198 replies to this topic

[Richie83]

Looking good!
Curious question about your steering wheel setup with the removable boss, do you find that the steering wheel is quite close to your chest?
I had mine setup the same and found it was quite close and didn't know if I liked it that close so took the removable boss off. Been trying to look at low profile bosses but all the ones off fleabay are pretty much the same and after seeing one on a customers car they have way too much play in them.

It does bring it closer, no doubt. It's not so bad for me because I'm a total short arse - I had considered a weld on one for this reason though. In terms of fleabay items, I've heard pretty much the same and at least there's no play in the B&G boss.

[Richie83]

In short, the speedo arrived about two weeks ago but I've been ill and busy. Today I wired it up as a trail fit before the dash gets sent off:

I also noticed the bolts rusting on my steering wheel - these were the ones supplied with it, which is somewhat shocking. I switched these out for some new ones:
Rusty

New:

I appreciate this isn't the biggest of updates. But it's all in the detail

[Richie83]

A little sneak peek at something David Wilson is planning. This is in ply (what a great service as he created this mock up) but the proper one will be a custom DSN panel.

I'm also beefing up the wiring with a new auxhilary fuse box from WBW - again it's going to solve some of the previous owners wiring solutions.

[Richie83]

I've been looking for a rear fog lamp that didn't look bulky for a while. Found JB Fabrication via another post on here and it arrived yesterday - fitted today (wire it up later)



David Wilson has also been really busy making me this beauty. I cannot wait for it to arrive:

[tiagotiks]

Hi mate. Do you know where I can get those symbol decals?

[Tupers]

Hi mate. Do you know where I can get those symbol decals?

It looks like it was probably anodised and then had the symbols machined into it rather than them being decals.

[Richie83]

Hi mate. Do you know where I can get those symbol decals?

It looks like it was probably anodised and then had the symbols machined into it rather than them being decals.

spot on. They are engraved in, an aftermarket addition

[DR3AM-W3AVUH]

 

 

Hi mate. Do you know where I can get those symbol decals?

It looks like it was probably anodised and then had the symbols machined into it rather than them being decals.

spot on. They are engraved in, an aftermarket addition

 

Sign me up for one!!!

[DUF2]

Richie83, I really enjoyed reading this. I'm new to the forum having just bought my first Mini, a 1965 Riley Elf.
I'm ignorant on engine transplants. What engine is this in your Pick up?
Did I see somewhere it is BMW unit?
What gearbox is mated to this?
In one of the early pictures the clutch master cylinder looks like it is one from a pre Verto clutch is it a standard Mini 4 speed box?
Sorry to ask what may seem to be stupid questions.

[Richie83]

Richie83, I really enjoyed reading this. I'm new to the forum having just bought my first Mini, a 1965 Riley Elf.
I'm ignorant on engine transplants. What engine is this in your Pick up?
Did I see somewhere it is BMW unit?
What gearbox is mated to this?
In one of the early pictures the clutch master cylinder looks like it is one from a pre Verto clutch is it a standard Mini 4 speed box?
Sorry to ask what may seem to be stupid questions.

 

Sorry for the late reply. I've been in hibernation. It's an A-series with a K1100RS head on it from specialist components. 4 speed box with 1.44 final drive.

[Richie83]

I'm back and the first order of business is to finish the dashboard. I am toying with the idea of skinning the dash in carbon or stained veneer. I think both would look smart; I might go the veneer route as that's easily rectified if it ends up looking bad. 

[Richie83]

I've managed to get out in the garage a bit and have tidied up the floor. It was bothering me that the inside had some surface rust, so I rubbed it back and applied some Bit Hamber gel to get rid of it. 

 

Before:

 

 

​Does Gel (first coat) doing its thing:

 

 

 

Primer:

 

 

I decided to use Upol Raptor and applied it with a roller. I was pretty pleased with the outcome:

 

 

 

 

I actually like the texture to it and it doubles up as a sound insulator:

 

 

Before anyone asks, the inner sills are already pristine (go back a few pages to take a look see). All in all; a much better look I think. And it isn't rusty any more .

 

[wingnut]

Nice

[Richie83]

I've not had heaps of time to spend on the car lately, but i have made a start on the carbon skinned dashboard. In the end I decided to have a go at this myself and it's still a work in progress. 

 

First I measured out the fabric and used low tac frog tape on the back before cutting to size:

 

 

Next I carefully mixed up the black resin basecoat and applied it; waiting roughly two hours until it was tacky:

 

 

 

Then draped the fabric over the parts and left to completely dry:

 

 

 

Then the first layer of clear resin went on:

 

 

I've learnt that it would have been best to ensure the part was level when curing as I have a few high spots. This isn't the end of the world and will simply require a little more sanding to flat before I move on with more clear resin. 

 

I then started cutting down with a 1mm Dremel disk and shaped with a Dremel flap wheel. 

 

 

I need to flat this back with 120 grit before continuing with at least 3 layers of clear resin. I also need to cut down and de-nib the middle section and right hand piece. All-in-all I am happy with it so far. 

 

 

 

[Richie83]

I got around to shaping up the centre part of the dashboard and right hand dash too. 

 

Centre part before I chopped it up:

 

 

After cutting with a dremel wheel:

 

 

I then cut out the middles with this burr:

 

 

Left me with this rough cut out(s):

 

 

Then tidied with a small flap sander:

 

 

I then flatted it back as much as possible without breaking through to the carbon. Then came three layers of clear resin over the next six hours or so:

 

 

Layer one:

 

 

Layer two:

 

 

I'll get some photos uploaded for the third layer dry (wet is the top photo with the parts all together) and subsequent steps when i get around to it . Overall I am happy with how it is coming together.