637 replies to this topic

[colinf1]

This weekend was the Causeway Coast mini clubs annual meeting in Portrush, or so it was meant to be.

A high wind and heavy rain forecast saw it cancelled at late notice, with the announcement being made just before the Dash o' the O'rish run from Bushmills back to Portstewart with a quick spin into the North West 200 paddock at the midpoint. Weather had improved vastly for the dash itself, just a few light showers on the drive itself.

A 400km round trip, we went the back roads on the way up, and stuck to the motorway all the way home, a strong headwind felt like the engine was working overtime to keep the speed up, but she managed to stick to 60/70mph or 100/120kmph and roughly 45mpg or 6.2l/100km. Just went a shade above the N at times, but I guess it's not too bad as it was still 20c.

I had moved the car back in to the shed to fit a set of Hi-Los, then ended up doing a few more smaller jobs such as refitting the original grille, adding sound insulation to the underside of the bonnet, repainting the wing mirrors and trying to eliminate and source of rattles.

I had also got a photo book printed to show some of the restoration of the car, so was disappointed that nobody got to see that either.

Next up is my local vintage show in Knockbridge on the 14th September, then maybe the Mourne run on the 28th.





Photos courtesy of Out 'N' About https://www.facebook...=61551526675928

[Colinmac1330]

Nice to meet you at the weekend, I didn't realise you were my fellow 'Mr. Incredible' 

[colinf1]

That time of year again, unfortunately....



Not as many miles or shows as I had hoped for at the start of the year. After the disappointment of the cancelled Portrush show, my local vintage show was also cancelled due to weather.

My wife also took sick the past few weeks with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) so been on carers leave from work to look after her and the 3 kids, so time was very limited to get anywhere near the mini.

So an opportunity arose today to allow me some time to get the side of the house cleared to get the mini back down. Reluctantly I set about removing the side mirrors, fired it up and set off down the side, into the shed on dollies and pushed into the corner. I didn't have time to wash it off, but honestly it's better being in the dry shed than getting constantly rained on.

Initial plans for the winter is to remove the electronic dizzy and check the tail for wear, also check the fuel pump (plastic tipped) arm to see if it's intact as I've a tappy tappy noise under load. Then just a general tidy up of the underside and inside etc. But we'll see when I get time - if I get time....

[colinf1]

Got half an hour in the shed, decided to see if I could get the quarter windows to close tighter. Made a small nylon pad to sit behind the latch, it pulled it in tighter than it's now flush with the C pillar.



Wanted to do some driving videos but needed to get a mount for the go pro. The finest suction mount from Temu with a telescopic arm, was about €50. Also got a regular suction cup mount for either the door or window for a side view etc.

Will play about with locations over the winter, see what might work best, then hopefully they don't fall off whilst driving!

Edited by colinf1, 17 November 2025 - 06:57 PM.

[Designer]

Hi,

 

Just strap the Missus to the roof.  

 

Paddy

[Colinmac1330]

You can let us know how it goes as this is something I am after myself.

[colinf1]

One modification that was initially planned but put on the back burner, was to increase the illumination of the dash clocks. I had forgotten how fiddly it is working through the opening in the bulkhead, removing the carburettor elbow gave so vitally needed room. But removed the Speedo without dropping it or using too many swear words.

Some ultra narrow LED cob strip light, 12V and dimmable, and you can cut it at intervals of 10mm so quite handy for getting it to be a complete loop.



I didn't want to disassemble the speedo incase I messed it up, so trying it on the inside of the inner ring, passing the wire back through the light opening for the original backlights, and out through the bulb holder.





I'm planning on adding the dimmer to either the side of the binnacle or reinstalling the original 3 switch bracket and adding it there. I will splice into the original feed wire, run it through the dimmer then into the LED wiring.

[colinf1]

Got the majority of the wiring sorted for the dial lights, dimmer needs both positive and negative to run through it to work, so making a small loom to be able to remove them separately without needing to cut wires.

Photo shows the highest brightness setting compared to the lowest setting, I think even at the lowest setting it's much brighter than standard so I may be just set it to the lowest and hide the dimmer switch inside the speedo binnacle.



Still the oil pressure gauge and tachometer to finish.

[Retro_10s]

That L.E.D ring looks great, and quite a sympathetic to the original illuminated look too,.. just brighter, but still with the warmth of filament bulbs. brill!

[colinf1]

Got the oil pressure gauge led done yesterday, then managed to get everything back in and wired up today. Dimmer circuitry is mounted inside the binnacle, with just the knob on the front of the panel. Not too intrusive, could be a slightly smaller diameter. I have to undo the oil pressure pipe as I forgot the fibre washer, I'll straighten up the gauge, then just need to reconnect the temperature gauge wiring.

It gets dimmer when switching from side lights to headlamps on, and when you put indicators on, but don't think this should be any issue once the car is running. I need to tidy up some wiring for the ashtray clock as I never trimmed the wires.



Once I've wiring tidied I'm going to try and fabricate a 2 piece bulkhead closing panel, try and lessen the noise into the cabin, but the wiring loom is quite bulky and not so flexible

[colinf1]

Finally got round to finishing reconnecting all the required connections, figuring out what goes where, tidied up the power to the ashtray clock, cleaned the connectors on the voltage stabiliser, removed it to do this as I accidentally squished one of the connectors trying to slightly tighten it. Then spent ages trying to get the retaining screw back in!

I was testing out the rest of the lights and switches, hazards didn't want to come on, tried some old flasher units, none seemed to work, one fell apart as I went to pull it out and left the connectors in the socket, then gave the one I took out a tap on the table, popped it back in and it worked - I'll order a replacement for this.

[lsto]

Just a random one, I see your switches look a bit grey. If you rub a dab of vaseline on them then wipe it off with a rag somehow it restores the original colour. I did mine a couple of years ago and they still look new. Just a thought as it will compliment the rest of your interior.

Edited by lsto, 22 December 2025 - 08:44 PM.

[colinf1]

A bit of progress made during the week and over the weekend in preparation for getting it out of the shed.

Mid week I finally got time to do some graphic for testing my wife's new Cricut cutter machine - she plans on using it for cake toppers etc, but it can also cut vinyl, so naturally that meant I could draw up the "City" logo for the doors - yes, I could have bought them, but I'm a cheapskate...some research in old brochures to find the correct size and placement and ended up with this...




While I was at it I decided to make new centre caps for the wheels, 60mm caps from Temu fitted perfectly, just needed something for the badge...




Onto the car, oil drained and new oil filter, ready to fill oil. K&N filter cleaned and re-oiled, AFA ACDodd needle ready to fit and baseline.

Replaced the clutch release bearing as a precaution from a noise I was hearing last year,
I've a new fuel pump to go on also, as the one that's on now has the plastic cap on the lever rather than the folded tab.

My hoodie hood got caught on the number plate as I was coming back up from being under the car, knocked off the G, will need to stick it back on.



A few other little additions being worked on at the same time, but not ready to go onto the car just yet.

As you can see from the photos the car wasn't washed before hibernation, so I'll need to get it out and washed but has to go back in as I've a ceramic coating to apply to it after a good clay bar and machine cut and polish.

Edited by colinf1, 25 January 2026 - 06:30 PM.

[colinf1]

Picked up a pair of door pockets for free off one of the Facebook groups, tried wrapping them with red leather textured vinyl, but couldn't get it to wrap without creasing, so spray painted them instead. Not an exact colour match but having some extra storage space is better than none.




I had new bushes to go on the lower radiator mount, so drained off the coolant, and was surprised at how clean it was. At this point I said I'd continue digging to inspect the timing chain tensioner as I'd a new one to go in.
Was glad I did because the tensioner pad had broken in half...



And this is a surprisingly good little ratchet, great for hard to reach places like the bulkhead side of the radiator shroud, Lidl's finest!

[colinf1]

Got the new timing chain tensioner installed today, then back on with the cover and new oil seal & gasket. Oil thrower in too, almost forgot it.

Waiting for a new pulley locking washer, then I can build up that side again.