Opened up my package from Minisport England which had lots of boring rebuild bits (brake hoses, subframe mount kit, knuckle joints etc) but also had my new front grill. First thing I did was screw it onto the front! Hmmm shiny.....

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1975 1310cc Street Mini Custom
1974 Leyland Mini daily driver
2008 Cooper S R55 Clubman

Got it running, and a bunch of rust replaced.

Big step forward!

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You're so square
Baby I don't care

Chelation of cast iron for that long is a poor idea, It will reduce the strength of the iron and being cast it will be able to penetrate quite deeply.

You are better off using a method like electrolysis as it can differentiate between the rust and cause no measurable disturbance to the iron.
breaking ionic or covelants bonds it comes down too.

Or better yet spring for a hot dip its not expensive at all.

Electrolysis in a tank won't work at all well, the rust is all inside the water jacket.
I've only filled the water jacket here, not submerged the whole thing.

I'm not hot tanking it, as it's already had new cam bearings fitted.

Using molasses for rust removal is a recognized process, it's been used for years by many folks here and overseas restoring antique engines, pumps, stoves etc, also by some well known Mini engine builders.
Here's a vid-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=en ... innXk&NR=1

Also, http://www.homercidal.com/molasses/
Note it says here the metal underneath is unaffected.

If it looks reasonable after 1 week, that'll do me.

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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.

At the very top of that site is says it is unsafe for cast metals, specifically zinc but "It is not clear what other metals may also be affected by this process, so use caution."

Molasses for rust removal is NOT a recognized process. Think of food grade pipes dealing with sugar cane mulch etc, none of those are going to be cast iron. and there are very specific standards as to why. I dont know any machine shop that uses a molasses bath they all hot tank.

Its very simple science as to why it works and to why it wont only stop at eating the rust like electrolysis will. It will look reasonable no doubt, but the metal will be weakened.

You can use a bubbler with electrolysis to get into the jackets. Or assemble the cooling system and run a safe commercial cleaner through.

It may have been used by mini builders back in the day but back in the day asbestos was thought to be safe.

Molasses is not used commercially as it is a slooow process - takes a week or more to get a result . Modern techniques can get it done in a couple of hours or overnight - time is money. I've used it on cast with no drama - with all things give it a good wash with clean water after and a bath in something like diesel if not using straight away to get rid of the moisture or you will end back at square one.

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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!

My father when he restored his T Model, he had a forty four gallon drum cut in half and
filled with molasses and he would drop steel bits into.
He said it was no good for cleaning aluminium parts.
Good for your body, I've had a nice big dose of blackstrap everyday for the last ten years.
<Edit> This guy has done a set of drums, that would be a test on whether any substantial weakening of the metal. I wonder if he has started using them.
http://www.homercidal.com/molasses/Mustang_Drums.htm

I know a bloke on here who used an old S/S sink for a molasses tank to clean Mini and other stuff, however the drain plug was alloy..
All went well for years, until one day... woops!

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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.

Registered my mini after 18mths off the road and got to drive again! Wohoo!!

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"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity: lick it once and you'll suck forever" Brian Wilson

Hooked up the engine breathers, tidied up some wiring, fitted windscreen wipers and washers and a few other little bits and pieces, fitted the bonnet and closed it...and now I can't get it open again. Bugger!

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Cheers, Matt

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

Did the manual valve grind/lap thing to the moke's head. The exhaust valves were quite pitted on the seating area, inlets fine and all seats in the head had minor spots even though they are hardened unleaded inserts.

What a PITA job using the little wooden tool with the suction cup on the end and grinding paste. I must have taken 3 hours to do it.

Had to explain to the wife why I came back from some alone time in the shed with sore hands and red palms!

The head now just needs a clean and it is ready to go back on. There is more work to do with the primary and drop gear end float and a new clutch to set up. I am hoping for decent progress this weekend.

Started to buff and polish the Clubman so I can put it up for sale by the end of Easter
Also got a flat tyre in the bini, very interesting driving through the harbour tunnel and have the flat tyre alarm come on, but the car didn't really feel any different

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1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

Run flats are great!! I have used them before flat. and never noticed.. did 300km at 100kph +

http://www.youtube.com./watch?v=mxHwrMh76tE jump to 2.28min

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I changed out the Distributor on the white Cooper for a new one.
As well as the new dizzy, I used GT40R (1.2 Ohm) coil. The spark now reminds me of a nail gun, the cold start up is a treat, and the otherwise hairy 998 idles sweetly at 800 rpm with rock solid timing.

She's up on blocks for the time being, I'm away far to much to take her down for a spin but at least I can still improve her a little..

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

Hilarious Mark.

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Dog Food! Most kids like it more than Broccoli.