1006 replies to this topic

[Minidarren83]

I can feel it in my bones an update is coming. Come on grahama pull ya finger out lol

[grahama]

Hi all,

thanks Badboy, appreciate your comments and am in total respect for blagging the time off work to read it all !! As it happens I was due an update tonight, small, but progress is progress !!

Darren, something in the tea leaves tonight I think !!



Clutch time !! The old one was looking a little worn, probably some life left in it but decided to change it anyway.



I put the pressure plate, clutch plate and flywheel together and found that there was a massive gap between them all. I tightened the screws down and the gap went but the finger springs on the prtessure plate went from this...



to this, a good way down towards the fly wheel.



No idea if this is correct but the tech section said it was ok so all good. I think as the clutch plate wears, the fingers move up self adjusting the clutch.







So new gasket on, backplate of the bell housing on. The pistons 1 and 4 were at TDC to make sure the C washer was facing down and wouldn't fall out, got away with this on the strip down as I didn't have a clue about it possibly coming out and siezing everything up.



Next panic was the pressure plate not going in properly and there being a 1/2mm gap from it all being flush. I lightly lapped in the pressure plate and crank tail, read it somewhere that it extends life, but it wouldn't go any further in. Tech section to the rescue again, all good !!

Put the keyed washer in and torqued it all up to 115 lb/ft, so clutch and flywheel assembly done and the new ring gear is even the right way round with the 'lead in' facing away from the engine.





Decided to put some other bits on, fuel pump, starter motor, coil, oil filter bits etc and ended up with this...









Getting ready to test fire, omg very scary, few bits to do on the dizzy first though and water pump.

I found some lock tabs in a box of bits and discovered they were from the diff, so I looked at it and found it wasn't even torqued up !! That could have been disasterous on rurst running so checked oved all the other bolts. Nearly there on the engine but far too wet to uncover the shell for any further work there !!

Small progress after weeks of inactivity !!

Graham

Edited by grahama, 20 December 2012 - 09:55 PM.

[minifcd]

Some good progress there Graham, i've not even started the strip down of my engine yet!

[grahama]

Scott,

I think I have enjoyed the engine more than the bodywork, all new to me but loved the engine part. Whether it will fire up succesfully is another matter lol !!

Waiting for more excellence from your good self by the way !!

Graham

Edited by grahama, 20 December 2012 - 09:50 PM.

[mini danny]

That's looking good been watching this for some time, but don't comment much. its coming along nicely i remember when this project first started, she's coming along nicely keep it up


Danny

[hughJ]

Graham that engine just looks superb. It's the cleanness of your work and the care!!! Also you research thoroughly each step of the way. I love the colours!! You know I've followed your work for sometime now and I do enjoy when you update!!! Keep letting us know. But I know exactly how it is us both having come through the bodywork together. You do lose momentum! Have a blessed festive season, Graham - you and your family.

Hugh

[grahama]

Hugh,

indeed we have been on and still are on our 'mini journey' but you have steamed ahead of late in balmy Scotland ! As long as I can test the engine out before Winter's end I willl be chuffed.

All the very best to you and yours too Hugh, and everyone else who has been kind enought o comment and encourage me so far.

Graham

[sonikk4]

Well on the way there then Graham, at least yours will have some motive force for the new year.

[Minidarren83]

Looking good grahama not sure I fancy being you though building it indoors your a brave man lol. Hopefully you will get a break in the rain so you can crack on
Darren

[grahama]

Darren,

Jan is a star to be honest, not 'happy' but much more comfortable now the messy bits are done. I think secretly she likes having a talking point in the living room/conservatory and will miss it dearly next year. Everyone comments on it, I just need a glass top on like the Top Gear table and I could move it firmly into the main living room !!

It has been, like so many parts of the UK, awful here. Dry spells allow me to make sure all is dry and as protected as can be for next year but I would like to get some more of the sound deadening done if I can, we'll see.

Graham

[JustSteve]

Hey Graham. You probably dont even remember my project thread. I started just before you did and at one point was kind of doing the same jobs as you at the same time. I however have given up..

I can't do it outside. I've got myself a garage sorted etc and I'm going to re-tackle areas that I wasnt happy with the first time... BUT it looks like you are doing a fantastic job!

What's the lad's feelings towards the mini these days ?



Anyway, it looks like you're doing a smashing job. You want to read the first few pages of your thread and then skip to the last few. it's like looking at somebody elses work Do you have a next project on the cards?

[hoody99]

Just read this throughout took me a few nights tho but loving your work mate I have only recently started my project but not got a thread on here. I also know the joys of working outside but in Scotland I think it's a tad colder and wetter lol. Keep cracking tho bud looking great and only getting better.

[minimad91]

I love this build the original car is same cokour and model hope i can get a result like this!!

[grahama]

Steve, I do indeed remember your project and wondered where you had gone. I enjoyed out threads moving along together. Glad to hear you will be pulling your finger out soon, will keep an eye out !! Matthew's thoughts are "when is it going to be finished" lol, but he will be getting his hands dirty when the big put back together begins.

Hoody, minimad, many thanks, hope the thread helps you out in the future and any questions please ask.


Graham

[JustSteve]

I never actually stopped Graham. I have done Most of the work but never posted any of it. I've also been working on a 63' too.

Still not driven a car on the road yet, so I've just bought a 106 to get to work