54 replies to this topic

[gaspen]

After some fighting with the selector for mis-alignment I finally assembled the gearbox. New QL5000 driveshaft coupling installed to keep original as possible. 

 

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Also I prepared the pistons and rings which had ZERO gap in the rebored cylinders. I filed them to specification.

 

Not so important on a 850 engine, but suprisingly the weight of the pistons were very close to each other - all is less than 1 gramm range

 

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I also ask the machine shop to insert valve seats for the exhausts. At home I noticed some difference at the valves : they are not uniform in length

 

 

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[gaspen]

As the spring comes I go for the bodywork. First I made two A-panels 

 

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Somebody in the past  sprayed cavity wax into the sills. Then an "expert" put on some oversills made from gutter : it was so thin that I could tear it with my hand.

 

 

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[sonscar]

Once upon a time minis were plentiful and cheap.Repairers were thinner on the ground who could weld.Few were interested in expensive repairs and sought the minimum cost to remain mobile.
Thankfully these cheap repairs enabled a reasonably healthy supply of repairable cars to survive so now with unlimited DIY tools we can rebuild them.Steve..

[gaspen]

Today I started to save the LH wing. I have a metal stretcher/shrinker tool so bending those curved flanges pretty easy but need some time and patience

 

There is a quarter piece on the wing around the headlamp which was spot welded in the factory. I will butt weld it after repair so I can prevent it from moisture.

 

Next time coming the flange that connects to the inner wing and the corner at the scuttle. This one looks pretty tricky 

 

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[stuart bowes]

nice bit of fabrication there 

[sonscar]

Excellent work,Steve..

[gaspen]

Advice please !

 

I started to build a rotisserie. The rear bracket is  pretty obvious, but not sure about the front. I plan to remove the front crossmember ( not sure, but there is rust inside ) so I don't want to fit it there. Also not really like to drill the bulkhead, but there is two holes there for the cable harness. 

 

Is that are strong enough to hold the body ?

 

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[gaspen]

Finally I put her on the rotisserie : let the good times roll !

 

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[bpirie1000]

Remember the face mask.. leads to interesting hanky fills when you blow your nose....

Seen the central pipe mount to the inner dashboard shelf which I think may be is what your after.

Or have a look on here..

https://www.theminif...th-spit-design/

[gaspen]

Remember the face mask.. leads to interesting hanky fills when you blow your nose....

Seen the central pipe mount to the inner dashboard shelf which I think may be is what your after.

Or have a look on here..

https://www.theminif...th-spit-design/

 

Mask, gloves and glass are mandatory

 

Yes I found that pictures also but finally decided that I won't remove the front beam as it is not is so bad.

 

Now I am going to brace the body and next I will fabricate a template for the main fixinf points underneath.

[gaspen]

Bracing done, continue with demolition 

 

I've made a removable "template"  for the toe-board, I can acces that area for repair and put it back for alignment.

 

Until now I knew that the wing is not welded to the corner of the scuttle panel but it was spot-welded on both sides.

 

Riddle question : how could they access to that area with the spot-welder ?   I mean before the rust 

 

 

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[Homersimpson]

I assume they used a single sided spot welder to do that joint.

[gaspen]

I assume they used a single sided spot welder to do that joint.

 

Okay, but for a good spotweld you will need some clamping force also...

 

Anyway I started clean up the inner wing to see how bad it is. It looks I can repair this area pretty easily but I have to make some template for the repair panel.

 

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[gaspen]

Yesterday I've made a scuttle closing panel using the old one for template. While it does not look bad but not perfect. At least I know what should I do better  

 

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About the spot welding : in this video you can see that the scuttle and the wings are welded together before final fitment

 

 

 

 

[gaspen]

Every day a little progress and some ferrous oxide 

 

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That's why I like heritage panels : they just fit

 

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Test fit the DIY repair panel - could be better...

 

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