48 replies to this topic

[Retro_10s]

Pinstriping wheels is uber cool, love it mate.

All the good stuff is coming back into fashion

[Udo]

I spy your other mini in next doors garage! got it transported from Scampton then.

Hope you sorted out what was left of the roof on the garage didnt look very stable

Cibies looking good

[zomerzet]

After plenty of time over Chrimbo, I've been busy sorting a few jobs that required some attention. First was replacing the radius arm pins as they had worn. Looking at them once they were out it was easy to see they needed replacing. As replacing the bearins are a nightmare I simply replaced the pin and filled with nice fresh grease! The play in both arms is now eliminated.

I also replaced the fron d/s wheel bearing which had worn quite badly (Vid to follow). My guess is that these items are the originals from when the car was built in 1980 so they havn't done too badly! I'll also be replacing the o/s front bearing when I get round to it but the play wasn't as bad on that side. in any case the handling is loads better and no adjustments are needed on long straight roads!

I now have a temporary interior light as getting ito the car in the carpark at night was a little too dark. It is a most advanced old guage bulb on a few blade terminals popped into the interior light sockets. Will do for now.

I've been commuting to work and back in it too and alas my gearbox is finally giving up. Was making some awful bandsaw like noises so is now confined to the garage before anything too drastic happens to it. This does have an up side though as it means I will finally have to pull my finger out to get my 1293 engine put together with it's low milage gearbox. The gearbox that's in the car now had definately had some abuse as it was already a little difficult to engage 2nd on deceleration and third was beginning to play up slightly before the noises began. TBC

[zomerzet]

Loose Bearing Link...



I've started sorting out the new engine now and finally installed my duplex timing chain. I needed to fit the 2 countersunk bolts so the chain didn't catch around the crank cog. I initially attempted to countersing with a drill bit but eventually succumbed to popping to my local screwfix and picking up a proper metal countersink along with some easi outs! Withing a minute of getting back with the correct equipment the job was done. Goes to show that having the right tool for the job does mean less sweat in the long run!

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Timing chain on, I fitted the tentioner and oil disc; along with torqueing up and lock tab on the flywheel pulley. I test fitted the timing cover as I had been informed that some grinding may be required to make it fit but it's fine, result!

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Timing cover wise, I cleaned off the old gasket and after a nasty fan/radiator incident I'd experienced I made the required 'modifications' to the breather and gave it a thorough beating I cleaned it up a bit using a paint removal wheel fitted to a drill and despite it not looking fantastic, it's loads better than it was! I also removed the old oil seal ready for a new item to be fitted. Fingers crossed when this is fitted I'll have a completely oil leak free mini (For a short time at least!)

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The next job before fitting it is painting it black with Hammerite. I decided to do this as when I test fitted it on my shiney brand new engine it looked reet scruffy so might as well tidy up any rough looking bits on the build!

[zomerzet]

Been another busy day in the garage yesterday. Finally got round to fabricating the brackets for my Super Oscars. Took a strip of metal, bent it and drilled it and voila! Used the 1st as a template to make the second and also elongated the hole that the spot itself secures to the braket to allow for adjustment downwards as I still havn't got round to wiring them in yet so don't know exactly how much downwards aim I want. They are set just very slightly downwards at the moment. When I get round to wiring them in I'll have a play then. They are completely solid now though and are a load better than the tie wraps as they should be! I also used the exisiting holes in the front panel to mount them to the car so I know they're positioned correctly. The only problem with them now though is access to the grille but they do look great so I'll have to live with the inconveneance! I've also fitted a shinier grille I had at the back of the garage as the current one was looking tatty. I'm quite impressed with my handywork as the metal only cost £2 from B&Q, RESULT!

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I also thought I'd highlight the Cibe logos as they didn't stand out much so used a permant pen to colour them in and they stand out a lot more now.

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I've also fitted my freshly painted timing cover to the block which is a lot tidier now. So now to look towards the gearbox side of the engine and things will nearly be done!

The straight cut drop gears and lightened flywheel I ordered arrived aswell so I am very excited now! As you can see below they even look meaner!

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I've fitted the new primary gear to the crank. Unfortunately while trying to remove the roller bearing from the 1st motion gear I slipped and mushed it A new one will be sourced along with a lock tab. I'm also fitting a central oil pick up pipe and have to get the diff out to fit the strengthened dif pin. I also want to clean up the whole gearbox before installation as it's covered in muck!

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To Be Continued!!!!...

[Bungle]

those spot light brackets look great

[cityspeed]

Good work with those brackets!, bet you are itch'in to get it all hooked up now! good luck

[zomerzet]

Cheers guys. I'll have uprate my alternator before I get them running as 2x100W Halogens aren't what a standard one is designed for!

I've been busy sorting my engine over the last week or so and have got the gearbox finished with the new straight cut drop gears and central pick up pipe installed. I've also given it a good cleanup with a wire brush and some Gunk and it's come up really well. I did attempt to dismantle the diff to fit a strenthened diff pin but gave up after being unable to undo the six nuts that tie it together so the standard one will do far now as the engine is going to be only slightly more powerful not superpower. It's all looking good though.

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Yesterday I also did my daily work out and got the block onto the geabox and am well chuffed! It looks great. I have to get some new bolts to connect the two though as I've misplaced them! Also the locating stud in the block had been chopped off so I will need a new one of them too. Now that both are together I feel I finally have an engine coming together!

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Last of all I've fitted some smoked lenses from a friend so the rear now looks a little tidier and with the coloured lamps look cool when they're lit. I love little jobs like this as they take such little effort for an instant result (Not like engine builds)!

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I can feel the engine is really getting near completion now. I'm just wondering whether I should try to run it outside the car before installing it as I really want to make sure its ok before installing it after all the time and money I've spent on it! TBC!...

[Udo]

Do you mean the diff cover nuts which you couldn't undo and the drive shaft covers

They shouldn't be that difficult to remove and for the peace of mind I would def fit the new diff pin especially if you are going to continue doing your sprint races

[zomerzet]

Nah I got the diff out fine but didn't have anything stronger than my trusty Black & Decker workbench to hold it when trying to take the crownwheel nuts off! to be honest I don't even know if that's what's required to change it.

Suppose it'll be a new set of driveshaft plate gaskets then. If I can be arsed!

[Udo]

Your welcome to come round and use my vice mate, in tomorrow if your about, will no doubt be in the garage so just come round if you want

[Morns]

Looking good now bro.......not as nice as me shiny new suzuki tho - cant wait to get up to you and get modin' and eventing!!!

[zomerzet]

Got flywheel casing on yesterday and tried turning the crank after it was on and it wouldn't turn in a specific spot (2&3 TDC). Took the Timing cover off as I hadn't internally 'modified' it at all so thought that was the cause. Still a problem, Turning the primary gear showed it wasn't the gearbox so I loosened the central oil pick up pipe plate bolts at the back of the gearbox and found it freed up.

Good that I found the source of the problem and it's nothing major but a PITA as I've put the case and block on now and will have to get another set of gaskets. This does have another upside though as if I have another set of gaskets (& sealant) I'll have some so I can take the diff out (Again) and take up UDO's offer of a decent vice so I can get my hardened diff pin in. Plus I'll have an even bigger pile of spare gaskets in reserve!

Still, nice to get the engine together, justa pity about the hiccup. TBC...

[Udo]

No problem mate just give me a shout when

You haven't got a spare water pump gasket in the pile have you?

[zomerzet]

I'll have a look for you. If not I'll let you have one when I pick up the gasket set!