Aussie '66 Steering Column and Cowl

[darrensampson]

Hi Everyone - my second batch of questions.

I've recently started putting my '66 Cooper S back (close) to standard. Lots of stuff has been changed or added - someone had fun doing mods.

The indicator stalk was wrong (and broken anyway) so I got a Mk1 stalk and put the foot headlight dip switch back - easy because the original holes are there. The indicator works perfectly and auto-cancels.

I know the inner steering column is wrong (it doesn't have a hole for the horn wire and all the rest that goes with it) but my searches seem to say that the outer column should be the same between Mk1 and Mk2.

However, the Mk1 cowl doesn't fit between the indicator stalk and the steering column bracket. What's the reason for this? My only thoughts are that the steering column is completely wrong or the bracket is wrong.

Any thoughts or experiences welcome!

Thanks in advance,
Darren

[Aussie Bill B]

Hello Darren,
Are you in Oz or UK?
I am also putting a '66 Aust'n S back together and have those bits out at the moment.
Will try to help you tomorrow in the cold light of day - if that's any help, as I'm not sure what your problem is until I see it.

[darrensampson]

In Oz - Perth. If you could measure the distance from the bracket to the top end of the outer column it would help! A picture to compare the bracket and column would help too.

Thanks

[Spider]

but my searches seem to say that the outer column should be the same between Mk1 and Mk2.

However, the Mk1 cowl doesn't fit between the indicator stalk and the steering column bracket. What's the reason for this? My only thoughts are that the steering column is completely wrong or the bracket is wrong.

Any thoughts or experiences welcome!

Thanks in advance,
Darren

The MKI Column, Inner and Outer is Longer than the MKII and this is why the Cowling won't fit.

The MKI Column is about 27-1/2" long and the MKII is about 25-1/2"

[Aussie Bill B]

but my searches seem to say that the outer column should be the same between Mk1 and Mk2.

However, the Mk1 cowl doesn't fit between the indicator stalk and the steering column bracket. What's the reason for this? My only thoughts are that the steering column is completely wrong or the bracket is wrong.

Any thoughts or experiences welcome!

Thanks in advance,
Darren

The MKI Column, Inner and Outer is Longer than the MKII and this is why the Cowling won't fit.

The MKI Column is about 27-1/2" long and the MKII is about 25-1/2"

Is Darren talking UK mk1 and 2, which may be the same; Spider means Aussie mk1 & 2 which are different?

[Spider]

Yeah, thanks Bill.

To clarify, I'm referring to Aust Built MKI and MKII's.

I think from another post (?) Darren mentioned he had an Aust Cooper S.

[winabbey]

The Australian Mark 2 Mini series (from 1969) had a deeper dished steering wheel than the Mark 1, hence the need to shorten the steering column so the steering wheel rim remained in the same relative position as previously.

Spider was close to what Mini Kingdom Online quote as the length of the Mark 2 inner column.

http://minikingdomonline.com.au/product ... i-1969-71/

[darrensampson]

Yes - it is an Australian Mk1 Cooper. I think that all makes sense - looks like the original column got replaced with a Mk2 at some stage. I'll just have to try to source a Mk1 column. Last I looked it seemed Mini Kingdom had them.

[winabbey]

Yes - it is an Australian Mk1 Cooper. I think that all makes sense - looks like the original column got replaced with a Mk2 at some stage. I'll just have to try to source a Mk1 column. Last I looked it seemed Mini Kingdom had them.

Yes, they have NOS of the inner column. Not sure about the outer tube.

http://minikingdomonline.com.au/product ... arly-1969/

[69k1100]

I have an early mk1 column and cowl in Adelaide if need be. Postage will be a killer due to length.