Pulled an S motor apart for an ausmini member last week, the `engine builder' PO had put Holden or Ford 7/16" UNF wheel nuts on the centre main studs. And, all the mains nuts were little more than finger tight.
Also there were metric bolts forced into various UNF threaded holes.
Anybody got any similar horror stories?:P

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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.

I did a clutch on a mini once and the flywheel bolt was less than finger tight.

Last year, at the classic adelaide we did a head on bmw and one of the rockers was held in position with a two hose clamps (edit, before we got to it)

Matt

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I have worked on a few dodgy cars and I have done some very dodgy things to get a customer out of a workshop. But I have never fitted wrong threads or left bolts loose (on purpose anyway)

An early Hyundai chugged into the workshop running on three cylinders, a quick look proved that one cyl was not firing although it had spark, so I lifted off the rocker cover and found that the rocker shaft had a bolt come loose and the rocker shaft had broken through the next hole.
So I just did up the loose bolt and started it up, it run fine so I slipped the rocker cover back on and gave the car back to the customer and said "No charge!" The customer knew the car was on its last legs but I postponed its demise for a while longer.

How about the $2K disc brake conversion from a Mini shop that I shall just call 'the bandits' that had 4 bent nails intead of pad retaining split pins!

Another: A guy was complaining his mini with a cooper S motor kept leaking oil from the front gearbox to block joint and clutch problems / noise from transfer gears?

Upon stripdown the clutch main bearing cap studs (S Motor) were found to be loose! not screwed in all the way, and holding the gearbox away from the block

The Expert engine builder / refurbisher had 'fixed' the problem by squeeging instant gasket between the gap!

Obviously didn't want to split the motor again as part of his $1800 labour bill!

PRICELESS

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Sir Alec! we are not worthy!

I wonder if the PO runs a British auto repair shop here in Cairns?

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

Ooh Ooh another one!

About 8 years ago, went to look at a mini for sale, bit rough, a 65 Deluxe, young girl owner, $450.

The poor girl relayed her tail of woe, she had taken the car to several 'experts', having trouble selecting gears. Each expert made the problem worse and charged her more $$. The last one replaced the clutch, but then it would not disengage at all. She was told that because the new clutch had not fixed it, it would need a new gearbox!

I noticed the clutch housing was half hanging off bought the car for $300, I think she was pleased to see it go and get some cash back. Later that day, pulled off the loose flywheel, only to find the clutch plate in backwards!

Replaced the really worn clutch arm clevis pin and bent the arm as a temporary measure, put it all back together that day, then drove it as a 'park it at the train station car' for another 2 1/2 years!

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Sir Alec! we are not worthy!

No names, no law suit! People on here know who I mean!

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Sir Alec! we are not worthy!

Sounds like 'The Bandits' use that trick a lot, because my car that was built like that and serviced by them for the PO had the same nails. Why bother?

Ryan

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Ryan Filippi
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au

find a good mini mech that you trust and stay with them - theres a few good ones and a heap of bad ones

Have you noticed that the bad ones don't post on forums?

was talking to a guy at a shop who had a customers mini for sale out the front. He said that the motor was brand new but would need replacing very soon. This sounded weird so asked why.

He said that the guy that rebuilt the engine for him said a great way to run in an engine was to run half oil half petrol instead of just normal oil. Tell me that is not a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. It also screwed up the motor royally or so I was told!

P.S I don't remember if it was 1/2 and 1/2 exactly but something like that.

At Willshires, we see a lot of stuff.
Being seatbelt specialists, we do a lot of over-the-counter sales as well as supply and fitment.

A Toyota Commuter was fitted out as a disabled person vehicle, and one of the seatbelts in it had been severed. The customer overcame this with STAPLES

(Maybe Stuwey can put a pic up tomorrow...)

That would be interesting to see....

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

whats wrong with that

I would have used a couple strips of Duct Tape.

Dicko