113 replies to this topic

[Many Minis Make 1]

Ok what goodies did you bring back home, security didn't take anything off you did they, I did put in a good word if any one was taking half a classic mini through as hand luggage, it was ok....lol

[Nelson92]

hi

my cousins in the north and her mini has the same style plate as the green one, (90% sure)
she knows a garage that does work on them to if you need a contact for advice or work.
i spotted a few nice ones in nicosia when i was out there in march.

[Barman]

Ok what goodies did you bring back home, security didn't take anything off you did they, I did put in a good word if any one was taking half a classic mini through as hand luggage, it was ok....lol

No, I took your excellent advice and packed everything in a bag that I checked!

I didn't go mad... I got some drifts, a brake bleeding kit, a 1½" socket (ball joints), a 9/16" socket (mine was missing from my old Halfords set), copper grease, Swarfega, a flywheel puller, circlip tools and screw extractors...

Today I had a load of stuff delivered from Mini Sport and tomorrow I'm collecting a package from Somerford Mini... All of a sudden I have more things to do than I can cope with!

Collected my wheels today....



And bought some casters to make a trolley for the engine which currently sits in the middle of the garage directly under the chain lift!




Some old worktops (rescued when Woolworth turned into Hermes) and some 6 x 3 did the job - I made it big enough to support the body when I take the subframes off too...

On Thursday I collect the seats... My friend found a guy in Larnaca that will strip the old ones, paint the frames, add new webbing and foam and re-cover for €200!

[Many Minis Make 1]

200 euro's (haven't got a euro's symbol on my keyboard...lol) that's bloody good price, and I thought it was exspensive over there, it must be for eating & drink out.

Any news on the snail mini yet?

You'll have this GT back on the road in no time, have you had the welding done yet?

I bet the P&P is quite pricey, don't forget you get discount from Minispares as well ( wish I was on commission...lol)

[Barman]

200 euro's (haven't got a euro's symbol on my keyboard...lol) that's bloody good price, and I thought it was exspensive over there, it must be for eating & drink out.

Any news on the snail mini yet?

You'll have this GT back on the road in no time, have you had the welding done yet?

I bet the P&P is quite pricey, don't forget you get discount from Minispares as well ( wish I was on commission...lol)

Use Alt Gr + 4 for the €uro symbol...

No, haven't sorted the body yet... will start ion the subframes tomorrow and go from there...

Shipping costs so far are absolutely crippling... I need a smarter approach to ordering stuff than 'oooh that looks nice'.... I'm back over mid July and will be bringing mahoosive suitcases with me...

Still no news on the Snail Mini....

Got loadsastuff today including the proper lifting brackets for the engine, so up she came...



Down onto my new trolley...


And out into the sun for dismantling and degreasing...


Chain winch all neatly stowed away so Mrs. Barman won't even notice...


And she begins to come apart...

[Many Minis Make 1]

€..... I can do it now....lol
Thats a very dirty engine, I think Mrs Barman won't be very happy with that all over your driveway.
yeah I think you'll have to make a list then come over, I know sending stuff out, sometimes its cheaper to fly over yourself.
I always book an extra bag just for supplies, and a load in my hand luggage, then come back home with 2 empty cases...lol
The other thing to do, anyone that's coming out to you, get them to bring stuff, I know with easyjet its only £18 for around 20Kg so works out quite cheap P&P...lol

[Barman]

Well, I'm not sure my methods were entirely orthodox but the front subframe is now out...












I managed to overlook the battery cable (hidden in the grime!) so I cut it at the last moment rather than climb under the subframe and disconnect it!

Subframe looks to be in pretty good condition!

[mattdc2r]

If you need a decent HONEST mechanic, Antonis and Stavros in Limassol are brilliant. Google them and you'll find their address. I used them for 3 years, sometimes it was ctually cheaper for them to do the job than it was for me to find parts. They laughed at me when I told them I like mini's as well, but they are the only mechanics I trusted with my car. I only had an Integra, but they've worked on all sorts of cars, including the Exotica that the Russians in Limassol drive.

[Barman]

If you need a decent HONEST mechanic, Antonis and Stavros in Limassol are brilliant. Google them and you'll find their address. I used them for 3 years, sometimes it was ctually cheaper for them to do the job than it was for me to find parts. They laughed at me when I told them I like mini's as well, but they are the only mechanics I trusted with my car. I only had an Integra, but they've worked on all sorts of cars, including the Exotica that the Russians in Limassol drive.

Thanks!

[Barman]

A quick update...

Got the car lifted up on stands yesterday and sprayed the bolts holding the rear subframe so that it will hopefully come out easily this afternoon...



And got my seats back from the upholsterer... very pleased with them...

[Barman]

I decided to remove the rear subframe today...

Squirted all the nuts and bolts liberally with WD40 yesterday and hoped for the best...

Removed all of the bolts apart from the two front fixings on the drivers side and then took the dog for a walk... Rather stupidly, when I returned I thought "it is going so well I may as well just remove the last two bolts..."

The first one sheared straight off as soon as I tried to turn it...

The second came halfway out then the fixing in the sill snapped off leaving the bolt half-in and half-out with no chance of removing it or the subframe or getting a grinder or a hacksaw on it... So I had to drill out the head of the bolt then chop the top off with a chisel... Two hours later the subframe is out...





The offending bolts...

[Barman]

A quick update...

After walking into the front subframe (twice) and breaking my toe in the process I've been on light duties...

I discovered the rear subframe was rusted through and decided that it needed to be replace - it should arrive tomorrow along with all the parts I need to completely finish it (a large, expensive order).

In the meanwhile I've been working away, cleaning, de-rusting, painting, etc. Problem is I haven't got a great deal finished... keep finding parts I need although it should all start to come together soon... Hopefully before long it will become more of a construction kit...

Check out the size difference between the old and the new cone!

Anyhoo... here are some pictures to keep you interested...













And today I finished my carb...

[Many Minis Make 1]

Lookin good Mark, yeah don't kick subframes.....
I see its on target to be ready by October, when I come over.
Still no info of the snail mini?
What's the paintwork like on the GT, is it getting a re-spray?
God I hate to think what P&P is for you parts.

[Barman]

Lookin good Mark, yeah don't kick subframes.....
I see its on target to be ready by October, when I come over.
Still no info of the snail mini?
What's the paintwork like on the GT, is it getting a re-spray?
God I hate to think what P&P is for you parts.

Not sure about October!

I found a phone number for the Snail Mini owner but have had no success with it yet...

I hope to go and see somebody about the re-spray this week... I'm back to the UK on the 20th and it would be nice to have it sorted by then...

P&P is a killer... However, I've found that some companies in the UK use a web calculator to work out the costs which are astronomical if you need quite a few parts... I've been buying from Somerford who get a quote from the shipping company and have been quite reasonable... new rear subframe for instance £95 shipping with FedEx (although they don't deliver to my village and I have to collect from Limassol)...

[Barman]

Oh Lordy - I hadn't realised how long it had been since I did an update....

Over a year on and I still have a pile of bits... however, I am making progress...

I've basically ended up taking everything to pieces... every last nut, bolt screw and washer...

I took the engine to bits and found so much wrong I've replaced the crank, cam, head (big valve ported), valves, rockers, dizzy, oil pump, flywheel, pressure plate, clutch, etc.

I had a problem with the gearbox housing and ended up taking that to bits and completely re-building it...

I wasn't happy with the wheels and had them stripped and powder coated - I've also acquired a full set of Revolutions and am not sure which to fit...

And then finally the body - well, it was rustier than I imagined and I replaced the whole floor, cross member, front valence, rear valence, toe board, heel board, battery box, boot repairs, A-panels, etc. Stripped it back to bare metal and re-painted the whole thing, added underseal and waxoiled all the crevices...

I've also re-built, re-painted, re-furbished every single other bit of the car...

So, at long, long last I have a body shell and a complete pile of bits... All I need to do now is bolt it all together - what could possibly go wrong?

I know, I know... I'll get some pictures up on here in a day or so....