196 replies to this topic

[LukeH]

Hi All

 

Well I have been a member on here for a few years and I had an old project thread for my last mini rebuild. I spent a lot of time working on the project but a change in circumstances meant it had to go. Luckily I kept hold of my 1997 Cooper MPI that was my daily driver at the time but a failed MOT meant it came off the road for what was meant to be a quick turnaround.

 

Fast forward almost 4 years and I have gone through a full rebuild including a respray. It went in for the MOT a few months ago but sadly failed on a few bit and pieces. Now that the winter has set in I have decided to do a few more changes. This project thread will be retrospective until I get it up to date with the latest changes.

 

This was the starting point when I purchased it 5-6 years ago;

 

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I picked it up locally via eBay classified listing for a bargain £1500. It had a problem with the gearbox specifically the idle/thrust bearing or whatever it is called. It looked fairly solid and I wasn't put off by a potential engine rebuild/swap

Edited by LukeH, 18 August 2020 - 07:22 AM.

[Ben_O]

Good luck!

[LukeH]

Engine swap

 

A low mileage complete engine came up on eBay so I decided to buy it and replace the whole lot in the Cooper. It also meant I gained a spare of most ancillaries. I recall having a nightmare 10 hour round trip to/from London to collect the engine including having to hire a van but it worked a decent price in the end.

 

Out with the old

Edited by LukeH, 18 August 2020 - 07:22 AM.

[LukeH]

Seat swap

 

Much better

 

[LukeH]

Good luck!

 

Thanks. Its just about finished now. This topic will be getting 4 years worth of updates in the next couple of hours

[LukeH]

Daily driver for a couple of years

 

I enjoyed driving the car around for a couple of years without doing that much to it

Edited by LukeH, 18 August 2020 - 07:23 AM.

[LukeH]

The restoration begins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[LukeH]

Floor repair panel was welded in and given a coat of red hamerite

 

[LukeH]

Off to the paint shop for a full respray

 

 

Respray work in progress

 

Edited by LukeH, 18 December 2014 - 04:57 PM.

[Ben_O]

Beautiful!

[LukeH]

Part way through the rebuild

 

 

New wheels

 

 

Floor treated

 

Edited by LukeH, 18 August 2020 - 07:23 AM.

[LukeH]

All of the running gear is either brand new or has been rebuilt. I have replaced the rear subframe, brake lines, radius arms, shocks, bottom arms, tie bars, rubber cones etc.....

 

Rear subrfame rebuild and fitting (before it went for paint)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by LukeH, 18 August 2020 - 07:24 AM.

[Ben_O]

Oversills     

[LukeH]

Front running gear replacement

 

The rubber cones were long overdue replacement and would explain why it looked lowered

 

 

 

 

 

[LukeH]

Oversills     

 

 

I know and with hindsight I wish I had cut them off and replaced. When I started the restoration is was meant to be refresh so I could sell it and raise cash towards a house purchase. I have now been in the house for over a year and still have the mini so I will probably revisit a few things and correct them before they become an issue.