Chris A Posted January 9, 2021 Report Share Posted January 9, 2021 Surely the answer to the problem in the mini would have been to turn the engine round so the radiator was at the front like all proper cars. OK I'll get my coat . . 🥴 About 10 years ago I looked round a local gathering of classics and there was a 'young' owner with what he said was a very early mini. Being much older myself I was able to point out that original minis had sliding windows, a bit of string to open the doors, no heater etc. Plus I remember them being launched. Boy did I suddenly feel old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Twitchen Posted January 9, 2021 Report Share Posted January 9, 2021 7 minutes ago, Chris A said: a bit of string to open the doors IIRC there was a 'fashionable' handle you could buy to replace the wire and customise the interior. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted January 9, 2021 Report Share Posted January 9, 2021 3 hours ago, Dick Twitchen said: IIRC there was a 'fashionable' handle you could buy to replace the wire and customise the interior. Dick Yes I believe you could buy an aftermarket "upgrade" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted January 9, 2021 Report Share Posted January 9, 2021 A better class of string, maybe? The early ones were so basic, looking back now, it's amazing what we drove back then. I still remember the large green bulb on the end of the indicator stalk very clearly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted January 9, 2021 Report Share Posted January 9, 2021 6 hours ago, Dick Twitchen said: IIRC there was a 'fashionable' handle you could buy to replace the wire and customise the interior. Dick It was an extended chrome handle with nice piece of wood on the end to replace the wire. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-NOS-CLASSIC-INTERIOR-DOOR-HANDLES-Accessories-BMC-AUSTIN-MORRIS-MINI-Mk1/254800801975?hash=item3b534fb0b7:g:rpUAAOSw78BfDrzP Like these, but with wood were the posh ones Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpitFire6 Posted January 10, 2021 Report Share Posted January 10, 2021 I recently used a variably speed vehicle electric fan for the first time. It is designed for 24V trucks unfortunately. Rather large & the five pin connector is around 50 quid. Made by Spal. I suspect all EV cars have them. Never had a problem with mechanical fans. They were always replaced with electric. lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted January 11, 2021 Report Share Posted January 11, 2021 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Herald-Spitfire-Twin-SuperSlim-Electric-Radiator-Cooling-Fan-Kit/223702112804?hash=item3415af5a24:g:lIwAAOSwSA5doPjQ I rather suspect this would be a slight bit of overkill, especially in a Herald... looks nice, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted January 11, 2021 Report Share Posted January 11, 2021 That does look to be a decent bit of kit - but I'm keeping mine standard - the adage of it aint broke don't fix it springs to mind! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimpus Posted January 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2021 And now it went all bad... New bonnet was wet inside of coolant incl front of engine and rad.. Whole night to find looking, testing to find the leak.. Rad cap seems to be at fault, but still not right... Now to look for parts locally because with Brexit etc 🙄 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimpus Posted January 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2021 Today white smoke from the exhaust on the way to home... feck And more evidence that something has failed.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted January 13, 2021 Report Share Posted January 13, 2021 From my experience its a head gasket failure I fitted a new one and it failed in a few miles - another replacement has been fine though. Both Payen though teh first one when inspecting it, there was a bit of damage between the waterway and the cylinder - either me or at manufacturing stage. I would like to think it wasn't me - but can't rule it out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimpus Posted January 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2021 1 hour ago, Anglefire said: From my experience its a head gasket failure I fitted a new one and it failed in a few miles - another replacement has been fine though. Both Payen though teh first one when inspecting it, there was a bit of damage between the waterway and the cylinder - either me or at manufacturing stage. I would like to think it wasn't me - but can't rule it out! Strange that mine lasted 5 to 6 months and 6200 miles (yes she gets used ! ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted January 13, 2021 Report Share Posted January 13, 2021 That is odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted January 13, 2021 Report Share Posted January 13, 2021 mayo in the rocker cover is not abnormal , and generally just cold air condensing moisture , nothing to do with head gaskets its quite rare for coolant to enter the sump , most remains in the combustion zone and remember combustion pressures of a few thousand Lbs can leak gasses into the jacket well before the coolant at 7/13psi can leak into anywhere are you sure the smoke was not just condensation in this murky weather ? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimpus Posted January 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2021 2 hours ago, Pete Lewis said: mayo in the rocker cover is not abnormal , and generally just cold air condensing moisture , nothing to do with head gaskets its quite rare for coolant to enter the sump , most remains in the combustion zone and remember combustion pressures of a few thousand Lbs can leak gasses into the jacket well before the coolant at 7/13psi can leak into anywhere are you sure the smoke was not just condensation in this murky weather ? Pete It is for sure HG. Never had it smoking so bad. After standing at trafficlights, drove on with a heavy foot and could not see the car behind me anymore ! Checked compression all had around 175psi. Exept 4 is 165psi.. but not bad. But when turning the engine on the starter without plugs in, white smoke coming out of no.4 And again water pissing out if the overflow/rad cap. So im pretty sure its HG... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted January 13, 2021 Report Share Posted January 13, 2021 No 4 plug will more than likely be steamed clean, and you will only get a slight drop in compression's most of the time Tony. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted January 13, 2021 Report Share Posted January 13, 2021 My plug was positively clean and wet! (And didn't smell of petrol either!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted January 15, 2021 Report Share Posted January 15, 2021 On 11/01/2021 at 19:57, Anglefire said: That does look to be a decent bit of kit - but I'm keeping mine standard - the adage of it aint broke don't fix it springs to mind! Hello All It looks like they have copied mine? My switch arrangement is better though as they come one at different temperatures! Plus I do not like those fixings that go through the fins! Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted January 15, 2021 Report Share Posted January 15, 2021 3 hours ago, rogerguzzi said: My switch arrangement is better though as they come one at different temperatures! As a controls engineer, I would agree with you, nice two stage cooling (Three if you include the passive cooling - which you should!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimpus Posted January 15, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2021 Gasket failed. Head will be skimmed very light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted January 15, 2021 Report Share Posted January 15, 2021 2 hours ago, Anglefire said: As a controls engineer, I would agree with you, nice two stage cooling (Three if you include the passive cooling - which you should!) Hello Mark You probably clever at this than me (seat of the pants stuff and if it looks right chances are it is close?) Under normal conditions only one fan comes on the few times the second one comes on (on its own) is Spain stuck on a motorway in 30+ degs Or me hitting the over ride as I see the traffic stopping after a quick run! Plus I think it helps for a quicker warm up! (and may give 1 mpg more?) Roger 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve P Posted February 7, 2021 Report Share Posted February 7, 2021 On 15/01/2021 at 17:48, rogerguzzi said: Plus I do not like those fixings that go through the fins! Which is my expensive Vitesse ally rad leaks.(me) On my new Herald 1500 engine,i used one of the Chinese full width ally rads and left the mechanical fan in,it actually over cools. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 7, 2021 Report Share Posted February 7, 2021 the thermostat should stop overcooling Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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