926 replies to this topic

[James_eaton_thewholething]

Rebuild the engine your self not as difficult as you think. There is a good machine shop in Stockport to have stuff checked over and will do anything engine related.

While inner wing will be quicker and worth it in the end

[GT Jimmy]

Rebuild the engine your self not as difficult as you think. There is a good machine shop in Stockport to have stuff checked over and will do anything engine related.

While inner wing will be quicker and worth it in the end

Is that Quasar? You mentioned them when you pulled the engine out. I emailed them a couple of days ago with no reply, probably shut for christmas

[James_eaton_thewholething]

Best to ring em mate, they are pretty old school to be honest.

I need to take some stuff there at some point

[GT Jimmy]

My resolution this year is to have my mini back as a rolling shell with all welding complete. Given my lack of garage time/skill may be a tall order.

Hopefully this will be the resolution I manage to keep. Happy New Year

[Vinay-RS]

Happy new year! It's a good target and I'm sure you will be able to do it. You've gained confidence with your welding skills and you've got a lot of expert advice from James and Ben.

Just keep at it and by the end of the year we will get to see a lovely GT shell on this thread :)

[Mike_H]

A photo of the lap weld, just for R kid. Not the best but getting there, I think, maybe haha

 

 

I think you need a bit more heat and less wire in the welding. The problem you'll find then is you risk burning through, if you don't move quickly enough. I weld in short pulses on thinner metal to try and avoid blowing through - a second or so to weld one 'fish scale' at a time, and try to overlap the fish scales by about 50%

 

I find an auto-dimming mask really helps get the weld in the right place as well. It'll pay you back in saved time and grinding discs. 

 

 

There are some tutorials on mig-welding.co.uk that are useful, if you want to learn more. 

[GT Jimmy]

 

A photo of the lap weld, just for R kid. Not the best but getting there, I think, maybe haha

 

 

I think you need a bit more heat and less wire in the welding. The problem you'll find then is you risk burning through, if you don't move quickly enough. I weld in short pulses on thinner metal to try and avoid blowing through - a second or so to weld one 'fish scale' at a time, and try to overlap the fish scales by about 50%

 

I find an auto-dimming mask really helps get the weld in the right place as well. It'll pay you back in saved time and grinding discs. 

 

 

There are some tutorials on mig-welding.co.uk that are useful, if you want to learn more. 

 

I'm the first to admit I have a lot to learn. Before I weld the other inner sill on I'm going to have a play on some scrap steel.

 

I have an auto mask, I only realised there was a protective film on the lens after welding the sill on haha. Only had it a year.

 

Thanks for the advice

[GT Jimmy]

Happy new year! It's a good target and I'm sure you will be able to do it. You've gained confidence with your welding skills and you've got a lot of expert advice from James and Ben.

Just keep at it and by the end of the year we will get to see a lovely GT shell on this thread :)

Thanks mate. I'll get there eventually

[Mike_H]

 

 

 

I'm the first to admit I have a lot to learn. Before I weld the other inner sill on I'm going to have a play on some scrap steel.

 

I have an auto mask, I only realised there was a protective film on the lens after welding the sill on haha. Only had it a year.

 

Thanks for the advice

 

 

We all have to start somewhere. Practising on a bit of scrap is good - it doesn't matter if you blow a few holes and it's really rewarding when you see some progress. Just listen for the bacon sizzling.

[GT Jimmy]

Had just 2 hours today so removed what was left of the doorstep and cut the new one to size. Next full day we'll weld the step and inner sill on.

Hope to get this done before the mini fair, I have a big shopping list

[Mike_H]

Make sure you get a good fit on the door step, and test the door shut before you weld it any more than a quick tack weld. If you get it cut in neatly, it'll save you a load of time smoothing it over later. 

Edited by Mike_H, 15 January 2017 - 02:19 PM.

[GT Jimmy]

Had a few hours on the GT today. Started with this

 

​Made one of these

 

And then had a go at welding it in

 

 

I'm quite pleased how it came out. I'll weld the new step in and inner sill next week.

 

Then I'll be ready for mini fair with a big shopping list

[GT Jimmy]

I should really have mentioned R kid made the new piece haha

[GT Jimmy]

Had a few hours on the GT again today. My shopping list for mini fair on Sunday is getting longer each time I look at it.

I'll grab the instamatic and put some photos up later

[GT Jimmy]

Today I welded in the door step and inner sill, and cut off the rear valance, then the other valance haha. They had cut off the middle section and welded the new one over the old one.

 

 

 

Welding seems to be a bit better, spot welds could be better though.

 

The measurements I took from the bracing to step are spot on. Hopefully the doors will fit haha

 

Looks like I'll need the lower rear panel repair piece as well now