Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
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Scamonomics
Joined: 28 Apr 2014 Posts: 24
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Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 11:59 am Post subject: 1957(ish) Hillman Minx Convertible - recommissioning |
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Hi,
After many years of considering, I have finally bought a Hillman Minx Convertible. I did what one should never do: bought it at auction without viewing. I just couldn't help myself. However, I think I may have got away with it...
The car seems reasonably solid. The doors shut with a satisfying clunk and show no signs of any movement (yet to do a jacking test). The shut lines are all even. All the parts appear present. The hood is complete but in need of serious repair or renewal.
My plan is to clean it up, seal all floors and sills etc. with some anti-rust treatment, and to get it running asap. I just want to get it going so I can enjoy it for short trips to the pub. To that end, I'll be grateful for all help in formulating a plan for recommissioning the engine etc. I have no idea of the best way to go about this.
I do know the car hasn't been used for at least four years, probably longer. Though someone has thought about it - it has almost new tyres, and some of the paintwork has received a little top coating. (That could have been a dealer tarting it up for sale?)
Also, there seems to be some confusion as to when the car was built and what model it is. So, I'll post some chassis numbers etc when I've got the figures in front of me.
I'm not sure yet how I add photos to this site, so advice for that will also be helpful.
May I thank you all in advance for your help and look forward to sharing this project with you.
Kind regards
Jab
Let's see if I can add a photo now...
![](http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h132/Scamonomics/IMG_2621_zpsb4c78fe4.jpg)
Last edited by Scamonomics on Fri May 02, 2014 9:08 am; edited 1 time in total |
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kevin2306
Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 1359 Location: nr Llangollen, north wales
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Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 2:42 pm Post subject: Re: 1957(ish) Hillman Minx Convertible - recommissioning |
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Scamonomics wrote: | Hi,
After many years of considering, I have finally bought a Hillman Minx Convertible. I did what one should never do: bought it at auction without viewing. I just couldn't help myself. However, I think I may have got away with it...
The car seems reasonably solid. The doors shut with a satisfying clunk and show no signs of any movement (yet to do a jacking test). The shut lines are all even. All the parts appear present. The hood is complete but in need of serious repair or renewal.
My plan is to clean it up, seal all floors and sills etc. with some anti-rust treatment, and to get it running asap. I just want to get it going so I can enjoy it for short trips to the pub. To that end, I'll be grateful for all help in formulating a plan for recommissioning the engine etc. I have no idea of the best way to go about this.
I do know the car hasn't been used for at least four years, probably longer. Though someone has thought about it - it has almost new tyres, and some of the paintwork has received a little top coating. (That could have been a dealer tarting it up for sale?)
Also, there seems to be some confusion as to when the car was built and what model it is. So, I'll post some chassis numbers etc when I've got the figures in front of me.
I'm not sure yet how I add photos to this site, so advice for that will also be helpful.
May I thank you all in advance for your help and look forward to sharing this project with you.
Kind regards
Jab |
Hi Jab
Have a look on my singer vogue thread for some ideas on recommissioning.
good luck
Kev |
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Rick Site Admin
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22429 Location: UK
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hillmanseeker
Joined: 17 Nov 2012 Posts: 54
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Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Jab, Good luck with the restoration, any help needed?.
Looking forward to the pics!!!
Dave and Elizabeth |
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Scamonomics
Joined: 28 Apr 2014 Posts: 24
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Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 9:13 am Post subject: |
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![](http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h132/Scamonomics/IMG_2617_zps041ca551.jpg) |
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kevin2306
Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 1359 Location: nr Llangollen, north wales
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Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 9:20 am Post subject: |
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That looks fantastic, a great survivor.
surprising how many of the engine components etc are the same as mine!
Kev |
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Rick Site Admin
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22429 Location: UK
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peter scott
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Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7113 Location: Edinburgh
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Minxy
Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Posts: 272 Location: West Northants
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Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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Nice find
I would begin with a thorough clean up so you can see what needs doing a little more accurately. Clearly you need to try and get it running to get an idea if there are any mechanical issues. Brakes will also need a good overhaul.
Make friends with Speedy Spares (google it) for every day bits and bobs and the occasional special part but be aware getting parts for Rootes cars can be a challenging ( though satisfying) task |
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Scamonomics
Joined: 28 Apr 2014 Posts: 24
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 7:25 pm Post subject: A short update |
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I had a quick look at the car yesterday. I drained the oil, which was as black as coal, and removed the oil filter. there's no number on it, so I'm sure my local factor won't be able to identify it. Speedy spares? Does anyone do a spin-on filter conversion fitting?
I'll need a new water pump.
The engine turns when I push the car in gear, and the brakes work, so I think I'll soon be ready to turn the engine over. However, I'm not sure how to tell if the car is positive or negative earth. I presume it started out as positive, but may have been changed.
Can anyone advise me how to tell? I'll post some photos of the electrics when I've downloaded them.
that's all for now.
many thanks
Jab
[/img]
Last edited by Scamonomics on Tue May 06, 2014 8:29 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4751 Location: Swindon, Wilts.
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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Hi
Your engine bay photos show two battery leads, one attached to a terminal, one not; where do the other ends of those leads go and which terminal is at which end of the battery? _________________ Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
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Scamonomics
Joined: 28 Apr 2014 Posts: 24
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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Just to confuse matters, there are three leads...
the first is the uninsulated one under the battery tray. this one is connected to the car, so was obviously an earth but, since it has no battery connector on it, i doubt it still is.
The second lead is connected to an electrical component (see photo). This was connected to the positive terminal of the battery. However, the lead is long enough to reach the other end of the battery, and just because this is how it came doesn't mean that's how it's supposed to be. I know that the buys at the auctioneers played around with it. so I cannot rely on its current position being correct.
The third lead has a battery connector at one end and is loose at the other. It has a large ring on it for attaching to something.
so, my only thought is that the current set up is negative earth, but I would be grateful if someone could tell definitely from the photos. Or direct me to check for something specific.
Many thanks
Jab
PS. what engine oil would anyone recommend? |
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kevin2306
Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 1359 Location: nr Llangollen, north wales
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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your engine looks similar to mine, that has a filter housing that takes a fram spin off filter (ford escort) unless you can get the fram ph2884 filters. they do pop up on ebay quite often,.
Kev |
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Bitumen Boy
Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 1733 Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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Positive or negative earth? It probably comes down to preference. There's a control box, so presumably it still has a dynamo for charging, which can be polarised whichever way you like in about a minute, several threads on this forum covering that particular job if you search for them. I don't believe any of the other bits - which all look like standard Lucas stuff - are polarity sensitive. The only likely thing I can think of is if the car has a radio of some sort fitted, if so you need to have a look at that to see wether it's negative (most likely by now) or positive earth, and set the rest up to suit. |
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47Jag
Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 1480 Location: Bothwell, Scotland
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 12:26 am Post subject: |
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Jab,
Looking at the coil connections in picture 3 I would say that it is already wired Negative earth. To be sure compare the size of the hole on the battery cable in picture 6. If it's bigger than the other cable then that will be positive and the negative will be bolted to the body or the engine.
Art |
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