24 replies to this topic

[chris_87]

Hi every one,

I started the strip down on my van on the weekend so I thought I would post up the pics of what i've done.
I pulled the engine out which is the first mini engine I have removed
This has the magic wand box on it and I found that i was a real pain to get out through the top. As I was taking it out, the back of the box got stuck on the bottom of the subframe so we lifted it on an angle to clear the subframe but then put a scratch up the back of the bulkhead. It doesnt matter at this stage as its got to be painted. Think it will damage the paint as it goes back in. Has anyone else had these problems with these magic wand engines??
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[chris_87]

I had my dad pulling out the rear on the van while i was taking out the engine.
All it needs is the OSR quarter and small part of the floor the rear lower valances and the NSF wing straighted.
thats panel work any way.
here are some pics







Will get some better shots of the rear and post them up soon.

[daveeeeee]

Cool, I like vans and pickups I suppose you can get away with smooth roof if you've got less windows ^^

[Tupers]

Very cool van, smooth roofs FTW.

It's a real shame about that rear quarter what happened to it?

[jayare]

Looks like a pretty solid van - shame about the back end - I assume it was in an accident. On the engine removal/refitting front, you need one of these engine lifting brackets - it has 2 positions - straight for the rod-change box and tilted for the magic wand/remote ones.

JR

[chris_87]

The previous owner said that the van was hit by a bigger van in about 67 and the impact shoved it forward into a post hence the NSF wing. His dad bought it off of the company he worked for to put it back on the road but he never did and it just sat in there garage ever since.

I didnt know about those hoists, do they work good because i dont want to chance hittting the bulkhead on the way in.

[MGBailey007]

good luck with the rebuild

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

looks great! Keep up updated :)

[bcjames]

Great looking van! Normally you see commercial projects start with the rust outnumbering the metal, but this looks really good.

[SAL 821X]

Any news on this looks great.

[mk3 Cooper S]

Nice looking project.

Do you know the exact colour?
Is it Morris or Austin?

Is there a good minivan register or club we could all join?

[chris_87]

So its been about two years since i posted on here and ive done some bits to the van but no as much as i would have liked. I have spent my time getting panels and welding at the rear end. Finding the panels for the rear lights is near impossible as they no longer make these altough it is listed in some of the suppliers catalogue.
But i found some about a week ago where somone decided to cut there van up and put them on ebay!! i jumped straight on it and did a deal with the bloke and head them delivered two days later.
I can now start getting the back end completed!!

Can anyone guess where i got the mini in the last picture??!

The colour is tweed grey and the van is a morris.

Here are some pictures of the bits i have done now.

[chris_87]

So today i carried on with back end. i started byt measuring my height and width to get the post tacked in.






and then i test fitted the rear doors to make sure the gaps looked ok.
i then cut the new side panel in to the correct shape to fit into the old quarter panel. This bit took some time as i also had to make sure that all the ridges were straight and the panels were running level to eachother. i then tack welded it in place.

[SAL 821X]

Good to see you back posting Chris but crikey that's some rebuilding you got going on there!!!!!

I thought mine was bad.

Keep the updates coming

Matt

[chris_87]

Good to see you back posting Chris but crikey that's some rebuilding you got going on there!!!!!

I thought mine was bad.

Keep the updates coming

Matt

Thanks SAL, i just took a look through your build and you have certainly kept yourself busy! hopefully i will be geting to paint in the not to distant future.
well im off this week so im gona go do some more on mine. ill try and put another post up later.