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richardlw
Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 138
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peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7119 Location: Edinburgh
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Richard,
At first sight of your photo in your webpage I thought "Gosh! That is subtly modified in many more ways than just and engine and bumper swap." http://www.widman.biz/Mini/English/index.html
If printed with normal aspect ratio it doesn't look quite so scary.
I think you just flattened it a bit to fool us.
Are you going to convert it back to the BMC engine etc?
Peter
_________________ http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
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Peter_L
Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 2680 Location: New Brunswick. Canada.
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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Perhaps there is a fetish for shoehorning Suzuki engines into Minis.
No obvious stretch marks. A fascinating radiator layout.
Cable clutch ? and would this conversion fit into a RHD Mini, after some changes to the braking system.
http://www.nemomini.org/nemo/nemoweb_gallery.cfm?event_type=e&event_id=63748
Scroll down to 3rd row for photo.
Can we see under your hood/bonnet and where does the exhaust pipe go ?
Great project for an idle Sunday afternoon... love it !! |
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richardlw
Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 138
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Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:14 pm Post subject: |
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I only shot one from the top, since I'm going to pull it and go stock or close. I just came to the city today since the internet died Sunday in my town. Tomorrow I'll bring the camera and shoot some more pics before I pull the engine. Basically the exhaust comes out the front and doubles back. _________________ Richard's Cars - NEW **
Motor oil for Flat Tappet Engines
Transmission oil |
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richardlw
Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 138
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Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:54 am Post subject: |
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I didn't realize at first that the program was going to compress the picture into a set size.
Today I pulled the Suzuki engine out and found out how badly cut up the subchassis is. He apparently went wild cutting, then reinforcing what was left. Still couldn't keep the left front wheel holding any weight.
Cut the axles to fit
And the struts as well
Added lots of steel to make up for it
But we gave it a high pressure bath
The good news is I think I've located a new sub frame and 0.020 rebuilt 1300 cc engine with a cooper s transmission. _________________ Richard's Cars - NEW **
Motor oil for Flat Tappet Engines
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Peter_L
Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 2680 Location: New Brunswick. Canada.
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Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 5:07 am Post subject: |
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Hi Richard.
Great photos thanks... Bolivia, just seems so far away..
Please, take this the right way, I know you will work hard and get the pickup restored, but there was/is something fascinating about the Suzuki "conversion". I doubt that I am alone in not been able to do such a conversion because our sensitivity would stop us at every turn.
The raw, crude adaptations have an obscure beauty.
Thanks again for your input and good fortune.
Peter
Winnipeg. |
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richardlw
Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 138
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victor 101
Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 446 Location: East Yorkshire
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Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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I wonder what the reaction would be if you took it to a garage for an MOT in the UK. |
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Peter_L
Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 2680 Location: New Brunswick. Canada.
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Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 2:02 pm Post subject: |
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Victor.......... did you see the state of the suspension, I doubt it would have made the trip.. |
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richardlw
Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 138
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Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 2:14 pm Post subject: |
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You see why it can't keep 4 wheels on the ground at the same time. With the engine out, the front can lift up, but push on it and the left rear goes up.
Safety inspection here is a joke. I send someone to the police with 12 registration cards and the fee. He comes back a little while later with 12 inspection stickers and certifications. _________________ Richard's Cars - NEW **
Motor oil for Flat Tappet Engines
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bob2
Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 1727 Location: Malta
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:24 am Post subject: |
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I like mini pickups, it is definately in good hands now judging by your resto on the corvair! |
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kevanf1
Joined: 06 Jun 2011 Posts: 21
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Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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So was the 'Frankenstein' creation ever actually driven with that Suzuki engine in it? It must have had some horrible vibrations from the butchered axles by the looks of them. They certainly did not look as though they had been balanced.
Get the old girl back as she should be I say. I don't mean concours by any means just with the proper amount of metalwork and subframe in place with a proper BMC engine and box. It'll be a lot nicer to actually use that way.
Can you tell that I love old minis? Can't abide the new BMW ones though |
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richardlw
Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 138
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Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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In theory he drove it, but I have no idea how. I haven't gotten much done with it. Too much to do at work, and I added a Renault Ondine to the collection that needs to pass some kind of inspection, so I had to break loose the wheels and suspension on it so at least it would roll.
Here are a few of the new parts that came from Mini Sport (full list on my site)
Back corner patched and measuring for the fender flares
Underside - stripping the sub-chasis
Cleaning the rear sub-chassis to start on the sand blasting.
_________________ Richard's Cars - NEW **
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richardlw
Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 138
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:00 am Post subject: |
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Finally getting around to posting some progress on this, although it looks like the forum ate many of the previous pics. They are all on my web site.
Last month I sandblasted and painted the rear sub-frame and suspension, then ordered knuckles and bushings from the UK. Those went to Florida, Spokane, New York, and will soon be in Bolivia. 14000 miles.
The body shop finally got moving when I asked where I should take the Renault, since I was progressing faster with the mechanical on it than he was on the body of the Mini. So It now has a new floor.
Still waiting on the engine I bought from Chile. _________________ Richard's Cars - NEW **
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JC T ONE
Joined: 30 Oct 2008 Posts: 1139 Location: Denmark
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:33 am Post subject: |
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Hi
what a nice project you have there did you keep the "chopped" center front piece
this has the body number welded on (long thin metal plate, with reverse stamped digits & letters)
it would be nice if it was transferred to the new front, so it could stay with the car.
Many cars loose this, when getting restored .
keep up the good work, and the pictures coming.
Seems like this Corvair/Mini fetish has spread, I know someone here in Denmark, who also had a Corvair, and Mini
Jens Christian _________________ http://www.eurods.eu/wp/index.html |
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