1146 replies to this topic

[ZEBERDEE]

Hi, I have just read your entire thread and seeing what great work that you have put in.
Very inspirational stuff and really want to learn to weld myself
Keep up the good work

Rob

[hughJ]

You are very kind, but this is what I call my 'functional' restoration. It is not immaculate like some of the others on the forum. I couldn't be immaculate! Rob and deebo a big thanks and great to have you visit my page! Chris and Graham I always appreciate your comments.

Still doing gentle wimpish jobs. Following advice I got this on Ebay - 1/4" x 2.5MTR CUPRO NICKEL (KUNIFER) BRAKE/FUEL PIPE x1 from clarikengineeringsupplies. There is about 4" left over after bending up the pipe.



And bent it up to this using the old pipe as a pattern and a big socket as a mandrel.



And the fit seems not too bad





I just used insulating tape wrapped around the pipe to act as padding. I'll have to touch up the metal tabs as the paint cracked a bit as they were bent back into place.

And a bit of swivel hub cleaning



Now! The Mini 'just' needs flipped over and the rear subframe can go on. But I'd be in casualty if I attempted that at the moment so will have to be patient. So much for my plans to have it back on its wheels by the end of the holiday. Should keep my big mouth (or is it keyboard?) shut.

Limping along

Hugh

[minimuk]

your going for it then,... looking good the swivel hub, one observation,..did you take the bearings out of the swivel hubs or are you replacing those anyway? Where did you get the kitchen bowl from,.....

[CLM]

Don't hurt yourself Hugh! That's what friends are for... just have to find the right bribe materials... It is looking amazing, you should take a break for a couple of years so I can catch up I'm sure you may be on your second restoration of this car by the time I am done!

Chris

[grahama]

Nice work as usual Hugh, seem so far away from wheels here at the mo, but did manage to undo the 3rd motion nut in the gearbox at work last night !! Can't remember did you roller the underneath or paint by hand??

Graham

[hughJ]

Hello minimuk - I am going to take the bearings out and clean with paraffin but leave the traces in place - I have ordered new seals. The bearings are in good order. I have just had delivered this morning a 1.5" socket by Franklin and got one of the swivel pins off. I had to test would it work as soon as the post arrived! I had already tried clamping the pin in the vice and putting a big lever through the bearings but was scared I' do some damage! But today, with all my weight on the breaker bar and a bit of a jerk it came off!!



So I can give it a good clean out.

Hey Chris I am not restoring a second!! Not till my mental scars have healed anyway!

Graham I brush painted the area under the boot and the front bulkhead and inner wings. I used rattle-cans for under the floor area. All Rustoleum. Great you got that nut off. When you have something sticking you its in your head all the time and sleep vanishes!!

Hope to get a wee bit of gentle jobs - cleaning swivel pins today!

Easing along

Hugh

[minimuk]

excellent, nice job cleaning the bearings in a parafin bath (that is where the bowl is for?), I hope the plastic captive rings are still intact and not damaged,good luck and persevere on them pins!!

[hughJ]

Sorry minimuk - forgot to answer your question - that is what the bowl is for. Its a stainless one Anne chucked out years ago. Its excellent for cleaning bits with a toothbrush. You mustn't use the toothbrush afterwards!

So cleaned both swivel pins - here's the top one - it will do.



And one of the top arm pins



The other side the pin has gone so will have to order an upper arm repair kit. Its spend spend spend. Good old credit card.

The swivel hub now looks like this (note Anne's an old toothbrush in the bowl!!).



And a late Santa Claus delivery from Minisport.



So plenty to keep me going

Degreasing along

Hugh

Edited by hughJ, 07 January 2012 - 07:25 PM.

[minimuk]

electric brushes are great to use,......just a thought.... nice shopping basket there, you are getting all excited now for sure. AP pistons for 8'4 calipers?

[Simonice]

have spent most the day reading this awesome build. i now cant wait to get my project and getting stuck in. keep up the good work

Si

[CLM]

But Hugh... I didn't say restoring a second, I said Restoring this one for the second time I am quite slooooowwww At my work \

Chris

[hughJ]

Hello - a wee while since last updating but I'm just doing an hour each day - a right softy!!

minimuk - they are stainless pistons for 8.4 calipers - that's all I know - they were from Mini Sport. An electric brush would be great for it!! Thanks a lot Si, I hope you get started a project soon. Chris, sorry, I didn't read what you said properly. But to think of restoring a second time when I haven't finished the first. I know you are crazy enough to be juggling several at the same time!!

I'm just slowly getting the parts for the front subframe sorted out.

So tackled this



I did derust and paint but have spoiled the paint a bit cleaning out the passages in the calliper.

So new pistons, new seals including bridge seal, and even new nipple.







The dust seal is best positioned and the L shaped retaining ring tapped on lightly. Then push the piston greased with rubber grease through both seals. Don't follow the Haynes manual - I couldn't get it to work.

Degreased the wheel bearings and fitted new seals









Its not much but I thought I should put in a wee update.

Easing along

Hugh

[iDemonix]

One of the few topics I make sure to check almost daily!

Keep soldiering on Hugh, can't believe how far you've come in both mini completion and ability. You'll have a lovely solid mini after all of this!

[LiamB]

Good luck with it all buddy!

Will look great with the amount of time and effort you are putting in!

[grahama]

Hugh,

Slow down!!! Looking brilliant by the way, nice to see things comming together. I notice you have split your calipers, have you replaced the o ring and have you used new bolts to put them back together?? If not, what torque setting did you use as I couldn't find the answer when I split mine, got worried and got new calipers!!!

Also couldn't find new bolts either!!!

Keep it up.

Graham