Rebuilding a Mini engine is a very important part of restoration and modification; it is also something that may be necessary or desirable for a Mini that is already in good condition. An engine build can be carried out as preventive maintenance or just to improve longevity. The key thing is, where possible, to rebuild or build a replacement engine before serious wear has set in and made things more difficult and expensive. Get it right and it will be very enjoyable - which is what Mini ownership should be. In the September 2022 issue of MiniWorld we looked into block reconditioning and preparation. Here we take a look at the next stage of engine building and refurbishment and consider cranks, rods and pistons. This is a much bigger subject, from a specification and parts point of view, as there are so many choices available depending upon the capacity and specification of your engine, be it an original-specification engine or a planned upgrade. The basic engineering and parts replacement techniques will be the same for all Mini engines; it is the upgrades and parts interchangeability that provides the choice.
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