112 replies to this topic

[alex-95]

Don't worry about the gas being "full", mine is filled to about 2000  1bf/in too, It's just telling you how much is in there and my regulator doesn't have empty or full, don't know why yours does, when it's empty it's empty so don't go by that   You could try making a stand to put the gas bottle in while you're welding so it doesn't full over.

Nice garage too!, You can always put some tarpaulin around it.

[Daz1968]

Hobby weld is only filled to 130 bar which is about right on that gauge. But the welding needs more power and increased wire speed to get a better penetration, try again and post some pics of both sides of the weld

[Madabout....]

Good luck with the project and giving the welding a go.

[HarrysMini]

Thanks guys, I've got a bit of an update.

 

I've decided to give the shell to a body shop to get the welding and paint job done. I've decided to do this as I'm really not bodywork inclined and I don't really have the facilities (working on a drive with British weather) to do major bodywork repairs. Also, if I'm honest, I don't get the satisfaction I know other people on this forum get when they've done all the bodywork themselves, I would just always be worrying if the car is actually safe!

 

This thread will not die though! I am still going to rebuild the engine and build up the subframes and put it all together and make sure it is all documented on this thread.

 

Anyway, the shell is off on Monday and will be there for a few months and in that time I've still got plenty to do. I can now focus on the bits that I do actually really like doing.

 

Thanks for reading 

[Madabout....]

Nice one. to be honest my Cooper will be going to the bodyshop as its beyond me skill wise to do it without losing my temper and making a rash mess of it all!

[HarrysMini]

Update

 

So, the car left for the body shop on Wednesday.

 

But the big news is my engine arrived today, and MG Metro 1275. I plan on doing a complete carb conversion and this is my starting point.

It has a genuine 35000 miles but I will still do a partial rebuild on it. 

 

 

Bores look lovely

 

Big valve leaded head nice and clean

 

Stripping down in the kitchen to lighten it in order to carry it up the steps to the shed.

 

That's all for today, more to come soon!

[sonikk4]

I was going to say bin the door skin and redo it properly, there is bound to be rust on the flanges which you won't see.I would get the bodyshop to sort that out now.

[myredmini]

Looking good! Post updates on the shell from the bodyshop too!

[HarrysMini]

Neil, I would imagine the bodyshop will replace the skin as I can't see how it can be repaired. Thanks for the advice

 

Dan, I will post updates of shell as soon as I get them from the bodyshop.

[Ben_O]

Result on the engine mate.

Not sure my missus would agree with me stripping an engine in the kitchen!! Mind you my mum wouldn't have liked it much either!

Look forward to updates on the shell front!

 

Cheers

Ben

[HarrysMini]

Thanks for the comments.

 

Small Update

 

So a couple of days ago, I got a galvanised rear subframe from a fellow TMF member. Cost me £80, not too bad. It's had some seam welding and strengthening done so it should be nice and rigid. I will finish stripping down the flaky, loose paint and give it a nice thick coat of POR 15 then start building it up ready to put on the car. 

 

 

Also, three big boxes arrived on my doorstep this morning which was a nice surprise on my day off. 

 

 

Getting them unpacked

Love shiny new parts!

 

I will finish stripping down the front subframe and give it some POR 15 then I can get on with building it up. Engine stripping has temporarily halted while I wait for the correct size sockets for the flywheel and fan belt pulley bolts to arrive. 

 

Stay tuned for the next episode very shortly.

Edited by HarrysMini, 08 December 2013 - 08:56 PM.

[SAL 821X]

Nice 4 figure delivery I ever did see!!! 

[Down&Out]

Christ you must be the best paid 16 year old this side of Surrey!

 

Even when i was employed i couldn’t afford to do orders that size, or use a bodyshop.

Kudos of course, it'll look great, i'd probably be scared to drive something that clean though!

[Noah]

Fair play, good work. 

I can't even do orders like that, and I work there! 

[HarrysMini]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I can't afford to do orders like that very often, it's only because I've recently started a new out of business hours job so the pay is kind, well for a 16 year old anyway!

 

The weather's been fairly poor recently so not much has been done. However, at the moment we are sorting out the shed so that I can use it as a workshop over Autumn/Winter, as at the moment it is full to the door with parts and tools!

 

Regarding the engine, I'm at a bit of a dilemma. Now it is all stripped, I'm trying to decide if it's worth removing the pistons and giving a bores a light hone and replace the rings while it's out and if necessary, replace the main and big end bearings. I never heard or saw it running so I can only guess what it is like at the moment.

It's the same with the gearbox. Do I strip it down and replace any necessary bearings and the baulk rings just incase it is crunchy or do I risk it and save a lot of time and money? Decisions... All thoughts are welcome. 

 

I'll post some pictures of my cleaned bits and pieces and the stripped engine in a bit, because the thread is only two pages long and I need to start putting more stuff in it. It will get better, I promise!

Edited by HarrysMini, 31 January 2014 - 03:30 PM.