Just got a classic--need a bit of help here!
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Buy an aftermarket mirror that uses a glued on mount. Mini rear view mirrors always vibrate.
Deb
Keith & Deb
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While I'm thinking of it, can you or someone else tell me how to make the rear view mirror suction cup work better? I replaced it last fall, so it's new, but still seems to want to vibrate loose. Suggestions?
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I am Rileydeb, my Mini is a 1967 Riley Elf. So therefore "rileydeb".
It has always been our habit of calling our Minis by their former owners name.
Bob, drove that Mini all over and it was reliable.
His other Mini , a convertible made it up to Canada and is now in one of our member's garages.
Welcome to the crazy world of Classic minis.
Deb
Keith & Deb
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Angela let me down the other day, though. I stopped to show her to someone, then noticed she was really running rough in the parking area. When I stopped for traffic before entering the main road, she quit cold and wouldn't relight. Cranked well, just wouldn't catch. Fortunately it was only a couple of miles from home, so long-suffering spouse came to help. Turned out that a wire had pulled loose from the distributor, so it was a freebie. I made Hubby show me exactly where each wire was supposed to go, and what it did. Also made him show me how to check for a spark.
I haven't been stuck on the roadside for decades, other than for flats. Not sure I like the experience, but it was pretty painless this time, and I learned a lot for the next time. BTW, she's been a real hit in this area--I live in a very large gated community (14,000) of mostly retirees--like the Villages in Florida, only with gates. Everyone is always commenting on what I drive, whether new or old MINI/Mini.
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If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.
Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.
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1) Maintain proper tire pressure (mine is at 32 psi, i like it hard)
2) Good amount of Oil in the steering rack ( i use 20w/50 oil)
3) Maintain a postive castor ( 1-3 deg is ideal/ but pls refer to your Haynes manual on this one)
4) Properly shimmed and greased balljoint to achieve the correct tightness.
Off topic: Manual is for younger dudes who wants POWER when needed, burn rubber etc, and do all kinds of stuffs.,noisy exhaust etc. (not my tempo)
Automatic is for people like me who wants convenience./ who wants to be able to do a SUDDEN stop using only my right foot nothing else.
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Actually, I could probably use the latter. I remember reading a long time ago that if you switched from a manual to an automatic, you'd gain a pound a year over the same mileage. That was decades ago, when many people still had manuals. I have to say, there are plenty of ways to gain weight, even if you still drive a manual. Don't ask me how I know!
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//www.minimania.com/part/C-FAM7307/Steering-Rack-Mk-Ii-Left-Hand-Drive-Quick-Ratio
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Another thing could be that someone has installed a drop bracket, but not loosened the steering rack to allow it to rotate as the column dropped, so it could be binding at the attachment of the column to the rack.
Good luck!
Scott
New Zealand - The only place where a kiwi can mean a fruit, bird or mini owner...
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Dr Mini--Good to know. That was my impression in talking to him. I'm not sure how he found out my concern about the turn signals, but I think I inadvertently offended him. I certainly didn't mean to criticize the car (or him). If I'd wanted a museum piece, I have written a much bigger check. I wanted a driver, though, and as soon as we get the steering figured out, I'll certainly have that. This car has a lovely interior--red leather and wood--and that was a factor, too. It's very comfortable. I broke my back in a Bimmer crash a number of years ago, so I was gambling a bit on the seats, but they work for me.
As for clubs, I'm already active in a number of clubs, both MINI/Mini and otherwise. I was just up in Eureka Springs for MINIs In The Ozarks. I led a drive there, too, partly on the Pig Trail, but mostly on some wild and woolly roads I discovered that were a blast. A number of people knew I was "expecting," and I promised them I'd bring the classic up next year if I felt it was reliable enough. By then I should have any issues sorted out.
CooperTune--I'm not easily upset unless there's a direct attack on me as a person. I hate that kind of drama and think it's misplaced in a car forum. As for the Sonett (spelled that way, not Sonnet), mine was a V4. My serial number was 000686, so it was fairly early in production. I bought it in '71, and it was my daily driver until I moved to Houston in '75. The only reason I sold it was because the dealer in Houston said they'd never seen one, and I was afraid of parts availability there. There weren't many Saabs in Houston in the '70s or '80s, and I think the dealer killed the Saab line in the '90s, even though they carried a number of marques, and still do today...including MINI. The Sonett was a weird car, but a blast to drive.
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"Retired: No Job, No Money, Wife and I! Will travel anywhere for Minis"
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Mini's are like buses they come along in a bunch
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In no particular order, oldminimover49, yes, the car did belong to BO, and the shop reported that he was very diligent with maintenance. I got a text message from him last night telling me there's a switch to turn off the "fire alarm" turn signals. Found the switch and...silence! Funny thing is, today I had to drive my modern MINI, and I found myself deciding not to signal (not for traffic, just habit) because of the reverse conditioning from the noise. I'm so happy that was easily resolved.
Today I spoke to the mechanic I'll be taking it to for things we can't do. I'll take it in next week to have him check the steering. Also there's a ticking/clicking noise that is speed related, sounds like maybe a wheel bearing or something on the left side. It's not real noisy, but needs to be checked. I also want to have him show me how to do an oil change. We normally do our own on all of our cars, except the MINI, which is still in warranty.
Regarding the tire pressures, we didn't know what the pressures should be, and actually have them higher than you guys are suggesting. CooperTune, definitely couldn't do that at all with this car. As I say, we'll find out next week. It's an old car, and they all need work. I'm not worried, and won't be upset if I have to replace or fix things to make it right. If he says it's all okay, I've got another friend who has the latest super-duper alignment machine, but it seems to track all right, and I don't think it's that.
Alex, understand what you're saying, but I'm not worried. This is a state that has no inspection or emission checks, and no one around here would even know the difference. I had no problem with registration yesterday, and the paper in the glove box, and the insurance card are all I need. I have go-fast machines already, but didn't buy this car for that. I doubt that I'll stir up much interest with the gendarmes with this car! I haven't even installed a radar detector yet (is there even a cigarette lighter for a power source?).
tothefloor, the car was rebodied in '95 with a '93 shell, so yes, the body was shipped over without the chassis. Oh, and for all who have mentioned engine, it has the 1275. I'll post some engine photos when I can. I'll also try to get the Vin off the body. I have some appointments tomorrow, so it will probably be Friday or the weekend before I can do that.
For all of you guys, yes, I know about reVins, the 25 year law, etc. I didn't go into this entirely blind. What I need help with will mostly be keeping her running and in good condition, and I may need advice as to what year parts to use for specific issues. I do have a number of friends in the local British car club, most of whom do their own work, and also some good shops in the area. Back in the day I used to maintain my Saab Sonett, and I'm sure I can do it again. My husband and I did the restoration of our 356--everything except the actual body and paint work, so we've been around tools for plenty of years. He's an engineer, and he's kindly allowed me to indulge my...insanity...with all things MINI and Mini.
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If you look closely you will see small numbers stamped into the plate either on the flat or maybe on the top
Eg:10 93, tenth week of 1993 for the correct build date
This will help you when ordering parts
If the car belonged to B O, then it was well maintained
Big AL
Niagara Ontario Canada