297 replies to this topic

[Ben Rose]

Yours is similar to my MPI Ben, with the difference being that someone had done a lot of the front end repairs previously (albeit to a poor standard). Everything from the front bulkhead backwards on mine is remarkably solid, but I can only assume that water ingress from the screen did most of the damage at the front. It had had a dodgy scuttle replacement and new front end, but I think it was Stevie Wonder who did the panel fitting. It's all had to come off again, including inner wings etc.

Back when I had a brand new MPI in 1998, I remember parking mine up wet in my parents garage (I know, I know, I was young and stupid) and was horrifed just a month later with the surface rust I found in the engine bay. You can see what dry ventilated storage does for a mini by looking at the MPI that Ben at Mill Road Garage is currently working on. Just goes to show, even these late cars can survive!!

Seems like we're doing a similar thing then! Do you have a project thread?

[bdean]

Laminate is coming away from the dash, repairable?

 

I bought an MDF replacement dash from Optimise Automotive but not sure if I like it any more. I found this place (https://www.gdkvenee...r-and-relacquer) but seems expensive. 

[Ben Rose]

Laminate is coming away from the dash, repairable?

I bought an MDF replacement dash from Optimise Automotive but not sure if I like it any more. I found this place (https://www.gdkvenee...r-and-relacquer) but seems expensive.

Ahh good work! I'll give them a call. I like the glove box catch on the original dash, not a fan of the pull handle on new versions.

[rich_959]

 

Yours is similar to my MPI Ben, with the difference being that someone had done a lot of the front end repairs previously (albeit to a poor standard). Everything from the front bulkhead backwards on mine is remarkably solid, but I can only assume that water ingress from the screen did most of the damage at the front. It had had a dodgy scuttle replacement and new front end, but I think it was Stevie Wonder who did the panel fitting. It's all had to come off again, including inner wings etc.

Back when I had a brand new MPI in 1998, I remember parking mine up wet in my parents garage (I know, I know, I was young and stupid) and was horrifed just a month later with the surface rust I found in the engine bay. You can see what dry ventilated storage does for a mini by looking at the MPI that Ben at Mill Road Garage is currently working on. Just goes to show, even these late cars can survive!!

Seems like we're doing a similar thing then! Do you have a project thread?

 

 

Yeah, it's on my footer below but the progress of my build is very slow due to it being a 'back-burner' job at a local bodyshop. Not an awful lot happened since the initial strip down.

[Ben Rose]

Yours is similar to my MPI Ben, with the difference being that someone had done a lot of the front end repairs previously (albeit to a poor standard). Everything from the front bulkhead backwards on mine is remarkably solid, but I can only assume that water ingress from the screen did most of the damage at the front. It had had a dodgy scuttle replacement and new front end, but I think it was Stevie Wonder who did the panel fitting. It's all had to come off again, including inner wings etc.

Back when I had a brand new MPI in 1998, I remember parking mine up wet in my parents garage (I know, I know, I was young and stupid) and was horrifed just a month later with the surface rust I found in the engine bay. You can see what dry ventilated storage does for a mini by looking at the MPI that Ben at Mill Road Garage is currently working on. Just goes to show, even these late cars can survive!!

Seems like we're doing a similar thing then! Do you have a project thread?

Yeah, it's on my footer below but the progress of my build is very slow due to it being a 'back-burner' job at a local bodyshop. Not an awful lot happened since the initial strip down.

Mobile site isn't showing footer. Will check it when on pc.

[rich_959]

 

 

 

Yours is similar to my MPI Ben, with the difference being that someone had done a lot of the front end repairs previously (albeit to a poor standard). Everything from the front bulkhead backwards on mine is remarkably solid, but I can only assume that water ingress from the screen did most of the damage at the front. It had had a dodgy scuttle replacement and new front end, but I think it was Stevie Wonder who did the panel fitting. It's all had to come off again, including inner wings etc.

Back when I had a brand new MPI in 1998, I remember parking mine up wet in my parents garage (I know, I know, I was young and stupid) and was horrifed just a month later with the surface rust I found in the engine bay. You can see what dry ventilated storage does for a mini by looking at the MPI that Ben at Mill Road Garage is currently working on. Just goes to show, even these late cars can survive!!

Seems like we're doing a similar thing then! Do you have a project thread?

Yeah, it's on my footer below but the progress of my build is very slow due to it being a 'back-burner' job at a local bodyshop. Not an awful lot happened since the initial strip down.

Mobile site isn't showing footer. Will check it when on pc.

 

 

Linky:

 

http://www.theminifo...oject-backdate/

[Ben Rose]

So a bit slow this last week with my progress as it was my wifes birthday.  Managed to get a few more bits done.
 
Carpet is out which I am going to see if I can refurbish as I am conscious I wont ever get as good a carpet again.  May end up replacing with new though.
 
Garage has had a good clean and tidy and all the removed parts are safely stored in my loft for now, including interior.
 
On to the pictures...

Relays removed from internal bulk head...



Relays and bracket removed from engine bay. The relays seemed to be stuck on to the bracket which confused me for a while until I realised they did indeed just pull off. There is no clips or anything involved.



Carpet and dash out. Starting to remove heater and switches...



Heater air pipes removed..



Two screws which need to be removed to start to release heater and switches...





Nut, bolt and earth wire need removing too which are central and above switches...



Nut and bolt which need undoing to release heater mechanism. This is central and right at the back near the floor...



Hot water pipes removed. Took a bit of persuading. Glad I put the tray under the pipe as there was more water than I thought.



Heater finally out...



Hot water valve which seems to be used to vary air temp coming out of heater. Simple but effective.







Switches being removed. Two nuts on either side had to be removed. Loads of pictures of these as I could label everything up.

















The dash pad pretty much fell off the car and left the panel still attached to it. Before I store the dash pad I removed the old panel. Still amazed this came off together.







Date on underside of panel says 16th November 1999. Must be close to one of the last mini's.



Brake servo off next. I'm obviously a complete noobie as I could not figure out how to remove the vacuum hose until I read this page in the Workshop Manual.





Removing the bolt which connects the Brake Pedal to the fulcrum on the Servo. Split pin removed then bolt pushed out.



I'll hopefully get more done this weekend.

[Ben Rose]

A tad more progress from last week. I have finally been able to remove a large chunk of the wiring loom, the brake servo is out and the front glass.

To remove the brake servo there were three bolts..
First one is right in the centre of this photo...


Second one...


Third one just behind the sound deadening...


And the brake servo is off...


I'm hoping I can clean this up...


Created more space ready for the wiring and intake to go..


Some more photos of the injectors and intake for reference later...






Sound deadening removed from inside the car behind the dash...


And my first two bits of wiring loom removed! Definitely in need of TLC.




Windscreen glass out! And most of the scuttle too! When I removed the locking strip loads of water poured out.

[bdean]

And my first two bits of wiring loom removed! Definitely in need of TLC.


 

 

I sent my MPi looms off to David Wilson @ WiredByWilson. He tested them all, repaired some damage and replaced any corroded connectors and then re-wrapped them. He also fitted an LED interior bulb in to the loom along with his headlight upgrade kit. 

 

I also went for one of his new interior switch plates which was customised further by having some USB charging ports added. 

[Ben Rose]

And my first two bits of wiring loom removed! Definitely in need of TLC.

 
I sent my MPi looms off to David Wilson @ WiredByWilson. He tested them all, repaired some damage and replaced any corroded connectors and then re-wrapped them. He also fitted an LED interior bulb in to the loom along with his headlight upgrade kit. 
 
I also went for one of his new interior switch plates which was customised further by having some USB charging ports added.

I like the sound of that!

[cooperd70]

Nice documentation Ben ? Don't forget to throw that window rubber away (the cause of all of your scuttle panel woes) and order the thinner original one. Requires nothing else and will work with your windscreen. Should also not require any sealant when refitting, tho some do like to add it to be on the safe side. Personally I prefer the windscreen without as excess poking out from the surround looks ugly IMO

[Ben Rose]

Nice documentation Ben ? Don't forget to throw that window rubber away (the cause of all of your scuttle panel woes) and order the thinner original one. Requires nothing else and will work with your windscreen. Should also not require any sealant when refitting, tho some do like to add it to be on the safe side. Personally I prefer the windscreen without as excess poking out from the surround looks ugly IMO

Thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely do this. I really appreciate your input and help.

[Steve220]

Great progress, Ben! I see you've blocked off the throttle body, i'd do the same with the breather for the transfer case, you don't want anything falling in there either!

[Ben Rose]

Great progress, Ben! I see you've blocked off the throttle body, i'd do the same with the breather for the transfer case, you don't want anything falling in there either!

Cheers Steve.    Getting there slowly.  Definitely a good idea.  I'll get it taped up tonight.  Your drive through wales on your way to IMM looked awesome!

[Steve220]

 

Great progress, Ben! I see you've blocked off the throttle body, i'd do the same with the breather for the transfer case, you don't want anything falling in there either!

Cheers Steve.    Getting there slowly.  Definitely a good idea.  I'll get it taped up tonight.  Your drive through wales on your way to IMM looked awesome!

 

 

Thanks mate, it was! First time i've been able to drive the car properly since building it, could have spent the 4 days just doing that instead of getting muddy and drunk