124 replies to this topic

[Fred&Rex]

Just to elaborate on that, Ben has been working on mine, I have been following Bens work and knew he was the man for the job, I didn’t want it posted initially on here because I was apprehensive on how bad it was! and didn’t want to hear about the not economical to do it posts!
It was my very first car and I wanted the body doing by a professional, which is what Ben is.

Thanks

Daz

[panky]

And just like that......half a new Mini

[Viktor]

Perfect read for a cold winter afternoon. I will be following this with interest!  Excellent work as always Ben. It is so good to have your posts back here!

 

Victor.

[Ben_O]

Today, i have been assembling the new boot floor

 

I started off with the valance closing panels

 

 

 

 

 

Then clamped the valance on to scribe up where I need to clean for welding

 

 

 

Then that was put aside and the arch tub to floor brackets were fitted

 

 

 

Next up, wiring harness tabs were made up

 

 

And welded on

 

 

Then the captive nut cage for battery earth

 

 

 

Then I rescued the tank strap bracket from the old floor

I Had to cut round it as it had been plug welded in following a previous repair

 

 

But it repaired up no problem

 

 

And that was welded in

 

 

Next up, the fuel line mod and that's it done

 

 

Final jib before it can go back in is to partially weld on the valance

 

A spot weld was placed at each bumper mount

 

 

And then the closers were spot welded to the valance each end

 

 

And lastly, the ends were folded over

 

 

Now it can go into the car for the final time

 

 

 

Ready for welding

 

Cheers

Ben

[Ben_O]

I've now spot welded the bumper seams together 

 

[Fred&Rex]

Great work Ben 

Very interesting reading your tutorials and rebuild skills. 

[jamesquintin]

Why did you fold the ends of the bumper lip over..? I've not seen that done before, was it a factory thing?

[Ben_O]

Why did you fold the ends of the bumper lip over..? I've not seen that done before, was it a factory thing?

To be honest, it's only something I have recently discovered myself 

Most of the cars I've had in have either had replacement valances in the past or are corroded enough that you can't see that it was folded.

I had a car in this year that had it's original factory valance in good condition and you could see that it was folded which to me is much neater  and I believe to be factory.

Whether this was done on every Mini, I don't know but I'm going to do it from now on.

 

Cheers

Ben 

Edited by Ben_O, 16 December 2022 - 08:53 PM.

[Fred&Rex]

Has Rex got his folded 🤣

[Bobbins]

Could the folding be a way the valance was easily secured in place or aligned on the production line?

[Ben_O]

Has Rex got his folded

Certainly has 

 

Could the folding be a way the valance was easily secured in place or aligned on the production line?

Quite possibly 

I always wondered the purpose of the ends poking out as far as that and in the past have just trimmed them up and shaped them to follow the panel below

[Fred&Rex]

Rex is a worthy candidate for the folded part !

 

That’s a very good suggestion made by Bobbins, I suppose we have to remember that they weren’t exactly built to tolerances 

I have watched a few production line videos and they love their blocks of wood and hammers !!
 

[DoubleEh]

Very excited to see another Ben_O job on the go, I've taken so many tips and tricks from the previous ones so I can't wait to learn more. These first few updates have already set me on a revised path for mine! Thanks Ben!

[MatthewsDad]

Great project to keep an eye on during the winter months. Best of luck.

[sonscar]

What it really shows me is that if you are serious about rebuilding a Mini a spot welder is almost essential.The speed and neatness is a joy to behold and it probably reduces greatly the amount of bodywork later.Great tutorial,and free.Thanks,Steve..