A place to save stuff we've learned
Trying to sort out whether my car is actually a IIIA or IIIB. The VIN number seems to say A. But somebody suggested a B because of the size of the windshield. Searching for better pictures, I found this great collection at Simon Cars
This is definitely a IIIA.
But that hood ornament doesn’t seem to be stock.
It’s important to note that when replacing the Hillman engine with a Series V Alpine engine, the motor mounts, while in the same place, are NOT the same size.
That’s a bit of a difference!
Another point – after finally getting the right motor mounts from Speedy Spares (once they opened after shutting down for Covid 19) we put them on the Alpine 1725 and went to drop it in place, but it didn’t fit! The Alpine front engine plate looks the same as the one on the Hillman engine, but it is a couple of inches narrower, so the engine came out, engine plates were swapped and then it all fit.
We need new ones in the front for sure. But it’s likely to be part of a front end rebuild. But where to find the springs?
Perhaps Stanley Springs on Cameron Street in Harrisburg, PA
Will update when I know for sure.
UPDATE: Stanley Springs here in Harrisburg, PA makes leaf springs. Not coils. So I’m on a mission.
I finally found that Kip Motors had a set which I ordered.
But I also found that CoilSprings in the UK could provide them. From his email:
The Details I have for your car are a bit different but not massively so I will work with your information. However, I would like a description of the ends of your springs.
PETER PEARCE
Delivery would be about 3 weeks to manufacture.
Coil Springs (1989) Ltd
94 ATTERCLIFFE ROAD
Sheffield S4 7WW
Tel:- 0114 275 8573
E:- coilsprings.sheffield@gmail.com
CoilSprings.com (in St. Mary’s, KS) also said they could MAKE the springs but they requested additional information.
Please review the following data and advise:
O.D. I.D. Wire Dia. Checking Load @ Checking Load Height Rate F.L. T.C.4.46″ ?? ??? 1000# @ 7.75″ ??? 11.03″
| O.D. | ~4 1/2″ |
| I.D. | ~3 5/16″ |
| Wire diameter | 0.56″ +/- |
| Coil height | 11 1/2″ |
We found a blower motor for the heater. But it was pretty cracked up and had two sizable holes about 3/4″ x 1/2″. (Sorry I didn’t take a before picture!)
So first up was to repair the casing. We used some thin fabric, sheeting or particularly light weight shirting. Glued it on the inside coating the whole patch with Duco cement.
Not only did that add support to the cracked parts, but it also served as a base for the patch over top.
For that we used Sugru. This is pretty cool stuff.. but on the expensive side. It feels a little like silly putty. But you smear it in the void and the crack and it bonds really well. According to the instructions for Sugru, you have to get the stuff started on the exisisting edges by really working it into the rough parts. But after that it sticks to itself really well. We also found a homemade recipe here.
Here’s a picture of the repaired holes and crack. (View the larger size to really see the work.)
We found the hoses at Victoria British. But they came with Moss Motors labels and part numbers.
But the elbow proved more difficult to find as a Hillman part.
However, we did find 90 degree silicone elbow coupler from Amazon to connect between the heater blower and the radiator panel.
Some people said they needed a 3″ connector. Our Hillman used a 4″ one. The elbow fits right over the flange on the blower and inside the round duct through the radiator panel. It needs to be trimmed a bit since without trimming it pushes the blower up too high. We trimmed a little more than an inch off of the vertical leg of the elbow. We noticed too late that the cut should have been made on an angle since the blower opening is not directly in line above the radiator panel opening, at least on our Minx, but it is in and so far seems serviceable.
YMMV.
Everything looks bad if you forget that! That is all.
However, with the new engine, that’s no longer a thing for us!
Use 20 w 50 oil.
This old car needs thicker oil!
Measured 37″ with a 3/8″ top
Dayco 15370 11A0940 at PepBoys!
Check this spec info about the Hillman
The tires on this car were date coded 1997. Don’t drive on old tires. Sometimes they blow out for hardly any reason.
The tires are 185 80 R15. Those are the tires ON the car.
The spare however was smaller… huh? Yep.
165 60?? R15. I didn’t think to write that down before we had them replaced.
Why? It seems that full size wheel and tire won’t fit in the appropriate spot in the trunk!
Didn’t know that til after we replace all 5 tires! Nuts.
By the way, this is a big shout out to PepBoys for the tires and for all kinds of assorted parts that the parts guys knew about.
Brakes on the front of this car are 10″ and 9″ on back. Most of the manuals say there are only 8″ and 9″ choices. But these are original and 10″.
They are almost the same as 1958 MGA brakes, but about 1/2″ narrower. And that means less surface area to help with stopping.
The rear brakes have a number 10017 (Most likely that’s a Rootes part number)
Update:
According to Mike Langley: If they are 10″, then in theory they are from a series 2 Rapier. Pretty rare…. see if the US Classic Car Suppliers list them. If not get back to me
Stopping is important!