RYL775E 998 Austin Cooper project

[harrymini]

Lovely, the sunroof looks great!

[colonel mustard]

Well the engine is in and has its first run this week since 1995!
Some minor teething issues to sort, which are:

Fuel gauge not really registering any notable level
Horn not working (not sure if the missing brass strip on the Bakelite surround should be there)
Minor adjustment to the clutch.
Re adjust the Rev counter

Really enjoyed the first run, the hydro is a bit boat like but nevertheless fun the drive (especially as it was a sunny day with the roof held back!)
Sounds pretty throaty as well!
On with sorting the little issues out oh and a good clean and polish!

[Andrew1967]

Congratulations on getting it on the road . Looks fantastic

[Old English White]

Well done! It looks lovely Let's hope you have not too many teething troubles.

[timmy201]

Good to see you got it running

You will need the brass strip on the horn surround. It completes the circuit from the wire in the centre back to the column.

[colonel mustard]

Thanks all,
Really pleased with it and how it’s turned out. (On the look for some period, and different wheels possibly) It’s been a massive learning curve from never doing anything like this before and to have the support of the old man during the engine build was totally invaluable. (So much so I have started another project)
Without the help of this forum and a few members, things would have inevitably taken a lot longer!

Timmy, thanks for that, I thought that might be the case. I assume these can not be repaired as the stud is moulded into the Bakelite surround?

Will post some further pictures once the grill and other bits are done (incl it’s first wash and clean!)
Thanks for reading and the support.
Drew

[timmy201]

If you can show where it’s broken, it might be able to be repaired with a wire soldered on

[colonel mustard]

Thanks Timmy,
Unfortunately the car is not a my house till later this week but I know there are two brass sections riveted with nothing bridging price between. Will try and solder an exposed wire between to see if that works.
Thanks again.

[colonel mustard]

This morning we went to the rolling road session we booked a while back. A tad apprehensive as recently (as per the tech section) had a multitude of issues with poor startup, the car started to have a hiccup / lumpy pulling feeling when driven and not very reliable.

Over the weekend I found that the contacts kept slipping and rather than meeting the we’re getting misaligned, not sure how so swopped for a new set but still not great.

So.. limping up the road to the rolling road and delivered a less than impressed mini.
It was picked up straight way that there was an air leak on ten PCV valve, quickly sorted and on with the session where it was like watching surgeon at work!.

After a bit of tickling / adjustments the car was sounding and ticking over better than ever but will now put down for winter jobs for the engine to come back out and change the horrible inherited camshaft, very limpy at idle and has no real curve just a very steady build up (more revs and noise than action or more fart than poo!)
But vastly improved experience.

[colonel mustard]

All ready for the big lift tomorrow!

[mk1Pavesi]

simply beautiful

[colonel mustard]

Well…
I finally lifted the engine out at the start of this year to change the camshaft and found a multitude of issues ranging from a faulty water pump gushing out water, once a new pump install and tested it appeared that the head gasket was weeping. Removal of the head confirmed the start of the head gasket was failing (only 300miles since the build last year). So…

A full engine strip down started and the head and block was dropped off at Southam Mini to be refaced and done within days of dropping off, great quality of service and experience.

So the rebuild started, new camshaft installed, valves relapped, new studs and all cleaned, re painted and built up.

Today I took a well earned break from work and decided to get the engine installed, which after having to service the engine hoist, went pretty well!

On with refitting the exhaust and remote over the coming weeks (pretty short on free time) and looking forward to getting back on the road.

[colonel mustard]

Two steps forward, four back!
Managed to get the engine running and initially setup, sounds a lot smoother, nicer idle than the previous cam, so Sunday morning awoke with a spring in my step as just the clutch left to adjust to only find a massive puddle of water on the floor
It looks like the newly recored radiator has sprung a leak! Before the engine went back in I flushed the system through and left it under pressure to make sure of any leaks (when I pulled the engine it was evident the water pump had fail previously and was gushing water out of the side of the block).
I ran the engine for circa 10mins on two occasions up till Sunday morning with no evidence of the lead(none floor staining).

I’ve checked the lower hose and all secured so it looks like it coming out

[colonel mustard]

Finally got the Cooper to the rolling road, take two! Re build, new cam and some machining work completed the day finally came around today for the Cooper to head to the rolling road.

92FB692B-3631-47C9-97C1-385D1B574C63.jpeg

The old chart from last year with the horrible shale cam

5CBB116B-8D48-4EC9-9AA7-278E07D4ABAB.jpeg

The latest chart from todays events, it’s drives really well, nice an punchy and just likes to rev!

7C854CD3-668E-489A-9916-2E0AEE99C944.jpeg

Off the the body shop this Thursday for a couple of weeks for some additional bits.
Really happy with the results!

[colonel mustard]

Just collected the cooper this morning from the body shop following some minor work rolling the build up. Really happy with the result and looking forward to getting out and enjoying some meets.

[Old English White]

That is such a good looking car, with just the right amount of period extras fitted.

[AndyPen]

Really is looking good and as ever, makes me want to speed mine up, but too seem to be practicing the one step forward and four backwards at times - just the way it is with minis I guess

[stevenleece]

Great looking car!

What cam did you go for?

Thanks Steve

[colonel mustard]

Thanks All,
Yes really pleased with the end product, as always a few bits still to do, install radius arm shrouds and replace drivers seat diaphragm. Also on the look out for some different wheels but still mulling cost and options over.

The cam was a piper 255, which was recommended by my rolling road guy, really pleased with and will be used in the Innocenti T engine.
Thanks

[Peter Laidler]

Wheel options....... Do yourself a favour Colonel. Look no further than the classic Dunlop D1's. Available fairly easily, made of good tough LM type alloy by people who have been making wheels since 1910. Cheap to restore and only a 1/2" rim rim to re-machine - if needed. Spokes remain 'as-cast'