684 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

Hi Ben

 

Nice work on the companion bin fabrication repairs and good news that the sub-frame turned up, whats next on the list once the floor is welded?

 

Regards

 

John

Cheers John.

 

After the floor is welded in, i'll sort the A posts and flitches, then replace the back panel and fit the rear valance and that leaves just the bulkhead repair and the passenger door to re-align.

 

Ben

[MikeRotherham]

Hello Ben,

 

Will you do anything to the new rear subframe before fitting it such as injecting any box sections or adding another coat of paint to protect it?

 

Regards

 

Mike.

[minimissions]

This clubby is going to look wicked when its done, what a nice just and tidy to! top work!

[Ben_O]

Hello Ben,

 

Will you do anything to the new rear subframe before fitting it such as injecting any box sections or adding another coat of paint to protect it?

 

Regards

 

Mike.

The subframe is only primed so it will be given a coat of 2K black and then the box sections will be filled with wax.

 

cheers

 

Ben

[Ben_O]

Today i finished off the companion bin bottoms and gave the insides of them a coat of paint before the floor went in.

 

I also decided to give the outsides of them a skim of filler whilst the floor was out to save struggling afterwards.

 

So after the floor and seat base were drilled for plug welding, i put the floor back in for the last time, checked all measurements for the berzillionth time and bolted the rear frame back in

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then it was onto the welding.

 

 

 

I have plug welded the floor to the bottom of the companion bins too

 

 

I also added some seam welds along the front edge of the floor pan to the toe board from underneath and the same on the heelboard

No pictures of this yet as i forgot and other seam welds will be added from inside once the brace frame is out of the way.

 

Then i moved onto the closing panels at the back.

 

Here is one finished.

 

 

The other side is partially welded in but unfinished.

 

Tomorrow, ill finish the closing panels, fix the quarter panels and install the companion bin closing panels, finish up round the back and then move onto the flitches and door steps, one of which needs to be replaced.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[GT Jimmy]

One day my floor will look that good..... maybe

[JXC Mini GT]

Great work Ben, I bet you're pleased that you don't have to take that floor out again.

[Ben_O]

Great work Ben, I bet you're pleased that you don't have to take that floor out again.

Thrilled! 

 

Its quite a heavy unwieldy thing to lift in and out and tricky to line up properly each time too!

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[jamesquintin]

I'm doing my heel baord and boot floor too, whats the advantage of welding up the seams as per your last pics?

[Ben_O]

I'm doing my heel baord and boot floor too, whats the advantage of welding up the seams as per your last pics?

It is how they were originally.

 

Here is a pic from one of the other Mini's i did.

 

 

That whole area is factory and you can see the seam weld.

 

That closing panel ties the front of the arch tub to the heel board so I believe you want as much strength as you can get there.

 

Good luck with your boot floor

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[jamesquintin]

great thanks, I didn't know that :)

 

Also I see the heritage boot floor doesn't come with the rectangular metal plate welded next to the lip of the side boot floor/arch (more or less on top of the subframe)

 

What was that part for..?

Edited by jamesquintin, 07 December 2016 - 08:21 AM.

[Ben_O]

great thanks, I didn't know that :)

 

Also I see the heritage boot floor doesn't come with the rectangular metal plate welded next to the lip of the side boot floor/arch (more or less on top of the subframe)

 

What was that part for..?

I'm not actually sure.

 

Perhaps someone else will know?

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[Daz1968]

I aren't sure about dry minis as can't remember but on hydro the bump stop contacts body where that plate is, think that's when they fitted the strengthener inside boot, my 1962 dry car doesn't have the strengthener.
Also from what I remember I think my 1962 car was brazed in the heel board and closing panel area rather than welded.

Edited by Daz1968, 07 December 2016 - 06:01 PM.

[Ben_O]

Also from what I remember I think my 1962 car was brazed in the heel board and closing panel area rather than welded.

The one in grey primer pictured above was a 1989 car and the weld is mig not braze so they must have changed technique.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[Ben_O]

I finished all of the heelboard and closing panel welding first thing and also welded the seat base stiffener into place.

 

Next, i started to tackle the L/H lower side repairs.

 

Here is the solid parts of the step plug welded to the sill

 

 

As you can see, there is a bit missing where it has rotted away.

 

Soon sorted that however

 

 

 

Ill come back to that at prep time

 

Next I turned my attention to the quarter panel. Repairs are needed to the bottom infront and behind the arch.

 

First i removed the tin of filler that had been applied to the bottom

 

 

And cut the rotten bottom away

 

 

Then cleaned up and fitted the closing panel

 

 

 

I have made up repair panels to go in but didnt get as far as fitting them.

 

That will be tomorrows job.

 

Cheers

 

Ben