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Project Wombie - 96 Sprite With A Split Identity

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#1 Richie83

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Posted 26 October 2014 - 05:36 PM

I bought my first mini in May 2014. It wasn't the first I looked at, it wasn't even what I'd imagined I'd buy (wanted a MPi Tahiti sports pack) but there was something about it that appealed to me. My plans are to have the bodywork 'done' over winter with some Mk1 styling with all mod cons. But let's start with how Wombie looked on the day of purchase.

79B6C96F-8F2D-4892-8AFC-77EEF9FAF4B7_zps

3DFFF444-4B41-451E-87EE-45369719F816_zps

That's the glamour shots out of the way. Now on to showcasing the previous owner syndrome ailments:

- dodgy sills (for a welder - see below)
95E74A2B-520A-47BD-BB92-1D748E525196_zps

- holes in the wings

5A905580-0BBA-4D8E-A903-A979DC434657_zps

- not the cleanest of engine bays with miscellaneous wiring knocking about
1BF82371-D7E8-457B-B46C-1372E2EE9431_zps

The previous owner was a 'welder' by trade. He had attempted to replace the arches (left filled holes), sills and left me with quite a mess to remedy. I bought with my heart and not my head, but hey it's a neat project to keep me busy.

My plans are/were:
- drive it for the summer and fix up a few things
- get the bodywork fixed
- create a retro come modern street sleeper car. So retro front end, wide arches, wheels and a nice modern interior. More to follow.


Edited by Richie83, 20 January 2015 - 09:44 PM.


#2 CAU998

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Posted 26 October 2014 - 06:17 PM

Sounds like it'll be an interesting project, very difficult to find an honest mini without hidden bodges. I've had 4 prior to the one i bought this year, and i still stupidly managed to get mugged off, but if you start from scratch least you know you've done it properly. Keep the updates coming  :thumbsup: !



#3 Richie83

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Posted 26 October 2014 - 06:51 PM

The first thing I did (with the help of my father in law) was replace the rocker cover gasket and fit T-Bars. I then bought an oil pressure gauge and fitted it.

After snapping off the T-Piece in the block, removing it with a stud extractor and finally finishing it I had more than one way to realise the engine was filthy. 1. It looked filthy and 2. I was filthy from working on the engine.

1BF82371-D7E8-457B-B46C-1372E2EE9431_zps
So I broke out the gunk and cleaned it up.
6227B723-9C76-4C75-8529-2E2BE4CAA89C_zps

This revealed a leaking oil feed pipe. So I changed it for a snazzy braided hose from MiniSpares.

78D8366C-02B1-4DAC-AF5B-BF73096FA805_zps

Then one weekend (and a bit) I replaced my leaking thermostat housing gaskets, hoses and added some shiney smiffy bits. Oh and I undercoated it and gave it a red topcoat.

044E045C-D157-4542-A477-27BD510EB9BC_zps
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Still a work in progress but it's so much cleaner and pleasant to work on now.

Edited by Richie83, 26 October 2014 - 06:57 PM.


#4 Richie83

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Posted 26 October 2014 - 07:01 PM

Bought and fitted a few things over the summer.

New auxiliary fuse box from Wired by Wilson:
E57237E5-321D-45F7-B127-A967EBF74375_zps
Mk3 door openers:
E793A2E0-F619-4E28-869C-69AE4D1BE017_zps
Tool board for the garage (ignore the wallpaper, it was like that when I moved in)
7277A321-B6AD-412E-9B28-3B6DD90EBCF1_zps

#5 minimikej

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Posted 27 October 2014 - 10:42 PM

Looks pretty good to me :)

You missing a temperature sender?



#6 Richie83

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Posted 27 October 2014 - 10:54 PM

Looks pretty good to me :)

You missing a temperature sender?

Getting there, is that the green sensor under the air filter?



#7 minimikej

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Posted 31 October 2014 - 09:03 PM

 

Looks pretty good to me :)

You missing a temperature sender?

Getting there, is that the green sensor under the air filter?

 

Well I would have expected a temp sender in that hole in the cylinder head next to #1 spark plug under the thermostat housing, is it blanked off?


Edited by minimikej, 31 October 2014 - 09:04 PM.


#8 Richie83

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Posted 31 October 2014 - 09:14 PM


 


Looks pretty good to me :)

You missing a temperature sender?

Getting there, is that the green sensor under the air filter?
 
Well I would have expected a temp sender in that hole in the cylinder head next to #1 spark plug under the thermostat housing, is it blanked off?
Ah yes it is. Mine is an SPi, so the temp sensor is under the manifold I do believe.

#9 Richie83

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Posted 23 November 2014 - 11:46 PM

So a big week, the resto has started:

 

strip down:

2921491B-DD20-4BF4-8F35-B3AE3B455634_zps

 

crusty bits:

 

E18DABE7-22EC-4D09-AB39-A4F4474D44C3_zps

 

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6DE916DE-B008-4846-BECB-3014949282C0_zps

 

7C364206-C992-4DFE-9385-194058FAF18F_zps



#10 Richie83

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Posted 23 November 2014 - 11:49 PM

Both doors need new skins, so the guys started work and found the frames had a few holes too:

 

B324F505-2EC2-4D80-948F-BD7F14BCD34F_zps

 

1581D042-57B6-4D95-A8F7-B9F1C84E9876_zps

 

This week will mostly include removal of more panels (rear valance and closing plate under the fuel tank) and welding. Happy with how the project is coming together, although it is costing a lot!

 

Plans haven't changed much and have a MK1 grille. Pondering orange lucas indicators, bonnet strap and need to choose a badge (Rover one is naff). Again unsure on Morris Cooper badge, Mk3 shield or no badge at all. Thoughts?



#11 psmini

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Posted 23 November 2014 - 11:51 PM

Nice! Loving retro styled SPI's. This is my 95 Mayfair.

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#12 Richie83

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Posted 25 November 2014 - 05:51 PM

A little update:

Doors are skinned

C32EEEFC-1669-4ECD-9742-D721B6ECEB15_zps

Work has begun on the sills. The previous owner, who was a welder according to him, had done a poor job to say the least. Essentially they were held on with a few spot welds and lots of filler:

A325CC50-A62E-4F92-B363-A912682E416F_zps
Lots of cutting left to do, but you get the idea:
4368D1F8-EEB0-476A-A75B-9B53A6166399_zps
The bodged sport pack arch holes have also been cleaned out.

2FFE3467-992D-4F33-B65C-51BC75FA8256_zps
Next up is the drivers side, removal of balance and closing panel. Then the rebuild can begin.

Shot for the sake of it:
77B8EC39-C88B-4297-9494-B2551DF5196C_zps

Edited by Richie83, 25 November 2014 - 06:10 PM.


#13 Richie83

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Posted 30 November 2014 - 11:11 PM

The other side is pretty much as bad:

 

B2D59C10-2632-4B24-8AF6-F03E3BCE3E4D_zps

 

EBBEBBDF-D470-4D04-A6DD-FE3CE110C055_zps

 

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But on the brighter side with some fresh welding the offside looks great:

 

3BC69F5B-FAF6-4F3F-BF7B-3F4D1B357ADB_zps

 

F1288AC0-E56F-4D57-90BA-B314913E85EE_zps



#14 Richie83

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Posted 30 November 2014 - 11:13 PM

Some new goodies arrived on Friday, thank you MiniSpares sale:

[url=http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/richardsharp4/media/Mini%20Project/646DC343-9DA3-4EB0-BFE8-A7F0AD914A0B_zpshfuqgudv.jpg.html]646DC343-9DA3-4EB0-BFE8-A7F0AD914A0B_zpsSo suspension will be updated with KYB shocks, new genuine red dot donuts, new ball joints and knuckles. New hi-los too, so should all ride nice and dandy. 


Edited by Richie83, 30 November 2014 - 11:15 PM.


#15 Richie83

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Posted 02 December 2014 - 10:40 PM

drivers inner sill work today:

11DD616A-FB71-4DC5-9287-EDBF1B47EE9E_zps

 

and another view:

 

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