Hi there brainstrust.

I'm in the middle of restoring my '78 Leyland. I had the engine and gearbox with a mechanic to get reconditioned, but he's been having heaps of issues with staff and now can't commit to getting it done any time soon.

Can anyone recommend someone to take it to, preferably in the Penriff/Blue Mountains area of Western Sydney.

It's a 1275 A+. The engine shouldn't need much, I had it done in 2004 (by a dodgy mechanic, mind you) and the car's been off the road since 2007. The gearbox may be another story, it wasn't in particularly good shape.

I don't want anything too crazy, but I'd like to have a bit of fun with it. I'd like to take it out to 1380 and have a bit of a fiddle with the head. I've got 1.5:1 roller tip rockers to go in it. I just want the gearbox to be good and reliable. I've got a cross-pin diff to go in that too.

Any suggestions welcomed.

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Cheers, Matt

Don't be fooled, Gruhms is not my real name.

Drop it off to Graham Russell and Greig Malure and give them a bit of cash and leave it for a couple of weeks............

........... then pick it up.



So much easier and guaranteed to be a lot more fun

Seeing you are in the mountains it might be an idea to talk to Allan Ross at Allan's Wheel Alignments in Springwood. He should be able to point you in the right direction locally.

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Another thought I had - seeing as the engine is in pretty good nick, but the gearbox needs work, would it be worth looking into getting a different gearbox, perhaps one already rebuilt. Can anyone tell me the compatability issues that may arise from such a venture? Does anyone have a good gearbox they'd be willing to part with?

I assume it would probably still be a good idea to get the engine and gearbox stripped down and checked/freshened up. I don't know if that would actually be any better. Again, any advice welcome.

Thanks.

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Cheers, Matt

Don't be fooled, Gruhms is not my real name.

Should be OK to do this but be aware the A+ are different to the earlier boxes. The Transfer housings and drop gears are also different.

You can swap complete pre A+ (transfer housing, drop gears and gearbox) with A+.

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do the same for the gearbox ^^^

Sell your engine, buy mine

Tell me more...

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Cheers, Matt

Don't be fooled, Gruhms is not my real name.

pm sent

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"Investing my Super in a Cooper" &
"Re-living my Surfing Past in a Woody"

Oops. Double Post.

Mmmm, very noice. Unfortunately, a little above my price range. When you're desperate enough to swap it for the collection of coins in my centre console, let me know. Until then, I'll just continue to drool all over my pillow as I dream of it being in my engine bay.

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Cheers, Matt

Don't be fooled, Gruhms is not my real name.

Haha thanks Matt, no problems

Well, I spoke to my mechanic yesterday (the one who left the engine sitting around for ages),and he's pulled his finger out. He's given the engine to a bloke from Nepean Engines who does a lot of work for him, and he's already started stripping it. And he's going to give the gearbox to another mate who works at a gearbox place (and apparently has a lot of experience with minis. I'll have to find out his name, it's not any of you blokes is it?).

So basically, he's just going to coordinate the rebuild. I think he feels like he owes me for stuffing me around for so long. All good news I think.

Thanks again for all your help.

Now next question. Does anyone think there's anything in particular that I should ask for or request during this rebuild of the engine and box, now that it's finally happening?

_________________
Cheers, Matt

Don't be fooled, Gruhms is not my real name.

If you are going to driving on the track at all you probably should fit a centre oil pick-up.