Hello I'm new around here

[firept]

Looking forward to sharing and extracting info from all the experts on here.
I have worked on in the past on both BW35 and 65 standard auto boxes but its a long time ago now (30 years!!) and also rebuilt a 1971 VP 1300 auto in about 1989, that was the last time I had one of these boxes in bits.
I am now for my sins in the midst's of a rebuild of a 1988 classic Mini automatic.
All of the rust has been cutaway lots of that!! and I have just finished spraying the body so now its down to the mechanical rebuild.
I did not get much of a chance to drive the car before the rebuild (ebay purchase) except for about 100 yds it seemed OK in that it went under its own power both forward and backwards. However I have decided to renew the gearbox internal components as its done around the 60K miles and if its not been rebuilt before then its probably due one.
I have managed to get hold of a box from another mini auto that was being scraped but this one is one of the last made and has the inhibitor / park arrangement on the front case and I was told it had only done around 30K miles before being dismantled.
My intention is to look at the original and see how bad that one is and replace with bits from the supposed good one I know all of the rubber seals and "O" rings will need to be renewed.

I decided to keep the Mini all original as there are not that many around and despite what people say having owned and driven the 1300VP it was a really good car and the auto box was brilliant, I think the auto box got a bad press in the first instance and it just stuck, plus BL and its management did not help. 

Paul.


 

[limby2000]

Hi Paul, good to see your keeping her auto, as you,ve rebuilt one before i,m sure you will have no pdoblem. I assume your 88 mini is a 998 as the other box you have with the inhibitor switch on the front will be a 1275. The latter will be a stronger box as it has more friction plates in its forward clutch. If using the 1275 box with 998 you may have to change the diff and pinion as it may be a bit tall ratio for 998 power. Also the front panel and valve block will need to be changed unless to also change the shifter handle. You have various options but would,nt buy any bits before stripping down your boxes. There,s various literature circulating to help you. Good luck and remember to photo and write down as you go, step by step. Terry.

[notamini]

A Vanden Plas 1300? The elite version of the ADO16! I wish mine was. Oh well. I still love him just the same. Brings back memories of my fist America bought in the Spring of the same year I married, 1974.

[firept]

Hi all.
Thanks for the reply's.
Terry,
Yes its a 998A+ no idea what the "spare-box" came from as I did not see the car.
Any links to info that people might have printed or electronic etc would be useful. I have the original BL Mini manual up to about 1980'ish where there is a complete section on the transmission of how it works, stripdown fault find pressures etc and rebuild.
 
Good link if you have not seen this before ...there is no sound for some reason. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieraaVfUs4Q&feature=youtu.be&t=7

Paul.

[limby2000]

Not too sure what year the 1275 box with the park function (innibitor switch on front) came out, I think maybe 84 on the metro,s. I,m sure someone else on here will know. If you look at the rear lower part of gearbox (just right of the diff),you may have a number (year) cast or stamped 92,93 ect. Check out. (Stu) on here,he's done a stripdown with good photo,s. If you do need parts which at least seals and gaskets, then Martin (mra) or jpats will be able to help you out. Martin runs a machine shop so is also able to fabricate components and tools. He specialises in these boxes and is always there for advice. Where are you located?.

[firept]

Terry. Thanks for the info. I am located in Hampshire, I will check out the date casting on both boxes and see.
I won't be doing much in the workshop until Monday now waiting for a load of parts to arrive for the suspension etc so that I can finish off the subframe installations.
I will need a new filter housing or at least the large dish shaped washer/ plate that holds the filter in place as I have no idea what happened to mine I must have taken it off but that was 3 years ago now when I striped the car ready for its rebuild.

[limby2000]

Yeah mine was stripped 3 years ago also, I too still look for that elusive (safe place), where parts get put. They always turn up once a new parts ordered. Looked on my box and the year is on the alloy diff carrier (93) on mine. If you have no joy with the washer let me know as I have a few spare. Terry.

[(minisniper)]

Welcome to AMR Paul

[firept]

Thank you all for then welcome.
I have been busy getting the engine re-bored and new pistons in the last few days. Not bad dropped it off to Banda engineering in Portsmouth and within 24Hrs all done ready for collection now that is good service.

I have now taken the "spare" 1275 box apart to find that the clutch packs and brake bands are all OK, however someone has had the box to bits before me and reassembled it wrong to the extent where the main cover has been bolted back on to the box it has split the cast converter housing cover as 2 of the shim washers on the input gear had dropped and stopped ..well not quite the cover going on still it will yield some useful parts.

I have taken some photos and will upload them in the projects section soon.
Anyone going to the Bristol Classic car show at Shepton Mallett next weekend 18th 19th?

Paul.