48 replies to this topic

[GraemeC]

You need to replace those two little bolts under the cam sprocket with countersunk ones:
http://minispares.co....aspx?pid=34324

Did your engine have a tensioner on the timing chain? If so you may also need to give it a little bit of therapy to the cover with a hammer! I would also advise buying a new pad for the tensioner and refitting, even though it doesn't seem to fit the wider chain properly. Some people say don't bother but for a road car it doesn't do any harm. If you choose not to refit it, at least put the bolts back in as they are used to locate and secure the backplate.

[timmy]

I rekon the pinstripe youve done looks quality mate.. real retro stylee!

[zomerzet]

Cheers for the comments! I thought I may have to resort to countersinking them. I've got a standard tentioner from the simplex chain. According to minisports website it'd be ok on the standard tentioner. If the chain is tight I will still try and fit the tentioner whatever as I'm sure its benificial to keep the timing as steady as poss. When you say the timing cover requires some 'kinetic engineering' with a hammer. What is it that catches?

Timmy, d'ya recon it's fine like that or should I outline the slots in the slotmags?

[Udo]

RE the duplex set up - its covered in one of the latest mini mags I think, with pictures of where to "adjust" with hammer

It also covers the info on the tensioner

cheers

[zomerzet]

That's great, cheers UDO. I've also done some research and fully identified my cam. It's a Newman Cams Phase 2 fast road one. About equivalent to 276 but with more low down power. http://www.newman-cams.com/

[Cactus]

Whaddaya reckon? I am now wondering whether to highlight the inside edge of the slots with another thin line of yellow but again, this is a gamble. I just feel it's a shame you can't really see the alloys in such a dark colour and want to show them off a bit!

Would look something like this?

Looking good

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[zomerzet]

Whoa, thanks for that. Seeing a preview like that'll Help me decide without the risk! I do think it looks good and shows off the alloys better.

Nice one Cactus

[zomerzet]

Got my countersunk screws through the post and picked up the mag detailing the duplex fit which is handy timing. No baby zomerzet yet even though we're 9 days overdue! As you can imagine, I'm a little preoccupied with the little one on the way and have now picked up the keys to my new house with double garage and mechanic's pit. Once I'm in there is some work on the garage required aswell!

[Bec]

Oooh keep us all updated please with piccys of Baby Zomerzet and Buttercup.

And best wishes from me and Vern

I pushed Buttercup's button I'm still excited

[Joshmini]

Screw 12s get some bad boy allyecats 7x13

Edited by Joshmini, 28 September 2007 - 06:20 PM.

[MINIMON]

^^ or even better some 10's lol think its a cool car mate good luck with things in the future

[zomerzet]

I'm sticking to my 12"s for now. I can't really see myself going smaller as 10" disc brakes aren't cheap! 13's are a little too big. Either way, I'd rather spend my money on go faster goodies! I'm pretty settled into the new house now and the garage is almost looking tidy too with a makeshift workbench rigged up for the rest of the engine build. The roof definately needs to be sorted though as it leaks, dripping in random spots.

Also fitted some new brake pads to the rear drums including stripping and cleaning the master cylinders and I now have a handbrake once again! While doing this I've discovered the the radius arms are wobbly so the pins require replacing, also the front d/s wheel bearing (I need to confirm the others).

I'm now commuting in it and have had to fit a new thermostat as the poor little bugger was freezing, and it's occupant due to the heater being C**p with no hot engine water flowing through it! So much to do!

Edited by zomerzet, 29 December 2007 - 12:26 PM.

[zomerzet]

Finally got some stuff done on the mini yesterday. First thing was to fit the gasket I'd forgotten to refit after replacing the thermostat!

Next was to fit my new voltmeter as my old one was unreliable and would only measure up to 11V. While the dash was out I also finally got round to fitting bulbs to light my auxillary gauges as I only had the speedo and rev counter during night driving previously. It'll be very handy to now be able to see my fuel and temp gauges!

I also removed my grille mounted numberplate and stuck on my bonnet one to make way for my Cibie spot lamps. I think I did quite a good job. I had to peel back a few times and re apply to eliminate any bubbles but it's now perfectly bubble free!

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Next job was to sort out my in car entertainment. I have been using my mp3 player connected to my amp for some time but have just been sticking on the passenger seat. I wanted to make something more accessable and permanent so bought a universal mobile phone holder wide enough to hold my mp3 player and tie wrapped it to an ideal position on my roll cage. I had also bought a longer audio lead to reach the amp if it was mounted in this position. I also had a switch dangling in my passenger footwell which turned theamp on/off which needed to be tidied so it has been moved just above the phone holder with the wiring to the amp being routed with the audio cable. It is all alot easier to see and operate now (Rather than fumbling around on the passenger seat.

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Whilst on a tidying mission I decided that the amp wiring in the boot needed attention too. Whilst there I also installed an inteferance supressor in the boot which I had bought some time ago to the amp remote/switch line. This is due to getting a crackling through the speakers only when the engine was running. I knew it couldn't be the permanent live as that was directly from the battery, but the remote line comes from the wiring behind the dash so encounters a lot of electrical noise. Finally I have solved that annoyance. Additionally, when I took the battery out I found my 13mm Draper wratchet spanner which I thought I'd lost which was a real bonus!

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Next, the spotlights!

[Bungle]

looking good

[zomerzet]

Been busy again. Just got my front d/s wheel back on with a fresh Falken tyre. I also jacked up the other side at the front to see what nick the bearing was in and found that the top ball joint had unscrewed itself a fair way as the locking tab had not been tightened leading to lots of movement in the hub which may have cotributed to my current fuzzy handling! Tightened up and the hub is now a lot more secure! There is a tiny amount of play in the bearing but it's not bad enough to change yet though.

I also fitted my huge spotlights which look great. I drilled the bumper but had to modify the ball sockets on the lamp mounts as they wouldn't point up far enough even at the highest setting were pointing at about 45 degrees! I have tie wrapped them for now to secure them better, but I have a strip of auminium I am planning to fabricate some brackets out of. I'll do that when I wire them in. I'm planning to run them from a relay via a 3 position switch mounted on my rollcage. The switch positions will be a spring loaded flash, off, and on where they will run with the high beam.

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