I learned my lesson, with mine. It need's body panels, or a shell. but it runs great(now) after retuning. I need to replace 3/4 syncro, but have managed to get past that till the time comes. I hope to get all the panels a little at a time, and everything else needed till I have everything. Then I will redo the car like new. I bought mine for $4000, and it's worth $24,000 with USAA, as a 70 Mini Cooper S. it's a 04/69 build, but registered in 02/70. I love my mini and don't ever want to get rid of it. I would rather sell my SRT Dodge Ram, look at the milage difference. I get 30 mpg around town, hard to beat that, with a new car.

Thank You in advance!

Stieve

Grumpy: I'm bettin' The Joker told you to kill me soon as we loaded the cash.
BOZO;The Joker: No no no no, I kill the bus driver.
Grumpy: Bus driver? What bus driver?

Kristina,  Unfortunately you've learned a valuable lesson, one that many have learned before you.  You need to see, drive, inspect and be knowledeable prior to your purchase or you run the risk of being "surprised" when your baby arrives. Even with doing all that, you'll still find "surprises" as you go through the maintenance, upgrade and repair stages.

With that said, there are several respectable and honorable people on this board that can help you find an engine for your Mini. Even 998's are getting a little harder to come by lately but I'm sure someone here has a known short block (cheaper, more work but would allow you to repair your trans at the same time and learn alittle about the mechanics of the beast) or lumps they could part with. For a running engine a compression test is a good start, but a leak down test would tell you even more.  On a known condition short block someone knowledgeable could do some measurements and let you know if it would need rings or much more.  Once again, if a known engine then your risk is minimal.

I picked up a couple of lumps up near Fresno a year or two ago for $60 bucks and fuel to pick them up. They are rebuild only lumps as the owner put them outside for me to pick up and it rained on them with the heads off of them. DUMB! but still salvageable rebuilds only. My point is that there are still some out there, you just have to find them.

I think if you post that you are interested in a short block or complete lump in a new "WTB - 998 _____ (insert short or long block, lump here) thread you may get better responses. Also you can advise them to contact you off line as some people don't want others to know what they have and/or have offered to someone on a one-of, I'll help you out basis.

Well, I know I didn't give you any answers, but you've got more to think about.   dan

"I don't know much, but what I do know I know little of "

.

PMustang and others,

Okay, if I were to find a used 998,  how am I to know the engine is still running good? Not to be paranoid, but I had a harsh taste of reality when I got Mongrel delivered to my doorstep after being told there was no noticeable body damage. (there is only one straight panel on the car). I trusted the word of 2 different people and was had big time.  So....back to comfort of a warranty. I tend to be too trusting of others and unless I saw and heard the 998 run with a compresion test, I'd be driving it with uncertainty.

I'm a little gun shy right now. 

Where do you look for that. Do I just post here?

I'm thinking Minitech or other Vtec switchers may be  a good source.

       

Kristina

My advice is to buy a used but well running 998, I just sold a complete unit to a board member for quite a bit less than the 400 quoted above. I think sub 500 dollar 998s are in abundance, Mine was in a tough to get to state and thus went quite a bit less as well as the fact I am getting rid of parts as quick as I can, I am sure 300-400 should get you a motor in these depressed economic times. I am holding a 1275 in the garage until prices rise on this side of the pond.

peter

No more cars left, Westpaminis is now just a memory, Good luck to all those hard working dealers left out there, We can tell you its not easy. We have fully enjoyed meeting all the fine folks we have in the business.

Just remember the alcoholic beverages are at the END of the day not the beginning. My inlaws have an "abstract art" wooden deck because they forgot the golden rule above...    dan

"I don't know much, but what I do know I know little of "

Alright, driving around my block with your nice Minis would be more torture than needed.

 

If I go with the home engine rebuild then I was hoping to have an engine assembly party complete with food and beverages. Anyone who was willing to help would be VERY appreciated.

I need to decide which way to go pretty quick though. Still have the motor tied down in the back of the truck.

The idea of a one year warranty is VERY appealing. I'll keep you posted.

 

       

Kristina

We can all parade around and around her block in our minis.  That's gotta be some motivation. 

willy

If you think its good now Willy, wait till you get about 3K miles on it and then you'll really see.

EDIT: Maybe helping Kristina get Mongrel back on the road would be a good project for SMOG.

Steve

You will learn more about Minis by driving one for 30 minutes than if you read every book written about them.

 

Yeah, that's me.  Just passed 350 miles on the new motor, and it felt like it the power "came in" around 300 miles.  Still want to be semi-gentle with it until I get past the 500 mile oil change.  I wouldn't hesitate to go the same route if I had another mini engine to rebuild.  It's like going to the amusement park everyday now.

I've always planned to rebuild the engine myself, sending the parts out for boring, grinding, etc, but ever since having kids, I can't get any decent block of time to actually concentrate on what I'm doing.  I figured a thou or two off on something somewhere could causse the engine to seize and I'll have to start all over again.  About $1000 extra in labor to disassemble and reassemble the engine, run it in, and have it ready to install bought me piece of mind.

That said, once the kids are old enough, I'll definitely want to do the rebuild myself (or with the kids).

willy

Are you the one who took your motor up the hill with Steve? If so, that's where I got the rebuild price quote from. Still leaning that way just for piece of mind. Plus although my hubby is willing to help me rebuild, I know he doesn't really WANT to and I feel bad abusing him. I wish I was more competent mechanically. I really don't mind getting greasy I just need step by step directions with visuals. I really don't have "the gift" to fix things. 

       

Kristina

Add on about $500 "just in case" money.  You never know what you might find or want when you tear it open.  If you want, I can bring my final bill with me next week to see what mine cost to rebuild and what parts were replaced.  Pretty darn close to what Steve spent about 2 years ago.

willy 

Sounds like a possibility. No decision 'till the boss comes home. I have to behave, especially after buying Mongrel.

       

Kristina

Sure, Hey Nick call me about parts.

Thank You in advance!

Stieve

Grumpy: I'm bettin' The Joker told you to kill me soon as we loaded the cash.
BOZO;The Joker: No no no no, I kill the bus driver.
Grumpy: Bus driver? What bus driver?

If you steve and myself can get together sometime in the next few weeks I have a trans that needs to go back together and we can do them as a lot

Life is like installing windscreens, it takes a lot of elbow grease and some personal lubricant. 

Brings me up to about $1,500. Still a lot cheaper. Stieve are you willing to help with the tranny rebuild if needed?

       

Kristina

http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/MMKT0802/InvDetail.cfm

Is what I would do, with a centre sump pick up and windage tray, since it's out, just to prevent further discomfort.

Thank You in advance!

Stieve

Grumpy: I'm bettin' The Joker told you to kill me soon as we loaded the cash.
BOZO;The Joker: No no no no, I kill the bus driver.
Grumpy: Bus driver? What bus driver?

Back from a machine shop.

They feel the cylinder is savable with a sleeve as long as the piston pin isn't damaged beyond repair. It looked like that is what caused the deep pit and groove. Haven't taken the tranny off the block yet to inspect. around $250.00 total for the resleeve, hone,clean and camber. Not too bad. Piston price $400.00 for 4. Probably close to $1000 total once the seals and other misc parts are purchased. Sounds like a good option and more the price range I can handle at the moment.

My concern with Mongrel is how strong are the other parts? I don't want to rebuild the block just to have the tranny or head fail.

So, tranny was strong when ran, I had trouble getting into 3rd when I first got the car but I think that was just my lameness and adjusting to shifting on the left. Are Transmissions pretty straight forward to update? 

       

Kristina

---

"I think it would be cheaper to fix, than replace. the trans we can inspect and replace what's needed. Where are you taking it to? You have my number still? Are you working this summer at C.G.? "

Hi Stieve,

Not working this summer and don't have your # anymore but I know where to find you. At this very moment I'm leaning towards rebuilding mine as I'd have a warranty and piece of mind. Then I can drive it with a little more confidence. Still looking into possibly just boring the cylinders out and replacing the pistons. If I go that route I would love help inspecting the trasmission.

Tim:

Thanks but that price is about the same to rebuild mine with warranty. I'm still open to used 998's though.

Quick:

I plan on getting it running and driving the snot out of it. Normally I'd agree with  the hobby theory, and that's what I was hoping for, but this poor Mini is never going to be fully straight and pretty so it will be a fun driver and not much more. Dumping a bunch of $$ into it just isn't smart financially.

Of course anyone who is willing to prove me wrong and take on Mongrel to restore him nicely is encouraged to make me an offer.

 

       

Kristina

A bit of thought from the middle.

Minis are not something you place a dollar figure on IMHO. It's a hobby and hobbies cost money.

I have never bought a new engine and have managed to get lucky with $500 used 1275s (but those days maybe over).

I think you should get an enthusiast to help you fix only what's broken and any other reasonable thing that you deem necessary and continue to solder on.

Don't dump your car if only a nicked bore is the issue.

If I were going to drop in a used motor Kristina, it wouldn't be an SPI, but maybe that's just me.  I think you're best bet is to find a good used complete 998 and drop it in.

Steve

You will learn more about Minis by driving one for 30 minutes than if you read every book written about them.