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I'm near to fit the heater hoses on my car. Although on LHD 850s I always saw a hose straight from the radiator bottom hose to the heater, on the Coopers I've seen more than once this copper pipe section:

Here on Paul Lips 1070:


Here on a 1 owner very original 997 (Portuguese car):


French 997:


Here replicated (?) on an American car, I believe the ex-owner is a member of the forum:


And a one piece hose on a pretty much untouched car as well:


So, what are your thoughts on this? Would a LHD Cooper S have originally the copper pipe section or not?

PS: If any of the owners want me to delete pictures, just let me know.

The copper pipe is standard, but you cannot use regular 1/2 inch copper plumbing pipe. The copper is a type that does not work harden and crack. There are two brackets that attach to the manifold studs.

Copper has to be annealed.

The one I have (genuine BMC item) is not cobber, it has the brackets, that pushfit down, on two of the manifold studs, but its all made of std iron.

Hi Jens,

could you post a picture of it?

I see the very original LHD MK2 on the bronze yellow thread had no copper pipe... but then again, it is a very late MK2.

The parts book shows the pipe under part number 12A433 but was only fitted from 61 to 64 on LHD Cars. After that, they ran the rubber hose straight to the bottom hose.

I will make a photo for you, its off the car, give me a day or 2

Its a genuine BMC item, but maybe not std for LHD Mini ? not sure

ricardo wrote:Hi Jens,

could you post a picture of it?

I see the very original LHD MK2 on the bronze yellow thread had no copper pipe... but then again, it is a very late MK2.

Hi Ricardo,

Here is a picture of the pipe.






My guess to why these are so rare, is that they rust
mine will be send to be zinkplated before I refit it, so it dont rust any further.

in all fairness must I add, that it was "picked" from a all original / one owner / lowmilage LHD 1300cc ADO16 model.

I am not so strong on the early MK I Cooper, and S,s ,
you will have to check a 60ies BMC spare parts book, to see if it was fitted on the Mini,s too ?

The engine bay looks much nicer(cleaner) with this pipe fitted, thats why I put it on my car.

Jens Christian

Hi Jens,

thanks for the picture, it surely helps.

As for the interesting information posted by Spider, I did my research too and in my AKD3510 parts book I found the reference to the 12A433 on LHD cars but no reference to changepoints.



Also, on the next page, a reference for the 26'' hose (item no. 34). Again, no reference to changepoints.



Spider, can you please post a picture or a scan of your parts book with the changepoint listed? What year is it?

ricardo wrote:Hi Jens,

thanks for the picture, it surely helps.

As for the interesting information posted by Spider, I did my research too and in my AKD3510 parts book I found the reference to the 12A433 on LHD cars but no reference to changepoints.

Hi Ricardo,

If you want to make a replica ? send me a PM with your Email.
I can then make you some close up pictures, and mesurements.

as for when/changepoint ??
all I can tell you are the date, of the car this one was removed from (if it would help?)
as I have all the original factory fitted electric parts.


Jens Christian

PM me your mail address i will send you a photo of the one i have in copper, from LHD car