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Post by kevfromwales on Dec 10, 2008 12:49:12 GMT
Hi all - kev signing in! recognise a few familiar faces from RR over here, so it looks like I'll be in good company ;D had a few rootesmobiles in the past, a very sick 65 gazelle which someone had wedged a 2ltr pinto in, and my trusty hunter estate which was traded down to richy in portsmouth a while back - I've aslo got the VERY sorry remains of a '29 hillman 14hp stashed away (a save from the scrapman ) anyway, the main reason I've got myself on this board is I went to visit a good mate matt last week, and we decided that we need to get his hillman minx back on the road for next summer It's a '54 minx, very solid indeed, but mechanically shagged - engine is seized, and was a big oil drinker before this, rad is knackered, seized brakes etc etc so what I was thinking was to drop in a more modern motor, and upgrade the brakes, lower it a bit - make it a sort of mild kustom (as that's matt's style of choice) it's got 3 stud wheels at the moment, but what I was thinking was take the front hubs from a later minx, and fit those, giving ford 4 stud pattern, then maybe fit sierra discs to those? - anybody know if the later hubs will fit the early cars? at the back, I was thinking of an anglia or cortina axle, so I've sent matt to measure up the car, see what we can match it up to lastly (for now!) will the later 1500 / 1725 arrow motors fit the minx's gearbox? (some hope I know!) any suggestions, help or advice welcome! cheers! - kev
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Post by kevfromwales on Dec 10, 2008 12:53:46 GMT
one mega shonky pic of the minx, along with my recently departed ruby shell
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Post by Rootes on Dec 10, 2008 13:12:38 GMT
Welcome aboard Kevfromwales! Sounds like an interesting project... can anyone help with Kev's ponderings? I guess a fair bit of it will be 'trial & error' anyway.
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Post by kevfromwales on Dec 10, 2008 14:26:11 GMT
it's one of those cars that'll either be a dead simple bolt up and go type build, or a mega long world of pain methinks!
if anyone out there knows of / has a scrap donor 'series' minx that I could have a look at the hubs / front end setup that'd be much appreciated - though I think I'm going to have to take a beechams flu plus / sudafed / booze combo first - feel a bit sicky...
- kev
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srf
Chrysler Avenger
One of the few owners in this area
Posts: 22
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Post by srf on Dec 10, 2008 19:03:19 GMT
Hi Kev, are you from Abergele?
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rottie
Dodge Spacevan
Posts: 43
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Post by rottie on Dec 10, 2008 20:28:50 GMT
blimey Kev, that sounds like it might be a laugh !!
(never knew they was on 3 stud wheels though )
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Post by kevfromwales on Dec 10, 2008 23:39:55 GMT
Hi Kev, are you from Abergele? yeah I am- where do I know you from?? - don't recognise the rapier - tis nice though! (be better slammed and some flames / scallops though!) rottie, yeah, if we can't get a rootes lump to fit in it'll be getting a dohc ford 2 ltr motor and an auto! ;D 3 stud wheels are definately FAIL, so they've got to go for sure, hopefully a 'donor' set of hubs will show up - or someone on here will be super kind and blast me over some pics of their front end setup?? (on a later minx) - kev
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Post by kevfromwales on Dec 11, 2008 13:24:04 GMT
right, some time spent googling and coughing / aching has revealed that a 'phase' minx has a rear track of 48 1/2", which is the same as the later 'series' minx - and is also about an inch narrower than a mk1 cortina (there's a scrapper local to pinch the axle off) - which would allow a slightly wider tyre under the back
at the front, the track seems to be pretty similar too - a whisper off 49" for the phase minx, and 49" spot on for the series - did any of the later minx's come with disc front brakes?? - I totally wish I'd kept the front end set up from my gazelle now!!
also, has anybody had experience of lowering the series minx's, as from memory my gazelle's coils were pretty short?
cheers all! - kev
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Post by tattooedwhitetrash on Dec 11, 2008 20:06:11 GMT
Wotcha Kev , is there anything you aint got tucked away lol Terry
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Post by kevfromwales on Dec 11, 2008 20:31:25 GMT
pretty much mate, pretty much! I figure this'll be less hassle than a 'normal' kev project, as it's not technically mine, and so I won't get the hassle of paying for it, and storing it!!
pretty looking forward to starting it tbh!
-kev
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Post by Davenger on Dec 11, 2008 21:51:36 GMT
Hello mate, how's tricks?
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rottie
Dodge Spacevan
Posts: 43
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Post by rottie on Dec 11, 2008 22:10:26 GMT
last of the bubble shaped (pre arrow) minx series V has disc front... on the same shape crossmember as all the other audax bodied rootes models mate.. pretty sure the vogue series 4 did as well
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Post by kevfromwales on Dec 12, 2008 17:19:41 GMT
last of the bubble shaped (pre arrow) minx series V has disc front... on the same shape crossmember as all the other audax bodied rootes models mate.. pretty sure the vogue series 4 did as well ok, that's good news then, so if a post series V donor ar can be found then we have 'factory' discs for the front - assuming they'll fit! if anyone spots anything ina ditch / scrappy etc then please let me know!! - kev
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Post by kevfromwales on Dec 12, 2008 17:33:34 GMT
wow!! just found this: www.dougscars.com/hillman.htmlseems this chap has put a sunbeam tiger running gear into one of these (well, a husky!) - using the tiger X-member and the ford v8!!! however, it seems beforehand he bolted in a 1725 lump too, so a hunter running gear donor and disc front end maybe?? can't ask the guy unfortunately, as unless I'm mistaken by my other rootes googling, the guy has sadly passed away? more info will have to wait til after the car club xmas piss up tonight - kev
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srf
Chrysler Avenger
One of the few owners in this area
Posts: 22
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Post by srf on Dec 12, 2008 17:45:57 GMT
Hi Kev, I think I met you via Ebay, were you driving a warm 100E when we met at Mc Donalds. You very kindly gave me 2 hinges that I had actually bought, in fact if I remember right you gave me the complete bonnet with hinges attached. I always remember a genuine guy and you are certainly one. Ray
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