12 replies to this topic

[xBR4DLEY]

The hole in the bulkhead , what is it there for?
Is there a cover for it because mine just has the hole
Can I weld a patch into this?
Cheers

[adam_93rio]

The hole in the bulkhead , what is it there for?
Is there a cover for it because mine just has the hole
Can I weld a patch into this?
Cheers

which bulkhead?
the one between the engine and you or the boot and you

[tomgale]

big circular hole in the center? then yes it was for the original center speedo binnicle and should have a blanking plate which the loom passes through so its all good

smaller holes dotted around the bulkhead? these should have rubber grommets. unless....

orange odd shaped hole? thats rust. ive got that too

if any of the above is incorrect cansomeone more experienced can correct me please, hope this helps!

[adam_93rio]

big circular hole in the center? then yes it was for the original center speedo binnicle and should have a blanking plate which the loom passes through so its all good

smaller holes dotted around the bulkhead? these should have rubber grommets. unless....

orange odd shaped hole? thats rust. ive got that too

if any of the above is incorrect cansomeone more experienced can correct me please, hope this helps!

this is prettymuch spot on
if you have a really early mini then you might have the same shape hole in the back of the back seat, (rear bulkhead)
they used these on the early production line to bolt the shell to a rig so they could rotate the car and weld underneath (like a spit roast)
the early minis with centre speedo i beleive didnt have anything behind here.
later ones have a blanking plate, with a hole ( and a big gromet) which the loom passes through
i wouldnt reccomend welding it up, im sure if you have a look on ebay you can find the correct banking plate that just bolts in
the reason for this is that if you weld in a plate, chances are it will be flat, the propper blanking plate has a reccessed bit which gives you a bit more room if you ever need your carb or manifold off
again, the orangey brown holes are dodgey, cut out and weld a patch
if theres a big sqaure cut out, wack a turbo and webers in there
hope this helped

edit:: i might have a pic somewhere if you want to see it

Edited by adam_93rio, 18 October 2009 - 07:58 PM.

[Calman]

the front is for as stated above the center speedos, but the rear ive been told is to let the rear end have a bit of give to stop it vibrating which in turn can warp the rear. Sounds a bit weird too me so id be interested too.

EDIT ^ Ta

Edited by C93, 18 October 2009 - 08:00 PM.

[adam_93rio]

the front is for as stated above the center speedos, but the rear ive been told is to let the rear end have a bit of give to stop it vibrating which in turn can warp the rear. Sounds a bit weird too me so id be interested too.

EDIT ^ Ta

thats an interesting statement, surley if it was to allow it to give a bit, the later models would have it too? and the panels would warp even more as there is less strangth

by the way ive found a blanking plate on the bay
clicky


another edit: just remebered something i read about, im pretty sure the centre dials idea in the early models came about as a way of blanking that hole in the centre of bulkhead
another cost cutting excercise of the bmc for you

Edited by adam_93rio, 18 October 2009 - 08:50 PM.

[xBR4DLEY]

Alright cheers everyone
Yeah it does have a centre speedo but i was just wondering if water could get in and was a bit worried
So could I weld a plate in a leave a gap for the wires to come out or would it be easier if I made/bought a removable
Might have one i'll check though

[Dan]

they used these on the early production line to bolt the shell to a rig so they could rotate the car and weld underneath

No.

but the rear ive been told is to let the rear end have a bit of give to stop it vibrating which in turn can warp the rear

Very, very no.

The holes are called Roto-Dip apertures. The shell did have a spit inserted right through it but this was to roll the body through a tank of rust prevention treatment and primer, not for welding.

, im pretty sure the centre dials idea in the early models came about as a way of blanking that hole in the centre of bulkhead

No, the clocks were in the centre because that way it doesn't matter if the car is to be built LHD or RHD. It was simply convenient that the clock could align with the Roto-Dip aperture and act as a closure plate.

Just get the right plate, it screws straight on.

Sorry, just noticed that you said it is a centre speedo car, no you don't need to add a closure plate. The speedo mount is all you need.

[SolarB]

by the way ive found a blanking plate on the bay
clicky

HOW MUCH!

I need one of those at some point but was planning on paying a fiver at at show.

Somerford give the part number as CZH351 but have no stock. Somerford
They also list FBH100130 for cars '94 to '96 but again have no stock. Somerford

Rimmer Brothers say FBH100130 is available in 2-3 days for £0.83 inc. the VAT. If I read their page correctly they think it's suitable for 1981 and onwards. Rimmer Bros

Edited by SolarB, 18 October 2009 - 11:29 PM.

[h_edgrrr]

I've been looking for this panel for a while now but had no idea what it was called! Mine was put on a spit roast to weld up the sills and the hole was cut through this panel so looking to buy a new one to replace it.

Has anyone bought the one from the Rimmer Brothers? Seriously tempted at that price but want to make sure it'll fit on my '88

[Dan]

They also list FBH100130 for cars '94 to '96 but again have no stock.

Since the hole was deleted from the bulkhead in 1990, that must be a different part.

[daemonchild]

The holes are called Roto-Dip apertures. The shell did have a spit inserted right through it but this was to roll the body through a tank of rust prevention treatment and primer, not for welding.

And you say these disappeared in the nineties...?
That explains why we've all got rusty post 1990 mini's then!
Now THAT is a cost cutting exercise.

[Dan]

No they just started dipping them differently, the shells were carried through the dip in a cage rather than rolled through it. The rolling only meant they could use a shallower tank.