'73 Hillman Hunter - Minx front end - Project/Fun car

[SmokinWaffle]

Perhaps it was! Who knows. Would be amazing if it turned out it was!

Missed the center console on eBay as I was messing around playing silly buggers with my partner - no regrets! went for £4 + £12 postage...ah well - I kind of like the room!

[Hillmanjames]

Nice Hunter!

The centre consoles are easy enough to make yourself out of 1/2" mdf if you can't find one. I don't think there's a single curve on them!

My old rev counter was just a cheapo ebay jobby, 4 wires (power, ground, coil negative and interior light supply) dead easy to wire in. I would put it a bit higher up than where I stuck mine though as it's hard to see when you need to see a rev counter

Give me a shout if you want any info about anything!

[colnerov]

Hi, Reference the tappets, the rocker end pad that presses on the valve ends up with a groove worn in the pad. It was a common fault back in the day, not just on these engines but others as well. The trick is to trim the feeler gauge down so it fits in the groove rather than across it and giving a false reading.

Colin

[SmokinWaffle]

Mar 14, 2017 10:09:54 GMT Hillmanjames said:

Nice Hunter!

The centre consoles are easy enough to make yourself out of 1/2" mdf if you can't find one. I don't think there's a single curve on them!

My old rev counter was just a cheapo ebay jobby, 4 wires (power, ground, coil negative and interior light supply) dead easy to wire in. I would put it a bit higher up than where I stuck mine though as it's hard to see when you need to see a rev counter

Give me a shout if you want any info about anything!

Haha, there is not! Thanks - yeah was thinking top of the dash or somewhere close. Still on the lookout for semi-retro looking one cheaply. Thank you!

Mar 16, 2017 19:39:41 GMT colnerov said:

Hi, Reference the tappets, the rocker end pad that presses on the valve ends up with a groove worn in the pad. It was a common fault back in the day, not just on these engines but others as well. The trick is to trim the feeler gauge down so it fits in the groove rather than across it and giving a false reading.

Colin

I see. I might have to re-do it! cheers

Not much going on since it's been parked up, been busy with work and sorting out moving to my new place....I did source a new old stock air filter though as I neglected to do that last time I was under the bonnet and the current one is black as your hat. Tiny job for when I next see it.

[SmokinWaffle]

Okay! Some progress as I'm taking it to the Delting Heritage show tomorrow with a group of other Hillmans from around the area (not many!).

Decided that I may as well just go ahead and get the backbox replaced with a nice new straight pipe made by my good friend and mechanical Guru Dave (Dave - if you are reading this - you are a godsend!!)



some lovely welds:



Coated in some silver rustproof paint as it's only made out of mild steel and I'd rather it not look terrible in a month with the british weather:



aaaand mounted!





Turns out the old one was bodged together anyhow, clamps being used incorrectly to hand the exhaust of bits of the underside...bad stuff. So this is much better. Can't wait to hear it when I pick it up tongiht.

Believe he's also gonna check the valve clearances again and see if the brakes need bleeding or if the rear ones need adjusting as my pedal is still pretty squishy. I've got to replace the air filter when I get home which is long overdue.

Turns out one spring is sagged about half an inch lower than the other resulting in the cockeyedness - another one for this list of cheap needed fixes. If anyone has any front springs please do get in touch! And I have a large leak from the front crankshaft seal - although that is currently aiding in rust proofing the underside with oil so I'll keep an eye on it. Won't fail, but needs replacing.

Now just trying to figure out if I prefer the headlight mesh or the euro covers..



opinions?

[SmokeEm]

Mesh get's my vote.

[dazcapri]

Mar 31, 2017 13:03:06 GMT SmokeEm said:

Mesh get's my vote.

And mine

[nomad]

Mar 31, 2017 12:20:33 GMT SmokinWaffle said:

If anyone has any front springs please do get in touch!

And I have a large leak from the front crankshaft seal - although that is currently aiding in rust proofing the underside with oil so I'll keep an eye on it. Won't fail, but needs replacing.

Now just trying to figure out if I prefer the headlight mesh or the euro covers..

opinions?

1. I'm hoping to fit different springs on mine in the next few weeks, the ones on there now will be spare. I also have a set of cut standard springs.

2. I hate to spoil your plans but ... ( I had similar last year and it's not what you think )

3. Mesh! (I love the yellow on some colour schemes - not quite right on yours. Seth had some yellow covers on his a while ago?)

[jpsmit]

Mesh also - but lined up with the grille!

[SmokinWaffle]

Thanks all. Decided the mesh looked better too so I went with that!

Mar 31, 2017 14:52:57 GMT nomad said:

Mar 31, 2017 12:20:33 GMT SmokinWaffle said:

If anyone has any front springs please do get in touch!

And I have a large leak from the front crankshaft seal - although that is currently aiding in rust proofing the underside with oil so I'll keep an eye on it. Won't fail, but needs replacing.

Now just trying to figure out if I prefer the headlight mesh or the euro covers..

opinions?

1. I'm hoping to fit different springs on mine in the next few weeks, the ones on there now will be spare. I also have a set of cut standard springs.

2. I hate to spoil your plans but ... ( I had similar last year and it's not what you think )

3. Mesh! (I love the yellow on some colour schemes - not quite right on yours. Seth had some yellow covers on his a while ago?)

Ooh, I'll take those springs if they are any good. I'll message you. It's not what I think? What is it then!

Went to the Kent Heritage show @ Delting showground just down the road from me with some other Hillmans on Saturday:



Performed well apart from blowing two fuses before I worked out the wiper motor was the cause. That fuse also knocks out the brake lights and indicators too....thankfully I have two spare wiper motors (one of which is 2 speed I think?) so a handy upgrade and a fix at the same time.

Also picked up some old Citroen CX/BX/DS Rally Promo material for something to put on the wall when I move out (always had a soft spot for those..) and an awesome original Hunter 4 page little catalogue (with my front end!) - pictures to come. It says on it "The most luxurious family car ever built!" 
Treated it to a wash afterwards:





Love the rear 3/4 look of this car...



Even with the rusty dent!

I also found the colour I think I want to paint it (much to everyone who i've spoken to's dismay!!), this sort of yellow:



It was a bit paler in person! Thoughts? I'm prepared for the negativity!

[nomad]

^ Nice lineup of Hillmans, good to see them out and getting used

I rang Speedy Spares last year for a new front crank oil seal and they explained my 1725 motor has no seal. The front pulley has scroll grooves to push the oil back into the engine, the grooves fill with crud on old engines.
Also - Hunters often have high back pressure (worn pistons), this blows oil past the blocked scroll grooves.
I removed the oil filler cap on mine and fitted and old sock to reduce the pressure - it helped!
My to-do list includes removing the front pulley to clean the scrolls, and an extra breather somewhere (timing chest or rocker cover?) to keep the pressure low.

Springs - I'll try to get new ones sorted this week and let you know.

cheers

[SmokinWaffle]

I've just seen this on eBay and that's the exact colour I want mine! Does anyone know the paint code/where I can get it? Not sure if I can replicate the somewhat sun faded look....looks very solid and has a nice interior for anyone looking for a spares car.





Adore that colour so, so, so much...

Edit:

Apr 3, 2017 11:22:59 GMT nomad said:

^ Nice lineup of Hillmans, good to see them out and getting used

I rang Speedy Spares last year for a new front crank oil seal and they explained my 1725 motor has no seal. The front pulley has scroll grooves to push the oil back into the engine, the grooves fill with crud on old engines.
Also - Hunters often have high back pressure (worn pistons), this blows oil past the blocked scroll grooves.
I removed the oil filler cap on mine and fitted and old sock to reduce the pressure - it helped!
My to-do list includes removing the front pulley to clean the scrolls, and an extra breather somewhere (timing chest or rocker cover?) to keep the pressure low.

Springs - I'll try to get new ones sorted this week and let you know.

cheers

I see. Hmm. Is that the same case for the 1500?

Thanks regarding the springs

Found various Rootes colour lists online but nothing that I can compare/visual image of the colours. Might message the seller...

[Curtis]

Mar 31, 2017 12:20:33 GMT SmokinWaffle said:

Now just trying to figure out if I prefer the headlight mesh or the euro covers..



opinions?

In all honesty I kind of like the mis-matched look, suits the rest of the car

[SmokeEm]

168 PCF Sunflower?

[SmokinWaffle]

Apr 3, 2017 12:27:00 GMT Curtis said:

]In all honesty I kind of like the mis-matched look, suits the rest of the car

Hey, I take offense to that! - I kid

Apr 3, 2017 12:28:43 GMT SmokeEm said:

168 PCF Sunflower?

Good eye! It is indeed, the seller just messaged me the paint code from the VIN plate and it's 168!

[Curtis]

Apr 3, 2017 13:15:02 GMT SmokinWaffle said:

Apr 3, 2017 12:27:00 GMT Curtis said:

]In all honesty I kind of like the mis-matched look, suits the rest of the car

Hey, I take offense to that! - I kid

To be fair I love the... I don't know what look you'd call it But I love that sort of mismatched panels, light patina and mismatched parts on older stuff. Wear and Tear rat look if you will If it were mine I honestly wouldn't be looking at painting it it looks cracking as is

[Seth]

Apr 3, 2017 10:48:26 GMT SmokinWaffle said:

Thanks all. Decided the mesh looked better too so I went with that!

The yellow headlight covers bend the beam to make the lights work properly when you drive on the wrong side of the road abroad, so they're not best run in this country anway. I've only ever fitted mine on the ferry on the way to Europe.

This era of 1500 engine also uses a scroll to try and fling the oil back into the engine. Doesn't seem to work that well...

These can definitly look cool in that yellow. Its softer than the rather garish, very 'signal yellow' shade that I think came on later Humbers.

[darrenh]

detling is just up the road from me, and just down the road from you, therefore we may be geographically close

[Hillmanjames]

Capri springs are a bolt on fit for the front shocks, i ran Capri lowering springs on mine for ages until i converted the struts to adjustable coilovers!

[nomad]

PM sent - my spare springs are now for sale cheap.
3 sets : std Hunter, cut Hunter, lowered uprated Capri ( ^ as advised by Hillmanjames a couple of years ago  )