519 replies to this topic

[Vinay-RS]

What a 

 

Glad it was sorted pretty easily though.

Haha it really wasn't a good way to start the holiday season...

 

Though it does mean I get a chance to get things done better.

[Vinay-RS]

So I didn't take any photos after getting him back from the bodyshop as I am still not happy with the finish. 

 

Still there are a lot of other problems and I decided to ask some friends if they can help me tackle them. 

First thing, I've tried regreasing the throttle cable and it helped but because it was bent inside the sheath, it was still super sticky. So one of the guys told me to go to the bike shop and get a bike brake cable and sheath. We fitted it and it made a MASSIVE difference! The car feels so much more responsive and is definitely nicer to drive. 

 

Following this, we went to a friend who has alignment tools to set the toe. Now Caesar has had some rather dodgy wheel alignment for a while and the wheel alignment places that I checked with weren't able to do alignment on a mini. 

 

So it turns out there was a lot of toe in (+2 deg), so we set that to the correct values that afternoon.

 

Now at the same time there seems to be positive camber at the front. We tried to investigate where this was coming from and couldn't figure it out. Nothing was bent and the shell and subframe look straight. If anyone has any ideas on the source of the positive cambre I'd appreciate it. We were thinking it might be because the hilos are too high, which was causing the positive camber. Could this be the problem? 

 

Anyway here is a pic taken by my friend who set the alignment:

 

As you can see the bonnet isn't looking too good and the grille isn't great either. Excuse the dirt, haven't had a chance to clean it up and detail the car in a while. 

Edited by Vinay-RS, 14 July 2017 - 02:49 PM.

[GT Jimmy]

Still a nice looking mini mate, hope mine looks as good when up and running

[Vinay-RS]

Still a nice looking mini mate, hope mine looks as good when up and running

Thanks man. Yours will look awesome when it is done. Unique colour and it is a GT. Plus a full resto is the best way to get everything perfect.

[GT Jimmy]

 

Still a nice looking mini mate, hope mine looks as good when up and running

Thanks man. Yours will look awesome when it is done. Unique colour and it is a GT. Plus a full resto is the best way to get everything perfect.

 

Thanks, the only flaw in the plan is I'm doing the work ha ha. My nephew will be doing the paint though so that will be good

[Vinay-RS]

 

 

Still a nice looking mini mate, hope mine looks as good when up and running

Thanks man. Yours will look awesome when it is done. Unique colour and it is a GT. Plus a full resto is the best way to get everything perfect.

 

Thanks, the only flaw in the plan is I'm doing the work ha ha. My nephew will be doing the paint though so that will be good

 

But that is the best part when you chat to people you can proudly say I built my mini. 

[Vinay-RS]

Haven't really done any work on the car recently, but I did get to attend a car show. Here are a couple of pictures of Caesar, as well as a few of the other minis at the show.

 

 

 

 

DSC03666

 

I love this mini, some very nice engineering work done on it. 

DSC03665

Edited by Vinay-RS, 14 July 2017 - 02:53 PM.

[Vinay-RS]

So, it has been quite a while since I updated this thread. I haven't done too much... mostly because I've been looking for some parts that I would love to fit to Caesar. 

 

Anyway, I was able to get a period correct AA badge. It wasn't in amazing shape, but pretty decent considering I got it for free. 

 

 

Then about a month ago I noticed that one of the Dunlop stickers on the wheels had fallen off. I asked a friend who makes high quality stickers if he could make me one and fortunately he was able to make some domed stickers for me. 

 

 

 

 

I also removed the black trim because it wasn't attached properly. I finally got around to cleaning up the metal with some alcohol and then washing the paint, drying it and reattaching the trim with some contact adhesive. Plus got some double sided tape and reattached the back number plate that was falling off :\

 

 

I have never had parking lights, because I have an aftermarket switch for the lights that only has two settings (on and off) no middle setting. So I figured someone had tampered with the lighting circuit and there was no connection for the parking lights. After fiddling around I found the connection and modded the connections so that it worked. Still need to get the correct connector though... and a bulb (since it is clearly blown)

 

 

 

On a related matter, what bulb does it take and would I be able to find one at a local spares shop? 

Edited by Vinay-RS, 14 July 2017 - 02:55 PM.

[Vinay-RS]

So the road to a 1275 E GTS is getting paved slowly  

 

Just got me GTS clocks (which need a clean up) (Yay!) 

 

And much more important... a set of Cooper S disc brakes from Doug (Double Yay!!)

 

Pictures to follow soon. 

[Vinay-RS]

GTS Clocks: 

 

Needs to be cleaned up before fitting. The bracket is really rusty.

 

The housing is a little tatty. Wonder if I can fix it: 

 

Big box of awesomeness from Doug :)

 

With a brand new CV joint included too: 

 

Edited by Vinay-RS, 14 July 2017 - 02:59 PM.

[Jared Mk3]

Open the box then!

[Vinay-RS]

Open the box then!

 

And the brakes Since you asked so nicely.

 

 

 

Curious about something. How do I know if they are Mk I/II Cooper S or GT/GTS 7.5" brakes? 

Edited by Vinay-RS, 14 July 2017 - 03:00 PM.

[Jared Mk3]

I remember seeing those on the shelf the other day when I was there. Are you replacing the seals and pistons?

[Vinay-RS]

Apparently everything is in working condition when it was taken off the car. I definitely want to inspect everything and check that it is good. Seems less ideal to throw away working components if they aren't worn out. Plus at the very least it should get cleaned before fitting. 

[Vinay-RS]

Jared, if you don't mind my asking, how much does a rebuild kit set you back?