Cylinder head - Torque-down and head gasket problems

This is to help those floundering in an unknown sea of techno-babble and 'magical' cures… Part No Applications: C-AHT288, CAM150, CAM151, TAM1617, CAM4545, 51K1193, TAM1521, GEG300, C-AHT188, C-STR1057, A regular visitor to the message board, and something I am asked frequently about in my other incarnations for other technical media. Generally when something has gone badly wrong! Many folks have just as many ways of dealing with the following subjects - all can and will claim their way has worked for them for the proverbial millennia - so a few words as a basic reference and guide as I see them; we all know there are always exceptions to the rules. This is to help those floundering in an unknown sea of techno-babble and 'magical' cures…

Distributors - Modifying them, how, where, and who

When a known engine build formula is used, dizzies can be churned out with the relevant advance curve to suit - as in standard production engines. Terminology - Dizzy - Distributor When a known engine build formula is used, dizzies can be churned out with the relevant advance curve to suit - as in standard production engines. Reading the 'dizzy working basics' article defines what the dizzy does and how. It's pretty obvious then that any changes at all in the original engine specification is likely to require a different advance curve. This is where most folk fall down when completing the ‘build for power’, by assuming that an alternative dizzy from a sportier or similarly powered engine will do the trick.A simple illustration is folk's preoccupation with sticking a 'S' dizzy into anything tuned in the belief this is the way to go. It's not. It's likely to be as useful as the one you have.

Lubrication - Oil pumps

Essential to the well being of every engine is its oil pump and oil. Much in the same way as the heart and blood is deemed relatively important to us humans! It's also another of those greatly misunderstood and, unfortunately, misrepresented subjects connected to engines.

An alarming number of so-called A-series engine specialists would have you believe that once parting with a veritable bundle of your hard earned readies on that mega motor, what you really need to keep it in good health is a high-pressure/high-flow oil pump. Seems a sensible consideration - except in the A-series world it's impossible. Oh, there are pumps that will give better flow rates than others, but high pressure? Absolutely not.

Oil pressure is regulated by the relief valve in the block of an A-series, not in the oil pump as with say a Ford. Yeah, you know - the one that gets jammed, causing heart failure as you believe your crank bearings have dissolved, and is a pig to get out.

Suspension - Dampers, basic knowledge

The damper's job is very simple to explain - to keep the tyre in contact with the ground wherever and whenever possible...

C-AHT88 STAGE THREE SPEC SMALL BORE CYLINDER HEAD

Modified to give maximum performance gain for cost.

Exhaust seats Latest spec inserts for lead free fuel Modified to give maximum performance gain for cost. Combustion chambers, inlet and exhaust ports extensively reworked. Stone-ground finish in ports promotes ultimate fuel atomisation.

Standard Classic Mini Winter Checks

In order to keep your Mini in full working order this winter, we have put together a small guide of things to check, besides the routine servicing

Cooling System
Antifreeze is a must in a Mini for the winter. A Winter mix of Antifreeze to water over the winter will stop any potential problems with freezing conditions.
Cooling Hoses. Check the condition of all...

Dunlop Suspension

Historic Article-August 1994-Little red Booster - The return

LITTLE RED BOOSTER - The return Phil Oram,the Welshman in a hurry,is pulling the covers off his famous Turbocharged Riley Elf and rebuilding it for a new hillclimbing season.

Historic Article-August 1994-Little red Booster - The return

LITTLE RED BOOSTER - The return Phil Oram,the Welshman in a hurry,is pulling the covers off his famous Turbocharged Riley Elf and rebuilding it for a new hillclimbing season.