464 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

 

 

Whats the plan for the rear light conversion ? full rear panel or just the conversion plates ? 

Its hard to see in the photos but the entire back panel is shot so will definitely be getting a full height replacement.

 

I'll add some photos of the corrosion there as we go along.

 

Cheers

Ben

[johnR]

Reading this got me thinking you don't see so many white cars - I'll be looking forward to the finished look 

[Revd]

that is the thing, in some way its being treated to some major love, and it will be back on the road again. With out this person spending the money, it would die probably.

 

But also there will be non of these limited editions left as they where soon, they will all be red and white, with the wrong grills, wrong back lights just like every other one. I wasnt looking for an advantage when i got mine, but it is a very good model, and i live the standard grills, and the 12" wheels.. cant wait to get it done!

 

keeping mine more or less standard except for 10"wheels - and I'm carefully storing the 12" wheels complete with trims. The original paintwork and interior trim are in very good  condition so I intend to leave well alone. 

[Ben_O]

Day 2 

 

With the inside stripped out, it's time to remove the engine and running gear.

fully expecting everything to be seized solid, I decided the best approach was to disconnect the the bare minimum and lift the body off of the subframes.

 

First job was the front subframe and engine.

 

 

I disconnected the heater hoses, brake and clutch lines, throttle and choke cables and removed the carb as well as a few other bits

 

 

Then after removing the exhaust and unbolting the gear selector from the floor mounts I unbolted the shock absorbers, track rod ends, teardrop mounts and toeboard mounts.

Then I lowered the front of the car onto the floor and unbolted the tower bolts.

 

 

 

With the engine and frame free from the car, I got some help wheelbarrowing the shell over and off of the engine/subframe

 

 

It went really smoothly and despite me expecting everything to be seized, it all came apart beautifully.

[johnR]

That's an engine bay that hasn't had a lot of love in it's life up to now!

[Ben_O]

Next up was the rear frame.

 

First step is to remove the fuel tank to get access the the left shock top mount

 

 

Then I disconnected the brake line from the T piece, disconnected the handbrake cable from the lever inside the car and removed the rear wheels.

 

After supporting the bodyshell and subframe seperately, in unbolted the shocks from their mounting points and then unbolted the trunnions from their respective mounting points.

the rear mounts put up a fight and I ended up having to hold the heads of the bolts with molegrips and use an impact gun to rattle the nuts off.

The front mounts into the heelboard unscrewed beautifully

With that done, I lifted the bodyshell up and off of the complete subframe

 

 

Now I can show you some of the grit

 

 

 

 

There is still a fair bit to strip off the shell but it should be done by the end of the day.

 

Cheers

Ben

[JAYSONIC 79 IOW]

Afternoon Ben looks like you’ve been enjoying yourself today!
The little gem is a bit rotten ?cheers Ben

[Bdshim]

another epic project there, be watching with interest

[Ben_O]

I've bow finished gutting the front end. Master cylinder clevis pins were the biggest problem as they were rusted into place but got there in the end

 

 

 

Despite the knackard wings and front panel, the inner wings are very good and only require attention to the bottoms of the flitches. 

The bulkhead looks bad too but it's actually mostly dirt and grime 

 

 

 

 

I've left the back of the screws holding the eye ball vent bases soaking so I have a better chance of extracting them.

 

I got most of the back end done too. Just the stubborn fog lamp bolt to remove

 

 

Cheers

Ben

[Daz1968]

Is the floor as good as it looks or is the sound deadening giving a false impression

[colinf1]

Is the floor as good as it looks or is the sound deadening giving a false impression

I'm hoping it's a good as it looks as mine looks similar ?

[Ben_O]

Is the floor as good as it looks or is the sound deadening giving a false impression

I would say the floor is reasonable but it needs various holes repairing, new inner and outer sills and a new heelboard.

Once that's done, it needs stripping inside and out.

 

I am going to be replacing the entire floor as this will be more economical and give the neatest possible repair.

If Labour costs didn't need to be considered, then it would certainly be worth repairing.

 

Cheers

Ben

[eric67]

Hi Ben,

 

It's good to see this Island car getting some treatment. All credit to you and the car's owner. 

 

Will be watching your progress with interest.

 

All the best,  Mark

[fokko]

That's brave, to put it on axle stands while it's pretty rotten . But I assume you have assessed the risk on beforehand, considering your track record with rotten Minis. Looking forward to, again, some awesome work! Thanks for sharing your experiences with this forum *thumbs up*!

[Ben_O]

Hi Ben,

 

It's good to see this Island car getting some treatment. All credit to you and the car's owner. 

 

Will be watching your progress with interest.

 

All the best,  Mark

Cheers Mark.

It's good to hear from you

 

 

That's brave, to put it on axle stands while it's pretty rotten . But I assume you have assessed the risk on beforehand, considering your track record with rotten Minis. Looking forward to, again, some awesome work! Thanks for sharing your experiences with this forum *thumbs up*!

Quite right.

It's usually pretty easy to tell if the car will retain sufficient structure by eye but I find jacking the car slightly by the front subframe and listening for any unusual crunching or looking for any movement does the trick.

In this case, with the shell on stands, the doors open and close beautifully with no rubbing on the striker plate.

and thanks for the compliament.

 

Cheers

Ben