that book is a workshop manual, explaining how to assemble and disassemble things on the car in a repair scenario, not about actual "restoration"... it can usually be had for about $50 on ebay

this manual is my favourite click here, it doesn't have any of the errors introduced in the later manuals!

there is a haynes mini restoration manual, which is OK, but UK specific and there are a lot of differences.... the best resto manual for you is probably asking people on here, there are some real experts ready and willing to help

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

This one?
http://www.pitstop.net.au/view/marques- ... /plu/8656/

Yeah that's the one.
It is written for UK cars, but bodywise the same bits here have the same problems... just not as bad.
If fitting new panels etc this book is pretty good.

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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.

awesome, thanks. Do you know if it covers rust prevention techniques? Or am I best to find a non-mini related book for the general rust issues.

Nobody's mentioned us yet?!

Check out www.miniexperience.com.au

You will find those books quite a bit cheaper through our magazine.

Also, info on your Mini's ID plate - where it says car number, there are two numbers. The first number (137173) is the number applied to the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kit in the UK. This number is in sequence with Minis built in the UK. If you contact the British Motor Heritage Trust at Gaydon, UK (Ph: 0011 44 1926 641 188 or their website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk) they should be able to tell you (for a fee) when the CKD pack was sent to Australia. Add about three or four months or so and you should have an approximate month of assembly in Australia.

The second number (20928) is the Australian chassis number, applied to the completed car after assembly.

Given and average of around 10,000 cars per year, I agree with Sports850 of a date late in 1962, but BMIHT info will be more accurate than that.

FYI - from 1964, Mini body panels were pressed locally in Australia, so the first number disappeared because the cars were not imported in CKD form.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Watto.

@Watto

Thanks very much mate. Turns out I have the latest edition of your magazine already (really enjoyed the read). I must have missed the books section at the back, but I see it now.

Thanks for the tips with the engine numbers, I might just give them a call to find out more info on it.

Cheers,
Ben

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My Morris 850 restoration: http://mini.bmn.name

No problem.

The numbers I described are the car, or chassis, numbers. Not the engine numbers.

Cheers,
Watto.

ahh right, gotcha.

I'll probably give you a call to order a few books tomorrow

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My Morris 850 restoration: http://mini.bmn.name

No worries.

Cheers,
Watto.

Sorry to dig this thread up again, but since I have started restoring my Morris 850, I have come across another number in the engine bay which isn't listed on the VIN plate. Any ideas what the top number is in the picture?

The bottom number corresponds to the Chassis number on the VIN.




Cheers,
Ben

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My Morris 850 restoration: http://mini.bmn.name

I think that the top number would be the body number.
The bottom number is the car number.
I would guess that the top number is hidden by the ID plate when it is fitted?

BTW, the plate is not a VIN plate. The VIN system didn't exist when the car was built. It is called an ID plate.

ahh ok, thanks very much

Makes sense!

Cheers

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My Morris 850 restoration: http://mini.bmn.name

just had a look at your web page looks good.
will be watching the progress.
your project is similar to my 63 850.
although mine is going a lot slower

Hey BMN

Our cars are cousins - same colour - my CKD number is 4515 before yours -Australian body number 1576 before yours and my engine number is 129 AFTER yours

Also all the stamping on mine is from the top like your numerals in your engine number - love the consistancy

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

BMC lost the plot with engine numbers a few times while they were using the UK engines , they even ran backwards for 5,000 or so cars when someone must have opened the wrong shipping containers ...

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