13 replies to this topic

[mahesket]

Hi all, after a few weeks i have finally got round to sticking a project thread up. I will try and include as many pics as possible as we all love pics dont we.

 

After selling my MX5 fo0r a not too shabby amount my search began for another car to play with (a bit of light restoration perhaps). This took me all of about 3 hours and after spotting this rather poorley described and photographed ad on ebay I contacted the seller to ask if I could go and have a shuffty at the mini.

 

I had refrained from taking any cash with me so not to get caught up in moment but had already told myself that if it was half decent i would probably be buying it. So what was I greated with? One stripped out and flip fronted mini:

 

 

 

 

 

So what did I get for my money? well, a 1989 mini city e with an apparent 6,700 miles from new (hmmmm still not sure, but ok) a full metal flip front and a 1275cc engine to replace the standard 998cc,sportspack arches (ok but will probably sell on) LCB and centre exit RC40, blasted and coated subframes with all new bushes and suspension/ hubs etc and all rust removed and new panels welded in (more on that later)

 

I was happy with my new purchase and couldn't wait to get it home. So a call to a mate with a trailer and we set off to bring the mini and most of the bits back with us. i forgot to take any pics at this point as i was too excited and busy loading the car up. but just imagine a 90's transit van pulling a double axle covered trailer and you'll be right enough.

 

So with the above adventure over we got the mini into its new home for the forseeable future, my dad has kindly let me use his garage, Although i live 15 miles away but fortunately its only 1 mile from work for quite easy to get a couple of evenings a week on it, normally Mondays and Tuesdays.

 

In it's new home:

 

 

 

and the supposed genuine milage?????

 

 

 

Second part on its way.

 

 

 

 

[the_samkingdon15]

I was shocked with my mileage (67000 too) but I found it aint that rare..
my uncle bought a clubman with 18,000 on!
it looks a solid project.. (kinda jealous about no rust :0 )
I'll be following closely

[mahesket]

So with not knowing where to start I thought i would try and organise all the parts i had and box them up into groups so i kinda know what I have and what i need, have quite a lot so hopefully won't need to much, fingers crossed.

 

I then decided to make a start with a top end rebuild of the 1275cc engine as it was of unknown age/condition. With a bit of help off the forum i have found out the engine is from an Allegro which should mean a final drive about 4:1 which should make for some rather brisk (in mini terms) acceleration I hope.

 

I managed to get the head off with ease and then set about removing the valves. This ended up taking me about 3 weeks due to time able to spend on the car, injuring my back and breaking 3 valve spring compressor tools. Finally this week getting a tools which wored flawlessy and simply. I have managed to remove all the valves and get them cleaned up and lapped in.

 

In this engine pic you can just seen the strange speedo drive engine mount which apparently helps identify the Allegro origins

 

 

Head

 

 

Valve condition, original vs cleaned, hmmm i gues this engine hasn't had a rebuild before?

 

 

After cleaning, degreasing and valve lapping I decided to give the head its first coat of new colour, will need a few more

 

 

Part three later today.

 

Matt

[mahesket]

I was shocked with my mileage (67000 too) but I found it aint that rare..
my uncle bought a clubman with 18,000 on!
it looks a solid project.. (kinda jealous about no rust :0 )
I'll be following closely

 

 

Yeah I guess there not cars for doing big miles in everyday.

 

There is rust there trust me i have already found two pieces, altough pretty small but I guess thats the case with all rust free shells :)

 

Hopefully i will be making some good progress over the coming weeks

[the_samkingdon15]

I was shocked with my mileage (67000 too) but I found it aint that rare..
my uncle bought a clubman with 18,000 on!
it looks a solid project.. (kinda jealous about no rust :0 )
I'll be following closely

 
 
Yeah I guess there not cars for doing big miles in everyday.
 
There is rust there trust me i have already found two pieces, altough pretty small but I guess thats the case with all rust free shells :)
 
Hopefully i will be making some good progress over the coming weeks

I will be doing plenty in mine.. it's a shame to be honest.. but hey, I want to enjoy her
good luck ;)

[mahesket]

I will be doing plenty in mine.. it's a shame to be honest.. but hey, I want to enjoy her
good luck ;)

 

 

Cheers mate.

 

Right on to part three. Last night I thought i would take a closer look at the front end and see whats what. The first thing I noticed after have a look around the n/s front wheel was that the brace bar was in the way of the damper and would prevent it from being removed which isn't too clever. So I decided to remove the brace bar and take a coser look.

 

This meant that the whole flip front had to come off and with very little space it ended up here:

 

 

Closer inspection of the brace bars

 

n/s first

 

 

 

 

In the last two pics you can see the flip front hinges made from MINI bonnet hinges I think, supported on extensions from the brace bars, these ha been well made and extra webbing been added between the main brace and flip front hinge support. One of the bars has been made out of box section which has slightly rounded though, is this a problem?

 

 

I decided to remove the bars and was left with this

 

 

I also found this common rust area which i will need to replace, the other side has been done (although i will be inspecting quaility more closely) so go figure?

 

 

And a picture of the rounded brace bar for good measure if it can be seen

 

 

 

I am now in a it of pickle as what to do. Do i keep my full metal front end and keep working at it? i know it will take a lot of work to get it to line up and get the dints out for paint, but i have it and its made from all new panels which probably runs close to £150

 

Option 2: Go for a fibre glass one piece front? I know they can be a pain to fit right, but would be lighter and mount in an easier way the the full steel front costs £110 on arc angels at the minute with a deal on.

 

Option 3: Go back to standard fix metal front? pricey option and alot of welding work required.

 

What would people do in this instance?

 

Thanks for your thoughts

 

Matt

[Zeemax Adventure]

Personally I'd go back to the standard fixed metal front.  The way the mini was designed.  Not a big fan of the flip fronts.

[mahesket]

Personally I'd go back to the standard fixed metal front.  The way the mini was designed.  Not a big fan of the flip fronts.

 

I'm quite tempted to do this, I'm not sure how much work will be involved with welding etc though and if I will to salvage any of the flip front I have to use as panels

Edited by mahesket, 19 September 2013 - 07:00 AM.

[Zeemax Adventure]

Its straightforward welding as its a case of buying new panels, lining them up (genuine panels recommended) and either spot welding or mig plug welding the majority of them.  Its not as though repair pieces need fabricating etc.  :)  

[MiniRob95]

mine had rusted in exact same place, behind the damper mount, only on drivers side tho, perhaps a common fault with city E's? good luck and look forward to seeing how it goes :)

[Daz1968]

Can you not fit new front flitch panels just the front half, then salvage the panels you have to build the front back up, only problem I can see is separating the bonnet but it depends how its welded on, the wings and front panel can be left attached together and fit them in one. I defo wouldn't buy new panels without trying first.

[mahesket]

Can you not fit new front flitch panels just the front half, then salvage the panels you have to build the front back up, only problem I can see is separating the bonnet but it depends how its welded on, the wings and front panel can be left attached together and fit them in one. I defo wouldn't buy new panels without trying first.

I think I will take a closer look at this but I think the bonnet will likely turn out scrap, not too sure about the channel that the bonnet sits in on the edge of the wings, as I have a feeling these have been seam welded and won't be easy to separate.

[mahesket]

mine had rusted in exact same place, behind the damper mount, only on drivers side tho, perhaps a common fault with city E's? good luck and look forward to seeing how it goes :)

I think this is a common area on every mini ever made lol

[mahesket]

Finally picked up the RC40, speedo drive engine mount and drivers seat this evening. Need to get the engine built back up and in hopefully this week!!!

Edited by mahesket, 20 September 2013 - 11:11 PM.