409 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

Now things just got interesting! I was wondering when the panel work would start on this.

I must admit, it looks to be in pretty good shape!

So are the plans to just do a nose job?

 

I look forward to more updates mate!

 

Cheers

Ben

[1984mini25]

Plans so far are to do the front end panels, repairs to the scuttle ends and redo the previous drivers side inner wing and door post repairs. Witch almost make it sound simples.

 

The slight spanner in the works being, finding out that the passenger side inner wing up under the scuttle was a lot crustier than previously thought. As can be seen from the remains of the old closing panel.

 

 

But even though the panel work behind isn't full of holes, it is rotten, paper thin in places and very pitted.

 

 

Witch is causing me a few problems, as I know its all got to be chopped out, but it's not having the extra panels to do so. I did rather conveniently have a spare top half of an old half used flinch panel, but rather annoyingly that seams to have been lost along with a load of other stuff  to someone expecting there mini to be welded etc. at someone else's (i.e. mine) expense. But that aside and trying to source another flinch and a panel asap.

 

Todays work involved removing the remaining centre section of the front panel, chopping off the rotter drivers inner wing, various cleaning up jobs and test fitting the new panels. The new drivers front section of inner wing as it turns out having the holes drilled for the damper bracket being nearly an inch out, causing the whole panel to sit far too high and ended up wasting a lot of time over it.

 

Remains of the old front panel.

 

 

And the remains of the drivers inner wing I'm starting to regret chopping off. And I'll even need to reuse the washer bottle bracket, as the new panel doesn't come with one.

 

 

 

At least behind my previous damper repair was still solid once the patch was removed.

 

 

And isn't too bad behind with the wing chopped back for the test fit of the new front section.

 

 

And considering how little time I've had working on it, I'm already at the stage of test fitting panels. Most aren't even properly clamped up and just resting in place for now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by 1984mini25, 02 March 2014 - 10:26 PM.

[1984mini25]

And I almost forgot, the passenger side damper mounts that going to need no repairs whatsoever, witch is a first. With the slight exception to a 66 elf I did a few years back, being as that was hydrolastic and therefore didn't have the damper brackets fitted.

 

[Ben_O]

Looking very good mate! steaming along. 

so back on the road by the end of the week then!

 

Ben

[1984mini25]

Near enough, not finished (I haven't even begin to think about paint) but solid and drivable. As providing my back holds out in just over a weeks time I'll be jumping in feet first of a different kind and will be needing the mini for transport again.

[Ben_O]

Well good luck with it. You are putting my progress to shame but then again, if i needed to use mine then it would get done. Perhaps that's the problem!

 

Ben

[1984mini25]

Todays progress, one complete bodged, welded slightly out of square and rotten door post removed.

 

 

And the second-hand repaired replacement welded.

 

 

Old drivers flinch panels chopped off.

 

 

New filch panel ready to be welded with a test fit of the original reskinned door, that although fits, will need some gentle tweaking to the frame to fit without catching.

 

 

Passenger side inner wing all cleaned up and primed.

 

 

And the scuttle end trimmed roughly for fit.

 

[1984mini25]

I've also just worked out, that due to traveling/hitching lifts to an from and as not to piss off my mates neighbours too much (there's only one that's a utter dick). I've so far only had 18 hours, over 3 days working on it so far.

[Archived4]

That's rapid progress! Immense stuff!!

[1984mini25]

What day is it? I'm that tired I've forgotten.

 

No actual work on the mini today, instead I've just done a 112 mile round trip to the mini centre in Berkshire for some panels. Having spotted some on eBay, but needing them asap and to save on postage.

 

One very slight problem though, despite having 'in stock' on eBay, the only panel I was able to come away with was the passenger side flinch panel, leaving me short of an a panel. I have since bought one off eBay via a different seller, but it now comes down to just how quickly it will arrive having paid extra for the fastest postage option.

[1984mini25]

Previous inner wing repairs chopped back, and started welding in the new flinch panel.

 

 

 

Inner wing and front panels being checked for fit and just resting in place for now.

 

 

The drivers a panel looks like it will line up and fit pretty decently

 

 

Although I'm still having a few issues with the door fit.

 

[1984mini25]

Todays progress... even though I ended up wasting a lot of time getting the door to fit and even the door handle, as the holes in the new door skin didn't line up.

 

 

 

[1984mini25]

I decided to have a day off from it today, although the a panel I'd been waiting on finally arrived 2 days later than expected. But hopefully now I have the last panel and a bit of a rest I should probably have it done by the end of the weekend. 

[1984mini25]

Pretty much have all the repairs done to the passenger side inner wing and scuttle all bar a few welds on the closing panel.

 

 

 

Hopefully I'll get the inner wing and scuttle done on the other side and then its front end time.

[megamini_jb]

Looking good