1498 replies to this topic

[Down&Out]

take it from him the binnacle in my pic used to be his!

[analogue_radio]

Got some time tonight to chill out so I'll stick some good music on & start dismantling & cleaning my gauges, the white 'paste' around the back of the center binnacle will be cleaned off, but I understand this creates a seal between that & the bulkhead, what it's actually called?

Oh and I've also ordered the dash liner & tray from Retro Retrims, having some 10cm holes custom cut so I can still mount my speakers

Edited by theIMAGE, 09 February 2009 - 06:17 PM.

[analogue_radio]

Talking to Dad this morning about the whole MOT dilemma.. he's said the only time frame we've got is the Summer holidays.. between of me finishing College & starting University & at the moment Dad is busy training for a Band of Brothers bike ride & other jobs that growns up do, but the first year I won't be coming home for months at a time and won't be taking my mini because of no on-campus parking.. he's also suggested that he'll buy another mini for me and let me run it, which means there will then be 2 minis sat on the driveway, with no one to do the upkeep on them (I'll be at Uni & Dad will most probably be busy) It's just creating more cost, hassle & time needed..

Basically the work won't go ahead as soon as I expected because Dad is busy.. but I don't actually need Dad for the welding/bodywork, we'd only need Dads mate to come round and help with the welding, hopefully he'll teach me and I can buy a welder, couple of hours a night if I've got that spare and I can be out there in the garage doing some bodywork.

I understand that it takes time, but having it SORN and sitting on the drive until Summer seems a silly idea & then buying another mini which will need converting from Leaded to Unleaded, it's just more work!

I just want to get cracking and make a start.. I've got plenty of time on my hands so I just need to learn the basics & practice with Dads mate.

Hmm..

Edited by theIMAGE, 10 February 2009 - 08:58 AM.

[Bryng123]

Cheers Pete, I think before I start spending money on things like that I need an Alarm System .

Sorry I haven't kept you guys updated or been around, my laptop hard drive died so I couldn't use my laptop at all.

Anyway, I haven't done any more work since the 27th because I've been busy with mates, girlfriend & work, but I've ran into a few problems and mistakes .

The petrol gauge isn't working so I ran out of Petrol yesterday morning, then because it was raining the engine wouldn't start, I guessed I got water on the dizzy and such? and then last night I left the lights on whilst I was at work, came out to go home when I finished and she wouldn't start up, had to call Dad out to give me a jump .

Dad has the next week of work so we're going to take out the carpets and start getting rid of the rust on the floor panels & also around the outside of the car and in the boot, seeing as I think that's priority.

I'm in the same situation as you just bought a 998 auto, keep us posted and good luck

[1987_ParkLane]

Talking to Dad this morning about the whole MOT dilemma.. he's said the only time frame we've got is the Summer holidays.. between of me finishing College & starting University & at the moment Dad is busy training for a Band of Brothers bike ride & other jobs that growns up do, but the first year I won't be coming home for months at a time and won't be taking my mini because of no on-campus parking.. he's also suggested that he'll buy another mini for me and let me run it, which means there will then be 2 minis sat on the driveway, with no one to do the upkeep on them (I'll be at Uni & Dad will most probably be busy) It's just creating more cost, hassle & time needed..

Basically the work won't go ahead as soon as I expected because Dad is busy.. but I don't actually need Dad for the welding/bodywork, we'd only need Dads mate to come round and help with the welding, hopefully he'll teach me and I can buy a welder, couple of hours a night if I've got that spare and I can be out there in the garage doing some bodywork.

I understand that it takes time, but having it SORN and sitting on the drive until Summer seems a silly idea & then buying another mini which will need converting from Leaded to Unleaded, it's just more work!

I just want to get cracking and make a start.. I've got plenty of time on my hands so I just need to learn the basics & practice with Dads mate.

Hmm..

If I was you, I would get stuck in now, as I bet there will be more things to do than you think, so while you have the time, get out there and get on it.

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

gutted fella i had a similar problem when i started uni had just got my fiesta running and drove it to uni and the cv joint collapst so i was stuck in leeds with no money, a dead car and lectures startin the next day

lol i called the rac got toed 40 miles home spent the next 2 days fixing it and then had to leave the car off campus at day and on campus at night was a good system till

the radio / system got nicked by some *melons* and a group of bankers we jumping on the roof of my car and running over the car

i lost it and went after them lol

since then had 4 cars and was in uni for 2 years but ill be returnin with the mini next year

id say try gettin the car finished if u were near me i could come and lend a hand getting it ready

[analogue_radio]

Oh christ, yeah I wouldn't fancy leaving my pride & joy in an unfamiliar city.. although the 2nd year I'd be finding my own accommodation so I'd need transport.

I'm going to talk with my Dad tonight about it and we can come to some sort of conclusion, having another Mini would be ideal.. it means I won't be relying on my parents for lifts everywhere & I could still get around, but I'd rather not wait until the Summer holidays to get started on my mini! It's ages away & I wouldn't be able to enjoy it whilst I'm at University.

Another way forward I thought about today was just welding some patches over the holes & rust and getting it through it's MOT like that, I wouldn't care about appearance.. but it'd be on the road and MOT'd.. that way I've got another year, if I had a weekend free I could put it in the garage and replace the rear valence & sort the boot out, etc..

I haven't got a clue what the best option is

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

well would only take 5 hours to patch the body work

id say thats far easier

[analogue_radio]

Hmm.. I'll give it some thought.

But annnnyway, on a much lighter note, cleaned up the gauges last night & I'm in the middle of working out where the wires & bulbs go, it's looking good

[sweetser]

Looking good mate, ill get you pics of the wiring tomorrow as my phone dont like taking piccys in the dark

[analogue_radio]

Cheers

[1987_ParkLane]

Looking good.

[analogue_radio]

Not really much of an update! I've got another 5 days of driving before I've gotta take her off the road and declare her SORN but I'm so excited about starting work.. I won't have the garage for a while.. so I'll start with the interior, take everything out, tidy up the wiring & alarm system, take out the heater so I can give that a flush through, generally make sure everything is in 100% working order.. might make up some new doorcards out of black suede.. repaint bits too. Oh and I'm going to move the wiring from the engine bay to the inside of the bulkhead.

Oh and about the mini ^ I'm going to look at it this half-term It's in good condition, just needs converting from leaded to unleaded, but it means I can still get around, and remain faithful to the mini world

[sazal]

Why not get a second car thats not a mini? Not as fun, but will be cheaper!! Also could start preparing your mini ready for when you can get welding Theres the easter hols in a few weeks (is that 2 weeks?) could get a lot of work done then! Hope you manage to get her sorted nice and soon

Which uin you going to?

[Jupitus]

Hey fella - that wiring picture shows me where I have given you wrong connectors... yoiu have a light green and a dark green in the loom with female spades at each end. They should each have a male spade and connect to the voltage stabiliser as I can see, then the female spade end goes to the fuel gauge and temp gauge respectively. Drop me a PM and I will send up the male spades you need