1658 replies to this topic

[Deathrow]

Well I think I owe you guys an explanation to why I've not posted any updates in a bit don't I?

Well basically I was concerned that Elliot's rear subframe was out of alignment which could have been a huge pain in the bottom so I've been feeling a bit lost for enthusiasm about her lately.

After much pondering and muddling about I've decided to sell her and buy a Honda Civic EK9 instead:



JUST KIDDING

What a cop out that would be if I gave up now! Although I would love an EK9, but not as an alernative to the Mini, has to be in addition to.

Anyway, back on track! You can see the results of my recent straightness analysis here: http://www.theminifo...p;#entry1917446

Other than that, the only pictures I have to show are these:


New heelboard ends.


With reinforcing bracket.

I can also confirm that these have the proper UNF bolts on the back, well unless they're really close to the UNF size but in metric, my old heelboard bolts screw in to them just dandy.


This lip needed cleaning up.


Progress made, still looks as uneven as a teenagers complexion though so more work to do here.


This is how it was today while I was crawling about measuring things, joy.

Tomorrow I want to start hacking away one side of the heelboard.

Thanks for looking .

[sonikk4]

Ahhh you can't beat a bit of hacking on mini's i hope those repair panels are better quality than the crap ones we got for Erm before i decided to change the complete heelboard.
They just didn't fit and would have needed some serious hacking to make them touch in the right places. Yours do look a lot better so hopefully will be fine.

[1275 SPRITE]

I love EK9's too, a little bit of a story for you... (Sorry to clutter up your thread!)

We had one in for an MOT earlier this year at work, it was a very rare VTI-S (only 200 made), with only 45,000 miles on the clock, 1 owner from new (Old boy, late 50's early 60's), needless to say it passed no problem. I asked the receptionist to mention that I'm interested in his car if ever he wanted to sell it, and to come back if he decided to sell. The man said let him know (meaning me) that he will be in touch! I never heard anything, so wrote a letter and put it through his door as he lives close to work. I still haven't heard anything and that was about 6 months ago now. I'm still hoping i will get a call from him, as I'd love it as my daily driver!

Here is a VTI-S, its almost identicle except the type r grill and jordan wheels!!






Good work on the mini, that rust is fast dissapearing!!

[analogue_radio]

Ah those panels look much better! where were they from again? I will get a pair ordered tonight!

[Deathrow]

They're from M-Machine Luke. http://www.m-machine.../index_main.htm

Better make it today though, as they don't have online ordering, you need to call them . Oh and remember to mention you're with TMF+, I got 10% of those panels even though they were only £13 each anyway (without VAT).

James, lucky man! I need to save up some money so that I can consider buying a nice quick daily in the next few years I think, sad thing is though, I don't have my own garage to keep the Mini in so it leaves me in a bit of an awkward position as I'd have to keep both cars on the road, taxed, tested and insured.

[analogue_radio]

Cheers Adam, rang them whilst I was on my break at work and they are in the post with the 10% discount, lovely!

[Deathrow]

More:


Degreased and scuffed up ready for painting.


Etch.


And the other side.


Red oxide.


While that was drying I was doing my final alignment check which involved a long piece of string!


Red oxide on the other side and left to dry.


Got the car supported properly again so I can start with the heelboard repairs.


It was a bit late to be starting on something fresh like the heelboard so I chose to clean up one end of the valance which I'd been too lazy to do when I welded it.


Protected it with some primer, I have the heelboard ends another coat on the inside at this point as well.

Tomorrow I shall make a proper start on the driver side heelboard repair .

[jayare]

Looks like they went to town with the spot welder when making those heelboard ends! The Heritage one I used on mine only had 2 spot welds holding the 2 bits together (good job really as they were in the wrong place and I had to drill them out and re-weld it!)

Glad all your measurements came out well,

Oh and I really hope the Civic EK9 handles a damn sight better than the EJ9 (non-VTEC version the same shape) that I have as a daily - I hate it!

JR

[Deathrow]

You know, you're the second person to tell me that the herritage heelboard ends are badly made.

I am also very glad, means I can get on with it and get the old girl finished!

I'd have to have a test drive before I bought one. They usually firm up the suspension and stuff in the Type-R versions don't they?

[Deathrow]

Well I've been at it again!


Put some black paint on the back of the repair sections.


While they were drying I got the rear subframe out of the way.


Then painted the other side.


Took the grinder to the driver side heelboard end.


Just a little bit of the old reinforcing bracket left to remove.

I shall soldier on with it tomorrow .

[tomgale]

i bought a pair of the minispares heelboards, they were flat sheets with bolts welded to them and now i dont think i need the sections with bolts, so ive failed pretty miserably, cant even find them now. progress looks great, keep it up!

[sonikk4]

i bought a pair of the minispares heelboards, they were flat sheets with bolts welded to them and now i dont think i need the sections with bolts, so ive failed pretty miserably, cant even find them now. progress looks great, keep it up!

Had those, binned those, totally bloody useless, could have bodged them but whats the point. The brackets that are attached to the heelboard are there to transfer stresses to the inner sill. If they had no purpose then they would have not been fitted in the first place.

[Scallywag630]

Wow...just read some of this thread. Massive rebuild and a bigger job than I would tackle. Good for you.

[Deathrow]

Thanks for the support guys.

Yeah the brackets are important and I'd never leave them out.

Here's todays work, it's taking longer than expected, but that's Minis for you!


Got the bracket removed, it took some of the inner sill with it but I was going to replace this metal anyway.


Marked out the spot welds on the rear seat.


And in the companion bin.


I think thats most of the cutting done now. I might remove the closing panel for the rear quater and rebuild it with fresh steel.


Offered the repair panel in place to see how it's going to fit, the answer is very nicely!

More tomorrow, I'm going to start putting metal back in .

[analogue_radio]

Looking good Adam!

Got my heelboard ends through the post today, look so much better than the pair I had from Mini Sport!