1065 replies to this topic

[yeti21586]

lol

[Kam]

Another long day today, I've done 20 hours in two days and am suffering now! what a way to spend your days off in this weather......being stuck in the garage, you might like doing that kind of stuff but I don't!

Enough of my biaaatching....

Started off with trying to work out how to work this overflow/expansion/whatever you want to call it bottle out, its got two pipes, a small overflow at the top and a larger inlet at the bottom, the bottom pipe will sit too low so ideally I need the other one but they are just pipes, so time for some genius thinking, picked up a drill and bored out the top hole and blocked up the bottom pipe with the good 'ol trusty tigerseal



Had some coolant overflow pipe wrapped up in a spiral overnight and chopped off a small section and gasket sealed it in place, the spiral thats fed through now sits at the bottom of the bottle, put a main hose on top and job done



Mounted it up where I did have the second rad



Overflow pipe sitting level and cap is 10mm under the wing - job done!



Also welded on a central support for the bonnet slam panel as it was bending with little pressure, it clears the exhaust manifold fine



Then the bonnet safety hook malarky, this was giving me a real headache as the MOT guy says it needs one period, so popped down to KFC for some inspirational stroke motivational food.....

by the way it tasted awesome as usual if anyone cares

Started off with some savagery with the angle grinder



Gaffer taped it up to the center to catch what was left of the slam panel but it was a no go, there is 'maybe' some room there but we're talking mm's here so with the engine rocking about on the move and even the front end being re-fitted not straight and true its not worth the gamble so went with plan b (the idea not the singer!)

Welded it up to the side of the bonnet



And welded on a catch on the wing as the angle the hook sits wouldn't hook the underside of the wing no matter how far I moved it across



Does it work? of course it does!!! I found out by mistake as I clicked the bonnet down as usual and lifted it as I have been doing - very quickly, but I forget about the hook (as its the first time I've used it on this front end) and it soon hooked up!



Then started to chuck some interior in, god I love this Rio design!





Need some carpets next payday, newton commercial looks good but a bit pricey, budget stuff should do....

Getting some chromework on



I used this numberplate with the previous clubman front, holes don't line with a roundnose/bullnose/bellnose front - great another one needed...



Bonnet alignment still needs playing about with but I'm sure the MOT guy won't find it critical for his needs!



Best I can do with the wing/scuttle as I'm leaving my a-panel flares sitting on the outside, I know thats not mini ethical but suck it up



Got MOT tuesday so just got some small stuff left to do which I will tackle tomorrow, but the main brunt of it is done

Also took it for a quick little drive earlier (on private grounds) but couldn't stay out long as I didn't have the front end on and was getting some funny looks, it was pulling me side to side but I know that aint torque steer as it was doing the exact same thing as before with the b16 after I played around with the suspension

I aint got no geometry equipment here so will try and see what I can at least do with an i-phone

Oh and the clutch is fine, for a stage 4 paddle clutch I was expecting it to be a menace, but apart from the total travel being short it is fine, more than fine, its not on/off atall

Next job - more KFC as its motivational!

[KieranB]

Amazing!! One of the best bits a build....hiding away all the hard work to make it look like a totally unmodified mini again

Good luck on Tuesday fella, hope it all goes well


Kieran

[yeti21586]

always a pleasure to see your work kam!! i love the fabrication work that you do and the genious ways of getting round problems are inspirational!


YetI

[thelegg]

i agree, you should right a book on solving mini related problems ha ha

[Kam]

Cheers for the kind words people, appreciate that but unless it all works then end of the day its just ideas, actions speak louder so bear with me

I'm gonna run it tomorrow with the front end all on and see how temps are then, the rad hasn't been tested with the front end blocking up the rad so it will be interesting

[Kam]

i agree, you should right a book on solving mini related problems ha ha

I haven't got many ideas so it may be a mini book

**apologies for the poor pun**

[yeti21586]

I liked that!!!!

[Kam]

Another long day today, been finishing off the small bit n pieces, its amazing how much time it takes to do even what seems like simple and quick jobs...

Messed about with the rear tyres aswell, I ain't got no geometry equipment here (or a bit of string!) so just did by sight and a straight edge, it looked like one the rear tyres was sitting level and the other with some toe out, played around with the KAD brackets and got them sitting with slight toe in, cranked up the adjustable shocks aswell. Took it out for a quick spin and it was much better, didn't pull me to one side like yesterday, obviously I will get it done properly where I normally go, just need it driveable so it don't scare the bejeesus out of the MOT guy

Also whilst out I had the whole front end on, the under bonnet temps are pretty horrific! the heat cannot escape anywhere and theres hardly any clearance between the bonnet and everything else under there which makes nearly everything under there untouchable, definitely gonna have to heat wrap the intake pipe as its gonna get heat soaked

Finished up for tonight so now its all ready for the MOT in a few hours time....



Nervous time

[Rhys]

How did it go?? <-- 2 question marks requires a speedier response.

[Kam]

[Rhys]

Nice one, yours is one of the threads that made me sure I was going to go for it so it is great to see you pass!

[Midas Mk1]

The Ultimate in Sleeper! Love it

[ministar]

Well done mate. Germany is one step closer....Le Mans first though

[thelegg]

Congrats mate, think a well earned pint is what you need :)