379 replies to this topic

[CanadianMiniFan]

Well, have started disassembling the brakes, will hopefully get everything cleaned and painted tomorrow. Oh, and a triumph TR4A was in the shop, getting a new SS exhaust system...and the muffler that was on it was a modified mini one...i got it free!!!! so that means now i have an LCB Manifold, Y piece and muffler and tip...just need a bit o' pipe in the middle.

[CanadianMiniFan]

Well for a (so far) total of 750, this is what i've got.






One of the CV boots was torn, so i went the whole hog and regreased and rebooted both sides...worth it while their out.
So after i reassemble (might involve new bearings) I'll pull down a used front subframe, get it cleaned and then i'll paint it, and assemble the lot, including the motor, so we can pull it up into the car, once it's back from bodywork, and i've sprayed the bay. I'm pretty much set on Birch grey, the only classic grey i've seen that hasn't looked bluey in some photos, and a black roof. black group 2's, and i'll spray the centres of the mambas black as well. Body colour Morris mini minor grille, no overriders on bumpers, no grille surround (i guess it'll be like a van front...) and mk1 tailights and boot. Have to get the steering wheel recovered, and find some seats or do mine, and theres all sorts of other things like mirrors lights etc. to think about. that's it for now!

[CanadianMiniFan]

Well, on the seats front, I might be buying a used interior, front seats, back seats, maybe doorcards, i'm not sure. Just heard about this guy who was thinking of getting a new interior, so it's not for sure at all. Black with grey corbeau recliners i believe, so should be pretty decent. But, it really all depends what he's going to do!

[T.Harper]

Looks good. Brakes are looking a lot better now. You're right, while the hubs are off the car its worth replacing any servicable bits. This goes for balljoints too. There is a handy youtube link that walks you through this if you haven't done it before.

[CanadianMiniFan]

I'm lucky enough to work for a mini master. We've looked at the ball joints and their alright, but we'll make a decision when we reassemble, same goes for the bearings...probably will be replaced, unless their perfect.

[CanadianMiniFan]

So yesterday I rebuilt the whole hub assy., with new wheel bearings. all greased and sealed, the ball joints were fine. So Just a little more putting together, and i will soon have rebuild brakes!

[CanadianMiniFan]

Today I finished up the Cooper S brakes, all assembled and painted and attached to the driveshafts, including the ball joints. Just need to paint the castelled nuts, and attach the calipers. Look great, don't have pics as the parents are off in europe with my camera and my phone!!!

[Retro_10s]

Can't wait to offer up my Cooper S setup to my hubs looking good dude

[CanadianMiniFan]

I'd like to point out the fact that I don't have any pictures of the finished products , so I'm not looking good lol. But in reality i'm quite pleased with the way they turned out, and will more likely than not appreciate their stopping capabilities when i er...test drive it!!! on private roads of course.

[CanadianMiniFan]

So I've made a decision (for now) about the grille and badging of the car. I'm going to put in a removable van/pickup grille insert, there's a pickup out here with one and it's ace, as the mini minor one i have is still quite bent up, and i prefer the pickup look anyway. So, now i've also decided to properly badge it as an austin, that's what it is, rather than a morris which i was going to do when i had the mini minor grille. Very indecisive, but i think that is the way to go. I'll hold on to the mk1 morris badges i have, for spares or for sale, i'll have to see, and I can't imagine changing a rocker cover sticker would be very hard! Oh, and I don't know if I'll but arches on it now, as apparently it is technically illegal, but a few minis have the wheels poking out, and nothing is said...but I'll have to see how it looks...I just would like to keep the classic lines of the car...the wheels are 6x10, so the poke out might just look rediculous. Anyone have some good pics of this sort of setup?

Well, that's the plan for now
Warren

Edited by CanadianMiniFan, 10 May 2008 - 07:59 PM.

[WillMini]

looks sweet, i wish i had some disks! buut whatever, stoppings overrated. i posted some pics of a car with 6x10s archless on your post about that. I think it would look fine if it stuck out an inch or so, any more would look too crazy. but mambas dont have much of an offset, so you might be okay, cleaning the side of your car would suck though.

[CanadianMiniFan]

yeah, I'll probably deal with that anyways. Thanks for the comments.

[CanadianMiniFan]

Well, haven't I neglected this thread...

There has been some progress not alot. I've got all the suspension bits painted, and I'm going to start assembling the front subframe on monday. I've bought a couple Negative camber bottom arms, for some looks and cornering upgrade, along with the Cooper S brakes. I also got my hands on a Kirkey Aluminum racign seat and a chunky steering wheel for....50 dollars thats around 25 quid. Ken's going to teach me to use a lathe, maybe even weld, so i dont' have to pay him to make me seat brackets, and an adaptor for the steering wheel. So, the cars looking to be more and more racey now, and witht he Kirkey seat, i'm going to buy a harness, just for the driver. I'll probably get a drilled alloy handle set as well, maybe even aluminum door cards, we'll have to see. I've also decided on a Tweed grey body, maybe a black roof, with full length bonnet straps, pickup style grilled, no arches and mudflaps. I also managed to get a free front bumper, with overriders and corner bars, as a customer getting spotlamps had it, and couldn't use it. Free things are fun things. I also bought a 4 panel "wink" mirror, for 20 bucks, which will make side mirrors redundant, so i won't be needing those! I've also had a crazy idea for the aluminum seat...either by vinyl wrapping or painting, I've thought of getting it covered in a psychedelic pattern. I think it'd look so far out, it would be amazing. Cost might be an issue though, and i'm not putting out major dollers for a vanity item that isn't necessary. But i do think it would be awesome. The car is still getting bodywork done, so far i've bought a front panel, two a panels and two sills...not bad yet.

anyways, that's whats been happening
Warren

[miniallsort]

nice project mate

[CanadianMiniFan]

Well, here's some pics :

Subframe










Steering Wheel




Poly Bush (tie rod)