Bringing back to life old project Mini
Turbo Mini Forums

Where to start is the biggest question, Join me on this journey of the unknown.
The car is a old C reg mini sprite with a few mods. It was a old project never finished as youll be seeing as we go. Ive decided ill take this challenge upon myself and finish it has potential to turn out nice. I am not a mechanic but do have some knowledge and tools which should help along with your knowledge.
It has been sat for over 10 years now, and does not look nice at all but it will be getting sorted.

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Edited by weeally on 26th Mar, 2018.

As for parts .....plenty of stuff. Loads more stuff lying around this is just a few bits

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Edited by weeally on 26th Mar, 2018.

So first thing I'm looking to do is get the engine out and inspect it strip it down and find out what work if any has already been done to it and clean it all up. As far as I'm aware the engine in it is a 1275 turbo. With markings on the cylinder head .25cc so there could be the first mod ive seen. Ill put up what I'm going to check and if I miss anything please add it. I'm not looking to spend loads of money on this so hoping a lot I can reuse.

Cylinder head - push rods, head studs
Camshaft and cam followers
Crank pulley
Timing chain
Water pump

Is it worthwhile just renewing timing chain, gears, tensioner and water pump ?? whilst the engine is out and stripped???

Oil pump
Rod bearings and bolts (renew these??)
Check the cylinders for any wear and tear.

new gaskets of course and a good lick of paint .

Edited by weeally on 26th Mar, 2018.

Have to wait til its apart and see whats what. Do you know how old the engine is, mileage etc etc?

Nice project.

I would renew all the bearings, water pump timing chain etc.

Keep us updated!

Edited by weeally on 26th Mar, 2018.

My bro had them fortec arches on his mini when i was 16.. brings back memorys!

Well today finally got my new jack so car is up on axle stands wheels off and now engine is out what a absolute nightmare soooooooooooooooooooooo tight in the engine bay.

Wheels are in a not bad condition a good clean up and taking to get new valves as they all keep going down after a few weeks at a time.

I found few extra parts and cleaned them up.

I think I found a actual Turbo carb in a box which I stripped down and ordered a new rebuild kit for it. One on the engine is just a standard one, either he broke one of the pipes and fixed it or drilled it what you think??

Had a good look underneath the usual rust on the parts but the body is solid. There are poly bushes all round which look good.

Need to strip down front brakes and rear and clean them all up renew what needs to be renewed but try and keep majority of it.





Ive decide ill strip everything down starting at the back and renew the nuts and bolts clean up the parts repaint them grease them up put them back up. Shouldn't be to exspensive but gives me piece of mind.

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Edited by weeally on 27th Mar, 2018.

Forgot to ask the poly bushes look good think I can re use them ? if I buy new nuts and bolts ?

That is a turbo carb

Gave it a wash down not just stripped the head does this look ok?

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Edited by weeally on 1st May, 2018.

though I have found two heads in a box the same. Possible had some work done tio them??

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Well it has been a while but finally got back into the garage to do a bit of work .
So finally got engine bay and arches all cleaned up as best possible and completed the front subframe and install it all.
As you can see from the pictures I also got right in about the soundproofing aswell that took its time and took ages so just need to wipe it to get rid of that black taky stuff. But was good to rip it up as it revealed some rusty holes either side to the rear. Nothing that cant be repaired and actually happy that's the only rust areas. SURPRISED.

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Edited by weeally on 23rd May, 2018.

Also I came across a problem with my new hub I had to buy. It didn't seem to fit the caliper bolts from the metro calipers. Its looks the same as the other hub as in size and everything but its just the bolts would not fit. I found ones that did would this be ok???

Took out the petrol tank aswell and there was a welded tube at the top for the return pipe and its in a good condition so happy.

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