1943 replies to this topic

[mini_mad69]

That'll do.

[CaptainBland08]

capacity? foam?

[mini_mad69]

40 litres and foam yeah.


Well I was told 40 litres, but the writing on the side makes it look more like 50, will have to measure it, or wait until I fill it up.

[mini_mad69]

Was going to start refurbing these, but realised that all my tools are in the garage with the mini, and that's a 10 minute drive away, so I thought I'd crack on in my shed.



Probably need to get rid of some of these, they're all spares/not going to be used.

I've recently got a set of 13x7 superlite wheels. I'm unsure whether to use them or sell them on to make a bit of money.
Either way, I thought I'd add a project thread so people can have a look, but also as a bit of a guide for anyone wanting to do the same.

I'll update this : http://www.theminifo...perlite-wheels/

With just the progress on the wheels, but also as a bit of a guide for people.



These are the wheels, as you can see, not in good condition.

Horrendous kerb marks, and loads of corrosion under the lacquer, as well as some awful stickers that needed removing.



Here is a quite boring link of the lacquer bubbling off.




Filed down the edges of the rim to remove the kerb marks.



Maybe a better picture.



Also started rubbing out the corrosion marks with emery cloth, really rough stuff first and then down to some finer stuff.
I had to use the file again in some of the worst parts. That's how bad the corrosion had gotten in places.



Ben

Edited by mini_mad69, 23 February 2012 - 11:44 PM.

[mini_mad69]

Hole



Outer layer cut off.



Cleaned out inside the crossmember,



Inner layer welded in.



Painted.



Outer layer welded on, and I started removing the underseal.



Holes.



Holes.

I don't get it, the panel is bent and makes the holes look wonky, but I put a straight edge on them and they are straight.

I'll straighten the panel and maybe they'll look better.

Oh yeh, removed the sound deadening pad as well.


Ben

Edited by mini_mad69, 26 February 2012 - 12:33 AM.

[leaky]

Good work on the shock mount. I'v found my drivers side ones not to hot and will need a bit of welding like that done to it. You seem to be getting on top of everything though. Better crack on if you still want it done for rivi lol. Were are already almost in march!

[mini_mad69]

I know Riv run is really not looking good, MOT runs out april 27th, so as every year would need to get it's MOT just before.

Never going to happen, gutted

[benjib1990]

1380 build starts again tomorrow, engine will be dismantled and I will try to get it spinning over again. I will get it apart and inspect and measure the crank.

New spec for engine aswell.

1380 block
73.5mm powermax pistons
kent 286 cam
duplex timing gear
central oil pickup
1.5 rockers
998 gearbox
3.44 diff
Minisport inlet, (going to port match it to carb)
HIF44 with vizards modifications
Ram-air, air filter
Standard verto clutch system with new clutch plate
Facet fuel pump

Still undecided on head,

I have a head but I have no idea what it is, the valves look pretty big but the combustion chamber looks like it been home worked. On my current SPI block that im running.

I have an SPI cooper head. The issue with this is that it moves a little weirdly, it kinda sticks when on an engine, so ive never used it.

Im trying to get an MG metro head, and will then port match it and maybe double valve springs.




Going to try get the engine completed by the end of april.

For the car I have adjustable bottom arms and gax adjustable shocks.
Going to remove the amplifier that ran the subs and place the other one in the boot.
Will then sound proof and carpet the rear bench.

dont the metro heads come with double v springs standard anyway?

[benjib1990]

1380 build starts again tomorrow, engine will be dismantled and I will try to get it spinning over again. I will get it apart and inspect and measure the crank.

New spec for engine aswell.

1380 block
73.5mm powermax pistons
kent 286 cam
duplex timing gear
central oil pickup
1.5 rockers
998 gearbox
3.44 diff
Minisport inlet, (going to port match it to carb)
HIF44 with vizards modifications
Ram-air, air filter
Standard verto clutch system with new clutch plate
Facet fuel pump

Still undecided on head,

I have a head but I have no idea what it is, the valves look pretty big but the combustion chamber looks like it been home worked. On my current SPI block that im running.

I have an SPI cooper head. The issue with this is that it moves a little weirdly, it kinda sticks when on an engine, so ive never used it.

Im trying to get an MG metro head, and will then port match it and maybe double valve springs.




Going to try get the engine completed by the end of april.

For the car I have adjustable bottom arms and gax adjustable shocks.
Going to remove the amplifier that ran the subs and place the other one in the boot.
Will then sound proof and carpet the rear bench.

dont the metro heads come with double v springs standard anyway?

and i wasnt expecting that conversion, haha, vaux conversion sunds like a plan, gonna keep my eye on this thread

[mini_mad69]

All depends on what metro you have, but I don't think they do no.

Yeah, looking forward to getting the vaux in.

[mini_mad69]

Cleaned them up a bit more with a scouring pad.



Running block, all i know was that this was rougher than my 400 grit paper, im guessing around 280.



400 grit paper



Small section using rough polishing wheel and compound.



Medium hardness wheel and medium compound.



Softest wheel.

The instructions said use the soft compound (blue), but mine wasn't in the box, it either fell out or was never there.
I've had my polishing kit for around a year now and this is the first time i've used it. So I substituted some G3 paint cutting compound, which seemed to work fairly well.



Not a bad finish, but I reckon I can do better with more time spent rubbing down.



This is one of my 12x6 wheels in the same style, these are in ok condition and are pretty much as they come from the supplier.

You can see that my 13x7 wheel which I have polished has a more mirror finish with better reflection, and looks a lot deeper.



And here is one untouched 13x7 with my newly polished one.

I have a tube of autoglym metal polish which I found to be fantastic, and I think will finish the rim off perfectly. However this is sitting in the boot of the mini, which is in a garage a little drive away as I said earlier, so I'll grab that next time i'm up there.

Using the autoglym stuff and rubbing down with wet'n'dry paper I turned this :




Into this:



And that was by hand, so with my polishing wheels, I should get a decent finish I hope. Although i'm quite happy with what I've achieved so far.

[benjib1990]

in work we use diamond paper, and the finish you can get with that is insane

[Mini 360]

To get the lip like a mirror you need to be sanding up the grades all the way to at least 2000 wet and dry. Then polish after that stage. :)

[mini_mad69]

Cheers guys, I'll put more effort in. This was kinda just a taster to see how they'd come out.

I'll go to the paint shop and get some decent wet 'n' dry, I did that with 2 very old pieces and a sanding block i found in the shed.

[welshraider]

the offer stands. if mine is to the point of an mot im more than up for Riviere run and there will be space. if ur bored ill be in the garage most of the day tomoz stripping mine down. u know where it is and the kettle will be on constant, only way to stop going spare