297 replies to this topic

[blueovalcraig]

Lol yeah I was like that too. The things we do to save these cars lol ?

[cooperd70]

Ben,

The rot on the scuttle looks to be caused by the windscreen rubber that was fitted by the factory from '93 onwards (fatter flatter style). Think you might find more (lets hope not) when you strip the car. When it rots it can lead to the rotting of the dashboard panel as well. The later style windscreen rubber was flawed as they didn't use sealant when fitting the screen and due to its design it actually allowed water ingress. Once the rot has been repaired I'd fit the older style rubber and sealant won't be required due to the way it fits the windscreen and the windscreen panel (correctly unlike the newer style rubber).

Good luck and looking forward to more pics as you progress.

[rich_959]

Solid advice - I have the older seals ready for my MPI project for the exact same reason. Seems the ingress at that point (and possibly lower quality steel than older cars?) has meant the premature death of many late cars.

[Eds.mini.lulu]

Good luck in your project.

[Ben Rose]

Ben,

The rot on the scuttle looks to be caused by the windscreen rubber that was fitted by the factory from '93 onwards (fatter flatter style). Think you might find more (lets hope not) when you strip the car. When it rots it can lead to the rotting of the dashboard panel as well. The later style windscreen rubber was flawed as they didn't use sealant when fitting the screen and due to its design it actually allowed water ingress. Once the rot has been repaired I'd fit the older style rubber and sealant won't be required due to the way it fits the windscreen and the windscreen panel (correctly unlike the newer style rubber).

Good luck and looking forward to more pics as you progress.

 

 

Solid advice - I have the older seals ready for my MPI project for the exact same reason. Seems the ingress at that point (and possibly lower quality steel than older cars?) has meant the premature death of many late cars.

 

Brilliant advice guys, thank you!  I have noticed that many of the late MPI's all seem to have this issue and what you have said about the windscreen rubbers makes perfect sense.  I will certainly do this when I have replaced the rot.

 

As soon as I have stripped down the front end I will post some more pictures of what I find.  I fear it may be pretty bad.

 

Thanks for the advice again.  

[Ben Rose]

Good luck in your project.

Thanks Eds.mini.lulu

[Steve220]

Be prepared to buy more panels than you first intended.  Mine was in a slightly better condition than yours from the outside, after much cutting, i was left with this. However still replaced both rear quarters and the boot surround!

 

[Ben Rose]

Be prepared to buy more panels than you first intended.  Mine was in a slightly better condition than yours from the outside, after much cutting, i was left with this. However still replaced both rear quarters and the boot surround!

 

 

Hi Steve,

 

I've read most of your project thread now and it filled me with fear, dread and excitement.         Your build is incredible.

 

I fear with my MPI you are right though.  My intentions are to buy heritage panels for all that need replacing and attempt most of it myself.  My aim is to just get it back on the road and start enjoying her again.  She's been all covered up for 5 years.

 

I would really appreciate any advice you can give as I progress and I'll be posting photo's as I go.

 

Many Thanks

 

Ben

[Steve220]

Hi Steve,
 
I've read most of your project thread now and it filled me with fear, dread and excitement.         Your build is incredible.
 
I fear with my MPI you are right though.  My intentions are to buy heritage panels for all that need replacing and attempt most of it myself.  My aim is to just get it back on the road and start enjoying her again.  She's been all covered up for 5 years.
 
I would really appreciate any advice you can give as I progress and I'll be posting photo's as I go.
 
Many Thanks
 
Ben

Thank you, you're too kind! As all the project on here, they're a labour of love. My best advice is if you're replacing the floor, get the entire thing from m-machine, everything else go heritage!

Also, get hold of a few cans Bilthamber Electrox and use it plentifully between seams and areas that are prone to rusting on the MPi!

[Ben Rose]

Thanks for the tips. Appreciate your help.

[blacktulip]

Wow, some good thinking there. I think it's not that bad at first sight but I reckon there might be a few horrors left to uncover. The beauty is you have a good clean working area. That will definitely pay off. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress.

[Ben Rose]

So I managed to grab an hour over the weekend to commence stripping the car down.  I will post images as I go.  I intend on spending a couple of hours on it in the evening this week although I'm well aware this will be a long slog if I cant find more time to spend on it.  Young family and work commitments take a lot of my time.
 
First two small mistakes made!    

 
How did I forget to loosen the wheel nuts before jacking the car up?! Doh.
How on earth am I going to get the doors off?  I think I'll have to drop it back on to the floor, wheel it out of the garage and take them off outside.  I will strip off as much as I can and take the engine out to make manoeuvring more easy.
 
Storage of parts will also be tricky with my lack of space so I think I'll have to stick them in my loft which is thankfully clear.

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Edited by Ben Rose, 18 June 2019 - 10:16 AM.

[cooperd70]

Trying to get things in the correct order is a big part of it...I've done it and you just want to kick yourself for not thinking it through properly. It's the wasting of time (when it's so precious) that p*sses you off the most.

Great progress pics though Ben. I'll keep my ? for you that it doesn't get too scary once you're in deep.

Edited by cooperd70, 18 June 2019 - 11:10 AM.

[rich_959]

Yeah, it's worth doing the low hanging fruit like outer trim, interior etc before you get the car in the air. 

[Ben Rose]

I'll get all the exterior trim off and interior out. Then work on engine, glass, suspension etc. Just wish I had thought about the wheels. Thanks for the input it's appreciated.

I'm determined to get to the point where I can see how bad things may or may not be as quickly as possible.