49 replies to this topic

[DR3AM-W3AVUH]

While looking for a 1275 block and transmission, I ran into a guy who knew a guy who was selling his 1976 Austin Mini Pickup.

I knew I had to have it. $4500 later, it was mine. 

It was not in any good condition at all. Its 1100 ran on 3 cylinders. There were holes in the fenders. The floor had been cut out and replaced with a single piece of sheet metal. There was no weather stripping around the doors. The sliding windows were nearly stuck, I was afraid to move them. 

But it was my first real project so I was excited

 

And here she is driving her around the house

 

[pdaykin]

Willpower is overrated anyway.

And it would be rude to turn down a good project

[DR3AM-W3AVUH]

So I have actually had this Mini Pickup since around June 2014. 

After owning it for a month, it was torn down to the shell and sent off to the media blasters to reveal what was beneath

 

When it came back, it was WORSE than anyone thought. The original doors were shot, so I picked up these.

 

And there is sat in this conditon for a couple years since I had moved into a new place shortly after. I wasnt allowed to work on it at the new place.

[DR3AM-W3AVUH]

Alright, Fast forward to Summer 2016. My friend bought a house with a two car garage. He let me crash there and park my Mini in his garage.

So let the teardown begin

Started with the wings

You can see the bodge jobs on the filtch panels

 

Then i turned to the rear

Whats left of the lower valence

 

Then I cut out the remaining pieces of the filtch panels

 

Got a sandblaster to help with the process. Also a giant order of MiniSpares Panels

 

Now I know the feelings of the fiberglass front ends, but it was a good deal so I picked it up from Canada (8 hour drive) I may or may not use it

 

[DR3AM-W3AVUH]

Now Fall 2016, I moved again to my own place. Has a nice little garage so I tucked her away again. But didnt take long util I was outside playing in the garage

Just look at this mess!!! It all had to go

 

There was so much media from when it got blasted hanging out in the layers of oversills that it almost caught on fire while cutting through 

 

I love this picture because you can see how holey the load bed is

[DR3AM-W3AVUH]

While at work, I was able to find the time clean and rebuild the transmission. THANK YOU youtube

 

Very pleased with how it turned out. I just hope it works and that I didnt break anything

[DR3AM-W3AVUH]

Started with the floor

[DR3AM-W3AVUH]

Then I lost motivation for a couple months.

It was a warm Christmas Day (high 40s) so I decided to get my butt in gear and get going on this project

So I put the floor under the cab (well what is left of it)

[DR3AM-W3AVUH]

And that my friends, brings me to yesterday and today.

Started wrestling in the filtch panels

 

Took a lot of massaging to try and get them somewhat close

[Richie83]

Looking good. Will be watching with interest

[g111mds]

Some major work ahead, but look forward to following your progress. Currently on the hunt for a pickup too.

[FlyingScot]

Great progress!
G111MDS pickups can be found if you have the time and money

FS

[jamesquintin]

What YouTube videos did you watch to get that gearbox so clean...?

[DR3AM-W3AVUH]

I used a POR15 degreaser letting them sit over night. Then using a scraper, I chipped away what was left of the paint and grease to the best that I could. Then I actually stuck all the transmission casing parts in the sandblaster. Then used a wirebrush, some elbo grease and decent amount of running water to ensure everything was clean. Finally masked up all the gasket surfaces and painted with 2 coats of silver metallic and 3 good coats of a clear.

For the internals, I also used a wirebrush and some scotchbrite to get them looking nice and pretty. 

I assembled using the MiniMania Transmission assembly videos. Very easy to follow

 

 

http://www.por15.com...easer_p_14.html

Edited by DR3AM-W3AVUH, 31 December 2016 - 09:16 AM.

[DR3AM-W3AVUH]

Well nothing much to report. I took one step forward and two steps back today. I had welded in the middle section of the firewall, but when I went to mount the subframe again it I couldn't get to fit. Turns out I had welded the piece a 1/2" out. So out came the grinder and cut it all back out again. That was really frustrating. But in some good news, I did get a new Welding Helmet   

Hopefully I will get it all welded tomorrow and post some pics