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1957(ish) Hillman Minx Convertible - recommissioning
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Scamonomics



Joined: 28 Apr 2014
Posts: 24

PostPosted: Thu May 01, 2014 11:59 am    Post subject: 1957(ish) Hillman Minx Convertible - recommissioning Reply with quote

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...



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

PostPosted: Thu May 01, 2014 2:42 pm    Post subject: Re: 1957(ish) Hillman Minx Convertible - recommissioning Reply with quote

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
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu May 01, 2014 3:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the forum.

Photos need to be uploaded to a third-party image hosting site, there are tips in this thread:

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2454

You then just paste the links to your photos in your forum posts. It'll be interesting to follow progress with your Minx.

rgds, RJ
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Last edited by Rick on Thu May 01, 2014 5:19 pm; edited 1 time in total
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hillmanseeker



Joined: 17 Nov 2012
Posts: 54

PostPosted: Thu May 01, 2014 5:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2014 9:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote















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kevin2306



Joined: 01 Jul 2013
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Location: nr Llangollen, north wales

PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2014 9:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
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Location: UK

PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2014 10:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for posting up some photos, that looks like a great find and guaranteed to get interest wherever it goes.

RJ
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7113
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2014 12:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Jab,

A nice find. It's a Series II Minx.

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/rootes.htm

Peter
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Minxy



Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 272
Location: West Northants

PostPosted: Mon May 05, 2014 12:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 7:25 pm    Post subject: A short update Reply with quote

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











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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.

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 8:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
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Scamonomics



Joined: 28 Apr 2014
Posts: 24

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 10:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Wed May 07, 2014 12:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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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