684 replies to this topic

[JXC Mini GT]

Well that’s a suprise a colour coded engine, I did notice that some parts have been painted but didn’t realise that there was an Orange engine under there.

[cooperd70]

Crikey! Amazing work Ben.

Ben_R, this one's a big read ?

Edited by cooperd70, 10 December 2019 - 03:06 PM.

[Jase]

Cheeky question but what is the approx price for this work? Just wondering as I'd say you are top of your game and I'm just being nosy and you don't have to answer or be accurate.

 

I'd estimate between 4-6K but that's just based on what I paid for a new engine and box and a rough idea of time this would take.

[Vinay-RS]

Why is the car getting a new engine? what's wrong with the existing motor? 

[JXC Mini GT]

The existing engine was burning oil and the gearbox was crunching and sometimes jumping out of 2nd gear, i intended to have the front bodywork carried out so as that required the engine to be removed it seemed an ideal time to have a reconditioned short engine and gearbox installed.

Why is the car getting a new engine? what's wrong with the existing motor?

[Vinay-RS]

 

Why is the car getting a new engine? what's wrong with the existing motor?

The existing engine was burning oil and the gearbox was crunching and sometimes jumping out of 2nd gear, i intended to have the front bodywork carried out so as that required the engine to be removed it seemed an ideal time to have a reconditioned short engine and gearbox installed.

 

That makes a lot of sense. Get it done in one go and then enjoy some trouble free motoring. 

[Ben_O]

Whilst waiting for the panel order to arrive, I have been doing as much prep as possible.

 

First of all, the Clubman shells have 2 additional mounting holes in the dash top rail either side of the ash tray cutout to attach the padded cover.

 

 

I replicated these into the new rail

 

 

And trial fitted the cover

 

 

I then salvaged the body number plate from the remains of the old inner wing

 

 

And then prepped the panels that I do have for welding

 

 

 

 

 

I'm expecting the order any time now so as soon as it arrives, ill start prepping those to be fitted as well.

 

Cheers

Ben

[mercenary62]

excellent work mate ,nice to see someone taking the care and attention in fitting new panels ,not many do it that way nowadays sadly

[Ben_O]

Well hopefully progress should resume on Tuesday.
The shipment of parts didn't show up on Wednesday as expected and was stuck in Southampton for the rest of the week and after a string of excuses from the supplier and the shipper, it's now in Portsmouth for some reason....
Anyway delivery has been rearranged by them for Monday by the end of the day.
We shall see....

Cheers
Ben

[JXC Mini GT]

Thanks Ben for the update

[Ben_O]

No worries. Just really unfortunate to now be behind with progress. Had the panels arrived on time I'd be close to paint by now.
Fortunately I have moved some things around next week to allow more time on this.
Cheers
Ben

[Ben_O]

Well the order turned up so I decided to prep the new engine for paint

 

 

It comes in the standard green shade but the owner would like black.

 

I degreased the outer surfaces and prepped the green paint before applying a flash of etch primer

 

 

 

Something didn't look too good on the front of the engine though so I investigated

 

 

INSERT SWEARWORD HERE

 

So yeah, the original red paint that the engine was painted in wasn't prepped properly and as soon as the solvent in the etch touched the green paint, it pickled up and pulled it all off. The back of the block is fine however....

 

Off it all comes then

 

 

And then I re-primed it

 

During this time, the head was returned from machining

 

 

So that was prepped too

 

 

 

Lovely.

 

I have also been modifying the new bulkhead

 

 

Don't need a new toeboard, it already has one

 

 

I also don't need the relay bracket or loom tags

 

 

But I do need a rotodip hole

 

 

That's better.

 

Onwards and upwards

 

Cheers

Ben

[Jase]

Nice work, what was done to the engine? Any upgrades?

[Ben_O]

It's a replacement short engine and is a 1293
It has a mild cam and is bored +20 thou

Cheers
Bem

[JXC Mini GT]

Hi Ben

Good to hear the order turned up, but that's a bit of a bind that the engine wasn't prepared properly so reacted with the primer, I wonder how long the green engine paint would have lasted?

 

Nice to see shiny new panels going on.