108 replies to this topic

[longtimenomini]

Ok job I’ve been avoiding .....

Car not getting up to temp and no heat through heater . Thermostat ... easy

Right tried ( tentatively ) thermostat bolts ... no go and I’ve been no around the block too many time to know what comes next . Had soaked in penetrating oil for a few days but no go .

Snapped bolts in cylinder head was not on the plan .

Decided to cut tops of bolts off and feed housings up and over leaving bolts exposed for oil and map gas attack.

Well I managed it but had to butcher the housings ( rather replace them than deal with alternate )

So where am I now ?

Housings off - new ones ordered
Other parts needed ready and waiting

Will attack remaining bolts another day ( double nut and heat should do it )

Oh yes the state of bolts and thermostat looks like it hasn’t been changed in 38 years!

Plenty of copper grease when I reassemble








Speaking of things that are older than the hills . This was found in boot ! I’m sure the elasticity will still be there !!!!!

[Steam]

Went down this track 3 weeks ago. Not that hard to drill out studs, just take your time and make absolutely certain first attempt is in the centre of the stud. Start with a small drill and work up.

[longtimenomini]

Nothing but net ....

Weapons of choice



10 minutes later ....



The offending article ... ps I gave up after 38 years to be fair

[longtimenomini]

As much as I like the ‘poverty’ spec .... I needed 2 wing mirrors to regularly shuffle the pack on driveway ...

So one eBay 2nd hand purchase later ..








But now we have a problem ... it’s no longer a HLE .... with this extra trim ( and in accordance with Austin rover “special editions”)

It will be now known as

Austin rover 998 HLE SE GHIA VANDEN PLAS HIGH LINE....


That should do it

[longtimenomini]

Drivers side looks old now ! ( that’s why I bought a used passenger side .... it’s not everyday you want the item you bought to be ‘ properly used’ ) Some back to black on drivers side should help

[longtimenomini]

Full set now ( albeit old and tired.... much like myself)

Stage one ..... get full set of wheels ...tick
Stage two .... sand blast and clean up
Stage three.....

[longtimenomini]

Wheel now



Hopefully look like this ( 2” band)



Got 4x original caps









Now need some of these ... anyone got any / know where I can get them please give me a shout .... thanks

[johnR]

I think I may have some of those that I must have taken off my Mini City when I stripped it down but when I came to re-build it had no idea where they came from and no-one on here knew what they were. What are they for?

just had a dig through the garage and here they are, 15 of them - all but one replated when I put all the fixings in for a re-zinc - let me know if you want them.

I'm now guessing wheel trim clips?

Edited by johnR, 12 June 2021 - 02:30 PM.

[podifold]

Somerford Mini sell the clips.

[longtimenomini]

Thanks guys ….. so close , I found them through BRESCO

They weren’t advertised on their website , so I emailed owner … he had a full set put aside

[longtimenomini]

I think I may have some of those that I must have taken off my Mini City when I stripped it down but when I came to re-build it had no idea where they came from and no-one on here knew what they were. What are they for?
just had a dig through the garage and here they are, 15 of them - all but one replated when I put all the fixings in for a re-zinc - let me know if you want them.
I'm now guessing wheel trim clips?

Somerford Mini sell the clips.

Thank you

[the_soon_to_be]

Where did you manage to find 4 new centre caps from, they are becoming a struggle to find.

Could I also ask where you had the emblem for the kad quickshift from too ?

Edited by the_soon_to_be, 22 June 2021 - 11:29 AM.

[longtimenomini]

Where did you manage to find 4 new centre caps from, they are becoming a struggle to find.

Could I also ask where you had the emblem for the kad quickshift from too ?

Emblem from this guy on eBay… he made it up from my design

254946662753 Item number

Got caps off eBay nos £35 for all 4 … was lucky to find/ win

Hope this helps

[the_soon_to_be]

Where did you manage to find 4 new centre caps from, they are becoming a struggle to find.

Could I also ask where you had the emblem for the kad quickshift from too ?

Emblem from this guy on eBay… he made it up from my design

254946662753 Item number

Got caps off eBay nos £35 for all 4 … was lucky to find/ win

Hope this helps

Thanks but unfortunately that numbers not coming up with any eBay sellers/products

I also just decided that the banded steelies I have aren't for me and I prefer the wheels I've already got.
Annoyingly, atleast it saves me having to track down centres

If you know anyone else looking for some, I've got some 12x7 steelies with tyres made by Essex banded wheels

[longtimenomini]

Try this number … look at sellers other products or email them

254883927275