655 replies to this topic

[bcjames]

I don't know, it sort of looks like the stuff Phoenix list as Sportspack. I was hoping to find a cheap source.

It looks like this, body to left, arch to right. It's in focus in real life :



Arch trim by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

Mmm orangey



Arch paint by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

[bcjames]

Saturdays are a good day for Mini bits as the postman comes before I go to work, meaning no missed parcels and I get to have the parts for when I finish at 1pm

Dale sorted me a window channel so my drivers window will go up and down once fitted. Might be able to use toll booths and drive throughs again

And the rivnut tool to refit my arches has arrived. £11 off ebay and it's a cheap but known brand, so I'm hoping it does the job well as I think it will be a handy tool to have. It's guaranteed forever according to the packet, so my light use shouldn't kill it!



Rivnut tool by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

[bcjames]

I hope I don't have to play with the door glass again for a while, replacing the regulator channel was awkward! Ever since I bought the car, the drivers window has wound down wonky, getting stuck half way. I took it apart expecting to find a rusted out channel in the bottom of the door, but theres nothing there, it was just completely missing. The new one arrived, so I could get on this afternoon between the rain showers.

Work provided me with a suitable wedge for the glass.



Fixing the window by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

Getting the glass out was a pain. Once it was out, it all went back together much more smoothly. The new channel in place:



Window channel by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

Weatherproofing:



Weather proofed by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

And finished:



Door back together! by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

The window sits a tiny bit higher at the back than the front now, but I hit the channel on as far as it would go. I've tested it and it's all sealed okay, so I'm happy. My winder doesn't point to absolute south now with the window up, but neither does the passenger one anyway. And yay, my window works now!

I've also had an email back from Phoenix Trim who are going to try and find some arch trim for me

[charie t]

well done james, i love how you have kept this car working in standard form, without the bodges normally seen.
Keep it up

[bcjames]

Thanks man, that means a lot. I like my Minis standard, and MPis came with a nice spec from the factory, but it maybe doesn't make for a very interesting project thread

I was hoping to get the colour coat on the arches flatted today and the clear on but I've not had time, so much for an afternoon off! I have a half day wednesday, so hopefully I'll get it done then. Phoenix Trim don't have any oem type arch trim, so they are sending me some samples so I can try them and see what will give the same overall finish.

[charie t]

It is interesting though, because you're fixing the little things people ignore in favour of a 4" exhaust, or granite soft suspension.
It would be interesting to see how the arches look, i'm not sure if i should do mine

[bcjames]

I'm still undecided on the arches. When the black ones are clean and have a glossy deep black they look really good, but unless I keep on top of them, that doesn't last long. I'm obviously happy with the standard look they give But then I like the late (later) Cooper body coloured arches, and the RSP had them too and that looks good.

It's only cost me about £30 to buy and paint the arches, I'm installing them with rivnuts so they are easier to fit and remove, so it won't take much to revery back to standard if I don't like them once fitted.

The misfire is really annoying me now. It's slight, but sometimes, without giving it anymore throttle, it's like a turbo suddenly kicks in when it sorts itself out rather than running half-power when pulling away. I want my new engine in!

[nev_payne]

Weldone on the door chap, that is possibly the worst thing to work on through those small gaps, next to bleeding the clutch slave on an MPI. All the time is taking up by swearing at the b*tard inner door panel >.<

What is that black compound inside the doors by the way? Black waxoyl or underseal of some kind?

Also while I think about it, how much sound proofing do your door skins have? Humour me on this one, SirDs doors still sound a little tinny.

[bcjames]

I can just about reach the clutch slave to bleed it, it's just getting the jar in there too that's awkward! The window was a pain but after playing with it for a bit it came apart okay, and more thankfully went back together okay too!

My doors sound quite 'solid', but they just seem to have some oem sound proofing in there. It looks like the perforated bitumen stuff I think I remember from in the back too when I had the rear door cards out.

The black stuff is a waxoyl type thing. I think it's been there from the start as the metal underneath seems happy and it probably goes toward how my doors have lasted so well. Maybe this stuff also goes toward sound proofing.

Florence took me on an adventure north and east today. The misfire is noticable driving along but the mems system is really coping with it well!

[bcjames]

Phoenix trim have kindly sent me some arch trim samples. I'm just waiting on some bolts to arrive and then once I've clear coated the arches they will be ready to fit.

However... the trim dilemma! I can't decide which I prefer. The left one hangs over more so ill look wider, but it's shame fits very nicely on the arch. The right one is more bulky and harder to attach, but it sits more like the original trim on the top edge of the arch.

How can such a small thing leave me starting at photos of my arches trying to decide.



Arch trim options by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

(Excuse the state of the car!)

[miniman retford]

The smaller one looks better

[bcjames]

Right you are Nige, I think I've settled on that one too.

Desperately trying to get all the clear coats done now before I go to work!

[nev_payne]

Could always heat it up before you fit it James if that makes it any easier?

[bcjames]

It's bendy, just chunky too, I'll have to trim the bits behind the arch you can't see to make it fit in places, but nothing bad. I'll get it ordered tomorrow, although its county champs this weekend so it's going to be next week now before I get to do anything else on the car.

[bcjames]

I've been polishing the arches in anticipation of actually getting them fitted. Not sure on the colour match though. The car is really dirty, which doesn't help, but I think the car looks darker.



Wheel arch by bcjamesmini, on Flickr



Wheel arch by bcjamesmini, on Flickr