308 replies to this topic

[McMini 22]

All painted and a couple of coats of lacquer. Hopefully this will keep rust at bay for a good few years. Kind of a shame to cover it all up with the Dynax but at least I know it's all good underneath.



So that's half the back end done. I need to get on with the subframe next. It needs a bit of a clean up and then the painting starts all over again. There are a good few bits and pieces need done at the same time
Heater
Rear arms
Back plates
Handbrake brackets
Subframe

Everything has been sandblasted except the subframe. It won't fit in the cabinet!

It's slow progress and I can't wait to get it all finished and get back on to the good part - the engine conversion!

[McMini 22]

 

Got all the black bits painted in a marathon paint fest at the weekend.

 

I used my new home made air fed mask for the first time.  I'll get some photos up of it as worked perfectly. Running the compressor outside the garage at 10pm was not ideal.  Neighbours must hate me!

 

[hotwheels]

Looking good!!

[McMini 22]

I managed to get a bit time to get the Dynax on to the boot floor and subframe. The Dynax UB is a surface was and the Dynax S50 is a cavity wax. I got one can of each.



They recommend 2 coats of the UB. It goes on a lot wetter than I was expecting. It's a bit messy but to be fair it's no worse than waxoyl. I supose it's the spray can that fooled me.

I need another can of the UB as it doesn't go as far as I was expecting.

That's my plan of getting the subframe back on this weekend buggered up.

I have also started making a tool for reaming the bearings on the radius arms. It did not go well as I was getting chatter on the lathe and the surface finish was poop!
I need to ask the experts in the machine shop tomorrow and no doubt I'll get hard time.

[McMini 22]

I think I have given myself a bit of a problem. I did not weld captive nuts on for the exhaust bracket attachment on the subframe. The rear beam is all boxed in now and I'll need to drill a hole to fit a couple of nuts.
I don't have a bracket and the exhaust is next on the list after subframe and suspension are on.
I have a maniflow back box and I need to make a centre pipe in stainless to mate up to the 4-2-1 manifold. So I'll make a bracket in stainless. I take it it mounts on two bobbins into these holes?

More TIG welding coming soon.

[McMini 22]

My new can of Dynax arrived today so I managed to get a second coat on the floor and the subframe. I didn't heat the can up this time and it went on a lot better. Not so much splatter.

Must remember to drill exhaust hanger holes and route in the brake and petrol pipes before I fit the subframe. I hope it lines up ok as it's not a genuine one.

[McMini 22]

Subframe is back on. Hopefully should last for a good number of years.



I was thinking that I need to get the underside of the floor scraped and painted but after a bit more thinking I will leave it until the car is on the road. The floor is solid but there is quite a bit of surface rust.



The reason I am leaving the floor (and wheelarches) is that I will put a cage in and need to weld in the strengthening plates. Also need to weld in fixings for rear seatbelts (which I scored for £1.99 from Ebay and arrived today).




Here is where I a with my rear arm bearing reamer. Still a fair bit to go.

[McMini 22]

With the subframe in I can't do much until I get my rear arm bushes reamed. I'll get back on to making the tool on monday evening.

So a wee side project - the dashboard.
The plan is to make a wooden dash. I intend to make it in plywood and then try my hand at hydrographic dipping. Burr walnut with lots of lacquer for a nice gloss.

I found a template on line and ruffed a piece out.



My original plan was to use a mini 3 clock set up and I bought a second-hand clock surround.
The plan has now changed and I am looking to use the Micra clocks in a similar style to the mini clocks. This should make the wiring easier.


This gives you an idea of what I'm trying to do. Don't know if it will work as the dials are not in line. There's going to be a lot of sawdust tomorrow!

[l_jonez]

When i did the VTEC mini I made a new surround to suit the civic gauges.



I'm sure it's possible with the micra ones as well

[McMini 22]

Yes that's what I am trying to achieve. Looks great but what about some polished rings to match the other 3 gauges?
If I work it right I can use the Micra dash warning lights.
What is the finish on yours?

I am also going for the 3 centre gauges but with the radio on top and gauges at the bottom so that I can fit a radio with a flip out screen.

[l_jonez]

I bought some rings just not fitted them yet. It's just satin black paint

[McMini 22]

It's these subtle little things that make it. 99 mini fans out of 100 would probably not notice that they are not mini clocks.

I am trying to keep it looking like a mini inside (up to a point). I will use things like the Micra indicator and wiper stalks to make things easier for the wiring (which is something I am dreading). I can't have to many electric gadgets as my alternator is tiny at 40 amps.

[McMini 22]

The clocks panel has some pretty interesting geometry going on so that the clocks point towards the driver. It's going to be tricky to replicate.



I take it the clamps pull the dash into place? Looks like it's miles out at the top in the middle.
I took a bit off the corners on the top to get a better fit.

[McMini 22]

Finished my reamer. There are 4 grub screws that secure the adjustable reamer into tbe shaft. You can just about see them in the photo. There are another 3 grub screws nearer the reamer that allow me to adjust the concentricity. I set it up on the lathe and trued it using a clock gauge.

I went to visit my parents on the way home from work. Told my dad I was late as I was making a reamer tool for my radius arm. 'Oh. I've got one of those in the garage'

Oh well. I've got one too!

[benm]

Nice work making that!