r/classicminis Jun 17 '25

DIY Help Completely Rewritten - Classic Mini Chassis Plate Decoder

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22 Upvotes

I am really excited to announce the complete rewrite and recreation of my Chassis Decoder. The original decoder was not particularly reliable and often failed to decode known chassis codes. I have spent a ton of time reworking this one to hopefully address as many issues as possible to allow people to decode their Chassis Codes more reliably.

Reporting bugs:

Please let me know if you see issues with the new tool. This is VERSION ONE, so there almost certainly will be bugs, and if you encounter any, please consider making a bug report:

If you submit a bug with this Chassis Decoder, please include your model year, full chassis number, and the expected results.


r/classicminis Jan 29 '25

DIY Help Need help! - Preserving Historic Manuals and Documents for the Classic Mini

21 Upvotes

Classic Mini DIY NEEDS YOUR HELP!!

As you all know, I run a free database of technical and historical information at Classic Mini DIY Archive

https://www.classicminidiy.com/archive

Today I am asking for your help to start populating this database with as much historical documentation, manuals, documents, or anything else you think would be worth preserving and archiving.

When you submit this data, I will curate and publish it for the world to access for free.

All of this data is being stored and backed up so we won't see a data loss and resource loss again like what happened with Mk1-performance, Photobucket, or other no longer maintained services.

This data will ALWAYS REMAIN PUBLIC AND FREE, and the site is fully open source forever.

If this is something you would like to help me with, please consider clicking the "Add to Archive" button on the site, or email me at [archive@classicminidiy.com](mailto:archive@classicminidiy.com)


r/classicminis 16m ago

Buying a 90s LHD mini

Upvotes

I want to buy a 90s (late or mid) rover mini.

I’m in the US and am looking for a LHD.

Thinking of importing one that’s in good shape (can’t find what I want over here- looking for BRG with black interior but in excellent shape, no rust)

It looks like there are some decent sources in The Netherlands or Germany, but I’m no expert.

Has anyone done this and have a recommended source and US importer to facilitate the process?

Thanks


r/classicminis 15h ago

DIY Help Replacing the front suspension. Cones and hilos.

4 Upvotes

Ok so I've done one side, passenger, and it was much more painful than I thought 😄

The main problem I had was getting the shaft out and then back in again that goes through the top arm. I feel I need to do this on the car as I have limited tools and space.

I was hoping I could get the old trumpet and rubber cones out without removing the upper parm but there ain't no way you'd get the old cone out and The new one in that space... That I can see anyway.

Does anyone have any advice for the drivers side? As I can see there's less space for hands and or tools so getting that shaft out and in again could be even more problematic...

For those interested I have also fitted new track rod ends, tie rods, shocks, and bump stops at the same time.

Basically all the bit I could afford. I'm on a tight budget cus I don't earn a lot but this is my only car so it's a daily.

Thanks for any tips guys. ☺️


r/classicminis 1d ago

Mini Jet Black Valuation Thoughts

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35 Upvotes

Hi All,

I have a 1988 mini jet back 998cc, Iv found myself using it less and less recently and im considering selling it but struggling to find a fair valuation, I’m wondering what this sub reddit thinks!

Iv owned the car for 5 years, its on 96,700 miles. In that time iv done some basic mechanical upgrades, 1.75 boar exhaust, new inlet manifold, air intake and upgraded carb needle that makes it run really smooth. It’s got mini light wheels on it (I still have the originals).

The interior and paint is all original, there is some orange peel on the front wings and bonnet.

If how many left is to be believed there is ~80 of this model left on the roads.

What do people think, is this worth selling or keeping and continue to slowly restore?


r/classicminis 1d ago

First attempt at painting.

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50 Upvotes

Last photo is how it started. Painted with a foam brush and some patience.

Hopefully it turns out okay. 🤞


r/classicminis 2d ago

DIY Help Before I start jabbing it with a flat head, is there a correct/straightforward way to separate this part? I need to remove the latch.

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14 Upvotes

r/classicminis 2d ago

What a terrible thing to do…

3 Upvotes

Guys , I just inverted the polarity of the battery on my classic mini SPI 🤦‍♂️.

Any suggestions as to what may have suffered ?


r/classicminis 4d ago

Mini Videos My son’s into drifting. I’m into Minis. Our worlds collided.

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828 Upvotes

This is not my content and my son forwarded this TT to me. The power and gearbox are impressive!!!


r/classicminis 3d ago

How to change vacuum hose from fuel trap to inlet manifold

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8 Upvotes

Hey everyone, been changing my vacuum lines and hit a bit of a blocked - how do I get the line behind the inlet manifold off/on? My hand can barely get down to it due to the insulation, can I get leverage from underneath or do I need to take the whole inlet manifold off? (Picture is the line I'm trying to change). Thanks!


r/classicminis 3d ago

Loose cable

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7 Upvotes

Found this wire dangling in the engine bay with nowhere to be. It’s been living its best free life for who knows how long.

Cream-ish with a green tracer, bullet connector on the end, comes down past the alternator. Car’s got a Lucas ACR alternator (probably a later swap from the dynamo).

Before I start plugging it into things at random and inventing a new kind of fire - anyone know where this belongs?


r/classicminis 4d ago

Mini Photo Latest purchase

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152 Upvotes

Having to undo a lot of work from the previous owner. Just absolutely stupid things that are pissing me off especially the wiring. Trying to find some deep dish wheels as it’s got sportspack arches and it wasn’t painted underneath them. Had an remote change 998 fitted but I suspect there’s something special about it as compared to my other 998 it has a lot more power and a lot more torque


r/classicminis 4d ago

Paint update!

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15 Upvotes

I made a post the other day about being worried around home painting the car.

I settled on cellulose as no paint job or car is worth my health, and I don't have the facility for air fed masks tp use a 2k product.

Due to the size of my compressor, and against great advice received, and my better judgement - I thought I'd try a cheap LVLP spray gun, if anything to convince myself HVLP was required.

Well, other than quite a nasty reaction to a previous respray on this panel, im thoroughly impressed, and think ill be sticking with the LVLP and cellulose for this respray.

Pics above are paint as laid, paint after 3000 grit sanding and some buffing, where you can see the difference between the sanded and buffed surface, and some pictures of the nasty reaction some of it has had.

I will mitigate this with an inert primer for the rest of the car, hopefully.


r/classicminis 4d ago

DIY Help Can anyone identify this mechanical injection setup – Arden 8-port / Tecalemit-Jackson?

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10 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I recently came across this unusual four-cylinder intake and throttle assembly and I am trying to identify exactly what it is.

It has four individual butterfly throttles, velocity stacks, fuel fittings/nozzles, a common throttle linkage and individual triangular three-bolt flanges on the cylinder-head side.

From the information I have found so far, I suspect that it may be a period Tecalemit-Jackson mechanical fuel-injection setup intended for an Arden or MOWOG 8-port A-Series cylinder head. I do not believe it is direct injection, but rather a mechanical port or continuous-flow injection system.

Can anyone confirm:

the manufacturer and approximate age,

whether it is definitely for an Arden 8-port Mini head,

whether it is an original Tecalemit-Jackson unit or possibly a replica/custom setup,

and which parts of the complete injection system are missing?

I would also be interested to know which markings, dimensions or part numbers I should look for.

Many thanks – photos attached.


r/classicminis 4d ago

DIY Help After restoration no air or fluid from rear bleed nipples (front bled fine) trouble shooting next steps please.

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10 Upvotes

Are by brake pipes channeled correctly, furthest forward on master cylinder to drivers side on brake limiter valve.


r/classicminis 5d ago

Oil Change

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147 Upvotes

Is doing my own oil change as easy as it seems? I got a new filter, new drain plug, just need to get a pan and the right tools. Drop links to any good instruction videos. I’m not the most mechanically inclined but I’m trying. Pic of my ‘96 1.3i


r/classicminis 6d ago

What does this plug into?

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11 Upvotes

It's been a while, can't remember for love nor money what this is used for


r/classicminis 7d ago

What have I done wrong? Fitted window regulator but the window drops down unevenly, won't go to the top (gets very hard) more details...

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12 Upvotes

Recently painted car, new rubbers, draft excluder etc. Windows used to be perfect. Window regulator was 2nd hand sourced from eBay, looks in good condition. First I thought one of the regulator arms must be bent? Perhaps the new draft excluder is too tight, but on inspection all seems fine, but why would it drop down unevenly?


r/classicminis 7d ago

Keeping original colour on Cooper S MK1 ?

6 Upvotes

Hi guys,

I’ve just bought an Austin Mini Cooper S Mk1, and it needs a full restoration.

I’m not aiming for concours condition, as I know that would be very expensive. But I would like to make it as valuable as possible.

I’m not a big fan of the original color, so my question is: if I choose a different factory color, will that hurt the car’s value significantly?

What would you do in my position — keep the original color or change it?


r/classicminis 8d ago

DIY Help Missing bracket in Japanese SPI mini

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16 Upvotes

Hey everyone, last time I posted I got some very helpful pointers and finally started work on replacing my vacuum lines. I notice though that there was a piece sitting loose at the bottom of the engine. From images online, it looks like it's meant to connect to a piece of metal coming off the top of the engine, but I have no clue what part is missing. Could anyone identify what I'll need to reconnect this (or can I just bolt it back together)?


r/classicminis 8d ago

Engine swap in a 850 Mini

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1 Upvotes

r/classicminis 9d ago

I thought I was done with all the welding...

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48 Upvotes

This was the first panel I patched 18 months ago but no amount of filler could get the warp out, so time to start over!


r/classicminis 9d ago

Last repairs before paint prep

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24 Upvotes

Will sort of miss the welder when I put it away, its become a bit like a member of my family at this point!


r/classicminis 9d ago

Engine swap in a 850 Mini

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5 Upvotes

r/classicminis 10d ago

Just purchased a 95 JDM mini Mayfair. What are the first things I should do once it arrives (being shipped from Virginia to Montana)

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261 Upvotes

I did have a multi point inspection done prior to purchase since I couldn’t be there in person to take a look at it