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Helpful Hints.
Odometer
Has your Mini odometer failed to turn over at the thousand point yet the speedometer is still OK? If so, then don't despair - clearly the cable has not broken and the following tip may be of use.
Firstly remove the speedometer assembly from the binnacle noting the position of wires and globes. Take it inside to the clean kitchen table and good light. Carefully spring off the chromed escutcheon and glass and clean both. Undo the two screws holding the mechanicals to the case and gently lift out the mechanism taking care not to bend or dislodge the indicator needle from its shaft. You will now note that the pawl that operates the odometer has probably lost its chamfered edge. Early model pawls were brass while later ones were nylon. Slide off the spring clip and remove the pawl. While you are carefully filing the correct chamfer onto the pawl, ask yourself why it should have failed. It appears that in most cases the lubrication in the odometer has thickened and increased the torque needed to turn over the numeral drums, thus placing too much load and stress on the pawl.
Two options are open, either lubricate the shaft and interconnecting gears SPARINGLY with light oil (kerosene) or if you have the patience, dismantle the drums and gears from the shaft. Before final assembly, clean the numerals on the drums with a SOFT toothbrush and warm soapy water, dry carefully and you will be pleasantly surprised with the bright display.
Finally, if you ever have to change the complete speedo assembly note the number above the odometer eg. 1280 - this refers to the number of turns per mile for which it is calibrated. The turns per mile depend on the rolling radius of the tyre and of course, the differential ratio. Those of you having a variable speed motor can calibrate the speedometer against the odometer by turning the input shaft anti-clockwise at the correct speed. Use a piece of 3/16 inch (5 mm) rod filed down to a square end as the speedo drive. For a 1280 turns per mile unit, 1280 turns per minute equals one mile per minute equals 60 mph. With the whole unit in the correct orientation, you can then move the pointer on its shaft to indicate the correct speed. Be sure to make it a little optimistic to avoid speeding fines! Those of you with a variable speed electric drill with reverse have the ideal tool to perform the calibration. Drills without reverse will need an elastic band as a belt drive to obtain the reverse direction. By varying the ratio of diameters on the drill drive and that into the speedo you can check the calibration at other speeds.
Petrol Tank Drainer
Do you have difficulty in operating the petrol tank drain tap? In fact when was the last time that you drained all the rubbish from your Mini's tank? Spare your petrol pump and carburettors constipation. If you have a Mini with the drainer's 50 mm of tube still intact then, rather than struggle with a small open ended spanner in the confined space (or break off the tube like some rough mechanics) make up a new tool using a length of 1/2" OD square section steel tube. A length of about 200 mm makes an ideal extension shaft which slides over the drain tube and fits into your 1/2" drive socket. The other end will probably fit into a 9/16" socket or ring spanner. Incidentally, ensure that your socket has a hole through which to pass the tube!
Get a metre or so of this square tube as it is also a boon in the removal of the inner drive couplings. It allows you to access the nuts from outside by passing the extension shaft through the drive shaft slots in the subframe to operate a ratchet drive spanner.
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