SU HS4

There have been quite a few procedures done to my '82 Mini which I forgot to document on digital camera. Let's back track a bit...

Safety first!

 Brake lines were bled and refilled with fresh fluid. Brake shoes were thick, master and wheel cylinders were working fine so I just cleaned all the drums, adjusted  the shoes (one full wheel turn) and made sure no air got stuck in the hydraulic line.

Pedal pressure was good for a non-servo brake system and the car maintained a straight line on hard braking.

 My dad's initial enthusiasm to test drive the car was curbed upon hearing rattles. All the swivel joints were on their last shims and duly replaced following this preparation procedure from Mini Addicts. The shot steering rack was another major rattle contributor. Haynes manual at hand, this site and the assistance of a mechanic, Gilbert, who never handled a Mini in his life; we managed to get a brand new steering rack in place in less than four hours in my drive way.

The car is already fitted with Hi-Lo adjustable suspension, coil springs + Koni Classic shock absorbers which lowered the ride height below practical road use in Manila. Standard length KYBs replaced the Konis and Hi-Los adjusted to original ride height.

Brakes, steering and suspension sorted, engine is next....

Radiator removed, cleaned, cooling system drained until there were no signs of rust colored liquid circulating from the water jackets.

I thought the engine was always running too rich and I could not adjust the carburettor for consistent mixture.

 To my dismay the throttle body had a crack, probably caused by an ill-fitting/home made cardboard gasket and over tightening the two intake manifold mounting bolts.

Epoxy steel + DIY gaskets from true gasket material tied me over for a few months....

...meanwhile I scouted eBay and snagged this older SU HS4 for $30. It probably came from a junked Austin America (Austin/Morris/MG 1100/1300). I also ordered an SU repair kit, needle, float, gaskets and etc.

I stripped/cleaned the eBay acquired HS4 and combined the best parts available from both units.

Overhauled SU HS4 to the left ready for installation

I reverted to a non-Waxstat type jet upon confirming with Seven Enterprises that it offers slightly more efficient performance. Since my 998cc engine came with an LCB exhaust, I fitted a new AAU needle. Easily done since it has the self-centering/spring loaded type piston.

The engine started on the first crank but it started to rain ;(
Fine tuning of mixture and other minor adjustments saved for another day....

Icing on the cake - K&N filter for the stock air-box ;)

Mini MK IV Wiper Stalk

While working on other issues in the steering column, I inadvertently disassembled the wiper stalk...

...as far as I know this is the proper way to reassemble and it works!

Key points:

brass cylinder at end of stalk = switch contact

brass spring installed in X fashion = single wipe action

Steinheil-Munchen Culminar VL 85mm, f2.8 LTM

DIY CLA

Typical user sample with front element cleaning marks, mild haze and some dust specs. I shot a few frames and this was the best I got. I suspected the susceptibility to flare and muted colors (like the shot below) was due to the haze.

Before cleaning @ f4

Dismantling is pretty straight forward - remove the lens head from the focusing mount.

Rear element taken off

Cleaning the haze from the middle element

Front element off

Reverse the procedure for re-assembly

After cleaning @ f4

Steinheil LTM lenses were offered by Sears Roebuck in the 50s as cheaper alternatives to Nikkor for their Tower (Nicca) RF cameras. 

More Steinheil 85/2.8 pics

Hybrid Darkroom

B&W film  processing kit 

Changing bag, Paterson tanks, chemicals, timer, thermometer, graduated cylinders and running water from a kitchen or bathroom sink. If you decide to develop your own B&W film, this is a good place to start.

Leica M6 + Canon  Serenar 50/1.8
TX400/Diafine

Diafine is an ideal developer for the tropics since it isn't very critical of temperature but also have Rodinal at hand when I want the look. I've also used Kodak D76 and Ilford DDX.

Film - Agfa APX 100, ERA 100, Foma 100, Fuji Acros 100, Neopan 400, Neopan 1600, Ilford Delta Pro 100 and HP5+, Kodak Plus X 125 and Tri X 400. 

MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT CHART

Negatives hang to dry before scanning...

This Canoscan 8400F flatbed scanner has given reliable service for more than 5 years. I use the Scangear software with all enhancement functions turned off...

...and do minimal post processing in Photoshop 7 - limited to procedures I learned in a traditional darkroom.

This was the darkroom I set up in my apartment in the USA.

Negatives and prints are inserted into Print File sleeves and stashed in binders.

Canon P + W-Nikkor 35/2.5
Kodak TX400 in Rodinal 1+50

Years ago a photographer friend advised that I will learn a lot more about photography if I process my negatives and print them. He was right, I realized I was not born with a gifted eye...he he he! Nonetheless I still enjoy the whole process ;)

open baffle ---> how not to...

tall and thin baffle = no bass and sexy slim mids

Leica II + Summitar 50/2
APX100/Rodinal

If memory serves me right this was a production line speaker from the 70s, don't remember the manufacturer but seemingly an attempt to mimic the cosmetics of a Magneplanar using conventional drivers...

Kutztown Radio Show, Spring 2006

Update: According to Terry O this is Bob Carver's Andromeda from the early 80s.

Alleys...

FED 3a + Industar 26M
APX100/Diafine

Leica II + Elmar 50'3.5
Neopan 400/Diafine

Bessa R + W-Nikkor 35/2.5
Fuji 200

Zorki 5a + Summar 50/2
TX400/D76

Bessa R + CV 21/4
APX100/Diafine

Leica IIIf + CV 21/4
HP5+/DDX

FED 3a + Industar 26M
APX100/Diafine

Leica II + W-Komura 36/1.8
Neopan 400/Diafine

International Commie Camera Day 2011!

The first mass produced 35mm camera from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) was the FED from 1934, a Leica II clone.

Zorki 1d + Industar 22 + FED 3a + Jupiter  8

 FED article by Oscar Fricke

JEL Special Edition
Zorki 6 + Jupiter 8 and FED 2 + Industar 61LD

As part of WWII reparations, the Soviets gained access to blueprints, tools and other materials to manufacture Zeiss designed optics well into the the 90s with minor updates.

Zorki 1d + Jupiter 8
TX400/Diafine

When properly adjusted and serviced, FED and Zorki cameras + Industar and Jupiter lenses are capable of producing high quality images. 

Zorki 1d + Industar 22
APX100/Diafine

Millions were manufactured but the main issue was lack of quality control. 

FED 3a + Jupiter 8
Foma 100/Rodinal

 Being a tinkerer at heart cheap FEDs and Zorkis became my guinea pigs from which I gained enough confidence to buy unloved Leica IIs in need of TLC. 

Zorki 1d + Industar 22
APX100/Diafine

It is interesting to note that just about every industrialized nation in the 20th century attempted to manufacture a Leica clone.

FED 2 + Industar 61LD
Fuji 200

Notable copies include Kardon, USA and Reid, UK which are now highly collectible and command prices greater than a genuine Leica.

FED 2 + Industar 61LD
Fuji 200

The post WWII camera and optical industry of Japan was also founded on Leica copies from Canon, Nicca/Tower (later Yashica), Leotax, Minolta (Chiyoko) and etc. 

Fed 3a + Jupiter 8
Foma 100/Rodinal

 Eventually the Japanese beat the Germans in their own game and ultimately became the largest manufacturer of cameras and lenses in the world.

Zorki 6 + Jupiter 8
HP5+/DDX

A testament to Japanese tradition of discipline, industry and ability to innovate!

Zorki 1d + Jupiter 8
TX400/Diafine

China also made Leica copies - a souvenir from my visit to Shanghai last year. 

Shanghai 58-II + 50/3.5 lens

My original plan for today was to take pictures with this camera, unfortunately it became too hot and muggy ;o(