125 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

Cheers guys.

 

The arches are in almost perfect condition. the back edges of them where they meet the valance closers are thin so they will have to be at least repaired although I am contemplating replacing them entirely.

I would prefer to keep them so that more of the original car can be saved however.

 

Ben

[jamesquintin]

Lucky you with the arches, mine had gone right through!

[Ben_O]

Lucky you with the arches, mine had gone right through!

I spent some time today cleaning the arch up more and it has come up almost perfectly.

The pitting left behind is so slight now that it will fill in with the primer.

I have still yet to start the other one so not sure if that will be worse or not.

 

Ben

[Ben_O]

I ordered some panels for this last week so I expect they will be here tomorrow.

I suppose I better get a wiggle on and finish the prep ready for the new boot floor.

 

Last time, I was de-snagging and cleaning up the L/h arch tub. This just left some small repairs to do before I can call it done.

 

I accidentally tore this removing the old floor

 

 

So welded it up

 

 

The same went for this stiffener

 

 

 

And the back edge of the arch tub

 

 

 

 

Then I gave the areas a coat of zinc paint

 

 

 

 

 

Now I've got the other side to do

 

 

 

 

[Marco1972]

Enjoying this Ben it will be one sorted car when you finish with it

Funny how those arch tubs always go at the top

Keep at it mate 👍🏻

Mark

[minimissions]

Looking forward to seeing some panels going in there, top work as normal.....

[MikeRotherham]

 

 

 

When I went on the factory tour to BMH, there was a floor propped up that had all the injection stuff including the studs, so I assume they sell that version? They guy i asked about it gave me a handful of the studs for mine ;)
 

Maybe some suppliers do then.

I shall be removing the floor on this one carefully at the seams and joins and in one piece so that i can use it as a template to reinstate studs to the new floor.

I also intend to replicate and fit the factory bitumen sound deadening on the inside of the floors so will need the old floor to make up templates.

 

I would be very interested in seeing you replicate the original bitumen sound deadning.

 

I also need to find a replacement rubber backed moulded sound deadening piece that fits to the inside of the toe board and bulkhead as the one for this car has been removed at some point and discarded.

 

I wish someone would reproduce items like this but using more modern materials. I would expect to pay a premium for this though

 

Edited by MikeRotherham, 14 February 2018 - 02:24 PM.

[se7enmvu]

Why do the rear tubs always go at the top?
Both the mpi minis I've had went in this same spot.
My volcano cooper was already rusted through when I bought it at 6 years old.

[johnR]

I'm guessing the close vicinity to the fuel tank causes condensation which makes it worse on that side but the other?

[Ben_O]

I have managed to get a very small amount of cleaning up done between jobs

 

 

 

 

And unpacked the first lot of new panels

 

 

Ben

[jamesquintin]

Nice.

 

I went on a factory tour of BMH and complained to them about the boot floor not being supplied with the extra metal strip at the front or the earth nut cage. He said he'd look into it...

[Ben_O]

Nice.

 

I went on a factory tour of BMH and complained to them about the boot floor not being supplied with the extra metal strip at the front or the earth nut cage. He said he'd look into it...

It is annoying. They are both parts that are needed so should be part of it. 

Every boot floor I have done so far has needed me to make a new nut cage for the earth nut as they were too corroded to reuse.

[domdee]

following! 

[Ben_O]

After a long time of no progress, I have now had some down time and been able to get some bits done.

This was due to needing the spit for this which I have been restoring

 

 

So the Pink mini has been banished to the corner for the past few months.

 

Now it's back on and I can carry on

 

 

Last time, I was cleaning up the rear arch tubs, rear bulkhead and companion bins ready for the boot floor to be fitted. I was also removing the old closing panels that sit forward of the arch tubs.

 

 

With the remains removed, I started cleaning up the bottom of the rear bulkhead

 

 

 

 

 

With everything de-rusted there, I needed to remove the remains of the old seat base from the companion bin. This meant taking the other door off

 

 

I won't even attempt to un-do those nuts so I just cut into the A panel to access the nuts from there and cut them off

 

 

Then I could step through and access this last bit

 

 

And then removed that and finished cleaning up

 

 

Before giving everything a coat of zinc spray

 

 

 

I also finished cleaning and repairing the other arch tub 

 

 

And then I dug out the new floor.

 

 

Before trail fitting the boot floor, I spot welded on the fuel tank strap bracket

 

 

And then lifted it into position

 

 

 

It all lines up fine

 

 

 

Whilst it was in, I half fitted the new closing panels as I need the floor in place to get the height correct

 

 

 

 

with the floor back out, I made a start fitting the valance closing panels to it

 

First one clamped in

 

 

And then spot welded

 

 

 

And then the other

 

 

 

Then I transferred over the seat base reinforcer from the old floor

 

 

 

I need to make up some wiring loom tabs to weld across the back edge of the floor, transfer over the captive nut and cage for the battery earth cable and drill some additional holes to match the ones in the old floor.

 

Starting with the additional holes

 

 

The large ones are to access the bolts for the SRS box which is located beneath and the smaller holes are for wiring loom clips to secure the SRS loom to the underside of the seat base.

 

I made up a simple template to transfer over their positions

 

 

But only got as far as marking them onto the new floor before I ran out of time.

 

I'm hoping to be able to get back to regular progress now so I should have more next week.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Ben

[cookie4343]

Looking great Ben, So glad your sharing the progress of restorations on here. The pics will help me out loads when I come to restore my Mini.