Tommy's A-series Misery - Resuming normal programming

[Morris 63]

On 12/05/2024 at 23:16, Tommyboy12 said:

I also fitted the oil pump. It's important to prime them and lube the gasket. It doesn't need sealant. That's a real risk to blocking up the oil pump and I've seen a destroyed engine from someone using sealant to seal the pump up and it jamming up the oil pump. I drown the gasket in oil, fill the pump with oil, then fit the pump. Later I'll back fill the oil pump too to make sure the engine makes pressure as soon as possible when it starts.

 

Blimey - you made that look easy!  

Interested in the "Later I'll back fill the oil pump" bit - how d'you do that?

Just wondering as there's a slim chance that this summer I might get to work on my Park Lane that's been sitting unrun for a couple of years; I'd like it to build pressure ASAP if I do.

[Tommyboy12]

5 hours ago, Morris 63 said:

Blimey - you made that look easy!  

Interested in the "Later I'll back fill the oil pump" bit - how d'you do that?

Just wondering as there's a slim chance that this summer I might get to work on my Park Lane that's been sitting unrun for a couple of years; I'd like it to build pressure ASAP if I do.

Remove the oil transfer pipe where my circle is. Pour oil down this hole. Rotate the engine backwards to get the pump full of oil. Then rotate it forward to suck oil out the sump.

[Morris 63]

Nice one - many thanks!

[sharley17194]

I tried to be clever and fit the box to the engine as its lighter, found the oil ring on the floor.....that was exciting

[Tommyboy12]

Took the Cambridge to the tip today. The highlight of any decent bank holiday weekend.

I also serviced the turbo Mini, along with sorting a fueling issue which dumped about a litre of fuel into the cylinders and therefore bores, hence the service. Usually I would use Valvoline VR1 as it has good high temperature properties and high zinc content but I got a good deal on some Castrol Classic, which also is high in zinc, so I'm giving that a go instead. MOT time soon and hopefully then I can get it out to play.

I also removed the locking wheel nuts from the MGF after I rounded the socket off removing one of the nuts. There's something pleasurable about absolutely smashing on a socket and it coming off first try after you tried and failed to weld a nut to it to extract it.

I've got a new set of non-locking nuts on order so I'm going to swap all of them. Half the ones fitted have swelled and don't take the right size socket anymore and a couple of them have lost the little chrome cap on them too.

[Tommyboy12]

I've alluded to it only a few times in this thread but @sharley17194 and I have been planning to attend International Mini Meet in South Germany since it was cancelled in 2020!

Today is the day and we're off in a mere 60 minutes or so.

Simon had a bit of a nightmare last minute as this was our mode of transport the night before last...

Nothing like a last minute water pump change with a sprinkling of snapped stud to turn a 90 minute job into about 5 hours.

But thankfully it's gone back together ok and we're about to set off.

Our noble steed is packed ready for the trip. We're making an emergency stop at a tyre shop for some front wheel balancing first then heading straight down to catch the train.

Once in Europe we're going to Ghent tonight. Then Frankfurt tomorrow. Before onto Nuremberg on Friday. Couple of nights in Germany then back to Belgium on Sunday before catching the train back Monday.

 

What could possibly go wrong....

[Matty]

1 hour ago, Tommyboy12 said:

I've alluded to it only a few times in this thread but @sharley17194 and I have been planning to attend International Mini Meet in South Germany since it was cancelled in 2020!

Today is the day and we're off in a mere 60 minutes or so.

Simon had a bit of a nightmare last minute as this was our mode of transport the night before last...

Nothing like a last minute water pump change with a sprinkling of snapped stud to turn a 90 minute job into about 5 hours.

But thankfully it's gone back together ok and we're about to set off.

Our noble steed is packed ready for the trip. We're making an emergency stop at a tyre shop for some front wheel balancing first then heading straight down to catch the train.

Once in Europe we're going to Ghent tonight. Then Frankfurt tomorrow. Before onto Nuremberg on Friday. Couple of nights in Germany then back to Belgium on Sunday before catching the train back Monday.

 

What could possibly go wrong....

Watching this with crossed limbs. Good luck lads, rooting for yis 👏 

[Tommyboy12]

Wheels all balanced thanks to my local garage. Passenger front wheel only needed 35 grams...

And now on our way!

620 miles to go!

[2flags]

Best of luck with this. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.

[Matty]

What will it cruise at happily?

[High Jetter]

42 minutes ago, Matty said:

What will it cruise at happily?

Quite fast, on the train 🤣

[Tommyboy12]

Comfortable cruise is about 60mph but it'll do 70mph without complaining. It's just noisy!

Quick pitstop for suspension adjustments. Two fat middle aged blokes and a load of camping gear is a bit more than the lowered height can cope with.

[Tommyboy12]

Made it to the Chunnel!

Next stop, France!

 

[Tommyboy12]

Choo choooo

[Noel Tidybeard]

so is it technically an "M" reg with a "J" personal type plate on?

[sharley17194]

No it’s on its original plates. 
m would be 73 this is 72 one of the first mk3s 

[Noel Tidybeard]

do you mean the column having the odd angled ignition switch/steering lock?

mine ('73M) had that type

[Matty]

Better than the telly this lads 😄

[Tommyboy12]

Made it to our first overnight stop in Ghent! A very unexciting journey. We need to adjust the suspension some more as we're still rubbing. Also it's running a bit warm so need to investigate that.

[sharley17194]

No it’s the same type of column this had at the factory. At 90degree not the later 76 on mini column from 76. It’s just this originated from an 1100.

[Zelandeth]

Guessing with the available rear suspension travel that "bouncy" is a good general description of progress so far?

The UK sticker on the back looks absolutely comedically huge on something that small.

[Tommyboy12]

2 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

Guessing with the available rear suspension travel that "bouncy" is a good general description of progress so far?

The UK sticker on the back looks absolutely comedically huge on something that small.

Bouncy is a good way to put it. But every major bump involves grinding the arches on the tyres

[hairnet]

6 hours ago, Tommyboy12 said:

 we're still rubbing. 

 

pervert

[Matty]

1 hour ago, Tommyboy12 said:

Bouncy is a good way to put it. But every major bump involves grinding the arches on the tyres

Have you anything left in adjustment? Any chance of shimming it?

[Tommyboy12]

7 hours ago, Matty said:

Have you anything left in adjustment? Any chance of shimming it?

It was set quite low so it should have plenty of adjustment left in the hilos

[Tommyboy12]

Morning ASers! Today we travel to Frankfurt! Firstly a bit more suspension adjustment. I also did the tappets as they were noisy, Simon failed to adjust them after retorquing the head so not really a surprise. We have also topped off fluids.

Today's drive is around 300 miles! We're going via a Mini specialist in Aalst to hopefully pick up a vac advance pipe which has somehow been melted and so is providing no vac advance.

 

[N Dentressangle]

Looks like an epic trip - nice one!

I deliberately reverted to the factory 2.95:1 diff in Mrs D's Mini 25 just to get back some higher speed cruising ability - they're so bloody low geared otherwise!

[Tommyboy12]

We've hit the German border (and the rain)! Yet to see another Mini which is disappointing but we know of a few people either on their way or there already.

Averaging about 40mpg fuel and 1200mpg engine oil 😅

[N Dentressangle]

Going for a v-max on the Autobahn? 😎

[Tommyboy12]

54 minutes ago, N Dentressangle said:

Going for a v-max on the Autobahn? 😎

We hit 80mph. Simon isn't willing to go any further 😂

I don't blame him considering the deafening racket that occured