This head was probably from a JCW head swap :D! You got lucky, and that is very awesome.


Good luck on your rebuild!

 

Is there a difference between the stock head and the JCW head?

 

Yes, I was very lucky and it was from a JCW swap. I didn't think there would be any of those around still. The heads on the JCW are slightly different, better flow (i.e. larger valves) I believe. It will be nice having a completely new top end.

Now off to order Pistons etc........(:

Nik

 

Big thing is that intake and exhaust inlets I believe are a bit bigger. Some people polished them also on top of that. Because even though they were bigger then were still cast and not final ported.

Nice find BTW.

 

There is guy in Canada that's been selling "delivery mile" heads on eBay for a long time.

BTW, the JCW heads were stock heads only had the exhaust port window opened up via CNC milling. No other work on those heads. Valves and intake port remained stock.

 

Must have been the modded ones I have seen most people whom ordered the head back in the days got them polished also from shop. Like its off and new might as well get it polished.

 

The head should be here next week. In the meantime I got new ball joints installed all the way around, started installing new coolant hoses, re-did the majority of the shielding on the wiring harness. (it was rather warn in places). Almost everything is ordered, just a few remaining miscellaneous items to order as I break them. Hoping to be back on the road in three more weeks.





Outer ball joint





inner ball joint
Shush about the headlight leveling wiring. Working on that too

 

hehe Looking good.

You should be set for some time after this...

 

Yes, very clean for that many miles, plugs are bad on the harness ? Wires ? Looks like they are pushed out some.

 

That damn outer ball joint... I haven't had one come off cleanly yet. The last one even destroyed my "special" BMW removal tool (Cheap POS it is).

Really easy to install the inner joints when it's all disassembled and out of the way though eh?

Keep up the great work and pics!

 

The air tools ( chisel ) came out for mine. Those end ball joints can fuse to that carrier.

 

I used a cheapo pickle fork from OReillys, popped right off. Yes, the inners are much easier to deal with when the engine, drive shafts and everything is out of the way. (:


Nik

 

Got off work early and parts are starting to roll in, so I got to work on it a little. Started replacing coolant hoses, installed new motor mounts, started prepping the calipers for paint, and my new head came. It looks perfect!

Nik





New head arrived today.





Exhaust ports and camshaft caps





No cracks!





A not from the seller. I love the Mini community!





Old motor mount vs new. Guess I was over due (looked ok when installed.





New mounts installed





New red coolant hoses.

 

Great progress!

Head does look very good. Lucky to find that!

 

Thats note is awesome, would have made my day also.


I had some MINI people leave notes on my car before in a parking lot, written on a piece of paper , great community.

 

Doing a little maintenance while waiting for parts to arrive. Replaced the inner driver side axle boot. Re- covered some of the warn areas of th wiring harnes, adding some color.

 

More parts arrived today! Clutch pieces. I got a new dual mass flywheel, clutch, throw out bearing, and pressure plate for under $375. Same manufacture as stock. (:





Old vs new dual mass flywheel





Old vs new clutch and pressure plate





Old vs new clutch.<br/>365,0000 miles vs 0 miles

 

Yep, like mine, still had some meat on it on the friction disc. You did well with that clutch , congrats/

 

I think it's not only amazing you went 365,000 miles on your engine but also on your original clutch! I wish I had gone with an R50/R53 three years ago.

 

Thanks, yeah its been a great car, I can't complain. Sure it has had its issues, but hey, its 13 years old. Can't wait to get it back on the road again.

Nik

 

Longest MINI owner on OEM clutch awards goes to xsmini

 

HA

 

That would be an awesome grille badge.

 

Touching up some interior bits while waiting for parts (due Monday )

 

Interior bits back in (really the same color, just don't appear that way in this photo)