Final picked up my new project. 1993 1275i Mini Cooper

[Exuptoy]

Now you mention it when I put wings on my Sprite about 5 years ago the only wing that needed attention with the hot glue gun was the NS one.

 

[Exuptoy]

Todays effort.

 

[Exuptoy]

Big milestone today. Front panel bolted up solid and gaps checked to ensure everything is lined up.
Scotched the rear of the wing and primed it and linished the seams back to bare metal before plug welding to the inner wing and a few spot welds along the surface of the seams to hold it all in place until I can set up my spot welder to do the backside of the front panel seams tomorrow.
Scuttle surface welds linished back to allow a nice seam of silaflex to finish off the wing joint.

 

[Exuptoy]

Anyone suggest an over-paintable flexible sealer to use between scuttle and wing and wing to front panel seams?
Was gonna use Sikaflex but if there’s anything better I’d like to know.

 

[bert]

Innotec do a nice one. Overpaintable after 30 mins or so and doesn't appear to crack even after 5 years.

If you had fitted the a panel first you wouldn't have needed those tack welds.

 

[Exuptoy]

I know that but I’ve seen so many filled with filler and after a few years cracked all over.

 

[Olderisbetter]

Tiger seal?

 

[Exuptoy]

I eventually went with HB body automotive joint and seam which is a high modulus seam sealer and is neither silicone based nor a one fit all PU product. Only £5.48 per tube plus the dreaded from jawel paints.

 

[Exuptoy]

Ground out the front spots to remove the front panel so I could scotch the EP coating and get some primer on it before remounting.

 

[Neilj]

I do like a good classic mini. Here's a shot of my engine bay

 

[Bobupndown]

I do like a good classic mini. Here's a shot of my engine bay
View attachment 347216

Mines a bit less busy in there.

 

[Exuptoy]

I do like a good classic mini. Here's a shot of my engine bay
View attachment 347216

It’s a bit tight in there!
Very nice. Bet that surprises a few ppl!

 

[Exuptoy]

Mines a bit less busy in there.
View attachment 347217

I love it! Simplicity itself. Needs twin SU’s and an LCB though. Haha.

 

[Neilj]

It’s a bit tight in there!
Very nice. Bet that surprises a few ppl!

It does indeed, me included!138hp which is nearly twice what an old Cooper S had. It doesn't come out much (life keeps getting in the way) but it puts a big grin on my face every time it does.

 

[Neilj]

Mines a bit less busy in there.

Very neat and tidy

 

[Robotstar5]

I normally take a pic if I see any nice Mini engine bays at shows

 

[Exuptoy]

Today only got a part shift in
NS wing scuffed up and primed, after a minor repair on the Flitch, caused when I was cutting off the captive nuts.
Welded the scuttle to the closer and got the wing fitting nicely before glueing it in place. Need to finish the welding next week.
I know it doesn’t look much different to the other fit up pics but trust me, I’m landed!

Front is solid and gaps look great.

 

[Exuptoy]

There’s a how to on the mini forum that explains how you can maintain good door gaps during a resto using weld filler rod and fillets of metal to reform your gaps. Not a bad read if you need a couple of ideas.

How To Get Those Tight Door/bonnet /boot Gaps - Bodywork, Paint and Detailing

Page 1 of 5 - How To Get Those Tight Door/bonnet /boot Gaps - posted in Bodywork, Paint and Detailing: Now as we all know no two Minis are alike, the build quality from new was never the best and so simply swapping over doors bonnets boots etc onto your pride and joy is never quite as straight...

www.theminiforum.co.uk

 

[Exuptoy]

Anyone fancying a Mini Cooper project? As usual, space being a premium here and my love affair with these things being on and off I’m having thoughts (just thoughts mind you….) of clearing some space, one side is pretty much complete, heritage panels fitted, still needs both a panels fitting to complete the front end then needs turning around to check out the other side. Starts with a fresh battery, complete car here with nothing missing including the half leather cooper interior and got a few extra spares like 13” Revos, stainless LCB, KAD quick shift, Miglia GF arches. Will need both screens as they got damaged removing them in haste and on my own!
Not certain I even want to get rid but I have projects coming out of my ears. It owes me £3k without my labour and the quality of my work is more than acceptable even if I say so myself but it has to be worth somewhere near that before I change my mind again.
This one is certainly not a rot box.
Clutch is stuck on which may free off with a heat soak, but it’ll need an inspection anyway as there’s an oil leak on the clutch end, crank end seal possibly? (standard fare really), Timing chain side leak repaired with a new Keith Calver chain and fresh gasket.
It won’t drive home and is still a restoration project but not a huge job if you’ve taken on a mini before.

 

[Exuptoy]

Well, I’ve taken a deposit on the mini. Should be getting collected this time home. I’m about to get my garage back!