105 replies to this topic

[jsyjamie]

The parts of the shell keeping it water tight were left as I didn't have a garage and even with the best of British summers you can never be sure...

 

Then I saw Jersey Mini Club chairman (Mk1leg) was selling a tent garage so I jumped on it and it was a life saver.

 

 IMG-20200905-WA0003.jpg   91.16K   0 downloads

 

 IMG-20200905-WA0004.jpg   53.71K   0 downloads

 

 IMG-20200905-WA0005.jpg   51.35K   2 downloads

 

In a weekend the rest of the shell was stripped including the sound deadening.

 

What a nightmare that was, wouldn't wish that job on my worst enemy!

 

 20200912_135251_50381858561_o.jpg   52.58K   0 downloads

 

 20200912_135244_50380910088_o.jpg   34.89K   0 downloads

 

The shell was collected and sent to be media blasted.

 

 20200914_151708.jpg   35.12K   0 downloads

 

And that is us pretty much up to date! Once the shell has been blasted it will be going for welding and spraying.

 

I have ordered all the panel I think it need but we will see after it has been blasted...

[jsyjamie]

One more thing I forgot!

 

The engine is ready to go but I have asked Chris to hold off putting it on the dyno and sending it over until the shell is ready.

 

Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later, baby 2 is due end of January! 

 

Bit of engine porn...

 

 fb_img_1578300006871_50378559598_o.jpg   55.92K   5 downloads

[jsyjamie]

As often with life there is good news and bad news.

 

First the good, the shell has been blasted and primed and it looks great. Some of the panels I thought we would have to replace actually look really good which will same time and money. 

 

 20200930_095250.jpg   49.55K   1 downloads

 

Now the bad, my tent garage made a brake for it in last nights 70mph winds and scratched the wife's car in the process. Nothing too bad but very annoying and I need to find a more permeant solution asap...

 

 20201002_085619.jpg   52.06K   1 downloads

[jsyjamie]

Operation Access

 

After the garage blew over in the 70mph winds a couple of weeks ago I decided the easiest thing to do was knock half the side porch down so I could get the mini into my 4.5 x 7.5m mancave through the back garden.

 

My wife thinks I'm crazy (I am) and it is a bit tight but it worked a treat!

 

 50509370856_b341e6ecad_k.jpg   27.19K   2 downloads

 

 50509377326_bd6ddef68a_k.jpg   27.35K   1 downloads

 

 50508652738_74f6bd1e62_b.jpg   81.9K   0 downloads

 

 50508668503_a17d5efc31_k.jpg   53.82K   0 downloads

 

 50509040688_8ef33486e3_k.jpg   28.03K   0 downloads

 

 50509752436_1837c4b68d_k.jpg   19.05K   1 downloads

 

 50509918812_0604ddce07_k.jpg   43.44K   0 downloads

 

Dry and warm just in time for winter! 

[johnR]

sorted!

[ads7]

Just discovered this build thread. Only £90 for the turbo!?! Yes apparently surprisingly good results running Chinese cheapies following with interest

Edited by ads7, 20 October 2020 - 05:20 PM.

[jsyjamie]

Just discovered this build thread. Only £90 for the turbo!?! Yes apparently surprisingly good results running Chinese cheapies following with interest

 

I have no idea how they knock them out that cheap but they seem to work a treat on a lot of other builds so fingers crossed!

Edited by jsyjamie, 22 October 2020 - 06:36 AM.

[jsyjamie]

Blasting

 

It is amazing to see all the rust and the mangey peeling paint stripped and the shell one consistent colour.

 

The previous repairs now revealed themselves too.

 

I knew about both sides of the scuttle panel...

 

 50508688443_a962b1f39b_k.jpg   33.36K   1 downloads

 

 50509391486_1024dc3562_k.jpg   17.59K   1 downloads

 

But not that the boot had been done previously even though it has some major holes.

 

 50509908827_703c48d3be_k.jpg   14.42K   1 downloads

 

 50509034423_f3ef7c141d_k.jpg   17.35K   0 downloads

 

Other than that it was the other usual bits, a panels, front floors and cills.

 

For the price of the blasting I think it was definitely worth it knowing that the shell will be 100% rust free.

 

Just waiting for a few more panels to arrive before the welding starts...

 

 

[MiNiKiN]

Blasting

 

Other than that it was the other usual bits, a panels, front floors and cills.

 

For the price of the blasting I think it was definitely worth it knowing that the shell will be 100% rust free.

 

 

Except for all the double-, triple and quadruple layer metal.

On my Mini I cut open all suspect cavities and removed parts to be replaced prior to blasting. As far as possible and reasonable at least. 
 

But keep on keeping on (the good work )

[jsyjamie]

 

Blasting

 

Other than that it was the other usual bits, a panels, front floors and cills.

 

For the price of the blasting I think it was definitely worth it knowing that the shell will be 100% rust free.

 

 

Except for all the double-, triple and quadruple layer metal.

On my Mini I cut open all suspect cavities and removed parts to be replaced prior to blasting. As far as possible and reasonable at least. 
 

But keep on keeping on (the good work )

 

 

Good point, the only place left would be the sills which are being replaced so fingers crossed...

[jsyjamie]

Small update.

 

The lads doing the welding have been cracking on. They are welders/fabricators by trade rater than panel beaters but they are mini obsessed and have repaired 10's of shells before so I know it is in good hands.

 

 50616337611_2ba8623fa3_k.jpg   37.39K   2 downloads

 

 50615600078_233134eac9_k.jpg   50.35K   5 downloads

 

One of them is building an ecoboost mini from scratch.

 

 50616447642_2f3bfd69a8_k.jpg   37.93K   2 downloads

 

 50616447667_d0e9bd50dc_k.jpg   54.59K   1 downloads

 

They thought we could get away without replacing the wings as they were in such good shape but the internal lips are rotten under the seam sealer unfortunately.

 

 50615595548_35a14f9795_k.jpg   36.92K   0 downloads

 

 50616447117_0e535b923c_k.jpg   37.51K   0 downloads

 

 50615598383_aa35c8f349_k.jpg   28.11K   0 downloads

 

They are hoping to get the rest done this weekend but I think they might need a few more evenings on it...

 

Costs wise they are charging me £25 an hour each including sundries.

 

There are hundreds of "How much will a respray cost" threads so I will try to total everything up to give a rough guide including all the panels.

 

No one local would touch the shell and I had quotes on the mainland of £10k+ but I am hoping this will be closer to half that amount!

[NDT]

what clutch are you using?

[jsyjamie]

what clutch are you using?

 

RTS

 

http://www.turbomini...p=vt&tid=437563

[jsyjamie]

The welding is finally done, another milestone reached!

 

 20210109_135245.jpg   45.97K   2 downloads

 

Pretty happy with it overall, the only thing I would have changed is fitting the genuine windscreen surround lower repair panel instead of just the two corner panels.

 

Here is a total of all the panels which is the net cost as we don't pay VAT over here and no shipping so take it with a pinch of salt.

 

Most were non-genuine and the guys said they didn't have any major issues fitting them...

 

 Capture.JPG   71.71K   1 downloads

 

£900ish for new front end, boot, bonnet, inner & outer cills, front floors, boot repair, lower valance, door skins, a panels, a post & door step and a few other bits.

 

We agreed 80 hours for the welding @ £25/hour so £2,000 labour.

 

The shell is booked in for paint on the 18th and he has quoted me £2,000 so I am looking at roughly £5,000 all in.

 

Friends have used the painter before and have been very happy so fingers crossed it will all be ready to start bolting back together in a few weeks time...

 

 

[jsyjamie]

On the engine front I ended up buying a Quaife ATB Differential so Chris has fitted that and it shouldn't be too far away from the dyno now.

 

 132017822_3514411595279485_7184292339166592413_o.jpg   55.36K   0 downloads