Does anyone know where to find the correct circlips that fit both sides of the idler gear bearing in the gearbox (early, small shaft - approx 1 inch diam)? The old ones were a bit "limp" in their grooves so I bought 2 new ones from a bearing supplier. These are a good fit but their shape around the ears (where the 2 holes are) is too big and come really close to the gear shaft.
Mini Spares photo shows a different shape to their circlip 51K3565 but are out of stock. Noone in Aust. seems to stock them either.
Does anyone know where to find these circlips? Or just grind a clearance on the ones I have?

Grind the ones you have.
Btw you only really need the inner one. Push the bearing right in against it. So the 2 bearings are furthest apart for best shaft support.

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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.

Ive been robbing them out of old cases

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

Looks like "grinding".
Thanks all.

I had a quick search on the part number and came up with some OS suppliers:

http://www.leacyclassics.com/51k3565.html

http://www.somerfordmini.co.uk/eshop/in ... s_id=12545

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Thanks for very much for your efforts.
I ended up using the generic circlips with the ears filed down with a diamond file. The circlips that came out of the box were undersized for the groove but had better clearance around the ears.
I tried the MiniMan's method of robbing old boxes but that circlip was also lose in the groove.
Did what Dr Kev said about pushing bearing onto the back circlip. Stops it moving, too.
Finally finished measuring the clearance of the idler thrust washers and getting 4 thou clearance on the the idler gear.
Thanks all,
Bill