ORIGINAL SPECIFICATION MINI BRAKE AND CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDERS

These Brake and Clutch Master Cylinders are manufactured to OEM specification

GMC171 Original Brake Master Cylinder Mini

GMC172 Brake Master Cylinder Mini Cooper S

AAU4969 Clutch Master Cylinder

These Brake and Clutch Master Cylinders are manufactured to OEM specification Part Number and as such are homologated for use on original specification vehicles using DOT 4 or DOT 5 Hydraulic Fluid as specified...

Brakes - How They Work

This time we’re going to look at just how brakes do what they do, and ways to improve them. Without a doubt the most important point to get sorted at the outset is just what makes brakes do their thing - FRICTION. The sole purpose of the brake set-up on any vehicle .....

Brakes - Fundamental Considerations

When looking to increase their cars performance, most folks immediately turn to considering higher engine power outputs. Because of this pre-occupation brakes tend to slide down the improvements priority list. However, they are far more important - being able to accelerate at warp speed to hyper-space in the twinkling of an eye is all very well, but disastrous if you can’t stop. You will make a very big hole in the scenery, and possibly end up wearing an wooden over-coat. Getting the braking system sorted out can help to make the car quicker, as you will be able to more confidently, therefore maximising speed in any given situation. Being one of those ‘sciences’ used in the automotive industry I hope to shed some light on the subject as it's another of those where many questions from confused and mislead folks that clog up my e-mail board. The advent of the Metro, and the brakes used on it has spawned a lot of activity in this direction. It was soon discovered that they could b

Brakes - Pipe End Flares

One day I'm going to have to try and assess just how it is that every now and again I get a 'run' on folks asking me about a specific problem. These problems exist all year round, year in, year out. And said problems crop up throughout the year. But - every now and then there's a blood-rush on a certain issue. Just recently that issue has been brake pipe ends. The bit that seals the pipe off against it's relevant fitting. There are two types of end - male and female. The male end is convex in shape, the female concave. The male end is used where a male pipe union (nut) is used on the brake pipe - that's a nut with an external thread - that will be screwed into a female fitting such as found in a wheel cylinder or master cylinder. The female end is used where a female pipe union (nut) is used on the brake pipe - a nut with an internal thread - and will be mated to a male fitting such as found on rear flexible brake pipes. Under no circumstances should you mix the too up as the brake p

Clutch - Adjustment of operating linkage

This is one of those areas where there is more than one way to skin the cat - depending on who you speak to. This is the method I have used for eternity, which has been totally reliable and never had a problem with.

This only applies to non-Verto type clutches, as the Verto types are not adjustable. You just have to make sure all the operating linkage components are in good order.

First off, ensure your operating linkage is up to scratch. For details on this, see 'Engine transplants - Clutch and flywheel'.

Satisfied all is OK, you can proceed with setting the linkage up.

1 - Remove/disconnect clutch return spring.

2 - Undo throw-out nuts (15/16"AF nuts on outer end of plunger) lock nut and back nuts off away from clutch cover.

Engine transplants - Ancillary parts

Engine mountings are a whizz to fit as the Mini ones fit straight onto any of the other units. Just remove the Metro/AA/1300GT ones and swop the mounts over from the Mini unit. If they’re split, fit new ones, they’re cheap.

Terminology -
BBU - Big Bore Unit
SBU - Small Bore Unit

NOTE: This information covers transplanting large-bore engine units into small-bore engined Minis. For further information for exact differences between pre-A+ and A+ units, see relevant separate article.

Engine mountings and steady bars.
Engine mountings are a whizz to fit as the Mini ones fit straight onto any of the other units. Just remove the Metro/AA/1300GT ones and swop the mounts over from the Mini unit. If they’re split, fit new ones, they’re cheap. If using the AA/1300GT unit - it's advisable to cut off the 'wings' on the front plate that carried the engine mounts on the radiator end.

Engine transplants - Clutch and flywheel assemblies

To go in to all the possible permutations would take a few chapters on it’s own. Suffice to say that the Metro had a few weirdo fitments such as cable operation, an in-line ‘damper’ (some got fitted to Minis too - eek),

Terminology -
BBU - Big Bore Units
SBU - Small Bore Units

NOTE: This information is largely concerned with transplanting a large-bore engine into a small-bore engined Mini. For further information on clutch and flywheel assemblies in particular, refer to relevant separate article.

To go in to all the possible permutations would take a few chapters on it’s own. Suffice to say that the Metro had a few weirdo fitments such as cable operation, an in-line ‘damper’ (some got fitted to Minis too - eek), and ‘top-hat’ plunger and rod bearing operation.

Engine transplants - Clutch and flywheel assemblies

To go in to all the possible permutations would take a few chapters on it’s own. Suffice to say that the Metro had a few weirdo fitments such as cable operation, an in-line ‘damper’ (some got fitted to Minis too - eek),

Terminology -
BBU - Big Bore Units
SBU - Small Bore Units

NOTE: This information is largely concerned with transplanting a large-bore engine into a small-bore engined Mini. For further information on clutch and flywheel assemblies in particular, refer to relevant separate article.

To go in to all the possible permutations would take a few chapters on it’s own. Suffice to say that the Metro had a few weirdo fitments such as cable operation, an in-line ‘damper’ (some got fitted to Minis too - eek), and ‘top-hat’ plunger and rod bearing operation.

Broken Engine Steady?

Every Mini owner at some point will have an issue with a broken bolt or a stripped thread, due to the fine thread on the majority of bolts fitted to these cars. Whilst most are an easy repair, such as bumper bolts, others can be a lot more difficult to repair.

An ideal example of this is the bolt for the ....

Verto to Pre Verto,Clutch swap

TEST If converting from A plus verto type clutch to the original Diaphragm type these are the major components you will require:

All the major extra parts required to convert from Verto Clutch to Diaphragm type parts (in brackets indicate alternatives)

6 x GHF323 shakeproof washer 3/8” UNF
2 x GFK5240 bolt remote housing short 1” UNC
1 x 88G508 flywheel keyway – pre verto (EN24T)
6 x 2A3658 clutch flywheel strap
1 x 2A3601 clutch return spring anchor
1 x CLZ628 clutch arm pin – bottom
1 x CLZ518 clevis pin for clutch arm at the top
1 x 22A747 flywheel bolt pre verto
3 x 2A3657 clutch bolt long cover to pressure
3 x (C-2A3657 ) clutch bolt long cover to pressure

A Star is Born

Team Bailey with Mini Spares has had a very busy winter as you may know from some of the previous blogs I have written, and the run up to the first race at Castle Combe was to be no exception.

Besides all the car building I have taken on a new unit at the Snetterton race track in Norfolk to start the Snetterton Speed Shop as well as this being the new home for Team Bailey racing. Since October last year I have built up 2 new cars for myself a Mighty car 2 and a Super car 4 as well as my 2 team mates new cars a Mighty for Justin Cooper and a Super for Chris Slade.

Historical Article - Nov 1991 - Richard Mansfield's Twini Mini

Our customers car is a 1962 Austin Mini, which originally cost £250.00 and now looks absolutely standard and truly immaculate. Only when you look inside do you realise it is a car with a difference. Richard has already restored two Coopers to a very high standard and his criterior on the Twini was to use as many secondhand production car parts as possible to keep the cost down.

Historical Article - Nov 1991 - Richard Mansfield's Twini Mini

Our customers car is a 1962 Austin Mini, which originally cost £250.00 and now looks absolutely standard and truly immaculate. Only when you look inside do you realise it is a car with a difference. Richard has already restored two Coopers to a very high standard and his criterior on the Twini was to use as many secondhand production car parts as possible to keep the cost down.

Historical Article-February 1995-Nervous Breakdown

Nervous Breakdown Sometime ago in an issue long, long ago in a Calver's Clinic, I did a short piece on vented or grooved discs, with a promise to look at brakes a little closer at a later date.

Historical Article-February 1995-Nervous Breakdown

Nervous Breakdown Sometime ago in an issue long, long ago in a Calver's Clinic, I did a short piece on vented or grooved discs, with a promise to look at brakes a little closer at a later date.

Donny Focus - BigMacRacing

Oulton Park was utterly frustrating – there were big hopes returning to a fantastic circuit the Mini 7 Club last visited in 2012. The Cheshire circuit really is a fantastic location, providing race driver a superb challenge...