655 replies to this topic

[bcjames]

Yep, as Mini Luke said, it's the bit between the head and the gearbox. Seen as I have had the gearbox replaced a fortnight ago, and a new cylinder head a couple of months back, it would be like having a brand new production line engine

So... a lot of breaking in, sub-3000 rpm miles and a ridiculous oil change schedule then?

Depends on who you listen to I suppose!

Yep! Aside the occasional 3rd gear slip road, I've normally changed by 3000rpm anyway. I don't like revving it too much. Plenty of oil changes though, oil is cheap, engines are not!

Shifty, it is yes.

[bcjames]

Damn this little boot. It had come off, and it took me a frustrating hour to get it all apart, clean, re-grease, and get it back on It's all quite dirty under there too!



Knuckle boot by bcjamesmini, on Flickr


And I've lost 500ml of oil in 5 days via my clutch Topped it up again, but I need to invest in another 5l tin if it continues at that rate!

Edited by bcjames, 15 February 2012 - 11:34 AM.

[bcjames]

Deciding to take the day off today has gone well! All small jobs, but they are ticked off the list.

Florence looking sad:



Headlight removed by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

But then back together with the headlight no longer wonky! The bowl was fine, I didn't think it through last time, but the glass can rotate independently. The top two rivets didn't look particularly secure, so I drilled them out and put new ones in.



No longer wonky by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

There's green and chrome under all that dirt! The plan was to give her a clean now the temperatures have risen a bit, but a client has asked me to work this afternoon so that will have to wait!

Next job, aside the big engine work that is still in the planning stage, is to paint my colour coordinated arches!

[bcjames]

Okay, so having asked around, genuine door cappings are certainly NLA. Karen at Somerford took the time to write a really good reply regarding how well the new ones match, I was impressed Sadly, they aren't a match for 15 year old wood from a different tree!

That doesn't do much for the urge to play around with my interior! So, options! Minispares/somerford door cappings and hope they eventually fade to match, new dashboard, or maybe a coloured top dash rail. Hmm...



Interior by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

That's how it presently stands. Black leather and MPi bits are definitely staying. Ignore the dust and cheap mats! The Cooper mats are underneath but I am protecting them during the winter.

Edited by bcjames, 16 February 2012 - 04:50 PM.

[miniman retford]

Cover the cappings with vinyl like mine then a top dash rail to match !

[bcjames]

Not a bad idea Nige! Then I could pick up some cheap, damaged cappings. Colour coded to the steering wheel and gear stick maybe! Sort of original Rover

[miniman retford]

Yep mine were second hand & were discoloured, did mine with some thin padding ( nice to rest your elbow on ) then the vinyl to match the blue carpet & console.
yours would look good in the cream like the steering wheel & g/lever gaiter.

Edited by miniman retford, 16 February 2012 - 05:09 PM.

[miniman retford]

Or pink

[Shifty]

Brown!!

[Juju]

Centre Consuela?

[bcjames]

I like brown interiors! Just not in my car!

[bcjames]

Centre Consuela?

Will my feet still fit on the clutch? I did draw one out on cardboard once as a mock up to see if I could live with it there!

I'll go look at your Matilda now Ju and want one

[Juju]

If The Matt can drive my Matilda to N'ring (with Centre Consuela in place) with his enormous plates, I'm sure you'll be fine!

[bcjames]

Hmm maybe a centre console could work then!

I've maybe tracked down a set of door cappings via my European mini friends Just waiting to find out the price

And she's still leaking loads of oil, and the engine rebuild stuff is going round and round in my head and I don't know what to do!

[thebullet]

to be honest mate, I think leave the engine while it is running ok! the box has been rebuild guessworks wouldn't have left something that wouldn't have lasted. I have gotten used to the rattle and stopped listening to it now.