341 replies to this topic

[Harryrothers93]

After a good few years of not being the owner of a Mini, I have decided to invest in a new (drivable) project

 

At first look the mini seemed to be perfect from a distance...which we all know is almost never the case.

 

The list I have put together since purchasing is as followed :

 

bubbling under front windscreen 

slight bubble on right hand side wing where it joins scuttle 

oversill fitted 

couple of bad floor patches 

boot floor has seen better days - will look further in to this when subframe is removed.

rear valance rusted 

tired interior 

 

 

if anyone has any suggestions on the  build then comment all you want.

 

Harry

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Edited by Harryrothers93, 11 February 2019 - 07:01 AM.

[Harryrothers93]

collecting the mini tomorrow morning, so build / thread can finally start. 

 

first things first I need to sort the battery charging issue - apparently the new alternator output is fine, but nothing getting to the battery. 

before I start as anyone got any suggestions? I mean doesn't the cable just go from the alternator to the starter to the battery ? or is it slightly different on an MPI?

 

any help would be great 

 

more pics to follow tomorrow 

[jamesquintin]

MPIs can have quite bad earths. The earth strap was moved to the top engine steady. It's probably quite rusty under the bulkhead engine steady bracket. You could can another temporary earth from the engine to the body (there are plenty of bolt holes on the front panel) to get you going

Q

[ryomini]

If you have time, I think Mini's are worth stripping down completely - derusting and putting back together.  I ported my 1275 spi added a high lift cam and a llightened flywheel and am very happy.  All the best with yours.

[Wiggy]

Brown/Purple thin wire from alternator, then turns into a thicker Brown cable on the starter. Via a fusible link. It's the one under the shiney black material sheath.

I'd start by removing it at both ends, then checking for continuity.

[Harryrothers93]

Thanks for replies, will look at earthing and check continuity in morning

Will keep you posted on outcome or if I get stuck

Harry

[Harryrothers93]

So made a start
Straight away found this disconnected not sure what it does ? Any ideas ? Seems to be space Ona relay above ?

Harry

[Wiggy]

Think you forgot at attach a pic, mate.

[Harryrothers93]

update.

 

found out what the issue was, battery earth was none existent and if you look in the picture there is a taped up connection from the alternator to starter, which was rusted and loose.

 

Remade off and cleaned up engine earth and battery. now im getting 14.10v at battery which seems about right ?

 

as for the red cable, does anyone know what that is ?

 

 

back at it tomorrow, found a hand sized hole in boot floor and rear valance is just Fu**** so will be in need of some repairs - will upload a picture tomorrow.

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[Harryrothers93]

pictures of boot floor hole and bad patch job...

 

the whole boot floor really isn't much better than this so will be replacing the full thing instead of trying to patch.

 

when I get the back end up on axle stands I will upload more photos.

 

replacment won't be for a few months as I am going to enjoy driving her about for a while until i start chasing rust.

 

 

plan is to take a week of work in July and do the whole back end in one

 

-bootfloor 

-rear valance 

-arches 

-rebuild subframe 

 

harry

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[Harryrothers93]

got some spare time on my lunch break today 

 

I removed the front spot lights - I think it looks 10 times better without ....?

 

fitted a rubber trim strip between the grill moustache and front panel, just to stop it from scratching paint

 

I also tidied up the engine bay slightly with a rag and wd40. 

 

new plugs and leads fitted - ignition leads are from a guy on ebay who hand makes them to order, overall seem very good quality.

 

will get the oil changed when I next get chance, anyone have any suggestions on oil ?

 

 

harry 

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[Harryrothers93]

long time without an update so here goes.....

 

I have done quite a lot since the last update and the mini does look...

 

..well lets just say when its all done it will be worth it !

 

best way I think I can show the progress is by uploading all the rust found and then the repairs, so here you go. 

 

inner wings look ok, just lower part and shock mounts to fix

 

 

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boot floor is way past fixing would end up being a patch quilt 

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rear seat bulkhead has also seen better days along the bottom edge 

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comments more than welcome

 

 

Edited by Harryrothers93, 03 March 2019 - 09:01 AM.

[Harryrothers93]

The left side rear arch was about 30% metal 70% filler so that had to go

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at the front end the scuttle will need replacing along with the inner dash rail. mainly because the person who did the previous repair on the bulkhead did not treat the inside and just lapped the metal 

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Edited by Harryrothers93, 03 March 2019 - 09:14 AM.

[Harryrothers93]

.

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[Harryrothers93]

so after finding all that rust and with not even looking into the front end as yet. I went ahead and bought myself a new mig welder

 

after researching what seemed like the entire internet I decided to go with a R-tech welder, and I must be honest its one proper good machine !

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Edited by Harryrothers93, 03 March 2019 - 09:22 AM.