1146 replies to this topic

[Marco1972]

Hi Hugh

I know that feeling too well !!

Iv felt like throwing in the towel many times already and iv virtually only just started water leaks finding more rusty holes denting and scratching things that were all ok I the first place...
I just look out the window and think why am I bothering !!!

But then I get myself on here and get re motivated....

What would we do without TMF

Keep up the good work mate..

[ToM 2012]

wow! hugh your nearly finished i bet you can not wait to get it out on the road? looks stunning mini and you should be proud of all the work you have done! hope to see you at some shows or meets. cheers tom 

Edited by ToM 2012, 05 August 2013 - 08:13 AM.

[hughJ]

Thanks Ben, Adam, minimuk, Marco1972 and Tom.

 

Still creeping along.

 

As I said earlier I had problems with engaging reverse. I couldn't. I had installed the control rod upsides down in the remote selector box. When this was sorted I then found the reverse switch was gone and so fitted a new one.

 

 

And have reverse lights

 

 

 

Tarted up my door switches - the interior light works now.

 

 

But my biggest grief has been the clutch. I found I hadn't fitted the clevis pin! Why? Its an utter pain to fit but not as painful as the following saga. I hunted round the garage for I'm sure over an hour and eventually found the pin in a tool box! Then I went to fit it and put it in from the left. I then thought this must be wrong (its not!) and tried to put it in from the right when it sprang out my long nose pliers and disappeared into the bulkhead!. It took half a day to get it. Eventually I took out the master cylinder, the pedals, the brake master cylinder, the servo - horrendous. Then with a mirror and torch I saw it to the right down the bulkhead. I got it with a magnet! Then had to build it all back. That was another half day. The rear bolt on the clutch master cylinder is almost as bad as the clevis pin. I then found the pedal didn't have enough travel to engage gear. So back out with the master cylinder!

 

I removed the gasket to gain a few mm travel

 

 

 

I used some gasket sealant instead.

 

I then found that the clevis pin must be inserted from the left as it doesn't clear properly other wise.

 

 

 

I found a good way to fill the master cylinder is to use the Easybleed in reverse - blow the fluid with my mouth into the cylinder. I'm getting to enjoy the taste of brake fluid! But isn't that another stupid bit of design.

 

 

And fitted the rear fog light

 

 

I've been drilling the holes for the wheel arches. I ordered rivets but my rivet gun can't get in at the wheel arch. So I've ordered 4mm allen bolts and nuts,

 

You people are nice. I've not done a great job. I've scraped a lot of paint and the brake fluid spills have helped take more off. I'm so glad its just a rattle can job. I would cry if I'd had it professionally sprayed.

 

But you might like this

 

 

Thanks to Anne, my Mini donating wife, for the taking video. I think she thinks she's Peter Jackson now!

 

 

Driving along, Hugh

Edited by hughJ, 19 August 2013 - 07:38 PM.

[Carlos W]

Wow Hugh, you must be so proud (you should be)

[silve1999]

haha great video, glad you got reverse working!

 

mate, it inspires me to rip something else off the mini and refurb it everytime i read your updates.

 

Keep it up!!

 

Cheers

 

Dave

[grahama]

Epic Hugh !!

[Shifty]

Brilliant Hugh, the end is well and truly in sight now.

 

Perhaps its time to start planning the next Mini project?

 

Don't forget I want to put your car on a TMF stand, I'm sure there's loads of people who would love to see this in flesh.  This is probably one of the most followed and popular builds on TMF.

[sonikk4]

Brilliant Hugh, the end is well and truly in sight now.

 

Perhaps its time to start planning the next Mini project?

 

Don't forget I want to put your car on a TMF stand, I'm sure there's loads of people who would love to see this in flesh.  This is probably one of the most followed and popular builds on TMF.

 

+1 with that. Bingley next year Hugh. A bit of winter driving for the wee beastie.

[Archived4]

 

Brilliant Hugh, the end is well and truly in sight now.

 

Perhaps its time to start planning the next Mini project?

 

Don't forget I want to put your car on a TMF stand, I'm sure there's loads of people who would love to see this in flesh.  This is probably one of the most followed and popular builds on TMF.

 

+1 with that. Bingley next year Hugh. A bit of winter driving for the wee beastie.

 

Another +1

Your build is inspirational. How you went from hating the welder, and having no experience with it, to welding up the entire car, which is now solid as a rock, then you've refurbished all your parts, which is a huuge task in itself, and painted the car yourself, in an awesome colour   You deserve to show it off, as I've gotta say, it's a real credit to your hard work, and perseverance.   And I for one definitely want to see it

[silve1999]

+1 from me also lol

[Shifty]

This isn't a build thread its a journey and an inspiration to anyone considering their first restoration.  Its threads like this that make me proud to be involved with TMF, we've all followed the ups and downs of your build and watched it evolve and grow.

 

Sincere congratulations Hugh, you deserve it.

[sonikk4]

And the best about all of it now Hugh you have something tangible to show off. 

[silver_toes]

+1 from me too

 

All I can say Hugh is that you are truly inspirational. I have been following this topic almost from the beginning and i thought it was about time i added my two-penneth. I have absolutely no mechanical tendencies so have been watching your progress with awe.

 

 

I feel like we've come on a journey with you, right from the very start when you were cutting out small sections to replace, to the point where you realised this would turn into a full rebuild. Watching your struggles with the front end replacement and feeling satisfied for you when you got it sorted. You haven't shied away from any of the challenges and as a result have a lovely solid little mini. It really looks like there is very little left to do now. I hope when the mini is road legal that you will take it to some shows as there appear to be tons of people who would like to see this - including me

[Archived4]

 

 

From^^^

 

Too:

 

 

Just a recap what it was and is!

 

And it's come on since those pics too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[davej]

Awesome Hugh, you are so close now to MOT day. I agree with what has already been said, you should be really proud of what you have achieved, the mini looks brilliant.