OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC |
to an earlier Series Minx |
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC |
From: | Thomas [dusk(at)onvol.net] |
Sent: | Sunday, September 12, 2004 8:02 PM |
To: | hillman@can-inc.com |
Subject: | "Hillman – " Series 2 with disc brakes |
Hi Guys
I have a series 2 minx and would like to convert the front to disc brakes, with maybe a warmed over engine coming soon – can any of you suggest to me any way of converting the front for safer braking?
I have been told by some locals that you can use some parts off later minx models but i am not completely sure of this – I have discs/hubs off a later series minx and also some suspension arms (I can take photos and show them to you guys if it helps at all?)
Any and all help/suggestions would be much appreciated!
Thomas
From: | TIGEROOTES(at)aol.com |
Sent: | Sunday, September 12, 2004 11:28 PM |
To: | dusk(at)onvol.net; hillman@can-inc.com |
Subject: | Re: "Hillman – " Series 2 with disc brakes |
While you are at it, you can use the Series 5/6 rear axle in your car which will improve the gear ratio and give you 9" brakes instead of the 8" you now have. It bolts right in.
Jim Leach Pacific Tiger Club Seattle
57 Minx 1 (front disc brakes / 3.89 hypoid axle/ 9" rear brakes)
61 Husky 2 (front disc brakes / 3.89 hypoid gears / 9" rear brakes
et al
From: | Keith Johnson [keiths55(at)bigpond.net.au] |
Sent: | Monday, September 13, 2004 7:28 AM |
To: | hillman@can-inc.com |
Subject: | Re: "Hillman – " Series 2 with disc brakes |
Jim has the "good oil".
It is possible to mix-n-match front end bits, but the only easy way is to use the whole crossmember.
If you have the later series wishbones, uprights and brakes it may be possible to attach these to the original crossmember.
If you can get the whole later series crossmember that your parts came off then it is a bolt in operation.
I believe the stub axles and front bearings are the same so the disc hub should fit to the existing series 2 stub axles, but you would have to fabricate a caliper mounting bracket. Bearing in mind that this is a high stress item. Hot rodders have been doing this for years adapting late model disc brakes to early Ford axles. The later upright has ball joints and is not a bolt in swap for the earlier "swivel joint" style. What you need is the handbook for the later series to see the differences.
Using the donor car approach use both front and rear ends as well as the later master cylinder.
A VH40 power booster is a useful addition.
If you don't use the power booster do not get convinced to use "competition" pads/brake linings.
They will make the brakes seem very ineffective.
In fact for any of our cars it is better to use normal composition linings and replace them as required rather than carve up your drums or discs with hard compounds. In the Taxi industry smart operators use soft linings and replace them each month when servicing. The discs last much longer this way and pads are cheap. Many cab drivers are incurable brake riders and can wear out a set of brakes in four weeks no problem. We are talking of 500 Km every day of city driving.
Keith
From: | Graham Robinson 62 Husky [Leslie3008(at)bigpond.com] |
Sent: | Sunday, September 12, 2004 10:34 PM |
To: | Thomas; hillman@can-inc.com |
Subject: | Re: "Hillman – " Series 2 with disc brakes |
Thomas,
You may run into steering and akerman angle problems with later bits and
pieces. You are better off finding and fitting a complete front end from a
Series V Minx, that is the whole front cross member, axles and brakes etc.
Tracking may be a bit wider but not a big problem. Four large bolts hold in
on thru the chassis section as well as alll the others nuts and bolts one considers to remove or replace.
Graham.R.
From: | Thomas [dusk(at)onvol.net] |
Sent: | Wednesday, September 15, 2004 3:39 AM |
To: | hillman@can-inc.com |
Subject: | "Hillman – " Series 2 with disc brakes/steering |
Hi Guys
I would like to thank you all for your help on my question.
A search will now start for a series 4/5 donor car for series 2. (Maybe
from a scrap yard – I hate breaking running cars unless they look too bad to save)
Always wanted a modded Minx (series 1/2) and the only thing which can stop me from actualy doing the mods to my car is if a series 1 rapier pops up – or rather, IF i manage to get my grubby paws on a certain series 1 rapier i occasionally see in my area (though that would still get the disc brakes and so on updates/mods)
Just a question – Will i be able to use my series 2 steering box with the series 4/5 clip? The reason why i am asking this – I live in Malta where many of the roads are *bumpy* and steering boxes tend to suffer on such surfaces – I have a good box in my car, and a spare one just in case – it would be nice to know that i can count on the onse i already own as "spares" in case anything unpleasant happens. Otherwise, I can always start looking for more spare parts hehe.
Cya guys! I may not post too often but i am a good lurker hehe :)
Thomas
From: | Keith Johnson [keiths55(at)bigpond.net.au] |
Sent: | Wednesday, September 15, 2004 4:49 PM |
To: | hillman@can-inc.com |
Subject: | Re: "Hillman – " Series 2 with disc brakes/steering |
Thomas
You can use the original steering box, however the later series 5 uses a better box than the worm and pig ?peg used on series 1 and 2. Just save the later one until you need it :–)
Keith