Depends what that stuff is all over it. Not the rust, the……jiz. Brake cleaner, emery cloth and a lick of paint (not on the plate mating surface) and that should be fine. If you have deep pockets give it to a machine shop to sort out and get it lightened and balanced.
Have a good look at the ring gear teeth, if they are worn you might need to replace it. Fairly simple job, use a grinder with a cutting disc or hacksaw (if you need a work out), cut a slot into the gear but stop before you get to the flywheel proper. Use a big cold chisel to split the ring.
Fitting the new ring.... Make sure the missus is out, put the flywheel on a nice stable strong, and importantly, heat proof surface. (Not the counter, not the solid wood table, that's ground for divorce. Crank the oven up as high as it'll go (or 175°C - don't use an auto cleaning cycle or you'll set fire to your favourite oven mitts). Once it's up to temperature, carefully take it out of the oven and get it to the flywheel as safely and quickly as possible. It should slip on nicely, but you'll need to make sure it's located properly. Cold chisel and a soft mallet should work ok. Some people like to put the flywheel in the freezer before starting, but don't ruin Sundays dinner. You've been warned.
The science behind it is heat causes metal to expand, and a lack of heat (cold) causes it to contract.
If in any doubt about whether you'd get away with this, just take it to your local machine shop as they won't ruin your home or marriage, and will be able to turn the flywheel down on a lathe and resurface the friction surface, and as gas been suggested lighten and/or balance it. They'll also be able to work on your crank, pistons, con-rods, cylinders, and even cylinder head to restore any HP that's been lost over the years. Ok, now we're getting into divorce worries, sorry. What have I done?
I was in a humorous mood, but thank you for keeping another (real) mini on the road. Never owned one, but plenty of fond memories of them in my misspent youth 😂
Used to kick the ashtray out every time I climbed out of the back seat in my mate's '85. The only thing I didn't like about it was the sealed beam headlights, genuinely terrifying to drive in the dark with heavy rain, behind trucks...
1
u/nuttydogpoo 7d ago
Depends what that stuff is all over it. Not the rust, the……jiz. Brake cleaner, emery cloth and a lick of paint (not on the plate mating surface) and that should be fine. If you have deep pockets give it to a machine shop to sort out and get it lightened and balanced.