Monday, September 27, 2010

9. Ripping out the Hart...


With the assistance of my trusty engine crane and the help of my friend "Dangerous Dave" the motor got pulled.


I had to remove the alternator as to enable better clearance...




I know nylon rope is not the best lifting solution but it works...





                                       On the ground and save...It’s going to get some upgrades...



Now to get some work done on the engine bay ... I have so many ideas...

8. Let the Stripping continue…

Went to work on the rear sub frame ...
Took the time to remove some of the bright work and the bumpers...

Some time and a broken socket later it was out...
I think i will be importing a polly bush set for both the front and rear sub frames.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

7. Went and got a Engine trolley and crane combo...

This will be very useful when I lift the body and remove the engine.

6. Got some new arches...

The Rover Spartpack arches... (Also Bitchen)

















These arches come in a set of four and have to be
 imported from England.....Takes a while but totally worth it!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

5. Thinking of the best way to get the motor out.....?



Since the first build i have always wanted to remove the motor on the sub frame and not threw the bonnet opening. I just think it would be cool to see the running components in place when I lift the body.

As for lifting the body I have inquired about a lift type electric winch and sidebar installation in my garage. But I get the feeling that a normal engine lifting trolley will do the job.

Here are some details of the motor....

The motor is a 1275GT block out of a donor car I bought a couple of years back when the project started.
It was redone by Kollie of Kollie's auto repair. The block was resized to 1360cc and some work was done on the head. It is running a 6-4-3cam with normal rockers - (1.5/1 roller tip rockers will be fitted). We installed a new clutch and an 1100cc light flywheel. On the breathing side her lounges are assisted by a 40 Weber side draft with 42type jets.... going to upgrade to 45type soon.

4. Stuff I need to get rid of to make some space...


Sunday, September 19, 2010

3. Got some new wheels...

The Mini Rover Sportpack Wheel "Bitchin"















 
These are second hand wheels Wian sourced for me
from the KZN Mini Forum. Never underestimate the
worth of a good car forum , but more on that later.



2. Let the stripping begin...













Took out the battery first!!!




Jacked her up and put her on stilts.
Looking around the underside of the boot and rear suspension...... I’ve got a lot of work to do.
And ”O” look at all the rust!!!!!

Started Stripping the rear suspension and brake assembly.




















 

Wian came around and helped me remove the tank and some other parts.

1. Remembering the start 10 years ago...

As with all our projects in life, when you decided to start them it seemed like the greatest idea and nothing could persuade us otherwise at the time.

It’s something to keep you busy, entertained, out of trouble or it is something you love to do...

Let’s start with my life project... other than living, trying to survive and supporting a growing family.

 My life project was handed to me by my dad. You see he always wanted to restore a car, and with my interest in mini’s fostered in part by my good friend Wian who at the time got his first car, a Mini (his second car is also a mini) with which we have put the laws a physics to shame on many an occasion, but those are stories I will get to later.

Back to my Dad and his support for starting this project the first time, I believe he got the perfect idea for keeping me busy, out of trouble and out of his hair, with the added bonus of me loving the Idea of a perfectly restored classic mini…




As the picture shows, myself with the assistance in no small part by Wian and the rest of my friends, got far in restoring the mini over the last 10years since I started the project back in 2000. – Taking into consideration, budget and time restraints.

Ok Lets get to work ...