568 replies to this topic

[colinf1]

Well what a pain in the behind that was...but there in...rivet nuts that is...



And a mirror test fitted...



Have access to a manual rivet nut installer at work, but its only set up for M8, then we have 2 pneumatic rivet nut guns, all with metric mandrels 😩

[colinf1]

Made a cone compression tool today on lunch, hopefully get a start on the subframe rebuilding once the shell is away for painting.



Have to open up the hole for the door check catch slightly, as the clevis pin fouls when the door is closed. I don't know if it's slightly out of place on the pattern A-post and A-post stiffener...

[colinf1]

Loaded, ready for trip to painters...

[Viktor]

Wow! When are you expecting it back? Christmas present? ;)

[colinf1]

Not too much to update lately, been reluctant to venture to the shed in the evenings as it's been too cold, then been quite busy with work and family.

Got the gloss coat onto the front subframe, built a small plywood enclosure with a fan and heater to help with the paint curing. Will let it sit for the next few days and hopefully make a start on rebuilding it.



Wishing everyone on here a very Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

[colinf1]

Got an hour or so at the engine today, attached the new water pump and bypass hose. The attached the oil filter housing and pickup pipe. Rocker cover has new rubber grommets, so gave the washers a quick clean and sprayed them silver.

[E23TFD]

Well that’s looking nice. All looks like your entering the clean phase of the build.

[colinf1]

A few more small jobs done this afternoon, valve clearance set and liberal amounts of oil applied over all rocker arms and tappets. Fuel pump cleaned and attached to engine. Also put on the lower radiator mount/bracket, once I remembered to torque up the crank pulley.

[colinf1]

Exhaust manifold cleaned up and attached, then carb attached. Car had electronic oil pressure sender on it when I got it, so cleaned up and give it a quick spray then put it on. Have to sort out the distributor, have a Lucas 59d4 and a Ducellier, but missing the clips for the top for the Lucas one.

[colinf1]

Cleaned up starter motor and alternator today, gave them both a lick of paint. Fan also attached. Can't seem to find the correct bolts for the radiator surround, so I'll have to order those.



Also put a bit of paint on the metal part of the rubber cone, doesn't look like there's much on these from new, so hopefully it will give it some protection.

[colinf1]

Need to order some additional fixings for the engine, so moved onto the front subframe rebuild. My home made cone compressor was deployed, worked fine but could have used a longer handle on the ratcheting spanner as it was quite tough to get it compressed enough to get the rebound buffer in.

Also put on the lower arm and adjustable tie rod,need to find the correct length to set this to, as I've already binned the original ones.

[jamesquintin]

I've got some nice shiny alternator and starter motor stickers to finish that engine off...

 

Classic Mini - Austin Rover Alternator Label/Sticker | eBay

 

Classic Mini - Austin Rover Starter Motor Label/Sticker | eBay

 

 

Q

[colinf1]

As a graphic designer I already have an Illustrator file with all my engine bay stickers drawn up ready for printing! Got all the unipart ones, seat belt anchors, a plus etc etc...

[colinf1]

Got the clutch slave bracket sandblasted and painted today, also cleaned and painted a spare master cylinder bracket I have, as I think I will need to use it as it has a larger hole to suit the yellow tag master cylinder.

Got slave cylinder opened ready to renew seals, then spotted an issue that the seal was different to what would be in the rebuild kit..its a pre verto slave and its a verto clutch. Never got to drive the car as it had clutch and brake pedals seized so wouldn't have noticed.

[colinf1]

Got the slave bracket reattached to the clutch housing and ordered the correct verto type slave as the pre verto one had no markings to say if it was a genuine or copy.



Also set the tie rods to 367mm and got the hubs loosely attached. Wasnt too sure if my ball joints where too loose, but after some reading I'm more confident that there not loose and not too tight.



Fair amount of condensation in my shed at the moment, so trying to keep everything covered, but even the cast manifold that I painted a few days ago has rust coming through.