chinese would over estimate the capacity of the pump. When I use it I put a piece of wood at the back of the pump to tilt the liquid down towards the pickup tube.
Whilst searching for pumps on the net I found this; http://www.liquid-levers.com/shop/secti ... 13961dc3df apparently they were the suppliers of hydro pumps to MG Rover in the later days for the MG TF sports car. Looks pretty similar I think. The only thing my pump won't do is create the vacuum to empty the system.

Not sure if this can be added to the how to section as an alternative to Micks.

IMGP9987 by Martin Stanley photography, on Flickr

IMGP9988 by Martin Stanley photography, on Flickr

IMGP9992 by Martin Stanley photography, on Flickr

IMGP9989 by Martin Stanley photography, on Flickr

IMGP9999 by Martin Stanley photography, on Flickr

IMGP0001 by Martin Stanley photography, on Flickr

Photos corrected by mod winabbey

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TOO MANY MINIS AND NOT ENOUGH TIME

The pictures don't seem to have loaded, I followed the how to upload pictures but they don't seem to be here. Any ideas? The post seems to have gone up twice? Can this be fixed?

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TOO MANY MINIS AND NOT ENOUGH TIME

Try this link for the photos. https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinsta ... 003103842/

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TOO MANY MINIS AND NOT ENOUGH TIME

I think you may have used the wrong link (i use photobucket) but looking at the one that hasnt given an image. Your link doesnt end in an image file type such as xxxxxxxx.jpg

Choose the link/adress copy paste then highlight the link and click img from the tool bar.

You may have used the url link rather than the image link??

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Had a look, do the following:

Click on image
Bottom r/h corner is an arrow that when hover over says "share this photo", click this
Choose BBCode
Choose size you want
Copy link
paste in ausmini (don't click img from tool bar)
post

should do this

IMGP9987 by Martin Stanley photography, on Flickr

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Looks good mate.
As an aircraft refueller/mechanic I have used these style pumps for many years to hydrostatic test the refuelling hoses. They are robust and work very well. For an outlay of around $200 this would make a very good, low cost suspension pump.

The cost all up was just over $170 which is pretty good value for an excellent quality pump setup. Thanks Bubbacluby I'll try to insert the photos into the original post. I haven't uploaded any photos to the site before.

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TOO MANY MINIS AND NOT ENOUGH TIME

M-JAY, am thinking of purchasing a similar pump set up to yours, was wondering how it is working out for you

I like that pump, I never noticed this thread when it was posted.

So having not used one before, is there a bleed down valve? I assume there would be.

50 bar is more than ample!Mine still works fine, but I have more than half an idea to upgrade as this is a little more compact...

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

Oldtimer it worked great. I only used it once to raise the suspension height slightly. It was completely effortless to use, very highly recommended. Mick there are 2 valves and to be honest I can't remember exactly how I used it because I only used it once and that was very briefly. Yes it lets you bleed the system, just not create the vacuum to completely evacuate all the fluid. I am assuming you have an idea.

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TOO MANY MINIS AND NOT ENOUGH TIME

I ended up making one from the cheaper version. Pump was $80 from ebay.
Haven't used it in anger yet so I can't comment on how well it works as a hydrolastic pump.
The gauge has a check valve to hold the pressure when pumping up and a bleed off valve to let off the pressure after. There is also a main ball valve to isolate the hand pump when checking for system leaks.

They are a great bit of kit very well built. I pumped liquid through the tube first to prime it before attaching it.

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TOO MANY MINIS AND NOT ENOUGH TIME

How do these pumps last if you leave the fluid sitting in them?

I have a pump made from a Mini clutch MC. I leave fluid in it all the time.
In the last 20+ years I have replaced the seals, once. The bore was still fine, no pitting.

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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.

Has anyone thought about using a valve and one of those vacuum pumps for bleeding brakes to pull a vacuum? How much vacuum do you need to pull on the lines? The amount of vacuum of one of those brake bleeders might be beyond its capability compared to what is actually needed.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina