OK couple of points:

I'm going to run dual temp and oil sensors - oil OK as I've got the 'double' adaptor for that - just want to know if there is a preference to where to plug the warning light vs the temp gauge - original or hole in thermostat housing.

Next point - is there a trick to fitting the rear cover plate with breather so it doesn't foal or at least make it difficult to get the end manifold nut on and off?

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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!

you should have plenty of clearance between the manifold and the breather.

The breather should come up near the kink in the engine mount bracket. Giving you at least a few inches clearance from the manifold.

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Aussie Leyland, Aussie Factory, Aussie Mini S.

it's a pain you need to deal with David - you can slacken off the side plate bolt so you can turn the plate a little without dislodging the seal when doing the manifold nuts

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

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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!

Not much room to move there at all....but you will obviously need to turn that plate a little like simon said. Make sure the nut spins up and down the manifold stud like silk before you put the manifold on. It will then only be a small issue as you can then nip the nut up using your fingers before the battle with the spanner begins.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

That is nice and close, from memory i have at least an inch clearance there.

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Aussie Leyland, Aussie Factory, Aussie Mini S.

Another problem now - installed the radiator hose to the pump and hose and cannister wish to occupy the same piece of space

The cover is off at the moment while I think about it - hose is more important

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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!

OK boys and girls - think the problem is solved - those with the Mini King Cattledog open to page 48 - I have a number 3 at the top of the page - also have a number 12 -half way down left side. Now the tube is crimped and soldered but the back of the plate is a baffle with 4 small half moon openings along the top and bottom edge that go into an opening inside the hollow plate. I figure cut the pipe behind the crimp and run a hose to the manifold suction as I was going to do off the top of the can hanging off the original plate. Done

Now back to the fist part of my original question - any suggestions?

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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!

except while oil is pumping around the motor there is no baffle to stop the oil going into the air cleaner, is there?



do what Mick said

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Which is what simon said

The bottom hose is going to nudge the oil seperator no matter what you do. It's fine however, it won't rub through.

Mick

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

David, the number 12 cover is from a Morris 1100. The pipe is crimped but there will be a small slot in the end. It is to let air into the engine. (The 1100 breather system works arse about)

I would continue with the number 3 but you may need to have a bit of a fiddle to get the required clearance.

Mike didn't answer my bit about where to put the temp sensors

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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!

The british 998's had that oil seperator as well (It's a pommy one I believe because of the retainer rings crimped in the side) and the 998 block to head face are a 1/4 inch lower. They must have had an even closer fit.

Unless that seperator was put together on a bad day at the BMC plant?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

Is it a temperature warning light you are fitting as well as the gauge? Will you have both oil pressure and water temperature warning lights?

If it's that hot that a warning light turns on, the thermostat will be wide open anyway....but if you had a stuck thermostat, it might be cool on top of the thermostat and boiling underneath.. So the warning light might be best in the head.

It might be splitting hairs anyway....

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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