670 replies to this topic

[big-jay]

Update,

Just to let people know, I've changed the name of this thread in case anyone was wondering.

Reason for this is because when I first started, I wasn't expecting to be doing a complete restoration, but Minis being Minis, it quickly escalated into just that. I think the new name is better suited to what we've been doing, hence the reason for the name change.

Anyway, we've got some more progress done today, I'll start off with what I bought yesterday, and the bits I fitted to my engine.

Some new door hinges, Minispares own, and some new bypass hose clamps. Heard good things about Minspares hinges so I'm hoping they'll be a good fit -



Now onto the engine. Fitted a new uprated water pump, new bypass hose and all bolted into place using a Smiffys Bits stainless fitting kit -



Refitted the thermostat housing. New thermostat, new gaskets and I also bought the ARP stainless bolts to fit it with -



Now onto today's progress, bodywork. Got the scuttle and the scuttle closers fitted, feels like a massive milestone !

But firstly, I had to remove the bonnet hinge brackets as they are really rusty, going to clean them up and re-fit them -





Removed, and the rust cleaned up behind. Will apply some Deox Gel tomorrow -





After that was sorted we moved onto the scuttle, we fitted it to the car and marked out where the closers will be sitting. Removed the scuttle, then drilled the holes in the close out panels and plug welded them into place, plenty of zinc was applied before and after -





Next we drilled the holes in the scuttle and clamped that into place. We made sure to fit the windscreen at this point to be sure I'd have no problems in the future -







Welded into place -



Got a load of grinding to do, but that can wait until tomorrow. Feels really good to have gotten this far, didn't think I'd ever get here when I was finding all those bodge repairs, but I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel now

Going to make a start on the door skins tomorrow, looking forward to doing those, should be interesting !

Edited by big-jay, 05 July 2014 - 08:20 PM.

[Ben_O]

Absolutely cracking!

[big-jay]

Absolutely cracking!

Thanks Ben

[big-jay]

Update,

We had a crack at the door skins today, I think it went quite well considering we've never changed a panel skin before. I'll start with the drivers door.

Completely stripped the door of all the components and set it down on the workbench ready to remove the skin -



Went around the whole edge of the door with the grinder until it looked like this -



Then just lifted the old skin off, this was the state of it -



The frame on the other hand is really very good, required no repairs what so ever, just had some pitting -



So I give it a quick wire brushing, then give the flanges a good coat of Deox Gel and left it for a while to do its thing -



After about an hour or so I gave it another going over with the wire brush on the drill, then washed it all off. Then we prepped the frame and applied a few coats of zinc primer -







Then we applied a sound deadening mat to the inside of the door skin -



A bit of a jump, but the door skin fitted and welded to the frame. We checked the fit on the car during this and it's pretty good, the door gaps will need some work though. Had a few high and low spots after a quick sanding but not too bad at all -





A bit of hammer and dolly work and a quick skim of filler later, it's looking fairly good. It's by no means the final product as it needs more work, but I'm very happy with it for now -



A couple of shots inside the door, looking how it should do -





Now onto the passenger door. Stripped the door skin off, and this was what greeted us -











Looks like Captain Bodge has been here too. I knew there was some filler in this door but didn't think it would be hiding that. So it looks like I'm going to have to buy the lower door frame repair and fix this before I fit the new skin.


Anyway that's all we got done today, will be doing a bit more before work tomorrow !

[Ben_O]

good effort with the skins mate.

 

Just noticed you welded on your scuttle without putting the hinge brackets back first. Hope it won't cause you a problem?

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[big-jay]

good effort with the skins mate.
 
Just noticed you welded on your scuttle without putting the hinge brackets back first. Hope it won't cause you a problem?
 
Cheers
 
Ben

Cheers Ben,

Going to weld the hinge brackets back on to the bulkhead from inside the car, so it shouldn't be a problem.

[Ben_O]

ah, nice one

[HarrysMini]

Really like this project thread. I'm not usually a fan of red engines, but yours looks great.

Best of luck with this, can't wait to see it finished.

[big-jay]

Really like this project thread. I'm not usually a fan of red engines, but yours looks great.
Best of luck with this, can't wait to see it finished.

Cheers bud,

Shouldn't be too long now !

[big-jay]

Update,

I've been grinding down the welds around the scuttle today, it's came out really well. Here's a few pictures of progress.

Ground down with a 60 grit soft pad on the grinder, and then I went over the lot with the power file using a 120 grit belt to smooth it all down -





Then I shaped the flanges properly using the power file, sanded the scuttle closers and the edges down and applied some zinc primer -









I'm also in the process of removing all of the paint from the bulkhead. I'm up to the bulkhead crossmember now, so I'm going to finish that off tomorrow. Will treat any surface rust with Deox Gel and then zinc prime the lot, seal it up, and then apply some regular primer.

Will be picking up the last of the panels I need from Minispares tomorrow, seeing as it's an event so will be getting some discount !

Another few weeks and she'll be off for some paint (hopefully)

[rally515]

It's just occured to me that you've been doing this outside!, Upmost respect for that man, nothing worse than getting all your tools in & out all the time to do stuff on the cars.

 

Cheers,

Cliff

[big-jay]

It's just occured to me that you've been doing this outside!, Upmost respect for that man, nothing worse than getting all your tools in & out all the time to do stuff on the cars.
 
Cheers,
Cliff

Cheers mate,

Can be a nightmare putting all the tools away after, especially the welder. Weather can cause a few problems aswell, but you have to just battle through it. If I stop everytime it rains I'll never get it finished

[rally515]

 

It's just occured to me that you've been doing this outside!, Upmost respect for that man, nothing worse than getting all your tools in & out all the time to do stuff on the cars.
 
Cheers,
Cliff

Cheers mate,

Can be a nightmare putting all the tools away after, especially the welder. Weather can cause a few problems aswell, but you have to just battle through it. If I stop everytime it rains I'll never get it finished

 

 

 

Thats dedication for you right there! :)

 

Still, make sure you don't fry yourself with the welder in rain Jay, Electric and water tend to have a falling out and kinda KILL everyone around whom witnesses it

[Jared Mk3]

Very neat work, going along nicely, keep it up.

[big-jay]

Very neat work, going along nicely, keep it up.

Thanks buddy