65 replies to this topic

[minidan]

Good evening TMF'ers.

This project thread will be a sort of 'part 2' to continue on from where Jasons previous owner Paul left off. I am now the proud owner of this lovely minus and my main aim is to have this as my daily driver . but before this can happen there are some jobs to do!
Firstly pictures , im sure most of you are already familiar with the car but for those who havent seen him...

Attached Files

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•  100_7148.JPG   969.28K   39 downloads
•  100_7149.JPG   751.44K   16 downloads
•  100_7150.JPG   939.54K   36 downloads

Edited by minidan, 26 May 2010 - 07:13 PM.

[minidan]

some more pictures

Most of the electrics do work, there are about 4 blown fuses but i dont dont what they are for yet, and the indicators dont work properly.
I can see you put a lot of time into the wiring Paul but i can see it being a real headache for me lol!

[Midas Mk1]

A Great looking Minus you have there
Last saturday I spotted a similar colour Minus parked up local to me, it was quite a suprise considering i dont see many Minis each day, nevermind Minus's

[Robert]

Nice Mini!

That wiring looks a bit "creative". You might want to think mid-term about replacing the chocolate block

[minidan]

i have been thinking about buying a loom from minispares and simply fitting it as per 'normal' but adding in a custom earthing block in the engine bay.
the dash that is in the car isnt to my taste so will probably end up making a new one in a more retro style.
this does mean i will need to get hold of some indicator/wiper stalks, and a speedo. i was thinking an early centre speedo?

most of the other jobs i can see so far include:

-sort out a bonnet bulge so the bonnet fits better over the carb
-move the seats backwards and lower down so im not squashed up (i am 6'2")
-rewire the car
-make new dash
-remove rollcage
-remove amp
-fit new rose joined tie bars from minispares
-oil and filter change
-get a slimmer air filter that doesnt hit the rear bonnet lip
-refix 2 of the 4 bonnet pin mounts
-fit rear view mirror
-find out whats wrong with the brake and clutch pedels as they dont operate correctly. they seem to be moving together and not returning properly.
-new door rubbers
-fit quick release pins to boot to keep it closed properly as standard boot lock doesnt keep it shut
-rolling road tune
-MOT

.... not much to do then before L2B 2010!!!

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

I didn't realize Paul was selling, very nice car mate, congrats.

[JR.]

why didn't you keep your original Minus?

Edited by JR., 02 March 2010 - 09:16 PM.

[minidan]

why didn't you keep your original Minus?

Well it wasnt mine! it belonged to my girlfriend and she decided to sell it for some reason. i do still wish we had had it lol, i love that car, but now ive got a minus all of my own By the way how is it?

[JR.]

She is ok, still undecided about engines .

[minidan]

As the weather was good today ( even if it was only 2C! ) i thought i would make a start on Jason, have a really good look at him and see exactly what needs doing to bring him up to standard. also i planned to remove the 'wiring loom', rollcage, and seats.
i started by removing the seats which wasnt easy because of the harnesses being bolted to the floor and back seat. was a bit of a struggle removing the bolts for the harnesses but once i'd done that the seats came out
Then i started undoing the rollcage bolts - easy. removing the rollcage, not so easy lol! whoever fitted it glassfibred the feet down! doh!
one ratchet strap and a big screwdriver soon sorted that out though hehe.

had a look at the rear:
looks like a new set of shoes are needed! i think the cylinders have seized aswell


a little bit grubby but generally ok. not sure about those homemade looking hi-los...


took the rubber cone out to have a look, WOAH why has it been cut? where has the metal bit gone !!!


seats and rollcage out


removing dash and wiring








Also had a look at the front suspension:


may need some work here too ...


rusteeeeeeeeeey!!!


dont like the way the front wheel stud all just fall out when you sneeze


so yea, ive uncovered a whole ton of previous bodges and nasties that need sorting, and theres a very strange problem with the clutch and brake pedals. They both move at the same time and dont return back up. it looks ok but i cant think why it would do this.
the steering bracket is dangerously loose. some idiot in the past has just bolted it to the fibreglass with no washers or plates to spread the load and the nuts have nearly pulled through! glad i spotted this.

Oh yea i had to rip off the petrol cap too as i dont have a key for it... now need a new petrol cap lol.

The other jobs i have to do include:
make a new dashboard, something more retro and inkeeping with a classic car.
rewire the whole car... couple of hours?
fit quick release pins to the boot so it stays shut as the standard lock doesnt hold.
fit a mk1 grille
put the radiator fan on the correct way round!
re-route the fuel pipe inside the car so its out of harms way.
fix a broken bonnet pin mounting plate
get proper hi-los for the rear
mount seats further back and lower so i can actually fit in lol!

Edited by minidan, 07 March 2010 - 05:28 PM.

[GreaseMonkey]

Not much to do then!!

Edited by GreaseMonkey, 07 March 2010 - 04:55 PM.

[minidan]

Did a bit more on Jason today , started putting in the new wiring loom and sorting out the front end.
i managed to find the proper bonnet scoop (P&L minis) to cover the carb and also bought the moustache to go round my new mk1 morris cooper grill.
heres some more photos to show progress




I thought maybe i'd paint the bonnet matt black to make it look a bit nicer before i cant get it properly sprayed to match the body. what do you rekon?

also fitted new bonnet pins as the old ones had faded to pink


fitted the grille


front end nearly done , just need to finish sanding off the bonnet lip and scoop. then paint. like the mk1 look? i do

[minidan]

update:

have fitted all ne rubber cones, as the old one had been butchered at the rear and were completely flat at the front. new upper arm seals, and recond' the upper arms. i had to machine the hi-los as the new rubber cones were so much larger than the flat ones that they wouldnt fit!!

new rubber cones vs old 'cut down??' cones


new brake shoes vs old ones - notice how much is left on the old ones!!!


new spacered drums so rear wheels line up properly with the arches


finished filling and sanding in the bonnet scoop. will be painting it black soon as i cant get it colour matched just yet.



next job to do is to remove the faulty pedal box and either replace it or fix it.
also finish the re-wire, make a new dash and fit the digital dash, choke, horn, headlamps, fix the fuel tank securely, re-route the fuel line inside the car, get a new petrol cap

i think theres more but

[minidan]

done a bit more today,

finished off painting the bonnet and removed the pedal box to see if i can do anything about the stiff pedals.
was a pain in the ars* getting the pedal box off but eventually did it. took it to bit cleaned it up and regreased it and its as good as new
also had to remove the steering column and found something - there were no splines left in the column!! the only thing turning the wheels
was the little bolt that holds it all together!! wow. lucky for me though i had a spare column that i have now fitted. i may have avoided a major disaster there!!

opinions on th black bonnet? i do want to get it colour matched but for now this will have to do .
before:

after:

Edited by minidan, 28 March 2010 - 05:14 PM.

[adam_93rio]

prgress is a bit slow, i was thinking about your car the other day when contemplating minus' again

looks well tho, keep up the work

just read about it being a new owner, good luck with it

Edited by adam_93rio, 28 March 2010 - 04:56 PM.