11 replies to this topic

[piphatch]

It's finally happening, work on the Mini instead of the house!!

 

I've been a Mini owner on and off since my first car, unfortunately a much longer period of time (and more minis) off the road than on it. 3 house referbs later and I finally have the nob to start on the Mini.

This is my 2nd crack (and 3rd shell) at putting one back on the road. This is by far the best one I've had and it's a Cooper (1st one of them too!). Got a lot to do but I have finally made a start after owning it for 4, maybe 5 years.

 

I'm no mechanic but I'll have a go at most things, plus I'm too tight to pay someone if I think I can do it  . Anyway got the engine out last night, made an engine hoist with a cheap chain block and some lifting straps, worked a treat.

Had a couple of issues, the engine mount bolt is fused in place, I even tried pushing it out from underneath with a jack and it wouldn't budge. Also the tope arm steady on the gear linkage bolt won't come out. I got the nut off easy enough but the bolt itself wouldn't come out so I took it out with it attached. Could have done with some more clearance under the car but it came out with a little bit of a fight.

 

I have a roll over jig in a lock up so I think I get it up on that at some point. The drivers side floor needs replacing where someone did a lovely job patching it up.

 

Next up...

finish stripping the shell and get it blasted (maybe!)

repair any bad areas

replace over sills with correct ones

floor repair

replace missing inner wings

 

rear sub-frame build, engine rebuild and front hubs on the list too.

 

Off skiing this weekend though so nothing happening anytime soon...

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[Designer]

Hi piphatch,

 

Welcome to the forum.

You will find plenty of expert advice on here and also useful tips.

The first being to make sure you register your TMF+ membership with Minispares in order to get the 71/2% discount on your orders.

 

Paddy

[bpirie1000]

Label everything and if in doubt.. take photographs of everything.....


Measure twice, cut once...

Get budget and double it..

Think that is the best advice....

[Blumeanie]

Congratulations - Best of luck!

It is a lovely mini!

- I have a soft spot for those wheels. They are a great fit for a stylish mini.

[piphatch]

Hi piphatch,

 

Welcome to the forum.

You will find plenty of expert advice on here and also useful tips.

The first being to make sure you register your TMF+ membership with Minispares in order to get the 71/2% discount on your orders.

 

Paddy

 

Thanks Paddy, with my first unsuccessful rebuild I registered my TMF+ membership with them, unfortunately the mini didn't make it but the parts are safely stored away.

[Designer]

[Steve220]

Label everything and if in doubt.. take photographs of everything.....


Measure twice, cut once...

Get budget and double it..

Think that is the best advice....

That IS the best advice 🤣 unless you're turboing the car, then triple your budget!

[theclassicminishop]

Hi Piphatch

 

Seems to be an excellent project there.

Good luck.

[piphatch]

She's back from the blasters and I'm pleasantly surprised   . A few new holes and and a couple of areas with pin holes on them but really she's pretty solid.

 

Not sure why all the photos are upside down or on their side!! They are fine when I open them on my laptop.

 

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[piphatch]

Took off the drivers over-sill and found the original still in place along with some rust. That's all come out now. The door step is incredibility clean, there's not a spec of rust and I only removed the amount of floor I did to get rid of a bodged repair. It seems that is the theme for the repairs on this car...

 

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Can someone confirm to me that the flitch panel should only be a single skin and that the cowboys that did this repair have just slapped it on top of the old one please?
 

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I've got a new panel so I'm thinking cut it all out and start fresh. Thanks

[Steve220]

Yeh, flitch is a single panel. That's been covered over It looks like you've got a solid base for repair!

[piphatch]

Yeh, flitch is a single panel. That's been covered over It looks like you've got a solid base for repair!

 

They had indeed covered it with a repair panel, I feel the same has been done on the other side too   

I have decided to take it all off along with what remained of the inner wing. Then I'll get a new complete inner wing.

I'm amazed at how good the shell is, there's very little rust really. If the repairs had been done correctly the first time it would have been sound.