I was beginning to worry when it seemed that ice was forming on my glasses too.... but it didn't quite get that bad At least it took the pain away from my frozen hands a little bit though!

You definitely have a problem if the car is stalling at idle like that. I wouldn't think it is doing any good to the motor if it is running that cold. At least in the mean time you could raise the idle a bit and see if that stops the stalling. You say you have a 1.25" SU (although I would have thought a 1975 model is 1.5"?) put the original air filter housing back on as that will draw warm air from the exhaust manifold. You may have to re-tune the carb to suit though. I put the standard housing back on my 1.25" SU without changing the needle back to standard, and it wasn't very good for fuel economy.

Makes me glad i live in QLD now. Whats funny coming from Canberra/Queanbeyan is seeing everyone rug up as soon as the temp drops below 17.
Thankfully when i lived in Queanbeyan NAV had a nice warm garage to sleep in and only 5mins to work. I remember driving to work in -9 and it was just a bit too cold. I was just about to get the heater fixed then we moved up here, now i don't even need it.

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true!

yeah its not good, thats why i'm looking of ways to fix it =)

i'd love to live up there but im too lazy to move

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1975 Leyland Clubman 'S'
1976 Leyland Clubman 'S' *work in progress*
I smile everytime!

Man,

I am jealous that your mini doesn't heat yup. Mine is running a bit too hot =(

I just got the head rebuilt, new water pump, radiator has been rebuilt and had new thermostat. I run coolent (may be crap tho....).

Any ideas on what is next step to making this work properly?

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74 Mini Leyland - 1275

I have only driven my mini a couple of times in the cold frost this winter. I have a 1275 with a HIF44 on the pommy manifold with the heater hose going through the manifiold.

The water temperature, on one 30 km trip just did not get up to operating temperature and the car coughed and spluttered the whole time.

I have warned off playing with thermostats by my local engine reconditioneras he says they are foreign made and many of them are widely inaccurate. He maintains that a 92 C may not be opening until nearly 100 C and that the water is boiling and pressurising in the head.

But then I dont need to drive the mini daily - we have a couple of other cars to choose from - it can wait until the day is warmer.
.

It's the best thing i've done since marrying my girl
Just looking at my thermometer it's 25deg in my computer room . I thought i'd rub it in

Go to just about any parts supplier in Canberra and get yourself a 84deg thermostat and bung it in. If still too cold go to a plastics place and get them to make a shield and cable tie it to the grill

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Ken - I am having the same issues and the perspex is the go - I have a bit cut to fit the passengers side just behind the grille. I drilled 3 x 50mm holes in it to allow the air through(and stop the incessant vibrating!!). My temp guage is now getting to about 3 mm above cold and not baulking at the lights.

Hooroo

Rob Forsyth
Miniot!!

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Rob Forsyth
Miniot!!

I would be fitting a new thermostat and refitting the standard air filter case.
You do not need a cold air induction system with an SU carby when it is -7?

My car runs very good at -7. It starts well with the pulsar dizzy and it does not miss a beat. This morning was probably the coldest I have had this year, the ice was building up on the windscreen quicker than the demister could heat up to melt it. I may need to fit a hotter stat too.
At work at 6 am everything was frozen, some of the water pipes were still frozen at 2pm.

Yup....Happy in Perth

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

Just come in from a RFS meeting - another very cold night coming up - well its here now - I think it needs an extra cat on the bed tonight and worry about the cars in the morning