44 replies to this topic

[iDemonix]

For those who haven't read: I've suffered an injury at work and severed most my thumb on a table saw. Fortunately, surgery means I'll keep the thumb but my right hand is in a splint for 6-8 weeks and it's 10-12 weeks before I can considering starting 'light' lifting or driving.

Progress is therefore halted.

I tried to start painting my engine today. I'm using red zinc oxide primer and Halfrauds VHT red paint. I gave it a coat thinking it'd be easy, but I'm very dominantly right handed and after 1 very rough coat of primer I've given up. Couldn't get it neat at all and because I couldn't hold the paint pot it, was going everywhere. Disheartened but oh well.

[miniBrain]

Sorry to hear about your injury mate. Hopefully you can still order up all those nice new shiny parts ready for when you get better?!

[iDemonix]

Wahoo, some progress in the right direction!

First of all, new tyres!



I've spent so much money on engine parts, tyres, a new engine (not fitted yet) and other bits, when you sit in the car it still looks like a wreck! Well thankfully that's changed as I finally got round to fitting my doorcards and alloy handle set. Took a bit of fettling to get the lock surround on as there was nothing to screw in to, managed to get it sorted in the end though and they look 10x better.

Before


After


They were a bit of a swine to fit, had to drill out the holes in the door as they were full of weld and filler for some reason. Some of the holes were too large too, on the drivers side door, the clip nearest the lock, the hole is huge so I'll have to whack some silicon behind it tomorrow to make it stop popping out. I also waterproofed the back with a simple piece of plastic from the workshop:



I glued the leatherette cover I bought, on to the padded lower dash rail. I'm having a bit of a nightmare getting it all to fit properly though. I've bought a new switch panel, new choke and new heater cable too.

My problem is that I can't get the switch panel to have the bolts through the holes and not look crap. If the switch panel bolts go through the holes, then the panel itself is 1cm in at the bottom of the padded dash rail but sticks out the top. Doesn't help that the switch panel got a bit bent during fitting (it's one of those chrome ones). Spent about an hour fettling with it but still couldn't get it right then ran out of daylight. To anger me even more, I've lost one of the bolts from the switch panel brackets too and I'm buggered if I can find another that fits - does anyone know the size of the bolt of the top of their head?

Left it like this for today:



I'm planning on waking up early and having a bash before work but I need to find another bolt that will fit before I crack on, had a long day at work though so was too tired to search the garage for the elusive bolt. I must start taking care of the bits I take off.

Next step: fit lower padded dash rail and switch panel, connect up choke and heater - no more using my right foot as the choke!

Next job: When new rear arch covers arrive, fit them and then fit new rear cards.

[iDemonix]

Time for another small step forward!

Before:



After:



Dash rail is also now fitted but no pic of that yet. It was a swine to fit and unfortunately I ripped the vinyl where the switch panel sits. It's not too noticeable so I'm going to live with it, but needless to say I was annoyed at myself. Nevertheless, got it fitted.

Jobs done this weekend:

• Fixed hazards
• Fixed indicators
• Fixed fog light button
• Fixed brake test switch circuit
• Replaced some relays
• Fitted new choke
• Fitted new heater cable
• Fitted padded dash rail
• Fitted door cards and arch covers
• Re-fitted steering cowl
• Fitted new door hardware
• Made a circuit for and connected battery gauge
• Fitted capillary oil pressure gauge

Car looks a lot better, door cards show the start of the transformation, feel like I'm getting somewhere now. I got two aux clocks connected up - capillary oil and electricity status. They're just sat loose on the dash for now but meh.

The braided oil hose looks so new compared to everything else under the bonnet. I ran the hose through a hole big enough for the aerial and the braided hose, probably not the best route but the hose is really long so needed to make it a fairly long route.



I think the next job is the rear suspension, I can't have more than 1 passenger at all and sometimes just having 1 passenger makes the wheels rub when turning sharply. Once the suspension is done, I'll decide whether to save for the engine transplant or soldier on with the interior, desperate for a new steering wheel and some new seats.

[iDemonix]

Oh and I also figured out that the wiper fluid motor has gone, so getting a new one of them sorted as there's a genocide of flies on my windscreen when driving down country lanes.

[iDemonix]

MOT Failed

I was expecting some issues along the way but not a failure. I don't know if anyone is reading this, but I'll use this thread as my personal to do list. Here's a list of problems and how I'll fix them

To pass the MOT

• Front windscreen washer provides insufficient liquid - Replace motor
• Headlamp aim too high - Mechanic is fixing this
• Rear fog lamp missing - Didn't know this was an MOT failure, will fit one
• Offside (Outer sill) has inadequate repair (filler/fiber glass) - Having new floor panel welded to it (gap)
• Offside floor excessively corroded - Having new floor panel
• Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive - A/F mix too rich, will tune it down

Advisories

• Front suspension slight play in upper AND lower - Will be replaced when new engine/subby goes in
• Front wheel bearing has slight play - Will look at that and either replace it myself or have a mechanic do it
• Rear sub-frame corroded - Going to replace rear subby for the sake of it, it's too weak in one area
• Front sub-frame corroded - Again, this is getting replaced for a manual subby when new engine goes in
• All brake pipes slightly corroded - Will be replaced with proper copper brake lining when rear subby replaced
• Non obligatory mirror damaged - Fit a rear view mirror
• Engine steady bushes worn - Again, will be replaced with new engine
• Bottom radiator hose touching timing case - This will probably also wait for the new engine
• N/s/f bump stop rubber missing - Again, with new engine
• Exhaust slight blow - This is from behind the engine and will be replaced with stage 1 soon enough

Fair bit to do but I'll get it done. Even if it kills me. Or my wallet.

Things I'll be buying tonight:

• Windscreen washer motor
• Rear fog lamp
• Floor panel
• Rear view mirror

[iDemonix]

[fattail95]

Loving this, will be following closely!

[iDemonix]

I think you're my first follower haha.

Hoping to get Ivy back next weekend, then I'll get to work fixing the fog light electrics and wiring up a fog light, various other bits and bobs (possibly brake lines as the welder had to cut them) then drag it through an MOT. We'll see how welding goes first!

[iDemonix]

Few pics whilst things aren't happening much.

Popped to the welders whilst on a cycle ride, progress! Everything on the drivers side has now been cut out, floor pan, cross member, outer sill, inner sill, some of the flitch panel. Currently the new floor pan is partially welded in, along with some inner sill patches and the flitch has been sorted. He's used proper thick gauge metal, so it really is solid now, probably the most solid bit of the car as he demonstrated by belting it with a hammer and the metal not even noticing. I think what's most annoying is that this isn't just classic mini rot, this is someones shitty attempts at bodging and it's been passed off as good work by using filler, crap metal and under seal to make it look proper.

I also noticed that under the drivers plastic arch, the arch itself (body) has no paint on and has completely rotted. Not sure how well a wire wheel will go, welder said he'd give it a brush over and see how bad it is. Luckily the rot under the rear arch doesn't look too bad.

I think I'll self-tap the arches on for the MOT, then I'll take them off and get some smaller ones, sort the paint work on the actual arch, then put the plastic ones on, maybe get them in black too?

Anyway, pics!









And finally, some new welding, and where the previous owner welded, ground back and then didn't even put any ******* primer or anything on!

[iDemonix]

Nearly 2 months on! Car has been welded nicely, passed its MOT but is currently being painted, hoping to get it back today or tomorrow morning and then the journey continues!

For my own personal reference, here is the to-do list from the MOT:

• Exhaust has a minor leak
• (All steels) Brake pipe slight corrosion
• (Front & Rear) Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened
• (All) Front suspension has slight play in upper suspension ball joint
• (All) Front suspension has slight play in lower suspension ball joint
• (Both) Front wheel bearing has slight play
• N/s/f bump stop missing
• Bottom hose is touching timing case
• Engine steady bar bushes worn

Phew!

I plan on tackling 3a, 4, 5, 7 in one foul swoop when I do the engine swap. 1 Will be fixed with the stage 1 kit that will eventually come. The rest will get done over time, I'm not sure which are the most dangerous (lol) and should be dealt with first, so any tips welcome.

Hopefully get her back later or tomorrow AM, so pics are incoming soon!

[minimaxie]

by the way. I have been checking back on this so dont think you have been doing this project and no one is looking lol glad the progress is going well, mad to think how much rot was on your car when you look back at the first pics, hope mine isnt like this keep us updated!

Max

Edited by minimaxie, 16 August 2012 - 10:49 AM.

[iDemonix]

DAMNIT.

More bad luck. The window frame around the passenger door snapped whilst at the painters. Likely need a new door. Collecting the car tomorrow at about 11am. Spirits are very low but at least the rest of the paint is done and the sills are solid as a rock. Not really sure where to tackle next as so many areas are in desperate need!

I'll get it back tomorrow, give it a wash, then decide what the course of action is. I'm doing an engine swap on my motorbike when the mini is back, so I can't take the mini off the road until the bike is done.

[iDemonix]

Not that anyone is following, but the mini is regretfully now sold

 

 

September 2012 I got a job in Oxford and I moved to a flat with a small garage that can't fit a mini and a motorbike. I thought I'd blanket the mini at my parents for a few years, but they've sold their house and are moving to a house with no garage. The buyer of their current house made me a good offer to leave the mini in the garage as he wants a project.

 

I'm pretty gutted and very sad to see her go, but sadly it's just not practical at this time in my life - I have no space to work on her and I need to focus on a house deposit.

 

I'll be using the money for a 2nd motorbike for now, but I plan on getting another mini in 5-10 years.

 

Thanks for all the help from this awesome community.

[abe46]

Oh no, that's sad news buddy

 

Completely understand where you are! I had to abandon my project due to circumstances as well. 

 

Hoping to get back in a mini in a few years time as well!