308 replies to this topic

[McMini 22]

Nice! I have two old Singer sewing machines. I use them for making sails, as I have a wee yacht and sailing dinghy. They go through anything using a denim needle.

Need to re-trim my rear seat using the old seat I have to match my front seats out of a Pug 106 Gti.

 That was a lucky find you had there!

 

After doing a bit checking I will need a proper leather needle as it has a chisel point to cut through the leather.  This would be bad on a woven fabric!

The machine I have is a Singer 201K from 1957.  Stripped it and refurbished it and it works a treat.  No fancy stitches, just forward, reverse and variable length stitches.  When you strip one of these down they are an amazing piece of engineering and manufacture.

I picked up a set of Alfa 147 seats (fabric) and like you I will modify and recover the rear seat.

[McMini 22]

The coolant and heater pipes are finalised and I just need to finish off the bulkhead fitting.
The bulkhead fitting has a couple of radiator bleed valves fitted at the highest point. Should make for an air free system.

[McMini 22]

I did a wee comparison with the leather I scored and the door cards. It's quite a bit lighter. The door cards are almost black but I think it will look ok. Miles away from doing this anyway.

[McMini 22]

I now have the loom off the Micra. It's a lot bigger than I thought.
Decisions need to be made where the main components will be fitted.

This is the main passenger fuse board.


And then there is the engine loom fuse/relay boxes.



It will be all fitting in behind the dash which will be a homemade wooden dash with Micra clocks fitted.



So passenger fuses will go on the right hand side. Unfortunately this will need Speedo out to change fuses.
The engine fuses will be on the left and will be accessible through the glove box.

The ECU will fit under the dash on the left where the radio currently is mounted.

Any wiring not required (air con etc.) will be removed after the car is running.

[micraminiman]

Im at the same stage. Its a LOT of loom to fit into a small space. Good luck!!

I just fitted a multicore cable to feed the rear of the car, and will connect to it.

[McMini 22]

Im at the same stage. Its a LOT of loom to fit into a small space. Good luck!!
I just fitted a multicore cable to feed the rear of the car, and will connect to it.

And most of it is not required!
I don't want to start cutting until I get the car running.
I think I'll be using the Micra loom for the rear. As far as I can see it's
Lights
Tank
Heated rear window
Speakers
Light for the boot

I have bought a load of spiral wrap which should make a neat job.

The Heynes manual is pretty good for wiring diagrams but strangely enough it does not have a diagram for the ECU wiring for a 2000 on model. I contacted Haynes and they emailed me copy within an hour!

[fuzzy-hair-man]

I went through the wiring diagram and removed everything not related to running the engine, it trimmed it down significantly, I got rid of the main fuse box and only run the engine bay box I was also able to get rid of the relay box as well with just a couple of relays for headlamps and the fan in the engine bay ECCS relay I was able to put in a spare spot in the engine bay fuse box, clicks right in.
Basically I have 2 looms mini, everything but engine, and engine loom which from memory is 2 separate looms. The mini and engine looms meet at the ignition and the instrument panel basically. Fuel pump relay is in the boot(no point running power forward then back again.

[McMini 22]

I went through the wiring diagram and removed everything not related to running the engine, it trimmed it down significantly, I got rid of the main fuse box and only run the engine bay box I was also able to get rid of the relay box as well with just a couple of relays for headlamps and the fan in the engine bay ECCS relay I was able to put in a spare spot in the engine bay fuse box, clicks right in.
Basically I have 2 looms mini, everything but engine, and engine loom which from memory is 2 separate looms. The mini and engine looms meet at the ignition and the instrument panel basically. Fuel pump relay is in the boot(no point running power forward then back again.

I was trying to make my life easy by using all of the fuse/relay boxes from the Micra.
From what you are saying, that might not be the easiest solution.
After a bit of searching there are generic fuse boxes and relay boxes available which may offer a neater solution.
Having something that is easy and cheap to fit is one thing but this is a car to be used and having to struggle to reach fuses may end up a real pain in the arse!

Time to do a bit more procrastinating and work out how many fuses and relays I actually need.

[fuzzy-hair-man]

There were a fair few vacant pins on the large plug going to the ecu (I think) by using these I was able to get rid of 1 of the 3 micra engine looms. (driver's side front I think) and I have a little 4 slot fuse box on the underside of the dash rail.
Doing this means it's easier to get the loom in but you'll have the whole thing unwrapped on the floor wondering if it will ever work again. 😁
You are planning on using a lot more of the micra switch gear and ignition barrel than I did though. Means you'll loose all the mini loom and be better integrated...

Edited by fuzzy-hair-man, 27 May 2017 - 10:43 PM.

[McMini 22]

I don't think I will be using any of the mini loom. Might need to use a couple of connectors though.
Latest plan is to place the Micra fuse boxes roughly where I want them and get it running. Then I can replace the Micra fuse board with something neater and smaller. There is a Land Rover one that is 20 fuses and pretty small and cheap. That should replace the main fuse box.

I am currently spending most of my time under the car sorting the gear linkage and the exhaust manifold. Also work in the garden to be done!

[McMini 22]

Well that's the majority of the heavy work done on the garden. Raised bed for the vegetable plot had rotted away so needed renewed. Minis are not the only thing that rotts with time and the British weather.

I remade the gear linkage steady bar as I was not happy with the cut and shut Micra one. I also turned up a bush for the gearbox end. Photos tomorrow.

I have a lot of misalignment between the end of the manifold and the start of the centre exhaust section. It's going to take some creative fabrication and a fair bit of TIG welding.

[McMini 22]

The exhaust manifold Y piece is coming on. The output has to taper from a (not very round) 2" down to 1 3/4". Also has to kick down and towards the centre of the car.

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My gear linkage. The linkage is currently aluminium but will be copied in steel. The nuts will get tack welded when I'm happy with the adjustment.


Also I have finished the bulkhead heater hose glands. My welding was not great so I shot blasted it so I think I'll paint it instead of polishing it. I had ordered a length of 16mm heater hose to mate up to the heater but it's pretty heavy duty and does not bend well. So I ordered up some 16mm silicone bends and I'll make the rest up with some 16mm stainless tube. The heater control valve is also getting located up under the dash so it will be a challenge to keep it all tidy.

[lawrence]

Exhaust looks good and should flow nicely. Not thought of fitting a flex joint? Helps with the alignment

[McMini 22]

I did think of using a flexi joint but they are usually the weak point in an exhaust system. It would also have been too easy and I like to make thinks difficult for myself. So I came up with this.



It needs a bit of finishing off and a polish. The Heat shield is to protect the CV boot an needs a bit of a dip in it to clear the boot but you get the idea.

[McMini 22]

Ok. Guess what this is.