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Darrens Restorations
United States
Приєднався 25 січ 2022
This channel is dedicated to the tuning, repair, and restoration of the Classic Mini.
I am passionate about renewing and rebuilding old and broken items that are unique and cool.
If I find something that excites me, then it might excite you too.
Sometimes a thorough cleaning, or a complete strip down and rebuilding will be necessary.
Who knows how far down the rabbit hole I will go!
I hope to inspire others to learn from my actions and attempt their own projects.
Join me in my adventures!
Darren
I am passionate about renewing and rebuilding old and broken items that are unique and cool.
If I find something that excites me, then it might excite you too.
Sometimes a thorough cleaning, or a complete strip down and rebuilding will be necessary.
Who knows how far down the rabbit hole I will go!
I hope to inspire others to learn from my actions and attempt their own projects.
Join me in my adventures!
Darren
Lucas A115 Alternator Testing, Repair and Restoration. Bearings Diode Regulator Oh My!
I've had this Lucas A115 alternator in my parts pile for a few years and I finally got around to finding out what was wrong with it.
This alternator was used as an upgrade for the ACR alternator for a few years before the A127 alternator came out.
It had higher output of 45 amps vs the ACR of 30 amps
In Part 1, I fully dismantle this unit to clean and inspect all the components.
Cleaned and vapor blasted the aluminum cases.
Replaced the bearings with new SKF sealed bearings.
Tested the outer strator windings as well as the motor winding.
Tested the diode and rectifier assembly
Tested the voltage regulator.
Checked the brushes and slip rings.
let me know if you found this useful or interesting in the comments below.
Thanks for watching
This alternator was used as an upgrade for the ACR alternator for a few years before the A127 alternator came out.
It had higher output of 45 amps vs the ACR of 30 amps
In Part 1, I fully dismantle this unit to clean and inspect all the components.
Cleaned and vapor blasted the aluminum cases.
Replaced the bearings with new SKF sealed bearings.
Tested the outer strator windings as well as the motor winding.
Tested the diode and rectifier assembly
Tested the voltage regulator.
Checked the brushes and slip rings.
let me know if you found this useful or interesting in the comments below.
Thanks for watching
Переглядів: 38
Відео
Lucas Starter Motor Rebuild for Classic Mini: Inertia type NO COST Repair!
Переглядів 23316 годин тому
Lucas Starter Motor Rebuild for Classic Mini: Inertia type NO COST Repair!
Mini Rod Change Axle Seals and CV Boot, tips and thoughts.
Переглядів 13514 днів тому
this is a follow up video to supplement information omitted to the Green MPI video I uploaded last week. I elaborate on oil leaks coming from the inner pot joint and discuss bearing replacement as well as the rubber boot replacement.
Green MPI Oil Leaks, engine mounts, and Key Fob programming
Переглядів 17014 днів тому
This beautiful Almond Green MPI mini came in for some service work. It had a terrible oil leak from a failed selector shaft seal as well as a bad engine mount. The owner also asked for some new key fobs to be programmed. This particular Mini uses the Lucas 5AS alarm module and the key fobs need to be programmed to the module.
Lucas 65D Dizzy recurve with specs!
Переглядів 18221 день тому
This very nice condition Lucas 65D distributor was sent to me to be recurved. I disassemble it, clean up all the internals and check for wear. Then I start the process of checking the advance curve and making adjustments as needed. After that, I put it on my distributor machine and changed out the springs to make the distributor match the specs provided. Thanks for watching!
Poor fuel economy? Get a tune! 60mpg+
Переглядів 1,7 тис.Місяць тому
This 998cc Mini Mayfair came to me for some repairs and a tune. After completing the minor repair work as well as changing out the exhaust manifold gastket, I turned my attention to tuning the engine. The car drove fairly well to my garage and I thought that it would be needing only minor needle fuel profiling however I ended up replacing all of the ignition system including a new recurved dist...
Weak Strobe or No Strobe?? Innova 5568 Timing Strobe Light Repair
Переглядів 168Місяць тому
Got an strobe light that wont strobe or that has a weak strobe ? Watch this video! I take apart an Innova 5568 Strobe light to diagnose why the strobe was not flashing or was intermittently flashing. Warning There are high voltage components contained within this strobe circuit, Do not attempt to disassemble anything unless you have drained the capacitors first. Failure to do this will potentia...
Tuning Day with Jay plus New AC Dodd HIF44 carb!
Переглядів 463Місяць тому
Jay recently purchased this nice Green Mini and was having running problems. He traveled 8 hours to see me for tuning. After testing the ignition system and replacing parts, we then swapped the carb to an AC Dodd rebuilt carb.
Emissions and Twin carb tuning
Переглядів 6472 місяці тому
Tuning day for Brian and Peter Brian's 80 era mini had a nice surprise, a Swifttune built 998 motor. Peter's MK1 S was fun to tune as it had twin carbs. Here is a chance to see what goes into a Tuning Session as well as before and after data from the gas analyzer. I found a worn needle and carb, restrictive air filter, bad distributor advance, and had to do a custom SU carb needle profiling.
Red mini Project Part 5. Final tuning!
Переглядів 8042 місяці тому
This is a different type of video. Instead of showing just the tuning process, I had an opportunity to do an in depth tune and repair of this classic mini. It was towed to my garage due to its inability to start or run properly. It also smokes quite a bit. In Part 1, I started by checking the ignition system as well as doing a compression test. Part 2 includes a valve adjustment, fuel pump issu...
Brakes, clutch, and other maintenance issue with Red mini project, part 4
Переглядів 1713 місяці тому
I decide to take a bit of a break from the tuning and work on issues related to drive-ability. Specifically the brakes and clutch were in terrible condition. Both pedals were soft so I started by taking the brakes apart to inspect the parts. I also adjusted the clutch arm. I bleed the entire brake and clutch hydraulic systems. This is a different type of video. Instead of showing just the tunin...
Red mini Project Part 3. Valve Stem seals, Dizzy and Carb work..
Переглядів 5233 місяці тому
This is a different type of video. Instead of showing just the tuning process, I had an opportunity to do an in depth tune and repair of this classic mini. It was towed to my garage due to its inability to start or run properly. It also smokes quite a bit. In Part 1, I started by checking the ignition system as well as doing a compression test. Part 2 includes a valve adjustment, fuel pump issu...
Unboxing freshly rebuilt carbs from AC Dodd! Plus bonus sticker and mug
Переглядів 3883 місяці тому
I just received my latest order of rebuilt carbs from AC Dodd. Though it would be fun to do an unboxing video.
Lucas 65D Distributor Repair, Restoration and Recurving. Red Mini Project part 2.5
Переглядів 4773 місяці тому
In this video I take the Lucas 65D distributor from the Red mini project apart to see why it was not giving a suitable advance curve. After that I recurve the advance profile to match the needs of the Red Mini. This will be Part 2.5 of the Red mini project as it was a side project to the main tuning and repair process.
Valve Gaps, Fuel pump woes, and first start! Part 2 of Red Mini repairs
Переглядів 6533 місяці тому
This is a different type of video. Instead of showing just the tuning process, I had an opportunity to do an in depth tune and repair of this classic mini. It was towed to my garage due to its inability to start or run properly. It also smokes quite a bit. In Part 1, I started by checking the ignition system as well as doing a compression test. Part 2 includes a valve adjustment, fuel pump issu...
Tow-In, Crank No Start, 998cc Mini - Initial diagnosis and ignition setup
Переглядів 1,4 тис.4 місяці тому
Tow-In, Crank No Start, 998cc Mini - Initial diagnosis and ignition setup
New Coils and Dizzys and Wires! Oh my! Unboxing my latest order
Переглядів 764 місяці тому
New Coils and Dizzys and Wires! Oh my! Unboxing my latest order
Powerspark 59D recurving, lets get all that power!
Переглядів 4224 місяці тому
Powerspark 59D recurving, lets get all that power!
New Powerspark 65D Re-curving for Red 998 Mini project
Переглядів 4114 місяці тому
New Powerspark 65D Re-curving for Red 998 Mini project
Common Mistakes when setting up Twin Carbs for a Mini
Переглядів 1,4 тис.5 місяців тому
Common Mistakes when setting up Twin Carbs for a Mini
Mini MPI Main Relay Failure! Tear down and Diagnosis
Переглядів 2455 місяців тому
Mini MPI Main Relay Failure! Tear down and Diagnosis
Considering a new distributor for your classic Mini? Pros and Cons of Powerspark, Part 2 of 2
Переглядів 1,8 тис.5 місяців тому
Considering a new distributor for your classic Mini? Pros and Cons of Powerspark, Part 2 of 2
Aftermarket 59D dizzy with BAD advance curve!
Переглядів 4446 місяців тому
Aftermarket 59D dizzy with BAD advance curve!
Tuning Day with 1984 Mini 998cc, Strict Emissions test!
Переглядів 4706 місяців тому
Tuning Day with 1984 Mini 998cc, Strict Emissions test!
Tuning Day with a 1963 Mini 1275 "S"
Переглядів 2226 місяців тому
Tuning Day with a 1963 Mini 1275 "S"
Considering a new distributor for your classic Mini? Pros and Cons of Powerspark, Part 1 of 2
Переглядів 8396 місяців тому
Considering a new distributor for your classic Mini? Pros and Cons of Powerspark, Part 1 of 2
The basics of Tuning a Lucas Distributor
Переглядів 1,1 тис.7 місяців тому
The basics of Tuning a Lucas Distributor
Classic mini won't pass MOT emissions??
Переглядів 917 місяців тому
Classic mini won't pass MOT emissions??
Tired Lucas 25D, when to replace a worn out dizzy
Переглядів 2 тис.8 місяців тому
Tired Lucas 25D, when to replace a worn out dizzy
Repairing a Lucas 25D distributor with a Bad advance curve
Переглядів 1,7 тис.9 місяців тому
Repairing a Lucas 25D distributor with a Bad advance curve
This is bull crap this car there's no way you can get 60 plus miles per gallon!
I enjoy these vids Darren. Very informative 👍
❤❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍
what grease was used for the bendix? I assume this rebuild is in the haynes manual, but would be useful info for ppl watching this.
I used a bearing grease on the shaft bearing and a light spray on oil for the bendix.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍Good tutorial...
Glad you liked it thanks for watching
quite helpful, good to know what to look for on whether the pot joint needs replacement. can you buy the pot joint 'innards+boot' as a replacement item, and is there something to look at inside to know if you should just replace?
Replace if you can hear noises when rotating them. They should move smoothly in and out of the joint as well as articulate in any direction freely but in a controlled way. If sloppy feeling then replace it. Yes complete inner joints are available already assembled.
@@darrensrestorations991 ah, unfortunately mine has been disassembled for about 20 yrs prior to my ownership. I have inner pot joint 'bases' with no internals. Was just wondering if it is worth considering trying to reuse the housing and purchase new internal+boot or just say screw it and buy the whole pot joint. Thanks for the reply!
Thanks for that. One thing to add though. You can't fit a fully assembled pot joint drive shaft because the gap in the subframe is too small. Either the pot joint or the outer CV has to come off first.
Oh ya, I forgot to mention thay frustrating detail about the subframe openings. Thanks for clarifying. If the inner joint wont come off the axle, then the boot can be removed to allow the axle to pass through the opening with the inner part of the pot joint still attached.
Thanks for the extra info Darren. What size is the reamer for the side cover bushing?
It gets reamed to a final size of 1.250. But its best to check the diameter of the pot joint before reaming as they vary somewhat in diameter. The clearance is 0.001 to 0.003 so if you have a joint that measures at 1.250 then you will need to ream to at least 1.251.
Helpful information Darren, thank you.
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching.
Thank you. I found this addendum quite informative
I made this after seeing your comment on the green mpi. I had some fun while filming.
Perhaps a Little video of what is involved with he repairs you have performed would make for some educational viewing
I was wondering if it was a bit short. Maybe I can put together another one just on the axles.
Nice to see, that the old school mechanics are being kept alive! I worked on all sorts of engines, over 40 years ago, tuning was a pleasure for me ! NO AI, screwing up the efficiency of the motor. All modern stuff, is right out of tune. Due to over restricted air flow: input, & output. Apart from setting up an engine properly, "all engines have to breathe", like us. 🔧🇬🇧🤪. Thank you, we need to go back to the old way of tuning. 👍
Always something new to learn from.old machines. Thanks for watching
Very interesting. I see you are using an AFR gauge to get a Lambda reading. Where do you attach the sensor on a customer's car?
I have made an adapter to connect to the end of the exhaust pipe and then it connects into another long pipe to keep the gasses flowing smoothly.
@@darrensrestorations991 So, it isn't necessary to fit the sensor into the exhaust manifold then?
@@grahamwoodier5066 It is best to have it permanently mounted into the exhaust manifold. When I am on the road tuning, having it at the tail pipe is the next best option.
That car does not do 60 mpg
Yes it did get 60 mpg (imperial). The distance was measured with GPS.
when distributor in place, can the rotor arm rotate a bit or is it wear?
If the rotor rotates but the shaft does not, that is an issue. The rotor and shaft will rotate together and swing out the weights which is normal.
It's great to see the before and after comparison of the lambda: No air filter Stock air filter Stock with holes Seeing the data back up the theory is always nice
I try to be scientific about what I am doing as well as helpful to others. Thanks for watching!
What AFR meter are you using? What is it connected to? Thanks
It is a innovate wideband gauge kit. Hooked up to a pipe I connect to the end of the exhaust.
Great video. Learning something new each time
Glad to hear it!
Great work Darren
Thank you! Cheers!
A very successful tune! I learn something new with each of your tuning presentations, thank you.
Thanks for watching my videos.
Enjoying the vids Darren! Impressive gas mileage for sure
I was not expecting the mileage to be so good. I used my gps to track the mileage and speeds traveled. Glad you liked the video
.003 difference in the jet depth is about 1/2 a flat on the jet nut.
Which doesn't sound like much of a difference but at idle it is significant.
@@darrensrestorations991 Curious, what tolerance are you using to set the float level? +-.003?
Good video 😀😀👍
Thank you 👍
I have been enjoying your restoration videos. They're like the MOSS Motors videos as they are informative and very educational with a wide range of subject matter, car stuff and other closely related topics.
Glad you like them, thanks for watching
I would love to see a demo on using one of these timing lights to check the timing. Great video
Ok, ill put together a demo showing how to use one and the difference between the stobe lights that I have.
I just drill them out oversized and make bushes to remove the slack in the shaft 😀👍 great video 👍
Yep, thats the way to fix them.
Hi I’ve just found your channel and loving it , have you done a post on your machine? Is it a bought one or have you made it?
Hi, i made my own distributor machine as well as the electronics to run it. Thanks for watching!
I have known Adrian (AC) for years and he is a decent ordinary bloke with a great sense of humour. However when it comes to all things Mini, SU and Dizzy, its as if he changes into a superhero and pulls his tuning pants on over his trousers! I think he knows more about the A series than the people who originally designed the engine and probably knows more about SU's than SU do. I had an old Land Rover and just for giggles he designed a tuned length induction for its SU, and tweaked the timing and carburation on a rolling road for me. The motor was a different beast after that. I'm old enough to remember when all young men would tinker under the bonnet tuning their cars. From speaking to him now it is obvious that 99% of us did not really have a clue what we were doing! Watching his UA-cam videos where he custom grinds needle profiles and adjusts advance springs in distributors is almost voodoo. Coming from a strong engineering background he has questioned and analysed every inch of the mini engine over the years and i doubt that there is anyone else who can match his knowledge. I don't have a mini or anything related but it is extremely entertaining to watch him at work in his videos. If they taught tuning at university, he would be the professor...
He is a great person and a great teacher. We are all in his debt for what he brings to the Mini community.
Is that a RSP Cooper? Sounds sweet. I notice you seem to have a higher lambda value (leaner on idle) than AC uses, why is that?do you have different location for the lambda sensor in your setup, or do you have different emission standards? Well done on the tuning, another Mini on the road that can be used to its full potential!
The lambda reading at idle is different depending on what ignition system is in the car. It also depends on carb wear and air leaks at the intake. It is also sensitive to any leaks in the exhaust system which can bring air in and cause the sensor to read leaner. This car did have some minor exhaust leaks.
Keep the videos coming! A great addition to AC's videos and really motivating!
Thanks! Will do!
Hi Darren, are you selling the Powerspark billet 6mm fuel filters? How do I get in touch with you? Thanks, Lin
Hi yes they can be purchased. Contact info in the channel about page. Or via messenger
@@darrensrestorations991 Hi, Darren, I have a Facebook account but I am not a big Facebook user. I do not find an "about" link when I open your you tube channel. If I use Messenger, what address do I use? I tried darrensrestorations991 but that did not work. Sorry, but i am having trouble contacting you.
excellent series, Darren. Nice sequential diagnosis. Well done. Lin
Thanks, it was a good car to use for diagnosis
Hi Darren, I have a 45D Powerspark tuned by A.C. Really happy to see that with you we now have a “local” tuner. I am in Florida so not exactly local but at least in the U.S. Also using an HIF 44 prepared by A.C. These are on a 1275 Bugeye that I am restoring for my son. Lin
Hi. Glad you found my channel.
I love these technical detailed explanations. Well done.
Thanks for watching, ill keep posting videos like these
Great video. Could you show how to adjust these settings please.
How did you test how many degrees at what rpm the engine likes?
By knowing the curve and then driving on the road and making timing adjustment. At some point the performance will drop off with too much timing or it will develop pinking/knocking.
You sound quite knowledgeable about the details of the ignition. People tend to mix and match all kind of parts on these cars. I would think that heatgrade 5 might be better on a relatively stock engine spec.
The 5 might be better or too hot. If it only gets used for city driving then id go with 5. The best answer comes from driving a tuned engine and checking condition. Then reassessing the heat grade based on your driving conditions.
So I have one of these in my 1982 Land Rover. The Haynes manual says that the mechanical advance should go as much as 42° at 4500 rpm. But mine has the same cam in as yours with 12° stamped on it. Does that mean that I have the wrong cam? Should it say 42° on the cam? Thanks
The distributor cam is not the same as total advance. 12 deg of distributor advance is 24 degrees at the crankshaft. Add on the static idle advance and you should get to total advance. The Haynes manual may be referring to the total advance including any vacuum advance.
AC tuned my car in Feb, still runs like a dream
His tuning abilities are amazing
Nicely demonstrated, you covered a lot of territory and I'm looking forward to future episodes. Thanks Darren.
This mini was a good example of what happens when regular maintenance is neglected. Im glad i was able to work on it. Thanks for watching
Powerspark is a cheap Chinese knock off. Fix your original one or find a good used 25D unit.
There are no good used 25D units. The shaft wear alone make them no good. Plus the curve on an original 25D needs to be adjusted to match the engine it is going on. The powerspark units are cheap but they can be tuned and have high power modules. High power module = more spark energy. No one else has a high power option for the A series motor.
@@darrensrestorations991 Agreed, by the way; the work you do is amazing, it’s definitely a lost art.
Thanks for the excellent video. It's RPM not rpm's though. Keep up the great content.
Will do. Next time ill get my chart labels correct
Nice to see someone that knows what they're on about, top work.
Thanks
Where did you purchase your springs from?
I made my own springs
Well demonstrated and explained Darren; thank you.
Thanks for continuing to watch my channel. I do have an original Lucas 45D restoration video coming after the red mini series is finished.
So would the Powersport be more appropriate for say a 998cc?
Whats appropriate is what fits into the block. A series can have the 25D or 45D. A+ has 59D or 65D. The powerspark units are appropriate for all engines. I recurve them to suit the application.
@@darrensrestorations991 i think the point to be made is the curve needs to suit the application ie cam profile and compression ratio and any applicable emission regs
@@user-gl5kj1fm5x yep, that what I am doing.
if the dwell is too long it will overhear the HT coil.
Yes it will.
sadly, I've taken the Lucas distributor for granted. This series of videos gives me a much greater appreciation for the intricacies of proper tuning
I think Lucas did a good job with what they were tasked with. They are still working to this day but its time to move forward with new components
Great video. Yes please on the 25d and 45d dizzy recurve.
Yes thanks for the reminder, I will a few with original 25d and 45d .
Great, explanatory video; I would very much like to see additional videos with other distributors undergoing recurving. Thank you.
thanks for watching, I will have more as they come to me.