New Owner, need info, parts, and everything!

[bcliff]

Hi All,
I usually post in the Triumph or Other British Car forum. I am now a Mini owner. It is a beautiful baby blue '62Austin Mini. It is a project that will be my wife's car. After 9 MGs, 5 Triumphs, a Morris Minor and an English Ford, I finally found a car she likes. As time goes on with this project, I am guing to need new parts and probably some used parts. Who is suggested for new parts, and why? as far as used parts go, I'd like to find some sources close, if possible. I'm in northern Colorado, so really anywhere along the front range would be great. I have the original 850 powerplant/drivetrain unit for it and would like to keep it this size, but that is not an absolute. I think it depends on finding the parts I need to rebuild the engine.
I have attached a picture of the car in the "before". mode. I hape to start work on it in the next couple of weeks.
Any and all help or advice wil be greatly appreciated.
Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

 

[dklawson]

For parts you're probably closest to Mini Mania and Seven Enterprises which are near each other in CA. Both have web sites. Seven used to have better prices but since their move to the west coast they have been catching up with Mini Mania. I can't suggest a local source for used parts. However, both Seven and Mini City (in NY) will sell good used parts if you don't mind paying a commercial mark-up on them. Lots of used parts show up on eBay and you'll start to recognize a few repeat sellers after a while.

Do not discount the possibility of ordering from Mini Spares in the U.K. I like having U.S. vendors for parts, but MS is a very good vendor. Their prices are good and for me (on the east coast) shipping is faster than from CA. If you keep your purchase orders near (but under) $200 then you can save money and time ordering from them. Once you break through about $200 you start having to pay customs dues in addition to shipping charges. The Shipping charges seem to always be around 30 GBP. That's why it's more cost effective to target a purchase order near but under $200.

The 850 will be a little under powered for highway driving but I'm sure it will be great if you plan on using the car around town. If you go for a different engine, there are lots of later 998 engines available. These will have a modest increase in power without sacrificing charm and economy.

If you have not already purchased a Haynes manual for the car be sure to pick one up. Also, keep your eye on eBay for used copies of Lindsay Porter's (Haynes) restoration guide. Another book to look for is Kenneth Ball's (AutoBook/AutoPress) manual for the Mini. This book is in some ways a better manual than Haynes.

An area you may want to look at upgrading on this car (if it's not already done) will be go re-fit the front brakes with twin leading shoe brakes. I'm not sure when this change was made but I believe it was after '62. The early front drums have a reputation for weakness.

Welcome to the Mini community! Enjoy your project!

 

[Bruce Bowker]

Bruce - welcome and great to see a new owner of a Mini. There are a million contacts for parts, advice etc. I even had parts shipped from a junk yard in England.

Bruce

 

[zblu]

Had an old one with the 3' g/stick!, put the g/box extension on for the stubby shift, easy to do

 

[sideache]

I get my stuff from Heritage Garage in California. They don't have their full catalog on-line, but they have /can get anything. Call them for a catalog. They are very helpful too. I might add that they have some of the best prices.

https://www.heritagegarage.com/

 

[ThomP]

I second D Lawsons comment: Mini Spares is an excellent source. Again, I'm on the East Coast and shipping is quicker from them than either Mini Mania or Se7en. If you are really rebuilding things, you'll find they have more in stock AND it is cheaper, shipping included! I don't mind the 3% customs on orders over $300, because the shipping seems to become more economical on larger orders.

Your 850 should be rebuildable from a parts stand point. I know that oversize thrust washers are getting difficult to source, so once you determine IF you need oversize washers, order and receive them and then instruct the machine shop what size to grind for clearance. I spent 3 months looking for .010 over washers before I gave up and found another crank that needed .003 over washers, only to discover they weren't available either! (A quick machine job on some .005s fixed that).