1943 replies to this topic

[mini_mad69]

Wanted to finish off the beam so I can concentrate on the bodywork a bit more.



Drilled through the beam



10mm hole to accept rod.



Cut down the rod to fit.



Couple of welds to hold the rods in.





Redrill rod to make sure the welds don't interfere.



Ground back welds.



Cut 2 sqaures. (ignore the hole in it, it's all the plate I had.



3mm thick



Welded to heel board.



Those plates line up with the strengthened holes in the beam to add extra support to rear suspension setup.




Found another hole on the passenger side under the boot. It's all sorted now and I've done quite a bit of painting under there.




This is my motivation to get it done, I love this pic of it and it makes me sad to see it sitting in the garage.

[MiniLandy]

Always love seeing updates on this. The whole 998 -> 1275 -> faster A series -> 16v conversion thing you've got going on has happened at the same time as me.

Good to see some progress, glad life isn't getting in the way too much.

[mini_mad69]

It is a bit but i'm plodding on. I'm looking to get a new job asap so might mean updates will slow down.

Still got lots of bits to buy

[mini_mad69]

[jonny f]

Great project! Keep up the good work

[mini_mad69]

Thanks!!
Makes the thread seem a little more worthwhile when I get comments on it.
I start a new job soon. Which means a lot less time to work on the mini but more money, so we'll see how far I get. I want the majority of the bodywork done by christmas. And yes, I know I said this last year, but plans got bigger and so did the rust.



Bonded on the rear valance, but also chucked a few rivnuts in it and some small cap head screws to make doubly sure it won't come off. I'll probably fill it with holes soon anyway.



I also bonded and riveted in the boot floor.



I can now get the tank in and start running fuel pump, filter etc.Although, I want to get it modified slightly.

So now the boot/ backend is near enough done, I can clean/paint the floor and move towards the engine.

[mini_mad69]

Sorry about some of the quality of the pictures, I had dirt on my lens and didn't realise until now.
Any way, cleaned all the grot and dirt out of the arches, and put waaaaaay to much seam sealer in there,





Welded in some more roll cage mounts.



Primer



Primed.

Put my rear beam back on.









Mocked up my rear arches, but I'm undecided on them. I've seen this type on one or two other cars and loved them, but just can't see them on my car.



Maybe I'll change my mind once they've been painted.

Anyway, I've got a few engine parts to play with, so will be doing that soon, but want to get the final hole in the inner sill front of the passenger side and rollcage mount welded up, then sort underneath the floor before that messing with the engine.

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Coming on very well Ben, won't be long before it's all finished. That boot floor looks great too

Why don't you go for the same arches you had before? They suited it well.

Edited by Mini-Mad-Craig, 21 November 2012 - 07:04 PM.

[jonny f]

What arches are those? They look nice if you ask me!

[mini_mad69]

The ones I have now are very similar to what was on it before. I have actually used the fronts off this set while using the wood and picket copies on the back.
I love arches that curve under the valance, but I do like the idea of carbon miglias.

[mini_mad69]

Took my engine out,
lined up the front end,
welded on the passenger side a-panel.
Started to clean the floor, the amount of oil the 1380 chucked out at full chat has preserved the floor nicely, but is a horrible job to get off.
Positioned the cage back in, and it lines up with the mounts now welded to the inside.
Painted the rear passenger arch.

[jb93]

Looking great!

Top work as always

[mini_mad69]

Thanks for the recent comments, makes it worthwhile updating if there are people letting me know they are reading it.

Putting the front on it today made it look like a mini again, so I really want to get it back on the road now.
I've bought a megasquirt, so that means I can start wiring up the engine, but I still need to sort loads of other parts before I can think about starting it.
I need to get a new pedal box as well, as theres no way I can get an inlet manifold on it with the master cylinders on the bulkhead. I've got a corsa VXR inlet manifold I need to redrill and going to try and fit that, and find a cable operated throttle body.

[HARBER07]

You should be seeing your MS Tuesday mate

[MiniLandy]

Thanks for the recent comments, makes it worthwhile updating if there are people letting me know they are reading it.

Putting the front on it today made it look like a mini again, so I really want to get it back on the road now.
I've bought a megasquirt, so that means I can start wiring up the engine, but I still need to sort loads of other parts before I can think about starting it.
I need to get a new pedal box as well, as theres no way I can get an inlet manifold on it with the master cylinders on the bulkhead. I've got a corsa VXR inlet manifold I need to redrill and going to try and fit that, and find a cable operated throttle body.

Been reading this for years!

Regarding your braking problem, have you thought about this? I know it probably won't go with your 'racer' theme, but another option for good brakes.