Newbies 65 convertible - advice sought

[Dick]

I got a 65 convertible for restoration as a practical reliable runabout. Not a hobby or concours restoration i am afraid. It needs to do 50 country miles a week for 3 to 4 years with just basic servicing. It arrived 3 years ago as a rolling chassis with a non-original engine and several boxes of bits. I shall be grateful for advice on 3 points:-

a) What have I got? The car has been restored and modified many times before I got it. I think it is a 998 or a 1098 and vaguely recall the owner saying it had hardened valve seats fitted for unleaded - but how can I tell?

b) What is worth doing to improve reliability and creature comforts etc? Having perused past posts, 8in brakes seem sensible and straightforward but what about carbs, electronic ignition and alternator/negative earth conversion etc?

c) What will it tow? It has a towbar but the previous owner kept the engine that was in it when used for towing?

many Thanks DF

[bmcecosse]

For 50 miles a week - don't worry about the engine size (948 or 1098) - and certainly don't worry about 'unleaded'! Post up the engine number if you can - little stamped plate on the block just beside the top radiator take off. 8" brakes - yes - good improvement. And it will tow a small trailer ok - unless you live up a mountain ?
The best improvement for you will be to source and install a Mini heater - and a 92 degree thermostat - so you have a good working heater for all year-round use! I'm never in favour of electronic ignition (just fit new points/condenser/rotor arm) - and the dynamo is simple and reliable - especially if you fit a new set of brushes.

[Dick]

Thanks bmcecosse

Engine no is 10V/189E/H66389 as per block and V5 so the previous owner had changed it. Advice pls?

I like your minimalist approach so hope do it as my dad ( a Thorneycroft trained engineer ) taught me. Good preventative maintenance and a spare condenser in the boot box!

Mini heater makes sense and do-able as a friend restores minis. Any hints on fitting it?

Only fly in the ointment is whether the floor is BER.
Df

[Sidney'61]

Your engine is a 1098 high compression which is the correct type for the car but is not the original one as to have that engine number it must have come from a car built after 3/1969.

[Declan_Burns]

Here' a few photos which I took when I fitted the mini heater. There are several different types. This one was from the late 70's. Take it apart and check the martix and renew the hoses while you're at it.[frame][/frame]
This is what it looked like inside when I got it-pretty tatty[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
I installed a new matrix and replaced the foam seals.[frame][/frame]
The flap on this one is different to the minor one in size so I couldn't use the minor control lever.
I had to modify the minor side coverings to connect in new convoluted air ducts[frame][/frame]I also replaced the useless repro heater tap with one fom a mini[frame][/frame]
Then I fit a variable speed control module mounted under the parcel tray and added a control knob from an XK jag-see first photo.
Hope it helps
Declan

[Dick]

Excellent, many thanks DF

[bmcecosse]

Declan's excellent pics are of the later type Mini heaters - a slightly earlier one is a straight swap and the Minor front flap/lever can be fitted so it looks no different - and gives out MUCH more heat.

[Declan_Burns]

..... - and gives out MUCH more heat.

Certainly does.