My 'Hot' Cooper 'S'

My 'Hot' Cooper 'S'

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Cooperman

Original Poster:

4,428 posts

252 months

Thursday 26th April 2007
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Well, I finally got my 1964 'S' rally car back on the road. Some may remember that last year I pumped 2 pints of oil into the water after a very comprehensive engine and box rebuild followed by just one rally. This was due to replacing the 4-bolt Metro high capacity oil pump with the only one I could get, a 2-bolt pump. I drilled out the 2-bolt pump to take a 3rd bolt in the errant hole.
Anyway, I flushed everything out, but after installing and fitting up I took it for an MoT last Friday and it was running very hot. I am guessing that I didn't get all the emulsified oil out of the rad. So I drained out as much water as I could and filled it with Gunk. Then I ran it until it got really hot, drained it, flushed it with a hose and rre-filled with water. It was still a bit hot, but cooler than before. Now I've drained it again, topped it up with Gunk again, that was last Friday, and this evening I'll run it around until it gets nice and hot again, then flush and try re-filling with water again. Let's hope that cures it. If not it's a new rad next week.
It felt great to drive it again though. Dear little car!

Cooperman

Original Poster:

4,428 posts

252 months

Monday 30th April 2007
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All the flushing didn't work so I guess the old rad is thoroughly full with brown emulsified oil. The only sure cure is a new comp rad and witht he value of my engine I don't want to take any risks. anyway, I shall be in the Potters Bar area later this week so can pick up a new one at Mini Spares. That should do the job.
I shall still be rallyimng the Rover, although it would be good to find an event or two for the Mini. The historic scene for rallying does not seem to be what it was and I don't want to take the Mini out on events which are poorly supported when I can do very competitive events in my 'Old Man's Car' (well, I'm an old many anyway!) which has better reliability, is cheaper to run and if I rolled it I would only lose a low value bodyshell as opposed to a Mini Mk 1 bodyshell.

Cooperman

Original Poster:

4,428 posts

252 months

Tuesday 1st May 2007
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I'm sure it will be out again 'in anger' soon.

Cooperman

Original Poster:

4,428 posts

252 months

Monday 7th May 2007
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Changed the rad to one identical to what it's always had, but it's still reading hot. Not in the red, but higher than it used to. I think I'll try changing the sender and, maybe the gauge. Of course, the 'works' always used a capilliary tube type gauge just because of the unreliability of the senders and gauges. It certainly doen't feel too hot. If I run with the aux fan on it's normal, but I'm then afraid it's not getting hot enough.
Hey ho, it's all fun with a Mini!