Project Trig - After 18 Months Away, Is Back In Town! by Mini 360

10 minute(s) of a 461 minute read

Wee bit more done today and last day of my holidays. Not got as much done as I would have liked but thats no great surprise.......

Drew up a list of everything needing done. Doesnt seem to bad, wiring is still the biggest task obviously as I have no idea what Im doing with it now.



So I decided to get my grille together. Riveted the outer pieces to the grille itself and then went about fitting the quick release grille buttons. Need to get the protective plastic trim that goes between the moustache and body though.



Not decided on colour yet as they are currently red anodised. Nae convinced so may change to one of the two body colours or sand them back and polish them.



As I had the grille on anyway I put the bonnet on and placed the indicators in. Finally looking like a car again. Really want to show whats on the underside of the bonnet but thats being left as a surprise for its first show ;)



Went to drill holes in the inner wing for the washer bottle bracket but couldnt get the drill to angle right to make the holes. Nowhere had a 90deg adaptor for it so will do that another day.



Also got some rubber bushed door slam plates from one of the scrap cars I had so cleaned them up to a polished finish and fitted them. Great improvement!



Before....



After!



Got the drivers seat in to test the reach with the snap off boss and its bang on! Just need to find a slimline one with no play now! (The paint needs a clean and polish....)




Once the wiring is done and it starts and the headlining is finalised it will come together pretty quickly. Reason for that to be announced tomorrow!

2-19-2013

SO! Got my tank stuff! POR15 stuff. 'Marine Clean' to get rid of any residual crap that remains in it, 'Prep and Ready' to derust and prime before the final Tank Sealer. Total pain its all in separate stages and its not the cheapest of stuff unfortunately but cant afford to have a dodgy tank.




Also Ive got a new job as a 2D/3D Drafter and its weekday office hours so I will have every evening and weekend off! Time to spend working on the car so I can get it done asap!

2-28-2013

Cheers guys! Can't wait for Monday start


been a wee bit of progress on the car. Not much due to shifts but managed to start on the tank cleaning.

Before.... (Almost didn't bother with cleaning, glad I did now!)



and with the marine clean doing its job diluted 5:1 with boiling water. Sealed up the holes with Gorilla tape and left to simmer at gas mark 5 just got to move it about a bit over the next 24hrs to get it to as many bits as possible.



Then it's time to get the prep and ready on the go :)

4-4-2013

An update!? Surely not!

Getting used to having evenings free so thought I might as well use them to my advantage!

Fuel tank is now cleaned and prepped for the sealer to go in over the next couple of days. Just need to let it dry out for a while until its bone dry for the sealer to work correctly.

Here's how effective it is......a clear tide mark where it sat and the whole tank now looks like this. Brilliant product and reusable too!



Then as I'm nearing the first start up in 3yrs I thought it would be best to get some oil in it. Halfords 20w50 designed for the Mini.



old school (its green!!!) and given its grade, very thick. It's got to lubricate the engine and box as they aren't separate units on A series engines.



So gradually started filling it up, leaving to settle and checking for leaks throughout given the fact that its an untested engine and I've not replaced any of the seals. (May do a full strip down and rebuild on this engine over another winter to refresh it and maybe add a mod or two)

Then set about doing a bit of wiring. Got the coil hooked up to the starter motor/solenoid. Only issue now is this......



Not us what colour wires these connect too at the front of the bay! Any ideas Mini peeps?



So that's the update on the car, now for something completely different! I recently left my job working for Apple Retail in Union Square and received this as a leaving gift from my department colleagues. It's ace! Signed by everyone and custom plates and Apple logo on the bonnet. Takes pride of place on my desk.





(And they knew it wasn't an old mini but they couldn't find an old one!)

4-7-2013

Update again. Wiring is all hooked up to what I believe to be correct! Going to try and get it checked over before turning the key though, just incase I've made a fire, not a Mini



So moved onto the tank again. Still drying out but getting there with the help of a fan heater. Should be good to go after tea and will get the sealer in afterwards. Takes 72hrs to fully cure, but may throw the heater on again to speed things up.



Took a look at the float/sender unit. Scrap! Thankfully had a new one in stock anyway.



Only to find that the new one had a cracked seal



the old one was still fresh though so swapped them over and fitted with some silicon sealer to guarantee a decent seal.



filled the radiator too. Getting close now.....

Having realised my stupidity, I removed all the silicon from the tank bit as the petrol will eat the silicon. Thankfully wasn't dried! Seal cleaned and put back in.

So the tank dried out so set about sealing it up. Very simple!

Pour the whole can in, sloosh about so all faces are coated (cover ALL holes with decent tape first!) and then pour out again. Ive still got 3/4 of a can left now which will be handy in the future no doubt on future toys

Doesnt look too bonny but it seals rock solid and doesnt let any crap that may have still remained from below, resurface.




Took forever to pour out the excess due to all the contours but got the majority out again. Now to wait 3 days for it all to cure properly. Then its external paint time :)



Progress indeed! Worthwhile weekend! Oh and I went for a drive yesterday in my daily DC2. some pics from that to keep you amused.....Scotland = Win!










Cooked brakes. Was a good run