73 replies to this topic

[buddylove]

01/13/12

From last night...

Nevermind the fuel leak still isn't fixed. It's the fitting on the fuel pump... It doesn't have a standard fitting that has the lip, its more like a hard line that has been cut and braised onto a fitting. Not sure if I can find a fitting that till fit into the fuel pump properly, so I can rectify this, or if I just need to get a new fuel pump.


From this morning...

New plan of attack... I am going to attach a in line fuel filter to the current soft line. Then I will see if I can step down the fuel line size off of the other side of the fuel filter to connect to the fuel pump.

[buddylove]

01/14/12

Fought with the fuel system for another hour again today. I might just give up and get a proper Mini mechanical fuel pump... We have no idea where the fuel pump on it came from. I have been wanting to fix some rust on the roof, so Lis and I tackled it tonight. We sanded down the roof and removed as much of the flaking as we could. It isn't the best paint job, but for $8 in paint and some sanding its not bad. We got a little reaction in the paint, but it will hold over till we strip it all off down the road and repaint it. I also found tons of dents in the roof, another body item to tackle down the road.
Sanded:

Wrapped:

Lis doing some painting:

Left to dry. The flag is still partially visible, but its still a night and day difference.

[buddylove]

01/15/12

I went to Mclendons earlier to see if they could help me out with another fitting for the fuel pump. I had gone to Autozone the other day and they found a fitting, but it had a 5/16" inlet. I didn't like having to run such a big fuel hose, and for some reason the fitting just wasn't fitting right. The guy at Mclendons found a fitting for me with a 1/4" inlet and recommended a sealant for the threads that could tolerate fuel. I plumbed a fuel filter in the middle off of the short soft line from the hardline in the rear and ran 2' of fuel line after the fuel filter to wrap it down into the fuel pump. After the line filled back up with fuel it fired right up and I didn't see any leaks. I let it sit for a bit and still didn't see any leaks. Time will tell if it will leak anymore or not, but I am hoping that this fix will last me a good while till I eventually get a actual Mini pump. The fuel filter is plastic and I have it a good ways away from the down pipe, but I am still a little worried that it will melt.
The offending connection:

How the fuel system is plumbed now:

[buddylove]

01/17/2012

I put in a decent sized order with Mini Spares yesterday.

2
37H6778
LENS GASKET REAR LAMP MK2
£ 1.62 (7.5% discount included)
1
14A7625
BOOTLID NUMBER PLATE BUFFER
£ 1.57 (7.5% discount included)
2
CZH1719MS
WINDSCREEN RUBBER ALL MINI TO 1991 WITH LAMINATED SCREEN
£ 8.27 (7.5% discount included)
8
21A1278
WHEEL STUD (55mm) REAR HUB - COOPER S AND ALL 1984 ON REAR
£ 0.67 (7.5% discount included)
1
GUG704053MG
MANIFOLD GASKET FOR FUEL INJECTED CARS
£ 3.38 (7.5% discount included)
GMC1008
CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER PLASTIC BODY [ LM13106 ]
£ 35.61 (7.5% discount included)
1
13H396
CLUTCH PUSH ROD
£ 4.29 (7.5% discount included)
1
37H2690
SEAL REAR LAMP TO BODY MK2/3 R/H
£ 6.01 (7.5% discount included)
1
CA90
FLOAT NEEDLE VALVE MINISPARES OWN SUPERFLOW TYPE
£ 7.63 (7.5% discount included)
4
CMZ422
BRAKE DRUM REAR SCREW COOPER S/GT 1984 ON
£ 0.31 (7.5% discount included)
1
C-AHT770
MANIFOLD INLET TORQUEMASTER HS4/6 HIF38/44
£ 28.68 (7.5% discount included)
1

AN1208-11-2
HS4/HIF44 MANIFOLD LESS 5-8 UNF PLUG
£ 0.00 (7.5% discount included)
1
5-8UNF
PLUG 5/8UNF X 5/8 SCREW INLET MANIFOLD & CYL HEAD BY PASS
£ 0.00 (7.5% discount included)
1
21A425
SUSPENSION KNUCKLE JOINT GAITER PLUS SOME TRACK ROD ENDS
£ 0.77 (7.5% discount included)
1
37H4837
LENS REAR LEFT HAND MK2 WITHOUT REVERSE
£ 11.56 (7.5% discount included)
2
24A1466MS
WINDSCREEN FILLET SILVER STRIP (Front or rear)
£ 2.91 (7.5% discount included)
1
CZH209
BONNET PROP METAL CLIP
£ 1.76 (7.5% discount included)
3
AEC2083
GASKET 1.5" CARB TO MANIFOLD
£ 0.52 (7.5% discount included)
1
1E5537
ACCELERATOR RETURN SPRING 21A839 except twin point
£ 2.09 (7.5% discount included)
1
CLZ518
CLEVIS PIN FOR CLUTCH ARM AT THE TOP
£ 1.04 (7.5% discount included)
1
GSV1095
STEERING COLUMN UPPER BUSH,ALL MODELS,PRE AIRBAG
£ 3.08 (7.5% discount included)
1
CZH798
BULKHEAD SOUNDPROOFING FIRE WALL MK3 ON
£ 13.88 (7.5% discount included)
1
18G9027MS
CV JOINT GAITER KIT UNIVERSAL FOR ANY MINI
£ 1.80 (7.5% discount included)
1
17H6298
STEERING RACK GAITER 4.5"LONG
£ 2.12 (7.5% discount included)
2
2A4267MS
FRONT BUMP STOP UNDER TOP ARM ( REBOUND BUFFER )
£ 2.59 (7.5% discount included)
2
21A1882MS
LOWER ARM BUSH UPGRADE BLACK POLY TYPE
£ 1.20 (7.5% discount included)
1
NAM7914
ACCELERATOR CABLE MINI (not for HIF44/6)
£ 2.27 (7.5% discount included)
1
1G5999
CLUTCH RETURN SPRING ON SLAVE CYLINDER
£ 1.39 (7.5% discount included)
2
JPC2017
WINDSCREEN FILLET CHROME FINISHER JOINING CLIP
£ 1.71 (7.5% discount included)
4
17H7618
BRAKE ADJUSTER TAPPET see 17H7620 for full cheaper kit)
£ 2.94 (7.5% discount included)
1

56-9320
K&N HS4/H4/HIF38 CONE FILTER
£ 38.10 (7.5% discount included)
1
37H4838
LENS REAR RIGHT HAND MK2 WITH NO REVERSE LIGHT,
£ 11.56 (7.5% discount included)
1
37H2689
SEAL REAR LAMP TO BODY MK2/3 L/H
£ 6.01 (7.5% discount included)
1
GSV1127
STEERING COLUMN LOWER FELT BUSH TO 1985
£ 2.64 (7.5% discount included)
2
GWC1101
WHEEL CYLINDER EARLY REAR GEN / LW11075
£ 11.01 (7.5% discount included)
1
24A859
BONNET PROP METAL FIXING CLIP
£ 1.39 (7.5% discount included)

[buddylove]

01/23/12

Two steps forward... One step back.

This weekend I set out to fix a couple of electrical issues. The first one being the dim right side headlight. I traced it to a ground wire that had been cut and set it back up to ground to the body.

The gauges inside were only lighting up from the speedometer side. I wanted both that side and the fuel gauge / temp gauge side to light up. On initial inspection the right side would light up if I pulled on the harness to the right slightly. I tried pressing in the harness to make it more secure, with no effect. Eventually the left gauge stopped lighting up (speedometer), so I pulled the whole gauge setup out of the car. I replaced a burnt out bulb and took sand paper to all of the contact that seemed like it needed it. I didn't change anything other then that, upon putting it back in the car both sides still did not light up, and now the alternator charge light was no longer lighting up. I checked if the battery wasn't getting charge, and it was not. I am thinking that whatever is in the gauge causing an issue is now not completing that circuit.

I started checking power to the harness last night, but need to find a better ground spot in the cabin.

[buddylove]

01/29/12

Over the last couple of days, I have done some small things. I put new taillight lens on, along with new seals. I also claybarred the front end and did a quick job of putting some wax on the front to see if it would shine up.
Yesterday, I drove it out to the White Elephant SAMOA Mini Event. It ran the best so far on the way up and on the way back, but I definitely need to get rid of those gaps in the door and the hole in the tunnel. There was a ton of cold air circulating throughout the cabin. Lis also got her first ride in it, and enjoyed it... Other then the quick pace I was going at on the freeway sometimes. I knew the Mini was low, but didn't realize how low it was till yesterday. The exhaust is only a few inches off of the ground and even though I was being careful it hit the pavement a few times. The seat is going to limit my driving of it, till I fix the diaphram or replace the seat, as it makes driving the Mini rather uncomfortable.
Today, I tried to clean up the aluminum / chrome on the car with some aluminum/mag polish. It brightened it up a bit, but definitely highlighted how scratched up / banged up the bumpers are. I also took the rear license plate light apart and cleaned it up, one of the bulbs is burned out. I am going to have to take it apart and again check for power, as it currently isn't lighting up.
Shined up bright work and front end paint.


Current shot of the roof, it appears more white in the photo, but the lighting is bad. It is a lot more beige.

[buddylove]

01/30/12

Nothing too exciting for tonight. When I think of 1974, I think of a mk3 Mini. I keep forgetting that this Mini has a lot of mk1 elements in it. I bought a mk3 bulkhead pad, but I would have been better off with a mk1 bulkhead pad. I cut the pad to work with the wiper motor, but I should probably do some modifying on the opposite side as well. I also gorilla taped up the lhd side for the brake and clutch master cylinders.

I also did some testing on the license plate light. It is getting power, I am just not sure why the light bulb is not lighting up.

[buddylove]

Finally made a bit more progress on the Mini. I got the Japanese style extender column steering bracket for my old Mini last year and didn't end up using it. It extends the column down a max of 3 inches. I tried installing it yesterday and it ended up being too narrow to go around the column clamp. After talking to a good friend, he came up with a easy way to widen it out a bit, which worked like a charm.
Old steering column clamp setup:

Japanese style steering column extender bracket:

I also put in the passenger seat today. With how low the seats sit right now, the steering column drop is perfect. Eventually I am going to get new seat brackets and raise them up. The seats came from Chuck's magic shelves (thanks again, Chuck!).

Last week, Chris (CLM) from Oregon was coming up to pick up some parts and brought along some wheels I wanted to purchase from him. They are E-T Crosswire Wheels 10x4.5. A future refurbishment will be in order. Thanks to Chris (Rabbit16v) for dismounting the tires for me today.

Edited by buddylove, 11 February 2012 - 07:59 AM.

[CLM]

Looking good, Hope everything looked good with the old dunlop sp tires removed. Those seats still look low, almost like sitting on the floor, granted stylish floor sitting :)

Chris

[buddylove]

Ya, they looked good after the tires were removed. I still need to give them a good wash. As for the seats, they do sit quite low, but I am going to pick up universal seat subframes for them on one of my next big orders from Minispares.

[Driezzie]

very nice project !

[buddylove]

Catching this thread up with one I keep on another forum, as work will be starting again soon on it.

[buddylove]

2/23/2012

 

I promised myself that after I drove the Mini last, I wouldn't drive it again till I had replaced the suspension.  I know its taboo to say this, but it really is too low.  I was super careful on my last drive and I still smacked the exhaust 3 or 4 times.  It just doesn't create a enjoyable driving experience, and I am more into performance with this car then looking good.

 

Placed an order earlier today to replace a lot of the suspension components on the Mini.

 

Minispares Order:

 

GSD415

 

SPEEDO CABLE 48" 'CLUBMAN DASH' 76-90

 

 

SZU10001

 

PEDAL RUBBER LATEST TYPE

 

JPC2017

 

WINDSCREEN FILLET CHROME FINISHER JOINING CLIP

 

 

CGA2835MS

 

DOOR SURROUND SEAL MK3 WITH WIND UP WINDOWS TO 1996

 

 

MSSK3006

 

SUSPENSION PACK OF HILOS AND LOWERED SPAX MINISPARES DAMPERS

 

 

GPR104

 

PEDAL RUBBER CLUTCH and BRAKE +POST 76 ACCELERATOR PEDAL

 

 

MSSK3008

 

CAMBER TRACKING KIT OF 21A1091 AND C-AJJ3360 WITH BUSHES

 

 

Mini Sport Order:

 

FAM3968C              Competition Uprated Rubber             

                       Suspension Cone

 

 

Minispares was out of the rubber cones that I wanted so unfortunately I had to order it from Mini Sport.  I had to eat an additional shipping charge for that one.  On the upside, ordering it from them saves me a ton of money as the US Mini sites want about 4 times as much for a lot of these parts.

 

I am not sure if we have talked about this before, but an explanation of the suspension components is probably in order.   The Rubber Suspension Cone is in effect the spring for the suspension.  It sits up inside the subframe and then the HiLo sits below it.  The HiLo can be compared to a sleaved coilover or even just a coilover.  It lets you raise and lower the car, in comparison to just the standard trumpet that is in there.  For the time period it was a very progressive design when all you saw back then was leaf spring setups.

[buddylove]

2/26/2012

 

 

I tried removing the tint a couple weeks ago by using a box knife and a heat gun.  It didn't work that well.  So, I gave up and cut down my license plate to fit onto the license plate holder.  Today, I went and bought a fabric steamer and it worked pretty well at removing the tint.  It still was a pain in the butt.

 

Before:

 

 

After:

 

 

 

FYI the cramped quarters of the Mini make it difficult to vacuum...  Well that and my garage is small.

 

I washed the new to me wheels yesterday and test fitted one of them today.  I am pretty sure the wheels are drum fitment as there is a slight bit of poke.

 

 

 

 

[buddylove]

3/02/2012

 

 

Received packages from UPS and DHL today:

 

 

 

Works style light bar

 

 

 

Road/Race Competion Rubber Cones

 

 

 

Mk3 Door Seals

 

 

 

Speedo cable with slip on fitting

 

 

 

Adjustable lower arms

 

 

 

Heavy Duty Tie Rods

 

 

 

Front and Rear Lowered Spax Shocks

 

 

 

 

Genuine HiLo's, bars for the rears not pictured

 

 

I also have bushings for the tie rods and lower arms that aren't pictured, as well as new clutch and brake pedal covers.

 

I installed the mk3 door seals, and they went on so much easier then the mk1 door seals that I tried first.  It also is creating a better seal around the door, though the passenger door is slightly bent out at the top causing it to not seal fully.  I am looking forward to driving the car with the new pedal covers on, as I won't be slipping off the pedals anymore.  The suspension won't be going on this weekend, but hopefully next weekend.  I am also still on the hunt for lights for the light bar, I have lost a couple of auctions by a $1 so far.