625 replies to this topic

[hughJ]

Rich I am still following you and still amazed at what you do. That is an amazing floor replacement. You said above "so not very exciting" - I would disagree - I find it all exciting. Thanks for putting it up here.

Hugh

[Andymini]

Well I have just read this from start to finish! And all I can say is amazing and give me hope for my GT that I bought. Pick it up this Sunday can't wait to get stuck in and will be using your thread for reference.

[PNL629G]

I too have read the whole thread tonight! Wow - amazing work, really high standard and to think where you started off from! Only thing about reading these (great!) long threads is that I'll only be able to follow in real time... Thanks for taking the time to photograph and post. My only critisism would be that your wedding ring looks shop bought... could you not have knocked one up? ; )

[josh.goddard]

Hi
Just read this from start to finish and i have got to give you credit some good fabrication skill gone on there.
keep up the work.

Josh

[F1L8EY]

im just gonna repeat what everyone else is saying !! great fabrication, nice clean work... inspirational.

keep up the good work i shall be watching this clubby

Filbey

[chrisj]

I haven't had much time to browse on the forum of recent months but your project Rich is always one I nip on to have a look at, really inspiring work combined with a fantastic detailed write up.

Keep up the great work.

[daenesh]

when u started off u weren't so good at welding and now my friend you have some mad skills!! keep the great work up..cheers

[rich2]

Hugh: Cheers! I hadn't seen your thread for a while so I had a look to check on your progress just recently, and you've stormed it! Not far to go for you now!

Andymini: Just posted in your thread. :) I'll be keeping a close eye on your build. Your car is like my car's cooler big brother :)

PNL629G: Hahah! cheers dude!

josh: cheers! I keep meaning to drop in to stenson bubble on one of the dcmoc meet days to check out the minis. :)

F1L8EY, chrisj, daenesh: cheers! I will try my best to keep up the work!


It was freezing cold in the garage this weekend, but alas, the paint was not going to strip itself off the tunnel and cross member...




I scrubbed some of the primer off the new floor while I was at it as I suspicious there might be some rust forming through the paint. It didn't seem to be an issue though as I only found bright metal.

I also took a wire brush and a ****-tonne of nitromors to the underseal on the under side of the tunnel. There is definitely surface rust going on here, so liberal kurust was applied.



While I was at it, I kurusted all the metal I had just stripped inside the car too.



Then primed. BLING! Like a new car!



I decided not to grind the seam welds on the underside fully flat as they won't be seen in normal conditions and I didn't feel the need to unnecessarily risk thinning the metal. I can always go back and do this later if I change my mind.



Also, following the wise words of Graham and Neil, I welded up the ends of the outer sills (which really should have gone inside the heelboard. whoops.)



So unless anyone can spot any glaring errors, (i am all ears guys!) thats about it for the floors I think? There are some dodgy rust areas on the roof I need to look at, but the next big job now will be the new front end. Exciting times!

[sonikk4]

Looking good Rich. By the time you stone chip the floor (that's if you are going that way) a good thick coat will cover the welds anyway.

[THE_MINI_BOY]

great project man p.s. i love how every thing you have is yellow e.t.c. car, engine hoist, axle stands XD

[grahama]

Exactly what I was thinking Neil, stone chip covers plenty up !! Has come out very well.

Graham

[Minidarren83]

That's my hope a good coat of seam sealer and stone chip it will look like factory. Your doing a great job with this looks nice and clean

Darren

[rich2]

Just got back from Bingley. I hadn't really planned to go as I thought I would be busy today, but then at the last minute I was free so off I went! There were some seriously awesome cars on show.

I put my haggling hat on and scooped a few bargains on some suspension bits and bobs. Time to start building up some subframes I think ;)



I am coming around to the idea of getting the car up and running on reasonably bog standard parts as opposed to bling high performance bits. The reason being is there is still a lot of money to spend, (not least on paint) and if I seriously want to get this car on the road at some point in the not-too-distant future I'm going to have to be a little economical in some areas! Also, things like dampers can easily be upgraded later :)

[rally515]

Your not alone on the spending problem there. I've been doing the same with my project & now running low empty on funds (formaly my saving ).
Now im skrimping & scraping for bargins .Still,i've been finding some really nice 2nd hand parts in sheds that you wouldnt find in minisport any time soon.
Good luck with finishing this up rich.

Cliff

[rich2]

Cheers cliff! yeah I decided the lower arms on my car were a bit far gone, but rather than forking out upto 80 quid for a new pair, I got the ones in the photo above for £7 the pair including the tie rods. They seem to be in a fairly decent-ish state, and will be fine after a wire brush and paint. If not, I guess I've only lost £7 :)