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Post by clambod on Mar 29, 2011 7:39:02 GMT
looks like you are going to be busy. Have you decided whether the mini is male or female?
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Post by shoutforjoy on Apr 2, 2011 17:06:47 GMT
Apparently it's a girl - and has been named 'Joyce' by my better half for no other reason than the last letter of the registration is "J".
Started to fit some some of these recent acquisitions today: - - windscreen wipers - hi-level brake light - some new boot stays as one had broken and the other was beginning to fray. - the gear knob - wired in the 12v power socket but left it loose until the dash rails are fitted. I need this next week to use the Sat Nav.
Finished up giving Joyce a wash and polish.
I've also been cleaning up the old Mountney steering wheel over the last few days. Got some red shoe cream and cleaned and polished the leather, then used a black permanent marker pen to touch up the metalwork. Looks a hundred times better. Pictures soon.
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Post by shoutforjoy on Apr 9, 2011 15:15:28 GMT
Some pictures of the steering wheel... Before: After: I'm really pleased with the way it's come out.
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Post by shoutforjoy on Apr 9, 2011 15:27:04 GMT
The new carpet has arrived now. Laid it out on the lawn so we could see how it goes. We took the old carpet out this afternoon to discover a little rust problem on the driver's side inner sill. The passenger's side and the rest of the floor is fine apart from a couple of small dents where a previous owner has jacked it up on the floor. I'm a bit surprised that rust this bad wasn't spotted at MOT time, but apparently the tester isn't allowed to lift the carpets - he just presses against the sills checking for holes and they seemed OK. Never mind - Joyce is off on Monday to have a new inner sill welded in. Meanwhile we're considering whether to remove the rear ashtray or leave it in. It would only be for aesthetic purposes. A bit of chrome might help to break up the black a bit.
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Post by clambod on Apr 10, 2011 6:42:31 GMT
Sorry to hear about the rust. You certainly did a cracking job on the steering wheel
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Post by shoutforjoy on Apr 11, 2011 7:23:38 GMT
I knew that the rust was beginning to show on the inner sill when I checked last year, but I could only see the bit to the rear of the crossmember. The carpet was well glued down towards the front of the car so it was a bit of surprise to find it quite so bad under there. Never mind, I've got a new inner sill and it's off to be welded today. Should get it back later this week.
If we keep tackling these jobs as we find them we should get on top of it all eventually. It's one of the disadvantages of going for a rolling restoration rather than a full restoration.
Sadly I don't have a bottomless pit of cash so all these new things creeping up delay some of the other repairs and respray that we have in mind.
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Post by asahartz on Apr 12, 2011 17:47:55 GMT
Minis have a habit of doing things like that to you. When Holly (my daughter) had her Jet Black I recall lifting the carpet to fit speakers under the back seat and finding a hole under there - similar unexpected welding job that day!
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Post by shoutforjoy on Apr 19, 2011 10:26:48 GMT
Collect back from welding yesterday. Another job tackled. Got to get some red oxide primer, then going to spray over it with some leftover rattle-can paint I've got. Hopefully I can get back on track with the interior makeover now. I'm off work after tomorrow until 3rd May. Still hoping to make the East Midlands Mini Show on 2nd.
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Post by clambod on Apr 19, 2011 13:33:06 GMT
They've made a nice neat job of it.
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Post by shoutforjoy on Apr 19, 2011 18:58:38 GMT
They've made a nice neat job of it. Thanks, this is my newly-found welder/mechanic who has been restoring cars for a number of years and always makes a good job. He's really keen to see classics in daily use and loves working on the mini. He also keeps the price down if I drop the car off and let him fit it in between other jobs. He had it for 5 days this time. I keep thinking I should take up welding again but the missus isn't having any of it. About 20 years ago I was into banger racing and spent a whole day welding one up only to find out (the painful way) that the welding mask was faulty. After a couple of days in darkness and several visits to the hospital I was advised to never weld again. So far I've been a good boy.
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Post by shoutforjoy on Apr 19, 2011 19:06:43 GMT
Today is the second day of the school holidays and "I'm bored!" - so announced my 10 year-old daughter, Katie. "I want to help with the mini". Needless to say I set her to work. When we ripped the old carpet out we had to take out the speaker board from under the rear seats. Here it is as it came out: It appears that whoever installed it didn't paint it very well at all. Closer shots: So I took the speakers off and set her to work painting the board. 2 coats of black paint, refitted the speakers and voila: Anyway I've been told to put some pictures up here so you lot can admire her work. Who am I to argue? Be impressed, be very impressed!
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Post by shoutforjoy on Apr 22, 2011 18:32:33 GMT
So today the quest to be rid of the brown began in earnest. And I made more progress than expected. Removed the seats to make access easier. Spotted that their subframes are showing a lot of wear so will paint them up before they are refitted. Removed the hardboard rear parcel shelf cover (was rivetted in) and put in the first bit of the new carpet. Can't do any more on the carpet until the red oxide arrives to paint over the newly-welded inner sill. So I replaced the top and bottom dash rails, put in a new front shelf liner, replaced the binnacle around the clocks and fitted the new 12v power socket. The brown is gone Took off the steering column cowl to replace it with a black one and discovered that the clamp holding the indicator/wiper stalk has broken and the unit is not held to the column properly. Trying to get a new one before I fit the cowl. Undoing the front screws to lower the heater to fit the bottom dash rail has created a bit of a leak from one of the hoses. So it was off to Halfords for a new jubilee clip. Replaced the clip but the drip did still appear to be there but very, very slowly. Tightened the clip as much as I dare. If it is still leaking I'm not sure I can tighten the clip any more so I may need new hoses.
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Post by clambod on Apr 23, 2011 6:58:47 GMT
You've done quite a bit there, Always useful to get the children trained up whilst they are still young.
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Post by shoutforjoy on Apr 23, 2011 20:42:33 GMT
Not a good day today Still had the leak from the heater, closer inspection has shown that their was a crack in the inlet pipe to the heater matrix. So it had to come out. I could have ordered new inlet pipes and repaired the existing matrix but it was only just over a tenner more for a new matrix so I'm going for that. Ordered some new hoses at the same time. Still managed a few jobs. - fitted new chrome sill trim to replace the old grey ones. - primed and painted over the welded inner-sill - started to touch up the frames under the front seats. [/list] Weather permitting will start to fit the carpet on Monday. It's looking a bit tight on time for the East Midlands Mini Show now. Especially as I'm waiting for a few things to be delivered and there's 2 bank holidays next week.
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Post by asahartz on Apr 25, 2011 9:39:47 GMT
New heater matrix is always worthwhile. Especially when the winter comes and you find it actually gets hot!
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Post by shoutforjoy on Apr 25, 2011 17:35:05 GMT
Today's update. Managed to fit the carpet throughout. Much more straightforward than I expected. Refitted the rear speaker board and seats. Excuse the mess in the pictures - it really needs a vacuum. Don't want to put the front seats in until the heater is repaired and refitted. Fitted a filler cap surround. Kept the kids amused for ages. Also fitted some grill buttons and the halogen light kit I bought a while ago. There's a couple of dents in the grill where it's been fitted to a car with spots at some point. I might be getting some spots it the future - if not I will probably replace the grill. Added an AA badge to the grill. It's not really in keeping with the age of the car as it's much older but it does look quite smart. It belonged to my late grandfather who had it from new and I promised mum I'd put it on when she gave it to me.
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Post by shoutforjoy on Apr 28, 2011 17:38:45 GMT
The new heater matrix and indicator stalk arrived today so we put the interior back together. Refitted the heater, replaced the indicator stalk, fitted black steering column cowl and the red steering wheel. Also fitted some alloy door furniture. and finally put the front seats back in. All that we need to do before the show on Monday is to give her a clean inside and a wash and polish outside.
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Post by clambod on Apr 29, 2011 6:27:50 GMT
Looking good. A vac and polish will make a world of difference. you off to Himley then?
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Post by shoutforjoy on Apr 29, 2011 6:56:35 GMT
Sadly can't make Himley as I'm working. It's the East Midland Mini Show at Thoresby Hall (nr Newark) on Monday. It's only about 20 miles from me. It's taken about 50 hours work to get the interior sorted with one thing and another. I'm glad I've been off work otherwise it would have dragged on and on. All the brown is definitely gone. My teenage son spent ages yesterday trying to track some down so he could wind me up
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Post by shoutforjoy on Apr 30, 2011 19:44:10 GMT
Spent most of this afternoon cleaning and polishing ready for Monday. Unfortunately we have just realised that the passes for the show have not arrived. Emailed the organisers and can hopefully get a positive response soon.
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Post by clambod on May 1, 2011 6:34:41 GMT
Hey, that's look pretty sweet and shiny too.
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Post by niceboy1275 on May 2, 2011 2:55:57 GMT
That is an amazing transformation from your first pictures! Top work
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Post by shoutforjoy on May 2, 2011 18:25:22 GMT
Thanks very much.
Had a great time at the show. You can see a few pictures on the show thread in the events section.
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Post by shoutforjoy on May 7, 2011 21:06:51 GMT
We bought some new mats for Joyce to help protect the new carpets we just fitted. Some of them came with a little red mini logo: Here's the driver's side one: The set came with a new parcel shelf one: and some seatbelt pads: We also bought some mats for the boot, one for the floor and one for the lid. The lid fits fine: But the floor will need some time and attention as it appears to be a bit big: It's the same size as the old vinyl mat but that doesn't fit well either. I need to try and tuck some of it under the fuel tank which is easier said than down as the spare wheel is tight against the fuel tank and it's a squeeze to get the wheel in. I'll have a look when I've got a bit more time.
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Post by shoutforjoy on May 25, 2011 22:29:11 GMT
Not done much since we fitted the new mats. But Joyce has developed a flare in 3rd gear Tried changing the oil even though we've done less than 2,000 miles since last change - but no joy. Doesn't do it when you change through the gears manually but it is getting worse quite quickly. Spoke to Martin at MRA he says that we might get away with adjusting the 3rd band but almost certainly the seals are on their way out. This has prompted me to consider putting a replacement 1275 auto engine and transmission in. It's going to be much cheaper than rebuilding the 998 auto box in the short term as there are loads of good low-mileage 1275 units out there and they're not fetching massive prices. Not a good time for us as our other car (Rover 75) has also developed a slip in the automatic transmission and given rise to £1,000 repair bill.
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Post by shoutforjoy on May 29, 2011 7:46:44 GMT
We've spent the last few days clearing out the garage. Loads of junk has been disposed of. While the garage was clear I sneaked something in! Unfortunately it didn't last as I couldn't really leave the bikes abandoned on the lawn. I did convince the missus that it was viable though. Got to buy some sort of shed/store to move the bikes into and Joyce will have a new home
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Post by shoutforjoy on Jul 12, 2011 6:10:13 GMT
Joyce is now safely ensconced in her new home after we bought a new bike store.
I've not had time to do much other than clean, polish and drive her as work has been so busy.
I have got my hands on a 'Red Hot' grille to match the rest of the styling and I've got some spot and fog lights on the way so my summer project will be to fit those. There's a few rust spots between the grille and bumper that I will deal with at the same time. Got some time off in August to do this.
Should be a 1275 auto soon too... watch this space!
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Post by lyny on Aug 4, 2011 19:32:11 GMT
Hi, Thing is looking beautiful I wanted to call your min Jammy ! Can you fix a auto gearbox? - can't find a replacement. Many taas Lyn
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Post by shoutforjoy on Aug 4, 2011 19:56:23 GMT
Hi, Thing is looking beautiful I wanted to call your min Jammy ! Can you fix a auto gearbox? - can't find a replacement. Many taas Lyn Hi Lyn, Thanks for your kind comments. Unfortunately I can't fix an auto box - it's a bit beyond my mechanical expertise. In fact my auto box has just started to flare a little and I am planning to replace the 1000cc engine and gearbox with a 1275cc one. The best thing for you to do is to start a new thread in the "transmission" section describing the problems you're having and the members on the forum will try to help. If you need the transmission looking at by a professional there are a few around the county but the best is probably MRA Minis in Wellingborough - I took mine there for a fix and tune-up last summer. Email martin@mra-minis.co.uk for some advice or check out their website www.mra-minis.co.uk
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Post by shoutforjoy on Aug 9, 2011 21:09:18 GMT
This week I am off work and planning to do lots; including a replacement grille, some spot lights, a bit of rust removal, waxoyling and a clean and polish. We'll see what time allows. Started looking at the front end - going to put the 'Red Hot' grille on and some new spot lights. I have two pairs of spot lights but will just fit one for now. Took off the front bumper and old grille to start clearing up some surface rust and one of the number plate brackets just fell off. It had bee bodged on with some sort of sealant in the past! So Joyce is off to the welders on Thursday to be fixed properly. More about the front end later... I recently acquire one of these Discarnect thingies - cheap but effective immobilisers. Basically you fit it on your battery terminal and connect the battery lead to the other end. To immobilise the car you simply unscrew the black knob. The fuse-like devide maintains a low energy connection so ancillaries (eg: radios and alarms) can still work. If someone tries to start the engine the power drain required by the starter motor is too great and the fuse pops, rendering the car powerless. Not bad for just £6. Here's a picture of it fitted. It can be fitted to either terminal on the battery but is probably best on the negative in a Mini as the battery box is so tight that it might short out on the body if it's on the positive.
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