The application of this drive system maintains very accurate and consistent cam and ignition timing, and minimising valve train noise. Desirable advantages that do not diminish with time. The fiber glass reinforced belt all but eliminates excessive stretch suffered by chain driven systems - even where a tensioner is used. The protracted control of cam and ignition timing maintains peak performance. Chain drives cause excessive timing scatter, even after relatively short periods of running. The MINI SPARES kit enables A-series owners to benefit from such technology. Our continuous program of re-investment in product development applying current technology has allowed this new kit to evolve, utilising up-to-date casting methods for the seal case and plastics molding for the dust cover.

The adjustable cam gear in this kit allows up to 9 degrees of adjustment, facilitating accurate cam timing. An absolute must when installing a performance camshaft.

FITMENT: Remove the original timing cover. Position gears so that the timing marks on cam and crank gears are adjacent, then remove gears/chain assembly. Remove locating keys. Clean cam and crank gear surfaces, ensuring new gears are no more than a light slide fit. Re-fit keys. Re-check gears for light slide fit. On tensioner type set-ups, replace the two front plate bolts directly below the water pump along left edge of block. Leave centre bolt/nut out on A+ engines. Carefully press the seals squarely into the seal cover if not already fitted. Fit gasket supplied in place using a little sealant. Position cover against engine, and fit with new retaining bolts supplied. Before tightening bolts, fit the two gears assembled with belt and timing marks correctly aligned, through their relevant seals and onto shafts. This will centralise the cover, helping to avoid oil leaks. Tighten the bolts down evenly to ensure the cover is pulled down square. Fit the cam nut, and tighten enough to pinch the cam wheel assembly so that cam end float can be checked. It should be 0.003” to 0.007”.
When satisfied all is correct, remove cam nut, apply suitable thread-loc liquid, and torque up to 65lb ft. Once the cam has been timed in (see below) to your satisfaction, fit the plastic dust cover. If the crank ancillary drive pulley has a timing service plate fitted, it MUST be removed before re-fitting it using the replacement cap head bolt and thick washer supplied. This vastly improves pulley stability and retention. Use thread-loc liquid on the bolt and torque up to 65lb ft. Note the water pump pulley spacer included must be fitted between the pulley and pump to correctly align the crank and water pump pulleys. Longer pump pulley bolts may be needed.

CAM TIMING ADJUSTMENT: Cam timing adjustment is achieved by undoing the bolts securing the two cam gear pieces, then simply rotating the cam in the required direction using the cam pulley retaining nut. Once the correct position is achieved, re-tighten all the bolts carefully. The scale etched either side of the pointer on the cam pulley is in 1 degree increments. Once the cam has been timed in to the required initial setting, further adjustments are made by following the foregoing, using the scale to assess amount of change, then carefully re-tighten bolts.

NOTE: No breather is required on the timing cover as no ventilation is needed. The spinning gears creating pressure in the old system are no longer there. If a solid wall block is used (i.e.1275, A+) ensure there is a crank case breather fitted to the top of the transfer gear case, and if possible to the rocker cover. Take great care not to damage the belt when assembling as this will cause failure in service. Regular inspection should be carried out where used in hostile or severe conditions. Replace belt every 25,000 miles in normal road-going conditions. This kit has been used on race engines up to 9,500rpm. It is entirely possible to fit either the rota-adjust or fixed Mini Spares-sourced cam pulley to this kit if required. Hex key sizes 3mm, 4mm, 3/16”, and 7/32”, and thread-loc liquid are required to fit this kit over standard tools.