591 replies to this topic

[colinf1]

Hi Colin,

 

I think I still have the bit from the old floor in the garage.  I will send you a photo later if I can...

 

Thanks, that would be a great help Victor

[Viktor]

Hi Colin,

 

I took a couple of photos of the piece. If you need any dimensions or others, just let me know. I guess the letters mean front, back, left and right! ;)

 

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Victor

[colinf1]

Thanks Victor, that helps with orientation and location of big and smaller hole.

Rear subframe welded, zinc primed and painted gloss black. Also recreated the original date of production stamp, although I think I used more paint than the factory did...







Unfortunately the gloss black shows up all the lumps and bumps, but at least I know its rust free and protected.

[colinf1]

Drivers door frame repaired and painted ready for skin...



Just waiting for paint to dry while preparing the skin. Hinges are ready to go on for alignment.

[colinf1]

A very frustrating day, struggling to get the curve between door and rear quarter right on drivers side, took some measurements from the seat belt buckle mounting hole to the edge of the quarter panel at the swage line and had a difference of 6mm between sides. Got some 4x2's and managed to force B post outwards to get the difference down to 2mm, but it still seems to be 2 curves rather than 1 continuous one...

Hard to see in photos..





Also had a nightmare with some of the hinges, some of the new studs didn't get welded, little to no penetration, then some hinges were too tight with new 7mm roll pins, so had to punch them out and redrill to 7.5mm..

Let's hope tomorrow is better...

[Viktor]

Take a deep breath and then give it another go. Sometimes also works when you move to do something else, and then go back to the frustraitring task with a new fresh pair of eyes. Ups and downs, the path is not always easy with these Minis!

 

By the way, I like very much the little drawing in your signature and the fact that now you are 95% done with welding! Bravo.

 

Victor.

[colinf1]

Thanks Victor, I took your advice and finished the gutter repair and minor pitting, all blended in nicely.

I then salvaged the studded half of a spare top hinge and married it up to a bottom hinge,drilled out to 7.5mm and new roll pins in. Drivers door is now on, opens and closes, shut lines are pretty good, could get them a bit better with some fettling and thinner shims. Still have the issue of the curve along side of the car being slightly off, but it looks fine from the side and you'd only spot it if you looked for it..





Body number stamp stuck on and some faux spot welds added...



That's the end of the welding on the shell, just the boot lid and bonnet to tackle once it's off the rotisserie...and plenty of grinding down to do...

[Viktor]

End of welding, what a milestone! Well done and congratulations!!!

[colinf1]

Spent the majority of the day grinding down welds, then filling any pin holes followed by more grinding. Got it to the point where I could take it off the rotisserie and back on to the wheeled pallet.

This allowed me to get most of the shed floor vacuumed and the shell pushed into the corner, neatly out of the way for now. Put the stormforce cover over it to protect it from any dust or moisture.



Boot lid and bonnet need some work to get right, small repair on boot lid frame and 2 little pin holes on the skin.
Bonnet will need a lot more effort to get it right, seems to be sitting a bit too far forward and a bit too low then needs the lip replaced and a pin hole or two filled.



Ordered new seam covers and floor grommets, minispares said I needed 10 but I had 11 holes for some reason, so had to fill one hole!

[Viktor]

Hi Colin, looking good mate. Are you going to paint the shell yourself, or are you going to take it to a garage? Which colour scheme are you going for?

[colinf1]

Hi Victor, I had intended to paint it myself, but I put myself off this route reading all the requirements for adequate PPE and equipment when using epoxy and 2k paints - Compressor, spray gun, breathing/ventilation, then the chances of messing it up at multiple stages...not to mention the current temperature

I have it lined up to be delivered to painter mid December, so hopefully early '23 will be reassembly time....

[Viktor]

Sounds sensible. You have done the hard work and probably the most expensive one! Really looking for see it painted!

 

Victor.

[colinf1]

Can anyone help out with dimensions for the standard fixing points for the door mirrors? Forgot to take measurements before binning the old door skin...🤦‍♂️

[Viktor]

Hi Colin, 

 

I still have my original doors with the holes for the mirrors, so I can send you something tomorrow evening if that is okay.

 

Victor.

[Viktor]

Hi Colin,

 

See below. Dimensions in mm.

 

 

 

Cheers.

 

Victor.