156 replies to this topic

[skoughi]

Looking good, so satisfying being able to drive a car you've rebuilt, hopefully I might experience that one day! Read with interest about the sensor. I had a chat with an engine builder in Aberdeenshire who recommend I fit one (a wideband AFR gauge) as being up in Shetland then getting access to a rolling road is simply not practical. I would think that once you get sussed how to utilise the information then it would be very useful.

[miniBrain]

Hi Skoughi,

 

The wideband sensor will give you a much more accurate A/F indication whereas the narrowband (like mine) effectively just tells you if mixture is rich or lean.

 

I found that just driving around watching the reading didn't help much as the A/F ratio changes so much depending on conditions and use of the throttle. So the next step for me is to record the lambda voltage plus RPM (and manifold vacuum later on) then do some controlled runs on a quiet road. Then I can chart the results in Excel or whatever and do some averaging. I've got all the electronics needed lying around - I just need to get my a**e into gear and get it done!

[rally515]

Just had a good read through your hread Bob and what a lovely GT you have made yourself there, wish i knoew the whole electrical buisness as i've not much of a clue with electrics.

I see in one of the las pictures you have multiple engine mounts with poly bushes, is it worth using multiple and alos are the poly ones any better ?

 

Cheers,

Cliff

[miniBrain]

Hi Cliff,

 

I've got standard rubber engine mounts - you must mean the engine steadies? Since that photo I've got rid of the home made engine steady and just use one at the bottom and one at the top. The home made one came with the car and it didn't fit very well anyway. I think the standard car just had the two. The previous owner used this car for Autotest so I guess he fitted it to cope with the heavy use.

 

Poly bushes are definitely the way to go if you want a sporty drive - should last a lifetime and will stiffen things up. But since my car is only for normal road use I only fitted poly where the rubber was perished and left any good rubber in place.

 

Bob

 

PS

Engines tucked away nicely - just need to get that TR7 out of the way and get on with a proper project 

[Fixmyride]

Hiya just been through your post, I'm doing a mini advantage restoration, it's the first mini Iv owned and I bought it as a stripped down shell and found this very helpful with how to fit the panels etc. I guess I kinda bit off more than I can chew for my first project

[miniBrain]

Hiya just been through your post, I'm doing a mini advantage restoration, it's the first mini Iv owned and I bought it as a stripped down shell and found this very helpful with how to fit the panels etc. I guess I kinda bit off more than I can chew for my first project

 

Hi mate, This Mini was my first full nut & bolt resto. Although I had done some restoration work before, I must admit that when the floors were cut out and the car had large areas of fresh air where solid metal should be, I was a little scared too - I wondered whether I had the ability to get it back on the road.

 

I found the best way to deal with a daunting project is to break it down into a number of tasks - e.g. RH floor, RH doorstep, RH flitch, etc, etc, Then as each task is completed you will gain confidence and retain enthusiasm. And its a lot more satisfying to think in terms of 100% completed task rather than 5% completion of the whole project.

 

Had a look at your project thread - your'e Mini doesn't look too bad from the photos so far. My advice for now is to start bracing the car before you start cutting much more. As a minimum, assuming your're putting in new sills, is across the bottom of the door apertures and from front LH and RH door post.

[Fixmyride]

Hiya just been through your post, I'm doing a mini advantage restoration, it's the first mini Iv owned and I bought it as a stripped down shell and found this very helpful with how to fit the panels etc. I guess I kinda bit off more than I can chew for my first project

 
Hi mate, This Mini was my first full nut & bolt resto. Although I had done some restoration work before, I must admit that when the floors were cut out and the car had large areas of fresh air where solid metal should be, I was a little scared too - I wondered whether I had the ability to get it back on the road.
 
I found the best way to deal with a daunting project is to break it down into a number of tasks - e.g. RH floor, RH doorstep, RH flitch, etc, etc, Then as each task is completed you will gain confidence and retain enthusiasm. And its a lot more satisfying to think in terms of 100% completed task rather than 5% completion of the whole project.
 
Had a look at your project thread - your'e Mini doesn't look too bad from the photos so far. My advice for now is to start bracing the car before you start cutting much more. As a minimum, assuming your're putting in new sills, is across the bottom of the door apertures and from front LH and RH door post.

Thanks mini mad I did stop the cutting after reading you post about the near miss. I'm gonna get some box section and weld them in to brace it all together. Iv never actually worked on a mini other than brake pipes and a water pump so I'm looking forward to stripping the engine down, Iv got the original 998 and It was sold with a 1275 so I think that one will have to go in :). If I'm honest I'm having more fun than I thought I would, I think it's the fact that once it's do I can tell my boy that daddy built it