Putting my son's 1971 hydro Clubby back together:
It has green marked struts and some dill had fitted shocks instead of helper springs! Nope it didn't work.
Green struts are shorter than orange.
We will use competition rear bumpstops.

I have a pair of the later orange springs, will this work with green struts? Or do I need to fit orange ones...

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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.

Dunno Doc...but while we are waiting...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqs4EbU02As

Cheers, Mick

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"Show me the Mini!"

The green struts are only 1/8" shorter than orange ones, I doubt it would do more than lower the rear slightly.

Edit:
I think back in the swingin' 60s, when us lads used to chop 850 cones to lower them, 1/8" off the front lowered it by 3/8, and 5/8 in the rear.
Valid numbers for hydro? I dunno...

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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.

Hard to believe 1/8" on the strut would make much difference

The earlier, shorter struts should work with the later helper springs. The early and later springs were the same overall length.
I didn't realise the earlier struts had a colour marking.
I'm planning on converting to the same setup on my '66 S which originally had the shorter strut and softer helper spring.
The shorter struts and stronger springs might also help to keep the rear ride height down to acceptable levels.

This is the only info I have found so far about the strut and spring length changes. Not sure if it helps but I thought I would add it to the conversation. It says the front bag piston stem was lengthened and they had to shorten the rear strut and lengthen the helper spring.



Here is the difference between early and late helper springs. The later heavier spring would presumably help to keep the rear pulled down and the front raised.

The excerpt from the service bulletin is interesting as it states "...the rear strut has been shortened and the helper spring lengthened".
John Sneddon's book states the opposite: the struts were lengthened and the springs "strengthened" (more and larger coils, heavier gauge).
My experience and Drmini's is that the earlier struts are shorter.
On the Mk1-forum there was look at these springs and the author stated that both springs were the same length at 10.9 inches - hence why I made the comment regarding the same length.

The "Helper spring lengthened" could be the spring part was lengthened - eg more coils, and the total length remained the same.

That could be the meaning of the term 'spring lengthened'.

@Bill B:
Both these struts have green tape around the middle, it's old and looks original.

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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.

My 3/70 S has one of each helper spring and orange banded struts. Someone must have changed one during its early history (I have owned it since 1982). Will this be detrimental to handling or just possibly ride height/stance from side to side ? I'm having trouble tracking down another orange banded spring, any ideas ?

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1970 Mk2 Cooper S under restoration

Someone has changed or mixed up the springs in the past. I don't know what effect the different springs would have on handling or ride height, but obviously it would be better to have 2 of the same springs.
I bought a pair of later springs from another Ausmini member here a while ago. They are out there. Ordinary minis used the same helper springs as Ss and they become available when people swap from wet to dry suspension. Many people don't think they are saleable because every mini already has them.

I might have a pair. I'll have a look tonight and let you know.

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Cheap, Fast, Reliable. Choose two.

I have a whole pile of orange springs, I'll happily swap one for the long pin spring

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

PM sent

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1970 Mk2 Cooper S under restoration