Thanks guys
Small update.
Last weekend I replaced the engine mounts finally as one had split, and tried to realign the exhaust as the downpipe was hitting the cross-member since I replaced the clutch. Spent hours trying but couldn't manage it and it still knocks, have no idea quite what has moved but I think the axle loop is now hitting the axle on hard bumps too. It's now got me thinking of delaying the new engine rebuild to sort out a 4 branch manifold being made and a fitted exhaust from Gryphon Design.
On Monday I went on a 5 day holiday to Whitstable and after much deliberation decided to take the Viva as the girlfriends Corsa was playing up big time and the Mini is...well...a bit Mini. I wasn't too keen as we were taking the girlfriends dog too, so I used the rear seat out of the red Viva as it was cloth. My rear seat belt mounts on the arch are
really getting crusty
The car did brilliantly, took all our luggage with the boot full to the brim, cruised at motorway speed and up hills and was even happy to accelerate to 80 for overtaking. Got us there, around and about, and back on 2/3 of a tank too.
Sitting low
Still made it over the speed bumps though...only just
Two days into the holiday on the way to Tesco, the car started misfiring underload, luckily it was only a mile away. When I parked up I had a look under the bonnet to find coolant being sprayed all over the engine and bay. The bottom hose had split right on a T junction for the heater take-off. A bottle of water and gaffa tape got us to a motor factors where I got some 'Quick Tape'. It seemed to be pretty good stuff but didn't stop the leak by much.
This is after 2 attempts with the Quick Tape - I'd parked up for about a minute
The third attempt very nearly stopped it, so on we went.
I was away for the weekend, so today I got a chance to replace the hose. Surprisingly it all came off without any further problems. Also went to pick up a front and rear anti roll bar that I won on eBay and then got to cleaning it, replacing the rear seats and giving it all a good hoover. Just as I was thinking about how I was going to tackle the body work and all the chips and dents around the car, Mother Nature stuck her nose in with a big gust of wind and sent the upright rear seat section into my rear quarter leaving some more dents and scratches >
And with the remaining hours I striped down the A/R bars ready to be wire brushed and hopefully painted tomorrow.
Front:
Back:
A couple of hours and two sheared bolts later:
Currently talking to Coggers about polybushes for them but the diameter of the bars seems a bit odd and not what is listed...hopefully it will be alright.
Re the wheel situation, I'll do a short vote on the 3 forums this will go on to decide between 4 spoke revolutions and superlights, both with polished lip and black centres. I don't do decisions!
and a very good one if I say so myself.
I personally prefer the retro steelies with centre caps as you just don't see them these days 
and superlights are just too common.
