23 replies to this topic

[DaveRob]

OK.... Pulled the windscreen and found all this

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Well looks rusty but not as bad as many.... Ive wire brushed to show the worst but bizzarly enough the bulkhead seems not to bad, I think I can patch the bulkhead bits in with fresh metal, its just the dash rail and scuttle thats the big prob.... is it new panels for rail and scuttle or is their either an option or more to it..... Ive already got new wings front and A's ready to fit..... do I need to go the whole distance...... Ive got Mig and TIG welders and a spot welder so fittings no issue.....

advice please as to what I should do and how to go about it.... ( and I havnt even lookd at the back end of Mini yet) lol

Rob

[liam_italian]

Well with the amount of rust on that top dash rail I'd seriously consider replacing it, rather than trying to repair it mate!

You could possible repair the scuttle, then again might just be easier for you to replace that aswell!

[edi57]

First of all...thanks for posting lots of decent photos...it always helps!

If I were you I'd be cutting out scuttle (complete) and cutting out the dash rail. Repairing the bulkhead, then new dash and new complete scuttle. That way you've done a proper job and so you know you wont be getting any rust come back soon.

Good luck!

[jack_marshall]

Just done this job.

Scuttle off, dash rail out.

Likely to need the pieces under each end of the scuttle too.

Not a terrible job really.

A genuine top rail from Minispares is only about 25 and fits well.

Think scuttles are a little more expensive.

[DaveRob]

Thanks for the replies ..... I live only a few miles from M Machine so ill call their today for scuttle, dash rail and closing panels..... cut the old panels and fix the rust....and put new in....

Thanks again

Rob

[Geehawk]

What age car is this?

[DaveRob]

96 SPi

Rob

[liam_italian]

Im not suprised, I had a similar thing with my 98 MPI, but not as bad! Id recommend after you've added your new panels, add a fine line of pu seam sealer between the panels where they join (Scuttle,bulkhead,topdash rail) this will help later on is water goes between the windscreen rubber and panel and stop it then getting between the panel joints and rusting away your panels again!

[Geehawk]

96 SPi

Rob

Blimey They don't make 'em like they used to do they.
This is my scuttle on a 76 car, windscreen removed for the first time in about 20 years. Its solid throughout. I was pleasantly suprised.

[DaveRob]

Was talking to one of the guys at M Machine today as I picked up new scuttle, dash rail and closing panels...... good job I have a TMF membership card that £10 has saved me £30 on panels and £25 on engine components.... and thats just this far lol.

M Machine man:.... what year is the car...
Me: 96
M Machine man:.... yer.... they do go like that with the later cars... all the early cars are fine... was the way they painted the later ones

M Machine man proceeds to display a Mk 1 Cooper in PRISTINE condition... there was nothing the matter with that one...

me:.......drools over said PRISTINE Mk 1


lol

Rob

[duncancallum]

they changed the gauge of steel in the early 80's my 88 sky did it but the panel i cut off a well scabby 81 to let a section in was mint

my spi's goosed there aswell, after 40years of building them you'd think they would of lernt how to paint them

(after 25 years you'd think i'd of lernt to spell as well)

[jack_marshall]

Rover didnt care anymore as it got late into the production of minis!!

[DaveRob]

Quick update before I get me welder out.... when I got the wings and A's off looks like I need to patch in some of the filtch?panel .......gonna buy 2 repair sections and use whats needed..... get some more of the rust cut off and get some new metal in their.... derusted primed and resprayed me front sub as well...seeing as it was a sunny day...

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Rob

[edi57]

Looking good. Keep keeping us updated!

[jcws_mini]

lookin good so far mate, well as good as it can look when its half a car . but if its gotta be done its gotta be done!

I have got to do the exact same job on my 1991 mini 998. i am a complete novice when it comes to grinding and welding so its gonna be a big learning curve. once i get the car indoors in our garage then i think the chopping and uncovering of probably evenmore problems will start.

Did you have any problems cutting the front end off? the bit i am not looking forward to is the scuttle panel, the thought of it being around the windscreen and the fact it needs to be accurate. will post pics soon and prob post a link in here to my topic.

keep up the posting and the work you know it'll be worth it!