327 replies to this topic

[jagman.2003]

Welcome back & good luck with the work!

[Shifty]

It's nice to have barney back!! Also dave has far too much money and I need to relieve him of some!!!

Will be attacking him with a grinder very soon.
..

[DaveJH]

Haha far too much money? Don't tell my girlfriend ;)

 

I actually worked 11-12 hour days for with extra hours on the weekends for over two months to save up for this!

[DaveJH]

Here are some pictures from Shifty:

 

Rust before getting started

 

 

 

 

Start the hacking:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starting work on the horribly dented roof:

 

 

 

 

Bonnet is rubbish too:

 

 

 

[Ben_O]

deary me 

[Shifty]

I should update this, it may not look like I've done a lot but I have been busy!!

 

I haven't started doing the body yet as the engine is fighting me!!

 

When I got him he was a non runner, after a bit of fiddling and some new parts he ran......like a dog!!

 

Much more fiddling and he .....still ran like a dog...

 

Anyway, long story short, found compression was down on 3 and 4 so there was a possible head gasket issue so this happened..

 

 

 

Also found a lack of manifold locating rings as well(which can't have helped)

 

 

There was also signs of water ingress in the head as well

 

 

The head is away for reconditioning and parts are on order

 

 

 

[jagman.2003]

Plenty of lovely work to do there.

But I'm sure it'll be a nice shiny mini at the end.

[Shifty]

Ok, it's now full speed ahead!!

 

Sorted his running issues, had the head refurbed and fitted locating rings and he now runs lovely!!

 

 

 

He also ate his starter motor as well, fitted one if my spares for the time being.  

 

Pulled the dash and top rail

 

 

 

Finally, it was time to start welding

 

 

 

 

 

[mk3 Cooper S]

Got your work cut out there Shifty?

 

Is there a good panel on it?

[Shifty]

Not on the front!!  I did the floor and boot floor on it a few years ago so they are still ok.

 

It looks a lot worse than it is to be honest.....!!

[Shifty]

Progress!!

 

I've been messing about fitting kitchens but today I've grabbed to spend some time with Barney...

 

Welded up the bulkhead

 

 

Fitted a new dash rail

 

 

 

Repaired the inner wing

 

 

And finally stripped one of the doors and started to re-skin it

 

 

 

 

 

Very happy with todays progress

[johnR]

with that rate of progress you'll soon have it finished!
Keep up the good work
JohnR

[Shifty]

Kitchen is just about done so time to get busy with Barney!!

 

Skinned and repaired both doors

 

 

 

Repaired the bottoms as well, they've turned out nice

 

Cut the hole for the air vent

 

 

Repaired the inner wing

 

 

Test fitted the passengers door

 

 

Started on the monster job of sorting the roof

 

 

The roof isn't that far away now.

 

Also got a picture of how ropey the drivers door was

 

 

 

I'm aiming to get the front on next weekend

[Ben_O]

Impressive stuff Shifty!

[johnR]

how are you avoiding welding spatter melting electrics etc with it all in the car?
JohnR