Hi all
Been on an off this forum for the last few years or so. Bought my '66 Deluxe back in 1995 as a runabout. Since then, I got married, had 3 kids, moved to a bigger place and went in and out of multiple short-term contract jobs. Money was short and priorities meant the Mini went into the garage (late 2005) and never came out again. However I am now determined to get the car back on the road however there are several items which need to be resolved:

1. I believe the hydrolastic suspension is shot. Back in around 1998 or so, the front of the car would for no apparent reason nudge upwards while on the move. I consulted several people (Mini Car Clinic and Mini Kingdom) but no answers. Finally got in touch with a mechanic in the Ryde area (NW Sydney) named Moxham. He suggested that the only way around the problem was to block off the front section of the suspension from the back. He told me he crimped the pipes to do this. I thus have 2 hydrolastic pump points. This fixed the problem but did not like the feel of the car after that. To cut things short, I am seriously thinking of replacing the whole system with all rubber suspension instead.

2. The engine hasn't been run since late 2005. I fed copious amounts of oil directly into the cylinders from time to time. Not sure if this helps.

3. Rust needs to be repaired. Rusting on the drivers side A-frame (approx 10cm x 5cm), drivers side floor panel (20cm x 5cm) and the floor of the battery compartment in the boot has fallen off.

4. Repaint entire car. I intend to respray the car in it's original neutral grey. A friend who has painting experience has agreed to help out.

My question is this. What should I do first? I assume it would be better to get the car and engine up and running, then get the rust spots fixed, then fix the suspension and finally do the paint.

I live in Sydney's Inner West, so would appreciate any suggestion that are convenient location wise. I am not able to transport the Mini over long distances.

Would appreciate feedback. Thank in advance.

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1966 Morris Mini Deluxe
.... 4 bicycles and 3 screaming kids.

I think (my opinion) you'd be better off doing the body first, as it normally takes the most amount of time. It's also a good idea not to leave a rebuilt engine sitting around for extended periods. The bodywork stage is where a lot of projects stall too because it is a long process

Changing both the subframes and engine can easily be done in a day. If you are considering changing to rubber you can rebuild the new subframes and plonk the engine on top and do the whole thing as one unit, and use your old subframes to keep the car mobile during body work.

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Any suggestions regarding mechanics who can do the switch from wet to dry suspension? Hopefully in the inner west?

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1966 Morris Mini Deluxe
.... 4 bicycles and 3 screaming kids.

doing this basically gave you rubber suspension anyway...

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Doing this is a cop-out, there is nothing wrong with hydro suspension if it's maintained. If the hoses leak at the bag connection (main bad thing that can happen), these days hoses can be fixed/replaced.

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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.

So how can I get a fair diagnosis on the state of my hydrolastic system? Is there someone I can see? Back to my original question on this thread. What do I do first? Get the engine running and the car mobile so I can get this assessment?
Timmy201 suggest I get the body done first.

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1966 Morris Mini Deluxe
.... 4 bicycles and 3 screaming kids.

for my money, I would look at the engine first, to determine what you will do with it.
If its working and is going to be used as is, or if it needs a rebuild, if the gearbox is working or needs to be rebuilt, etc.

The last thing you want to do is spend your entire budget on body work, then find out the engine and gearbox are both cactus.

If it turns out the engine is cactus, you can rebuild it in parallel with the rest of the car.

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1975 Hairy Lime/White Clubby
Build Thread: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=80657

Take it a part send it off to be repaired and painted.
Sort out suspension, subframes brakes whilst it's away, this gets its rolling when it comes back.
Doors, etc back on. They take up a large amount of space.
Electrics, glass next.
Upholstery after that.
Engine last. As it can be broken down into parts, head, block box.

Also if you find your engine requires $$$ you can always buy a cheap runner and have some enjoyment from the car whilst you hot up the original engine

I have just gone thru this with my car
I have done most of the work myself with not much farmed out.

Also buy a large box of zip lock bags and a marker pen and every time you take something off put it in a bag.

On Tuesday night I helped a buddy put back together a car that he bought that the previous owner had done this and it took us 3 hours to reassemble. All upolstrey, engine, sub frame wheels, bonnet glass. It was so easy with the zip lock system. We need to get it rolling so it could be moved to a new home

Go and see Greig Malaure at Mini Classic for a fair assessment of the suspension, and everything else too. He is your nearest best quality Mini mechanic.

2 / 27 Hope Street,
ERMINGTON, NSW, 2115
Tel: (02) 9874 7211
Mob: 0411 869 438


I agree with the bodywork first approach. I have done it the other way around, pathcing the body as i go and really need to take a year to do the body properly now.

cheers
michael

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
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