116 replies to this topic

[paulrockliffe]

not help but a quick question.

i wqas just wondering how long the delivery was on those mirrors? because ive just bought a set.

I think they took between a week and 10 days, but I ordered mine between Christmas and New Year, so that might have delayed them.

[paulrockliffe]

Quick update:

I've cleaned up and rebuilt my carbs ina bit to sort out my erratic idle and problems balancing the carbs, they've come out quite shiny:



However, one of the pistons isn't closing fully and is closing slower than the other, which is likely to be a problem as much as the faulty manifold gasket was!

I've also been buying new toys this weekend, on the way I have a car computer, dvd player, usb gps device, PCI CCTV system for a rear view camera (can support another 3 cameras). I'm looking at software at the moment that'll hopefully do cool stuff like automatically recording GPS data when the car is on and then upload to a server when a WIFI hotspot becomes available, so I can track Jason if he ever takes a wander!

Don't worry, I'm not about to go all pimp my mini on you, will be a very discrete and functional install running through a touch screen tft on the dash.

[Jammy]

Hope you can make it to Bingley, I'd love to talk to you about your CarPC!

[paulrockliffe]

Today I spent an hour and a half walking to and from a petrol station buying 5l of unleaded at a time. I discovered that you can't use the same card at the garage 3 times in one day, so had to make an extra trip to go and get my other card! Once that was done I fitted the bonnet chrome lip, replaced one of the chrome light surrounds that had rusted, fitted an oil pressure gauge and put the horn on a more appropriate switch.

I started him up and got him idleing at about 1100 rpm for about half an hour, before he went all erratic again. I dunno what that's all about, something is obviously changing somewhere, but I don't know what. I'm hoping I can get him through MOT as is so that I cang et him to a rolling road so I can get the engine properly sorted.

Jammy, I'm still on for Bingley, but it may well depend on me getting an MOT this week! So hard to say exactly, though I might be able to comandeer a vehicle for the trip. The computer is pretty much working, I'm waiting for the GPS receiver, a camera and I need to sort a touch screen and some sort of radio tuner for it, but the software is pretty much there, just needs a bit of tweaking. I'm running XP professional with Road Runner providing the in-car action and have integrated MS Autoroute for navigation and am working on running TomTom using a Pocket PC emmulator. When it's all set up I can play around with the registry so that explorer doesn't load and Road Runner is the GUI that runs instead, so it should just load up and roll. Can't wait!

Next job might be to stop the rain getting in!

[Bungle]

have you got a air leak on your carbs ?

[paulrockliffe]

have you got a air leak on your carbs ?

I don't think so, I mean I did, but I fixed that I think - I couldn't get any air through one carb on idle because of it, now I can. It's got me stumped really!

[paulrockliffe]

Evening!

Thought I'd give you a quick update; after failing an MOT, I've been swapping the steering rack over- not a fun job! - now that's don'e I think everything is sorted, so looking to MOT early next week! This is Jason today, he's just been washed and waxed, though you can't really tell as the pic was taken in low light on a long exposure, so has lost his sparkle. Anyway, the front end is a clue to the direction I tihnk he's heading - 6 x 10 Wellers, hopefully with carbon miglia arches and spacers, though not completely made my mind up yet.



You'll have to excuse the high ride-height at the front, there's a pair of jacks under the subframe as I can't track down a pair of nuts to connect the track rod ends to the steering arms! You'll have to excuse the wheels too, they need refurbing and the tyres are flat, but you get the idea!

Yum yum yum!

[paulrockliffe]

Right, here you go a cheeky little update:

JAA503N PASSED HIS MOT TODAY

How exciting! No issues at all though, he nearly failed because I forgot to put the nut on the end of the steering column clamp bolt thingy. I say forgot, I couldn’t remember if there was one and it took so much to screw the bolt through that I assumed the column was threaded. Anyway, the chappy found a nut and fitted it.

I just need to sort out the sticky throttle cable so I don’t have to drive round at 5000rpm all the time, and he’ll be drivable! Awesome!

I’ve just tried to get a tax disc online, but it says it doesn’t have an MOT – does the Database take time to get updated or should it be instant?

Worryingly the computer informed me that the SORN ran out in November and the DVLA would be in touch with me regarding this offence. I assumed it ran out at the end of March as that’s when the last tax disc ran until and I hadn’t had a reminder. Bit annoying!

Anyway, on the road! (nearly) Wooo Wooo!!

[mike.]

w00p! Throttle cables no biggie to sort out.

I like the idea of 10x6 wellers and carbon migs

[paulrockliffe]

w00p! Throttle cables no biggie to sort out.

I like the idea of 10x6 wellers and carbon migs

Its a brand new throttle cable, and a few things are custom on the run from the pedal to the carbs, so it might be a bit tricky!

[mike.]

Yeah just read your topic in tech. Sounds like abit of a mystery.

[Jammy]

When did you buy it?! Wasn't it in November? The SORN declaration expires on change of ownership. I wouldn't worry too much about it.... I think worst case scenario is that they make you pay the back tax (maybe plus a £40 fine), however I'm sure I've been through the same process with taxing a SORN expired car and they never contacted me.

Great news about the MOT though! Bet you're rather chuffed. I think it can take 24 hours for the DVLA database to be updated with MOT passes.

I assume the dash did reach you ok? And that the packaging was adequate for the courier not to be damaged anymore?

[paulrockliffe]

Yeah, I wondered if it expired when it changed ownership. If thats the case, why wasn't a reminder sent with the V5? I'm not the sort of person that would have missed any info like that. When I failed to Tax it today thte computer said they'd be intouch aboutt he SORN offence. (swears)

Sorry, I keep meaning to PM you about the dash (And Pie about Malvern too if you're reading!), yeah it came no problems, I trial fitted it and it should be fantastic, the centre console means I can reach stuff and might be the perfect spot for my touch screen pimp-my-mini system thing!

Hopefully will start having a think about switches and things this week, while I remember, how is the heater switch meant to connect tot he heater? I mean the mechanical bit.

Cheers!

[Jammy]

Ali told me you need a stiff bit of wire. Glad its what you wanted and that it arrived safely!

[paulrockliffe]

Ali told me you need a stiff bit of wire. Glad its what you wanted and that it arrived safely!

I don't know why I asked that, I'd already decided that theheater switch is too much of a pain, for the benefit it gives, so I'm just going to remove it from the dash!

I'm not too bothered if the hot air comes from the side ports or up the window asn the cars so small it doesn't matter, so the switch will just be left on the heater, which can be accessed if require anyway. I'm going to put a thin plywood sheet up the front, painted black of course, so I can do a completely custom switch install without having to fit things around where the dash is already cut.

Have got all the electronics now, despite Business Post trying their best to keep hold of them, so I just need to design the plywood sheets I need, get my dad to machine them up - he has better tools for wood - and then I can start on the next phase of Project Minus!