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 Posted: Jun 13, 2018 08:22AM
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I also just ordered some miglia wheel arches... my question is, what is a good 12 inch wheel size and offset to fill out the arches? 

 Posted: Jun 10, 2018 12:23AM
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I found the 99X number in the boot, which is what I had to use to register the car in Japan. I found the other one right in the scuttle panel. I'm not sure where I'm going yet, but I'm trying to stay overseas for a little while longer. I am trying to go back to Europe or Alaska. 

 Posted: Jun 10, 2018 12:04AM
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What werewolf was referring to on the vin number is that through the 80s into the early 90s 998cc Jap spec  Minis were stamped with Japanese vins usually crudely into the boot floor and they began with the prefix 99X.
The original vin numbers they were born with from the UK were left in place either in the boot floor by the battery or on the drivers side inner fender and also stamped in the scuttle panel gutter.
When they export a Mini from Japan they always use the stamped Japanese  number and depending which port you are planning to import the Mini into it could possibly present an issue.
Now i do know of several 99X vin numbered Minis that have been imported and registered with no issues.
Btw i hope you are no planning on importing and registering it in California as it is too new, their rules and regulations are different to the rest of the Country.
Regarding the R12 freon keep it as long as you can and there are substitutes available on the internet.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Jun 9, 2018 10:23PM
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I found the a VIN and Chassis number. Everything seems to be good with that.

 Posted: Jun 9, 2018 09:22AM
 Edited:  Jun 9, 2018 09:29AM
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If convering from R12 to R134 barrier hose is needed. 
R12 can be found but is expensive. 
Molecule size is very different. 
R12 say is the size of a soft ball ?, and R134 is the size of golf ball °. That's why barrier hose is needed.  Any kind of leak whether at a fitting, compressor seal or hose will leak out much faster with R134.
Barrier hose is sleeved with a plastic liner.
Most cars newer than 1995 use PAG oil in the compressor and lines. 
Ester oil is a synthetic oil and is often found in Retro fit A/C systems.

Hopefully this link works. ////blog.acprocold.com/pagoil/blog.acprocold.com/pagoil/
If not Google PAG vs Ester oil.

There's a gentleman in Japan that sells parts for Japanese spec minis.  David Ainsley (think that's the spelling) and also Turtle Trading in Japan.

 Posted: Jun 9, 2018 07:47AM
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Just as far as the AC goes, leave it alone, R12 still shows up in the US, I have a case, and you may never need to add any. Only do the conversion if you have to.

 Posted: Jun 9, 2018 06:43AM
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good morning.. might conctact Malsal here on mini mania.. he imports Jap Speck minis.. later bc ps. might check to see if it has TWO different vin numbers .

 Posted: Jun 8, 2018 11:11PM
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Currently living in Japan and purchased a 1990, 998cc Japan Spec Mini.  I just have a few questions, since i'm sure there is someone else on this site with a some experience owning one.  I have air conditioning that runs R12, so is it in my best interest to convert  to 134 before I leave, due to the availability of R12 in the States?  Where is a good place to buy parts and what are the most common, hard to find parts that are specific to a Japan spec model?  So far, the only problem I have found is a clicking noise coming from the suspension, would anyone know where specifically it is coming from?  I would appreciate any assistance.