670 replies to this topic

[big-jay]

Update,

Nothing major to update really, got the front subframe stripped, it's not in too bad a condition actually so I'll be sticking with it. It's now ready to be sent off for blasting and coating. -





That is all !

Edited by big-jay, 27 June 2014 - 11:36 AM.

[big-jay]

Update,

Received a few items I ordered last week.

Complete black seatbelt set, superb condition, very happy with them -



Smiffys bits, one rear subframe kit is my dads and so are a set of the door stricker plates -



I've been doing a couple of hours a day before work this week just to try and keep it moving, as I won't be doing anything this Saturday as I'm going to pick up my 1275 and a few other things.

So, removed some more bits and pieces -





And I also started removing the remains of the old floor pan and inner sill, the toe board section is going to need a new lip making up as it's too far gone -



I'm going to be keeping the inner sill stifferner and the subframe closing panel as there in pristine condition, not to sure on the heelboard section yet though so will have to have a dig at it tomorrow -



Rusty pieces of Mini -



Should be picking up my half floor panel from minispares tomorrow or Saturday so should get that welded in Sunday !

[big-jay]

Update,

Been a good weekend, very busy but worth it in the end, I'll start with the parts I bought.

Went to Minispares to collect the panel I ordered, it's heritage as well, wasn't expecting it to be -



Then me, my dad and uncle went to pick up my 1275 engine, purchased from a member on here who's been very helpfully and generous, he's helped me out massively with this engine ! Here it is as we got it back to mine -





Stripped from the subframe -





Also came with a HIF44 carb which I'm pleased about -





I have now removed all the ancillaries and popped the head off to check the bores. They're in superb condition, can still see and feel the hatch markings which you would expect with it being a low milage engine. Going to clean it up and have got a few ideas in mind for it.

Today I got back to the bodywork and went about fitting the new floor pan.

Chopped out the rot on the toe board lip -



Made a new lip and clamped it in place -



Welded in -



Also welded up the pilot holes made from drilling out the old spot welds -



All ground down -



Primed up -



Then I trimmed the floor to size and drilled all the holes in it that I'll be plugging from inside the car, haven't welded it in yet as I've got a small repair to do on the heel-board lip first. I've also left the heel-board end piece in place for now to make sure what happened with the other side doesn't happen again ! I'll replace this when I've welded the floor in.

So, here it is clamped in place ready to go for tomorrow, ran out of time today.



My dads also been ringing around a few body shops to get a quote for the respray, got a company saying they'll do any fillering required, priming, painting inside and outside and a machine polish after for a very reasonable price. They've got a booth and oven, but I'm going to pop down there next weekend to look at some of their previous and current work to make sure Ill be getting it done properly !

Got a week off in four days time so I'm going to put a BIG panel order in to M - Machine and get all the passenger side finished off and maybe even start the front end with a bit of luck .

Edited by big-jay, 18 May 2014 - 07:25 PM.

[big-jay]

Update,

Got the floor pan welded in today, not much left to do on this side now !

Made a small repair to the heelboard lip, tacked in place -



Fully welded -



Shaped and zinc primed -



Then plugged the floor to the toe board, inner sill stiffener and pulse welded to the tunnel, still have the heel board corner to replace and doorstep but it's getting there -





That's it for today, will do a bit more before work tomorrow !

[big-jay]

Parts update,

Received the panels I ordered from M-Machine, I've got a week off work now so hopefully I should get this lot welded in, and then it's just a front end to sort out !

Here's the panels -



Decided I wasn't happy with the crossmember so I've decided to replace the whole thing. I've already removed the R/H section of crossmember so won't take much to weld this in.

Just got to get an outer sill and that's all the panels for the passenger side !

[big-jay]

Update,

Haven't been able to get any bodywork done today due to the weather, but I have managed to degrease the whole engine. I've also removed the head and got that stripped down.

Degreaser I bought -



Engine degreased and head removed -





The bores are excellent, just need to de-coke the pistons and top edges of the bores -



And the head stripped down -





Valves and springs taped together, numbered and stored away. (The rusty bolts on top of the rockers are the manifold studs in case anyone was wondering) -



Think I may send the head of to be skimmed, ported and flowed but I'm not to sure on how far I want to go with this at the moment. I may keep the engine original seeing as it's in very good condition, will get some prices of the work I want carried out and make my decision from there.

Will hopefully be doing some bodywork tomorrow as long as it doesn't rain !

[megamini_jb]

You're doing a awesome job

Edited by megamini_jb, 24 May 2014 - 08:24 PM.

[big-jay]

You're doing a awesome job

Cheers bud !

[Daviewonder]

Excellent read. It's coming along well. Looking forward to more updates.

[big-jay]

Excellent read. It's coming along well. Looking forward to more updates.

I'm glad you think so !

Cheers

[big-jay]

Update,

Well I got the welder out yesterday and made a bit of progress with the body work, coming along nicely now !

So, I removed the old heelboard corner and cut it to fit -







I did weld this in but forgot to take a picture so will upload one tomorrow !

I also got the doorstep in, magnum panels are absolutely terrible so had to make some modifications to it.

Had to slit the panel in order for it to fit -



Fitted in place ready to be welded -



Welded in, I need to finish grinding it down, should be an invisible repair when I've finished, will still need a lick of filler after though -



That's all the progress from yesterday, been sorting out the shed today as we couldn't move in there due to so many parts, so no time to work on the Mini

Going to have lots of parts up for sale soon though ranging from interior pieces to whole engines so take a look

[big-jay]

Parts Update,

Got a nice big package today which I've been eagerly awaiting for the past week or so.

The contents -







MPI two speed heater, it's absolutely mint and I'm very happy with it ! Wired it up and it all works brilliantly, the matrix looks brand new and doesn't leak, I think it's quite rare to find one with all the correct ducting now. Been searching for a few months but had no joy as there were none on eBay or anywhere for that matter, luckily someone responded to my wanted add on here and the rest is history !

Sod's law I get a week off work and it rains constantly ! Planned to get the passenger side finished but the weather keeps holding me back !

[big-jay]

Update,

Got a fair bit to update, so I'll start with my cyclinder head.

Firstly I degreased it, then I removed all of the old paint, rust and de-coked, came up really well -





Then I did the same with the valves, my hi-tech valve spinning machine -



A quick before and after -





A trip to Minispares later and I've (almost) got everything needed to rebuild the head, inevitably I forgot some things as you do -



Then I continued by painting the head, had to be red, so happy with how it came out -



Then I lapped the valves in, hardly any wear in the guides and well within tolerances -



Valve stem seals fitted -



Valve springs fitted -



And rockers fitted into place -



Will hopefully be getting my metro turbo rocker cover polished so should look the business !

Now onto today's work, which was bodywork, and involved fitting the new crossmember. Went in with relatively little effort, a credit to M-Machine for the quality of their panels !

So, here's some pictures of the fitting process, primed the inside -



Then applied some top coat to the inside -



And then a bit of a jump, but welded into place and the bracing removed -





Got the welds ground down silky smooth, thanks to the new electric file, great little tool -



And then primed up -



Little hole in subframe closure plate that had to be repaired, so I widened it out to a square shape and made a small repair piece -



Repair piece -



Welded up -



And to finish of the update I also got these in the post -



Reverse side of the petrol bib -



That's it for now !

[Ben_O]

Nice one jay.

 

It really is coming together nicely.

 

Ben

[Jared Mk3]

Great job on that cylinder head, looks really good. I like that fuel bib, also want one like that. Where did you get it from?