Oil pressure loss caused by oil surge can be experienced under hard cornering. To alleviate this it is essential to fit a centre oil pick-up pipe. Mini Spares' continual research and development program has seen advances in pick-up pipe design, replacing the original ancient design conceived by Abingdon ST some thirty-plus years ago.

The finer gauze (as used in many oil systems ranging from Formula Ford to Formula 3000) helps filter much smaller oil-pump damaging particles from the oil, yet does not reduce flow. It's 360-degree design gives approximately 25% greater effective filter/supply surface area and allows cleaner oil to be picked up, the old design causing pick-up to be made from the sludge and debris infested area on the bottom of the gearbox. Consequently the gauze is far less prone to blockage. The gauze is made from a special phosphor-bronze material to prevent vibration-induced breakage. Contrary to popular opinion the 'slash-cut' of the old design does nothing to enhance flow or pick-up, the pipe bore is the determining factor.

To fit - partially disassemble the gearbox in accordance with a workshop manual sufficiently to allow removal of the laygear. Remove the old pick-up pipe and gauze filter assembly. Position the centre oil pick-up by guiding the filter-gauze through the small hole in the web that acts as the reverse idler shaft support. Position the laygear on top of the mainshaft/third motion shaft assembly, ensuring the gear teeth are meshed. Now roll the laygear round and down into it's original position and re-fit the layshaft. Re-assemble the gearbox as per the manual. Always fit new gaskets - part number 22A542B. To stabilise and secure the pick-up pipe in the gearbox, fit a 1" x 1/4"UNF bolt and Nyloc nut through the locating tab/gearbox flange. Make sure a clearance exists between the reverse idler gear on the older remote-type gearboxes with the pipe bolted in.

Place the engine on the gearbox, but before bolting it down, rotate the crankshaft a couple of times through the full 360-degrees to ensure crank webs and rods/bolts/nuts clear the pipe - particularly on long-stroke engines.