Catastrophic Failure
Turbo Mini Forums

I clearly dont know enough to prove a point

Lets not get carried away, rod bolt failure happens but its not always the bolts fault. Yes the design is over 50 years old but believe it or not BMC did know how to design things! you are correct in stating that we are taking the components of the A well past their design limits but there are many factors to take into account when looking at a failure, like were the bolts new or were they 15tr old originals used for the nth time? was there plenty of clearance under the head of the bolt for the underhea dradius on the bolt head, was the nut face on the cap "flat" and of a good finish - all things which will reduce the clamp load and make a joint fail

As I mentioned previously there are some joints - and you work with them - that need additional precautions to keep them intact but rod bolts and mains studs/nuts are not those joints

If Carling made Mini engines
it would probably be like this one!

It could have been avoided.......Get a 20 psi oil pressure switch, at the very least. But like everyone else said a gauge would be better. then you would have seen the oil pressure droping. At most £35, saves on a costly rebuild.

"Cars are a lifetime of pain"

I hadn't read this thread in quite a while and missed this interesting debate (I was busy thying to decide what to do about cooling and drop gears on the turbo).
I must say, it raised a very interesting issue and I learned alot from reading it. There really is more to fasteners than I previously thought. Of course it all makes perfect sense once it has been said but I never considered it before. I love when issues get discussed in such high detail here. I feel like I learn alot from this type of thread

On 12th Nov, 2009 Paul S said:

I think Gary OS has taken over my role as the forum smart arse

howdy Gary,
I had a shit week in work, so i looked back at this thread after chatting to you to cheer myself up,

its priceless

o, sorted that issue we had at the weekend. durty durty fuel is all it was.

I had a crap week in work too but didn't have access to a computer unfortunately. I'm glad you got some amusement from it though. I sure did

Glad to see you got the car sorted and it wasn't anything serious.

On 12th Nov, 2009 Paul S said:

I think Gary OS has taken over my role as the forum smart arse

Good Man Colin glad you got the little rocker sorted well sorted car good man.

Ho and remember our chat about the K head in Costa I mixed you up with Jay2 from the north sorry.

HO and I had a shite the Head gasket blew on the Auto on my way over here this morning had to drive 14 miles on 2 cylinders :( then spent the rest of the day striping the rear suspension out of a 95 sprite and rebuilding it (F'n NCT) I just came up for a cuppa and read trough this thread and the cheered me right up :) EPIC we should change the title to the cheer up thread lol.

HO and I had a shite the Head gasket blew on the Auto on my way over here this morning had to drive 14 miles on 2 cylinders :( then spent the rest of the day striping the rear suspension out of a 95 sprite and rebuilding it (F'n NCT) I just came up for a cuppa and read trough this thread EPIC we should change the title to the cheer up thread lol.

bummer dude! and to do it twice aswell!!
And i told you it wasnt me mate. you thought i was being all cagey and secretive. i see it being a while till i can get those two items talking properly.
I keep meaning to get photos up.