I am 81 years young still messing around with Alfa 105s....Would love to have old John working beside me and showing me his tricks from his huge bank of knowledge...What a great bloke !
Has Ivan thought of making an autobiographical book out of a very eventful history. But that would be a wonderful idea! We would capture some great stories from Mr. Ivan Dutton's career!
Ivan, it is looking great, and with all the period boy racer bits it is far better than a clinically restored total factory original, it is a true piece of original Mini history.
Back in 1974 , in Dubai , my girl friend's mum had an 850 Mini which would spit out a spark plug . I presume the threads had partially gone and the arabian heat did not help . Anyway there would be a thud as the plug hit the bonnet lid . Mrs X would ask the kids if anyone was chewing gum and she would use the gum to help seal the plug on screwing it back in ! It would stay in place for a week or so ....
That is the same LCB Long center branch exhaust manifold I had on my 66 Mini Cooper. All you need in every workshop is a lathe and a John. Happy Christmas to you all.
That car is turning out really great. John is one heck of a smart guy with the fuel tank. Remember you told us you have a special place that you keep things you don't want to lose. That is where the washer bottle is at. Have a Happy Holidays to all of you there and look forward to seeing you guys on the next video.
some years ago i strapped my fiat 124 sport tank to the back wheel of my tractor put some clean crushed gravel in jacked up the tractor and ran it for an hour or so it did a lovely job once it was washed out 🙂.
Ivan & John back when, they had cheery bombs put on. Boy, did they sound great..... Happy Chrismas & a Merry New Year Shed Racing Team.... from New Zealand... 🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿 PS: those dry cell batteries are great. Buy some for your fleet....
Lovin every minute of it ! I've used nuts and bolts inside rusted motorcycle tanks and shook until done. Saw a guy jack his car up and strap his tank to the wheel and let it idle to spin. Worked perfect. Car is looking fantastic. A little sad to see the end coming. Cheers.🥃
If you have a bit of two stroke petrol mix, swill it around the tank and tip it out... The oil in the mix will preserve the dry tank for a year or two...
KBS Coatings offers several fuel tank sealers and coatings. I used some to seal an old aluminum boat fuel tank that was badly corroded and had pin-hole leaks. Has worked perfectly for over 15 years so far. Even with our junk E15 gasoline (15% ethanol) doesn't seem to hurt it. Your Mini interior shots showed the old floor mounted high/low headlight switch, I still miss those switches and consider them superior to "modern" offerings.
Ivan and John have done brilliantly , I'm at exactly the same stage with my ' 61 car. The wiring looms from Autosparks are 100 % accurate , combination of cotton - braided and PVC wires .My car had lain for 48 years , the tank had a gallon of putrid fuel that took so much time to clean out , John's lathe cleaning apparatus is ingenious , mine was chemically cleaned out at great expense and trouble !..The switch extensions took me back as had the same pair, luminous glowing tips that would not be allowed now .I think you'll be back on the road before me -very well done !.
That looks very nice Ivan! I am most impressed with your work surfaces, all of mine get covered in bits in just a few days. Enjoy your Christmas, and stay safe! Those chemicals can really get to you! Chris B.
Looking great! I use to be a huge fan boy of Optima batteries.. I had one almost make 15 years but that’s when the production was all in the USA, now I’ve been averaging about eight years on an Optima. I’m now using Odyssey batteries, they are supposed to be what Optimum I used to be… so far, so good three years in and the battery is half the size of the Optima turning over a small block Chevy without even hiccup….
Ivan, you need to invest in a few trickle chargers. Your batteries will last 3 to 6 years if you keep them topped up. Lead acid batteries have running flat as it accelerates their ageing process (called sulphation).
Ivan you doing a great job and I watch every episode (from Alberta Canada) and I've owner a couple of mini's years ago but I am sure that if you sprayed whatever you plan on cleaning first it would just wipe off! (just being a back seat driver) Cheers mate you're doing a great job and the rest of us would like to be as smart as you!!
A wonderful update with great information on the steps taken. Happy Christmas and Boxing Day to you and the fans everywhere. I hope for a safe and happier New Year for all too.
The mini is looking really good Ivan & John. I loved John's method of cleaning the inside of the petrol tank. That's really thinking out of the box! It's a pity you had to wait for the loom, but they have made a beautiful job of it so it really was worth waiting for. Well I hope you have a good time at Suzi's on Christmas Day Ivan and Happy Christmas and New Year to yourself, Suzi and John too and we will see the Mini running in early 2024
@@amilton2128 then you need to buy a lathe! Worked three times for me. Cleaned out thoroughly after, of course, I always used fuel filters anyway, good practice.
Beautiful job on the Mini, you two. Trickle chargers are very cheap and light these days. My CTek 8 stage ‘Charger and maintainer’ was designed/developed in Sweden and made in China. It works like a charm on my 4WD battery.
It’s tritium that glows on the switches. It’s radioactive, but not a hazard. I believe they get it from the reactors on the nuclear submarines. It’s probably all decayed away on those old switches though.
Tritium was also used in hydrogen bombs and is made from fission processes , so yes nuc sub reactors included . Still , there are more dangerous things related to our beloved Minis , ask T Rex .
Great stuff. I've had a few minis in the past. Sorry, i don't have any useful parts lying around anymore 😊 btw i hate Xmas as well. What a load of bollox 😂
That LCB exhaust manifold looks good but a word of warning. When I was working at BMC competion/special tuning department we discovered that 850s didn't like large bore exhausts, they in fact reduce bhp so stick to the original pipe diameter. Regarding a silencer we used Mk 1 Sprite ones, as others have suggested, they're readily available as a stock item and cheap. By the way why didn't you use a Cooper type choke setup? Bah humbug have a good Christmas!!
Thanks for this. We've taken your advice. Over Christmas I fitted the exhaust. The 3 branch manifold was so difficult to fit, that when I read your advice, it gave me extra impetus to fit a smaller exhaust. So I copied the Speedwell method of removing the single carb manifold from the cast manifold and made a new exhaust pipe to the rear (fractionally bigger than the original) - at the moment I've put a modified Ferrari 250 GT end silencer on it, as that was kicking around. You'll see all this in the next video. Don't know about Cooper type choke setups - but the Speedwell one is working beautifully.
My Dad had a red, bush button, '59, almost identical, so may memories......... His was an 'Austin Seven' which I've heard was, preferred by racers because they had thinner metal skins. ... As a retired engineer, can't believe they changed metal thicknesses, but it's always bugged me..............any help?
Ivan. can you let me know what the model or part number of the yellow optima battery you have decided to use on the red mini ? the one you are using as a slave but said you will use them in all your cars
Tritium was used in some military sights, prior to modern lithium battery technology and low energy consumption optics illumination technology. It is possibly still used by Military Police for marking nighttime tactical routes. You always seemed to get some silly bastard who drove over one or two of the roadside markers and broke them.
Those optima batteries used to be great but the latest ones are not so good. A similar alternative is the odyssey battery. Better. Also make you use leave your batteries on a ctek charger all the time. They really save them.
Motorbike batteries are tiny things these days and the bikes are often not used in the winter - I can recommend Optimate for trickle charging , these chargers are intelligent in that they only charge when needed.
I am 81 years young still messing around with Alfa 105s....Would love to have old John working beside me and showing me his tricks from his huge bank of knowledge...What a great bloke !
Still living the dream , you guys are a tonic to watch , good fortune and great health to you all , best wishes and regards
Has Ivan thought of making an autobiographical book out of a very eventful history. But that would be a wonderful idea! We would capture some great stories from Mr. Ivan Dutton's career!
Ivan, it is looking great, and with all the period boy racer bits it is far better than a clinically restored total factory original, it is a true piece of original Mini history.
Back in 1974 , in Dubai , my girl friend's mum had an 850 Mini which would spit out a spark plug . I presume the threads had partially gone and the arabian heat did not help . Anyway there would be a thud as the plug hit the bonnet lid . Mrs X would ask the kids if anyone was chewing gum and she would use the gum to help seal the plug on screwing it back in ! It would stay in place for a week or so ....
That is the same LCB Long center branch exhaust manifold I had on my 66 Mini Cooper. All you need in every workshop is a lathe and a John. Happy Christmas to you all.
Happy Christmas to all at Shed Racing!
As a passenger in many Minis as a kid, the switch extensions were a particular fascination to me.
Do your fingers have a nuclear glow still ?
John, you are a bloody genius!
Ivan you are magic mate THANK YOU FOR THE VIDS
Happy Christmas Team Shed Racing with Tania first grip.
I use a bit of chemistry on my old bike tanks but I have to take my hat off to John. Another brilliant idea.
Best wishes, Dean.
What a beautiful little mini. Love how you've got it all tweaked out. Can't wait to see it on the road! What a great show you have.
Ivan watching the Big Bang, who knew!! Top stuff guys and have a good crimbo. Joseph from Cambridge 🙂🙃🙂
Attention is in the detail. Well Done . Merry Christmas
Thanks for another great video. The mini is coming along beautifully. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and all the best for 2024.
That car is turning out really great. John is one heck of a smart guy with the fuel tank. Remember you told us you have a special place that you keep things you don't want to lose. That is where the washer bottle is at. Have a Happy Holidays to all of you there and look forward to seeing you guys on the next video.
MERRY CHRISTMAS IVAN AND JOHN AND CREW ⚘⚘⚘
Brilliant segment. Thanks Tonya
some years ago i strapped my fiat 124 sport tank to the back wheel of my tractor put some clean crushed gravel in jacked up the tractor and ran it for an hour or so it did a lovely job once it was washed out 🙂.
John is a legend! 💪👍☝️
Ivan & John back when, they had cheery bombs put on. Boy, did they sound great..... Happy Chrismas & a Merry New Year Shed Racing Team.... from New Zealand... 🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿
PS: those dry cell batteries are great. Buy some for your fleet....
Great update! Merry Humbug to you and yours from the shed in Iowa
Lovin every minute of it ! I've used nuts and bolts inside rusted motorcycle tanks and shook until done. Saw a guy jack his car up and strap his tank to the wheel and let it idle to spin. Worked perfect. Car is looking fantastic. A little sad to see the end coming. Cheers.🥃
Wishing you a very Happy Xmas and New Year, Ivan and everyone around you. Thank you for all the most enjoyable videos during 2023. 🎄🎄🎄
I'll second that. Again, what's not to like.
We need to know about your Bug project Ivan!
If you have a bit of two stroke petrol mix, swill it around the tank and tip it out...
The oil in the mix will preserve the dry tank for a year or two...
Please advise the maker of that G101 cleaner, cannot find it on the web. Otherwise, Merry Christmas Scrooge and thanks for yet another great update.
just love this show -wow
A squirt or two of Redex when filling will keep that tank lovely…
KBS Coatings offers several fuel tank sealers and coatings. I used some to seal an old aluminum boat fuel tank that was badly corroded and had pin-hole leaks. Has worked perfectly for over 15 years so far. Even with our junk E15 gasoline (15% ethanol) doesn't seem to hurt it. Your Mini interior shots showed the old floor mounted high/low headlight switch, I still miss those switches and consider them superior to "modern" offerings.
The best show on y t ⭐️
Ivan and John have done brilliantly , I'm at exactly the same stage with my ' 61 car. The wiring looms from Autosparks are 100 % accurate , combination of cotton - braided and PVC wires .My car had lain for 48 years , the tank had a gallon of putrid fuel that took so much time to clean out , John's lathe cleaning apparatus is ingenious , mine was chemically cleaned out at great expense and trouble !..The switch extensions took me back as had the same pair, luminous glowing tips that would not be allowed now .I think you'll be back on the road before me -very well done !.
Enjoy Christmas Ivan !! Bah humbug
Looking forward to seeing it run and the Bugatti ?
Video featuring some old chat with Chris Goffey and the Bugatti coming very very soon
I was spell bound .... go watch it .@@shed_racing
👍🇦🇺 Merry Christmas!
Excellent stuff gentlemen, enjoy all your videos, keep up the good work 👍
That looks very nice Ivan! I am most impressed with your work surfaces, all of mine get covered in bits in just a few days. Enjoy your Christmas, and stay safe! Those chemicals can really get to you! Chris B.
Looking great! I use to be a huge fan boy of Optima batteries.. I had one almost make 15 years but that’s when the production was all in the USA, now I’ve been averaging about eight years on an Optima. I’m now using Odyssey batteries, they are supposed to be what Optimum I used to be… so far, so good three years in and the battery is half the size of the Optima turning over a small block Chevy without even hiccup….
Mate your surname doesn't inspire electrical wisdom
Used Optima for 3 decades and found NO noticeable reduction of performance.
😂
Matt Lucas would not either ! @@johngibson3837
Ivan, you need to invest in a few trickle chargers. Your batteries will last 3 to 6 years if you keep them topped up. Lead acid batteries have running flat as it accelerates their ageing process (called sulphation).
Ivan you doing a great job and I watch every episode (from Alberta Canada) and I've owner a couple of mini's years ago but I am sure that if you sprayed whatever you plan on cleaning first it would just wipe off! (just being a back seat driver) Cheers mate you're doing a great job and the rest of us would like to be as smart as you!!
Might be worth sticking a light bulb in the tank to see if any light escapes through any tiny holes that are left after those pebbles did their stuff!
Use the silencer from a mk1 Sprite. Works well, and sounds good!
With fuel tanks I stap them to an Electric cement mixer .....been doing it for years..works a treat !
A wonderful update with great information on the steps taken. Happy Christmas and Boxing Day to you and the fans everywhere. I hope for a safe and happier New Year for all too.
The mini is looking really good Ivan & John. I loved John's method of cleaning the inside of the petrol tank. That's really thinking out of the box! It's a pity you had to wait for the loom, but they have made a beautiful job of it so it really was worth waiting for. Well I hope you have a good time at Suzi's on Christmas Day Ivan and Happy Christmas and New Year to yourself, Suzi and John too and we will see the Mini running in early 2024
Coarse sand in a fuel tank, then strap it to a cement mixer, works well, in case you dont have a lathe handy
I’d be worried a grain of sand ends up in a carburetor jet and ruining my day.
@@amilton2128 then you need to buy a lathe! Worked three times for me. Cleaned out thoroughly after, of course, I always used fuel filters anyway, good practice.
Beautiful job on the Mini, you two. Trickle chargers are very cheap and light these days. My CTek 8 stage ‘Charger and maintainer’ was designed/developed in Sweden and made in China. It works like a charm on my 4WD battery.
Wood & Picket got nothing on Paddy Hopkirk, switch extensions, the scary thing is I can remember them in the shops.
Legendary, well done guys !!!
Hi Buddy enjoy your videos your Wisdom is endless Very Best Wishes
It’s tritium that glows on the switches. It’s radioactive, but not a hazard. I believe they get it from the reactors on the nuclear submarines. It’s probably all decayed away on those old switches though.
Tritium was also used in hydrogen bombs and is made from fission processes , so yes nuc sub reactors included . Still , there are more dangerous things related to our beloved Minis , ask T Rex .
The Dunlop aquajets are fantastic and look original
again a terrific video , merry Christmas one and all
Great stuff. I've had a few minis in the past. Sorry, i don't have any useful parts lying around anymore 😊 btw i hate Xmas as well. What a load of bollox 😂
You'll have to find yourself a Susie .
@@anthonycarty9433 I don't think so. The over of those I had was more unreliable than the mini 😂
Ivan here in the states hobby shops sell glow in the dark paint.probably can be found online.
And a seasonal BAH HUMBUG to you Ivan. Mini is looking great also. John from Phoenix ,Arizona USA.
👍👍👍👍👍
Hi Ivan put some white vinegar in the tank it will kill the rust
That LCB exhaust manifold looks good but a word of warning. When I was working at BMC competion/special tuning department we discovered that 850s didn't like large bore exhausts, they in fact reduce bhp so stick to the original pipe diameter. Regarding a silencer we used Mk 1 Sprite ones, as others have suggested, they're readily available as a stock item and cheap. By the way why didn't you use a Cooper type choke setup?
Bah humbug have a good Christmas!!
Thanks for this. We've taken your advice. Over Christmas I fitted the exhaust. The 3 branch manifold was so difficult to fit, that when I read your advice, it gave me extra impetus to fit a smaller exhaust. So I copied the Speedwell method of removing the single carb manifold from the cast manifold and made a new exhaust pipe to the rear (fractionally bigger than the original) - at the moment I've put a modified Ferrari 250 GT end silencer on it, as that was kicking around. You'll see all this in the next video. Don't know about Cooper type choke setups - but the Speedwell one is working beautifully.
@@shed_racing Good luck.
My Dad had a red, bush button, '59, almost identical, so may memories.........
His was an 'Austin Seven' which I've heard was, preferred by racers because they had thinner metal skins. ...
As a retired engineer, can't believe they changed metal thicknesses, but it's always bugged me..............any help?
Sounds like my clothes drier when I forget and leave my change in my pockets! 🙂
Our papier-mache speedo binnacle had a date stamp in it. Has yours ?
Didnt you put the washer bottle with the VIN plate ? In the "Safety Drawer" ? @SHED RACING ?
We found the washer bottle minutes after this recording - in another safe place !!
If you don't have a lathe then tying the tank to a cement mixer works.
demon tweaks in wrexham have exhaust 2 into 1 branch pieces in mild or stainless
Lovely steering wheel. Are they new manufacture? What was the name again?
Ivan do you have to bring both choke cables into the cabin? I’m sure my MG1100 lump still just had one choke cable on the SU’s ?
Ivan. can you let me know what the model or part number of the yellow optima battery you have decided to use on the red mini ? the one you are using as a slave but said you will use them in all your cars
If this is a 59, does it have the starter button under the drivers seat?
My mum had a mini with that starter switch but it was between the seats uz kids got to take turns pressing the button
It was between the seats.
Mk1 Sprite silencer if you can get one Ivan……
They're very easy to get and cheap.
Radioactive switches
Not far from spanking it round the lanes (sensibly of course 🤔) .
Anyway the Mini looks pretty damn good to me.
Thats an LCB not a Cooper 3 branch. Not a lot of people know that🙂😆
Tritium was used in some military sights, prior to modern lithium battery technology and low energy consumption optics illumination technology. It is possibly still used by Military Police for marking nighttime tactical routes. You always seemed to get some silly bastard who drove over one or two of the roadside markers and broke them.
I'm a fanatical hotrodder from way back, and it pains me to see you not putting a 1275 in that, PAINS me I tell ya!!
MED 1380 with Nos !
Christmas at Susie's ............spring wedding ?
Ivan can repair Susie's car on Christmas morning!
@@MrFunkia I think Christmas is going to be fabulous. The conversation won't dry up that's for sure. Guaranteed entertainment.
Those optima batteries used to be great but the latest ones are not so good. A similar alternative is the odyssey battery. Better. Also make you use leave your batteries on a ctek charger all the time. They really save them.
Marketing firm post.
Car collector post….
Motorbike batteries are tiny things these days and the bikes are often not used in the winter - I can recommend Optimate for trickle charging , these chargers are intelligent in that they only charge when needed.