Hi All

I am after some advice as I edge closer to getting my mini on the road, what are must have's in my tool box in case of break downs or running repairs when I'm out and about?

I have a 1970 Mini K Van which is all standard and has the original 1098 engine.

Shifter, duct tape and a hammer?

The communities years of knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Spose it depends on how far you're going to travel from home base and what back up you can call on. According to Murphys law the part/ tool you take with you will be the one you don't need. I personally just take the road service car, phone and phone charge lead.

My car didn't have the original tools with it, so now most of the time I take a plastic tub with a few things, depending on the length of the trip:
Trolley jack
Wheel brace
Standard wheel nuts for the spare wheel
Cable ties
1L oil and water/coolant
Fan belt
And a couple of tools - screwdriver, pliers, shifter etc.

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that's what I work on... I more-or-less take my whole toolbox when I'm going to do more than a couple of hundred k's

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

So many cars run after market wheels and a standard rim as a spare because a mag wheel won't fit in the boot. The "Standard wheel nuts for the spare wheel" is so important and often overlooked. Also check that the you carry a spanner that fits these nuts.

I carry a small plastic tool box into which I have crammed:
Small set of sidchrome sockets and bar,
Set of cheapo open end spanners, pliers, screwdrivers, spark plug socket, spare plugs, and a 4" shifter.
As well I carry a std Mini jack and winder/wheel nut spanner, and a 4 way wheelbrace for the mags.
One screwdriver is a long bugger to reach the bottom radiator hose.
Other spares: rad hoses, rad cap, thermostat and gaskets, fan belt.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Considering the vulnerable electrical system, apart from all of the above, I include spare points, condensor, these will get you home. Also fuel filter, test lamp, tow rope, rags, block of wood for the jack.

Rear radiator hose. I have blown 2 on different road trips (about 1000km from home), but both times had a spare with me. Had the required tools also.

Also blew a headgasket on a different road trip (800kms or so from home) and had brought a spare VRS kit with me (well atleast a head and manifold gasket). Again had the required tools with me to fix it.

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When I did the road trip to Bali I took a small box with:
condenser
rotor button
plugs
fanbelt
radiator hoses
spare front wheel bearing
spare electric fuel pump
oil filter
Basic tools, feeler gauges and multimeter (all fitted in an old toilet bag I had)
Think that was it.

Didn't use any of it. Didn't open the box, didn't even have a puncture....

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67 Deluxe
Dry suspension
1293cc, 11:1 comp, RE 282 camshaft, 45 Weber, extractors etc
4 synchro close ratio gbox
Cooper S brakes, no booster
Stealth box, as Doc says "goes harder and idles!"
RH tank cos I needed it crossing the Nullarbor etc..

Because you took the box, its like an anti rain umbrella.

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Nick

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=86675

oh, and a towel - always carry a towel, that way whenever you need to borrow something, you can say "I just need a <whatever>, I have everything else, look, I even have a towel, but my <whatever> is at home, can you believe it??!!"

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Many thanks for all of your tips, being a van there is plenty of room for some spare parts so I will put your suggestions to work.

Hopefully I will need none of it but it's better to be a little prepared.

Thanks again.