Hi people
i would like to know some basic info on the mini Leyland 1973.
well apparently ive seen an advertisement for one going on sale and im considering about it. I would hope that i can tap some basic knowledge on the specs of an ORIGINAL leyland would be like.

Are they suppose to come with rear seat belts?
Does it only have one side mirror?
10" wheels or do they come in different choice sizes?
are they Disc brakes or Drum brakes?
Does the original engine runs on Unleaded?
On average how long can an original mini engine(without rebuilding)lasts?
Would i be expecting mileage to be ard 75000 and above?
if you rebuild an engine,does the mileage restarts itself?
what are the common areas for corrosion and rust?

well these are things ive seen and remembered about the prospective car,please do offer any more advise on what to inspect before buying one of these beauties.

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im new,green about cars,but that doesnt stop the growing passion in me about the mini...

Are they suppose to come with rear seat belts? yes depending on year modle
Does it only have one side mirror? yes
10" wheels or do they come in different choice sizes? 10" are standard but you can run upto a 13 " rim but need a low profile tyre and sometimes modify the gaurds
are they Disc brakes or Drum brakes? depends 998 110 drum 1275 disk
Does the original engine runs on Unleaded? with a uvp yes (upper valve lube)
On average how long can an original mini engine(without rebuilding)lasts? depends on driver and maintanace
Would i be expecting mileage to be ard 75000 and above? yup
if you rebuild an engine,does the mileage restarts itself? no
what are the common areas for corrosion and rust? sills a panel boot floor battery box front foot wells around master cylinders beaver panel

makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

Yeah see, you don't have to join, you can just come along to the club meeting or an Ausmini event and just gawk at cars. Then you can really tell if you want to do one or not. You can get to sit in them and go for a ride (you can certainly ride in mine no worries). It's the best way to see what you're getting yourself into before getting into it!

Definatly come to dyno day on 10th Sep at Castle hill. Thw who's who of minis will be there. Don't worry, we don't bite!



Oh Darn, Makka beat me to it!

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Oh you live in Nth Ryde! I used to work there for ages... Not far from me...

Go on, come to dyno day!

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

man
really thanks for everything guys..
im so perked up im having trouble going through one day without reading more about the mini and basic knowledge on cars...
plus im making arrangement to kinda get a mechanic down for an inspection on the car itself with a prospective seller...
well nothing against him,hes nice but kinda quiet..but i guess i can trust him...i saw the add on one of the mini clubs and saw the car..i personally prefer round-nose ones..but hey..his CLUBMAN is really neat...guess he must have put in alot of effort maintaining it...
its abit off my budget..but hey..im compromising if the inspection goes well...(just in case)

well when i get my hands on one of these beauties at least then i will have some hands on on it and learn the different parts around the car...

yea about the 10th..sure man..im definitely going...in fact,im going down with my ride..if i manage to pull it off early next week...haha..im SO looking forward to it....

Anyway time for some Q&A again:

why do they call it LEYLAND?are all rounded nose/square nose(also known as clubman right?)known as LEYLAND after the 70s?
for the surface rust i believe can be cleaned using brasso or sandpaper.but how can you tell if its only the surface?what are the signs of corrosion?holes?do you normally replace the whole panel(or cut it and wield it back?) or are there ways to get rid of rusts?
how much are you looking at for a whole respray for the size of a mini?
the older models engine run on carb?and how does it work for a 1100cc?
How can you tell whether the interior is well maintained or well done?what checks can you do for the interior?
(apparently the ones i can think of is the quality of the seats,the dashboard,the steering wheel and its horn,windshield,roofing,carpet,panel under the carpet,panel under the rear seats,seat belts,door interior,handles,windows)
so i can guess that its normal if the engine has not been rebuilt,there sure will be rust around the engine component and the mainbody that holds it?even the area where the wiring is?
is it possible that the roof will be rusted yet hidden with headlining?

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im new,green about cars,but that doesnt stop the growing passion in me about the mini...

In 1969 BMC Aust became Leyland Australia. They kept calling roundnose cars Morris until these finished in 1971.
Cars after then were all called Leyland. In theory the Clubman name finished in 1972-73 when they started to call them Leyland Mini. But all these ugly ones with the Ford Escortesque front, most people still call Clubbies..

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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.

Anyway time for some Q&A again:

for the surface rust i believe can be cleaned using brasso or sandpaper.

Yeah but get some professional or knowledgable advice before you do anything

but how can you tell if its only the surface?what are the signs of corrosion?holes?

because it looks just like that...on the surface...no big bubbles or holes where you can see the road going by

do you normally replace the whole panel(or cut it and wield it back?) or are there ways to get rid of rusts?

Not always...depends on how bad the rust is....most people just treat a rust problem by going back to bare metal.....but...yep you can cut and weld new panels on for bad rust repairs

how much are you looking at for a whole respray for the size of a mini?

$400-10,000??? how long is a piece of string...depends on what sort off job you want done and the materials used

the older models engine run on carb?and how does it work for a 1100cc?

The same....they just have the one carburetter, unless you have a Cooper or someone has fitted twins

How can you tell whether the interior is well maintained or well done?what checks can you do for the interior?

Just by the general appearance, scuff marks, worn pedal rubbers, cracks or tears in the vinyl, worn out seat springing,shabby or no carpet, etc etc

(apparently the ones i can think of is the quality of the seats,the dashboard,the steering wheel and its horn,windshield,roofing,carpet,panel under the carpet,panel under the rear seats,seat belts,door interior,handles,windows)...yep

so i can guess that its normal if the engine has not been rebuilt,
after all these years ....NO! they probably have had a rebuild

there sure will be rust around the engine component and the mainbody that holds it?even the area where the wiring is?

Rust in engine compartment (especially around brake and clutch master cylinders() is common, front subframes are usually protected by a coating of oil Old wiring can be corroded, have brittle insulation or dodgy connections

is it possible that the roof will be rusted yet hidden with headlining?

Possible ....but unlikely.....good luck

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"Show me the Mini!"

well thanks a mill to all who have made this shopping trip for me an experience...
im getting a mechanic to go down to take a look at the car im interested this tuesday..
hopefully nothing goes wrong...
i was just on the line the other day with my gf about the mini and stuff..then she was telling me that its hard to find a colour she would want..if it was she who is getting..haha..
well she said that someday she can imagine herself driving a black..and someday white..or pink...haha(women)...anyway i guess im going for cream-white...
hopefully nothing's wrong with the interior(engine)...well tuesday we would know...im sooooo keen to get it..and have really some hands on experience on it....

anyway just wondering if theres any weblink or book or manual you guys would reccomend to me...cause some of the terms (mechanical ones) that im trying to read from this forum i have no idea(where goes where)(what does it look like??)

my level of knowledge of cars is so bad for my age i kinda feel embarrassed when i look myself in the mirror nowadays...anyway to sum it up:

wheels--standard mini 10" to racing 18"(max) right?most minis ard 10-13?what about the material of the wheel?(as in the chromes)alloy?
exterior body--what material is it made of?
weight--around 650kg?
engine--pending models of 1000cc to 1275cc(unless they change it or mod it-fuel inject/bore increase etc) running on unleaded or premium unleaded(with converter)
exhaust(original one only unless they mod it to twin to make it faster?)
clutch and engine--(same place?as in what?same box?)
radiator--are there any differences?they function the same right?(its located on the left of the car right?

what about the cylinder of a 1100cc engine?its a 4 stroke i assume.is it a 4 cyclinder?what about the cam?(twin?)
what about the speedometer?what does it show other than speed?
Brakes-drums/discs depending on model.Is it a FWD or RWD?for the brakes is it on all wheels or only 2?whats the diff on disc brakes and drum brakes?


sigh...getting tired thinking about cars already..haha

im so excited...cant wait to learn more and more and more....

thanks alot guys..
(hopefully pics of my car can b up soon..)

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im new,green about cars,but that doesnt stop the growing passion in me about the mini...

OK first principles, almost all road cars are 4 stroke including mini's,
- all mini's with original engines are 4 cylinders,
- all aust mini's are carb - if you find one with efi check on ausmini but chances are - buy it,
- mini engine sizes range from 848cc to 1275cc unless rebuilt when the engine size gets a little bigger ( the change to horsepower is minute, an engine that gas not been rebored is better than one that has unless one is stuffed and the other perfect)
- yes 650kg is about right
- all original mini's are leaded. Unleaded fuel came out around 1986
- gearbox, this one gets a little tricky but the word to ask for is syncro's ( pronounced 'sin crows' - all mini's have at least 3, 4 is better. it makes it easier to change gears.
- speedos by definition show speed, other gauges show other things, eg tachometers show engine revs
- all mini's are fwd apart from a few unregisterable race cars
- all wheels should brake.
- disc brakes are better than drum but are fairly rare on mini's. Because mini's are light they are easier to stop than heavy cars and as mentioned before by others you can easily get by without disc brakes as long as the drums work well. If you buy a car with poor brakes of any kind do not even consider driving it until they are fixed. even for a very short distance driving with bad brakes is for experienced drivers only, and it's a bad idea even then.

thanks guys...for everything
tomorrow im going to see the car...
will upload pics again...
see you then..

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im new,green about cars,but that doesnt stop the growing passion in me about the mini...

Gotta ask... are you Asian?
Cos your English is certainly different.

hi, good luck with it all

if you want to learn the best way is to by a mini and have a go. Read as many books and magazines as you can (by the australian mini mag, 'mini experience'). Dont let the cars scare you.

Have fun

hi...
yea im asian.Im from Singapore.(the tiny dot on the map)studying here right now.
well not only has the shopping trip been a big migraine in my head,the decision
and choice of it is certainly not easy.(i write funny?well probably cause im CAMBRIDGE O-LEVEL equivalent-minus the brit ACCENT..hahaha)

well in Singapore cars are really expensive.IT is unthinkable to afford one(try adding another digit for cheaper ones and around 3 times as more for top new cars) at an early age.Thus for an experience i would most certainly be hoping to get a mini and see how everything goes(of course its naive.but hey...you cant blame the facisnation in them)

anyway people who i have spoke too arent really that encouraging.TOday i invested in a mechanic to check out the car.He was nothing but praise for the maintenance of it.However seeing my inadequate knowledge on these 4-legged-monsters he was trying hard to explain the situation and try to tell me what to expect(well not exactly putting me down,but was warning about driving an old car,breaking down,expensive,hard to get parts,labour charges-due to my inadequate knowledge.etc)

well now its time for decision.I was wondering if any of you guys are as naive as me.Not only friends who are knowledgeable in cars(to a certain extend),even my own GF/mother is kinda telling me my priority is to study(being an overseas student here,you cant blame them anyway)

so great.Time for some life experience-sharing.I know its going to be a pain in the ass if the car breaks down somewhere(imagine my situation where this is not my homeland).
and the parts and costs of these things isnt easy and cheap,but was wondering if there is anyone out there who is like me?started out with no knowledge,naively and stubbornly wants to get a mini.(not really knowing why,but it fascinates the hell out of me)...

well the thing im thinking about after the mechanic said was

MECHANIC-QUOTE:
"are you expecting to drive this everyday?cause if its the case you gota be prepared to spend $$$$ on it."----this i perfectly understand,but cant help thinking about it---how do you guys manage to pull it through?
"this car is an old car-its a nice car,but its old.and with that you gota be prepared that THINGS may happen.and you gota have $$$$ in your pocket"----sigh...
"the owner can tell he's probably well to do,thus it probably is a weekend car for him."--you gota be kidding.There MUST b someone out there who drives a mini everyday.And im sure IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO STARTED OUT WITH NO KNOWLEDGE ON CARS BUT WANTS A Mini FOR A RIDE!!

FRIENDS-QUOTE:
"well its your decision.I think its best not to get one"---damn..friends..
"Try asking opinions in forums and see what they can say and share?"---yea..im here now
"i think the car is great.get it.But you better learn alot MORE about it.FAST."--trying to but without a practical thing to see its hard to start from anywhere?
"Well come to think of it,since you stay near uni(you walk) and so you wont be using it EVERYDAY isnt it?prob on weekends or when you wana explore alittle?'"--true

HOUSEMATE-Quote
"i can understand that these cars are extinct from where you come from.Theres this thing about owning one here right now.but be prepared and to think its not worth it and get ready for $$$$.Garage?sorry i will b using it everyday.you can park on the street or rent one from our block if you need one,since not everyone drives."

FORUM--
Wadya guys think?can i seek help from you guys if i truly get one?are parts hard to get?

DAMN MY HEAD HURTS!!!

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im new,green about cars,but that doesnt stop the growing passion in me about the mini...

Parts arnt too hard to find, i have never not been able to get a part, and really the parts arnt that much more expensive then any other car.

As for starting with no knowledge. i'm kinda in the same boat as you. Mine is my first car, although i had some prior knowledge, it was still a learning experience that really isn't too hard. I'm also a uni student, and use my mini as an everyday car, and yes it does have some problems occasionally, but you just need to maintain it and keep uni work and car work balanced. I found in the first year of owning my car i would spend at least 1/2 a day each week (not every week) working on the car, that way i got to know all bout it, just get a manual, and follow it/them and if u get into real trouble, someone on here will sure to help u out.

Ryan

With regards to being concerned about breaking down, I would suggest that join a roadside assistance program so in the event of being stranded, someone is only a phone call away. The ANZ Bank offers a program for only $55 a year with unlimited call outs, towing, etc. I got more details in a brochure than from the website (usually these programs are outsourced to the NRMA / RACV etc anyway), however check it out here http://www.anz.com/australia/persbnk/pr ... Assist.asp

As for your indecision, I don't think anybody can give you the definitive answer you are looking for. Sometimes you just have throw caution to the wind and just live a little.

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One should never skimp on the zip ties.