842 replies to this topic

[analogue_radio]

I get way too excited for your updates. Couple'a questions: How much knowledge did you have when you started? (have you gained any since?) and how are you affording this on a student budget? I'm off to university next year, and would love to tart up my Mini over the 4 years I'm there, but can't see how to gather the finances! Love the colour, beautiful car and great thread :)

Thank you mate!

When I bought the 1990 (My first car & first Classic Mini) I had next to no knowledge.. I remember changing my indicator lenses and thinking that was a big deal.. strange to think 3 years later I'm coming to the end of doing a total nut & bolt rebuild!

During the first year it was my Dad who helped me with the maintenance, but as I started to strip it apart I've pretty much took it on by myself.

Yeah it has been tough and I've spent almost all three years deep into my overdraft.. but I've worked full time each summer which has been a huge financial help. Find a part job bar job mate, even 4 hours a week is an extra £20ish a week that will help!

[analogue_radio]

I've finished University!

Well.. I've done my dissertation, final project presentations and hand ins.. so until I move home after the end of year show I'll still be at Uni, although I can spare an awful lot more time to come home for the odd weekend!

Todays progress..



New parts.



Advice for threading the rear loom, tape it together to avoid loose wires clogging up and tangling inside the posts.



Through in the front.





& through in the back!



Next I wanted to get the boot lid cables in to give it some support.



Nice neat hole.



Voila.



Now holds itself open and doesn't rest against the bumper which is nice! Although..



The cable it too long.. so as a temporary measure until I find something more suitable, zip ties!



Next job.. I rang the bloke at Maniflow, David, who was really helpful! And just advised that I've got enough length to be able to chop the swaged end off the end of the green downpipe in order to make it fit..



So I did just that!



And cut some slits in order to allow a clamp to be effective.



Cleaned up the burs and job done!



Gave these bits a lick of black paint & also parts of the suspension & subframe.



& the gear stick a coat of black spray paint.



Fuel tank loosely in.



More tomorrow!

[HarryMini93]

Just read the whole project, this is going to turn out absolutely amazing, stunning work make!

[carboy001]

Looking good Luke, quickly making progress now!

Only thing I note is that your bootlid doesn't seem to open much with the cables tied together, is that the furthest it'll drop without hitting something? Could be that because you haven't got the numberplate light on a swinging plate?

Also may I ask where you got your bootlid rubber from? Looks a bit different to the usual with the curved round lip.

Cheers
Chris

[analogue_radio]

Just read the whole project, this is going to turn out absolutely amazing, stunning work make!

Thank you mate!

Looking good Luke, quickly making progress now!

Only thing I note is that your bootlid doesn't seem to open much with the cables tied together, is that the furthest it'll drop without hitting something? Could be that because you haven't got the numberplate light on a swinging plate?

Also may I ask where you got your bootlid rubber from? Looks a bit different to the usual with the curved round lip.

Cheers
Chris

Ta Chris!

Yeah it will open more, it just means the painted hinges sit on the bumper which I don't want. It opens wide enough for me to get the fuel tank in & out so it'll be fine for storages purposes.

& I can't remember the name of the bloke but he does a lot of shows and all he sells is rubber trim & seals! Fairly sure I got it from him.

It's a really nice tight seal so I'm happy with it.

[charie t]

I've finished University!

Well done Luke, fingers crossed you get a good result.

[analogue_radio]

I've finished University!

Well done Luke, fingers crossed you get a good result.

Thank you mate, fingers crossed ey!

Today..





Very minor rust around the N/S headlight, the O/S is perfect.

What can I do to correct and prevent this from spreading further? It's well and truly waxoyl'd and sealed on the inside. & This area will be covered by the headlight bowl & seal.



Worked out how these fit together & sat them in place, unfortunately I don't have any spire clips so I couldn't fasten them properly.



I think I was a bit eager with wanting to drop the engine in, a lot more needs to be done before it's ready to be dropped into her.



I wanted to get her down off such a height and sitting more or less level.



Out comes the big guns.



Sat nice and almost level now.



Next task is to get the brake lines in properly before doing anything else.


Back to Uni tomorrow for the week, but back home again next weekend!

[iDemonix]

So jealous, lovely project.

[grahama]

Looking great, any ideas what has caused the rusting??

[analogue_radio]

Weekend update!



Ball joint kit came.



Grandads' grinding paste.



All sides lapped, shimmed, greased, torqued & the lock tabs knocked over. Touched up with a spot of black paint.



N/S suspension going in.



Using the weight of the shell to get the lower suspension pin in the top arm.



Rolled out. A bit too much positive camber.. haha.





She sits beautifully on the back end.. although I don't know if I'll get away with having her that low over bumps.



Front is clearly high, positive camber and the wheels sit too far forwards which is close to rubbing on full lock.. but that will all be ironed out.



Gave the garage a sweep & a sort out whilst she was outside. I also hoovered, cleaned & polished her up as well!



Pulled out the next lot of bits to be refurbished.

Birthday tomorrow! & I'll be back hopefully in a few weekend time!

[iDemonix]

Nice update, positive camber looks funny!

[grahama]

Looking great. The lapping of the ball joints, did you use a drill as in the utube clip??

[analogue_radio]

Nice update, positive camber looks funny!

The whole lot will drop with the extra weight of the engine, so that should correct the positive camber.

Looking great. The lapping of the ball joints, did you use a drill as in the utube clip??

Can't remember who made the video but yeah I did.

[giacomo]

loving the build thread mate :) can't wait for more updates!

[markosparko1994]

liking the headlamps and reversing and fog lamps, great attention to detail