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+--- Thread: Finally got something! (/showthread.php?tid=744)
Finally got something! - ChristiaanV - 09-26-2017
Greetings folks.
Time to stop lurking and start posting more.
I yesterday closed the deal on a small, yellow 1100 Clubman ( https://i.imgur.com/zN9EFLE.jpg ).
I cannot remember it's age or much else about it's history other than I'm the 3rd owner, yesterday is a bit of a blur.
So I actually went to go look at a 1275, but there was more work left on it than I had money for. Fortunately for me, the guy had a second mini he bought off his supervisor (original owner), and then finally settled for me taking that off his hands.
Now comes the tricky part for me;
-The brakes are terrible (got a master cylinder brake repair kit with). I'll upgrade to disks in future.
-It's not gone through roadworthy in recent years.
-I'm told the license is paid but not issued because of road worthy certificate is missing (But I do have the papers and 1 plate on the back)
-The entire engine bay is coated in soot and petrol from a hole in the exhaust somewhere, suspected the manifold from a flexing engine and many years of use.
-Interior needs to be addressed, but no rust on the floor pan
-Aged window rubbers, probably needs replacing after a respray
-Surface rust in multiple places, so I'm hoping to get a quote on having it sanded, treated and resprayed.
-Might have to replace the bonnet, the left side (facing the car) is very rusted
-It has a racing steering wheel, I'll probably swap that out as well.
My plans/priority order:
-Fix brakes
-Get it through roadworthy and apply new license plates (and pray that the license actually has been paid for)
-Get insurance and a tracker
-use it until I get time to take the engine and seats out, have everything cleaned off and the shell given rust treatment and a fresh coat of paint.
I'll take some more pictures tonight after work and upload tomorrow morning.
RE: Finally got something! - DomMINIque - 09-26-2017
Well congrats.
A mini is always a fun (read sometimes F*cken frustrating) car to have.
What is "terrible"? Do you need to pump the pedal before it grips? Does it pull to one side when you brake.
It may be as simple as drum brakes that need to be adjusted.
RE: Finally got something! - ChristiaanV - 09-26-2017
(09-26-2017, 04:31 PM)DomMINIque Wrote: Well congrats.I cannot remember if pumping worked as we had the previous owner drive it to my place. I'm getting into the car deeper after work, probably starting with soaping off from one end before I start opening up.
A mini is always a fun (read sometimes F*cken frustrating) car to have.
What is "terrible"? Do you need to pump the pedal before it grips? Does it pull to one side when you brake.
It may be as simple as drum brakes that need to be adjusted
'terrible' as it does not turn to the side, just triple the stopping distance required even with the brake pedal on the floor.
Maybe I'll pop the wheels off and check the drums before I open the master cylinder.
RE: Finally got something! - jimmyjamjar - 09-27-2017
congratulations ! Another Mini saved and heading for the TLC garage. You must keep us up to date with progress.
RE: Finally got something! - ChristiaanV - 09-27-2017
So, I researched the model number in the engine bay 'CX-A2S2' and came up with nothing.
But, looking http://www.somerfordmini.co.uk/eshop/index.php?main_page=page&id=123 I found searching for just X-A2S2 returned it is a Mini Clubman Salloon made somewhere in 1969-1974.
I read the wiper motor is also a good place to look for info on when it was manufactured.
'75738H' brings me an eBay listing for a wiper motor 1973.
Without having someone with more knowledge look it over, I think this is as much info I can gather right now.
http://www.roadcover.co.za/is-your-car-roadworthy/ game me some insight to checking roadworthyness of the vehicle and I will have to replace the bonnet as soon as possible, the right side is very corroded and has a sharp edge facing forward. That I can just ask the CT group if anyone has one.
And I need to fix the passenger seat; both front hinges are torn off so the chair is flopping around on the adjustment hinge.
RE: Finally got something! - Vinay-RS - 09-27-2017
Congratulations on the purchase! It actually looks quite original in the photo. If I were you, I'd try to preserve the original seat material and interior trim as finding original parts is getting quite rare.
A disc brake upgrade is definitely worth considering, but if you'd like to keep your 10" wheels (which is also recommended), then you'd need to source a 7.5" disc brake kit. Also, many people report that drum brakes actually work really well if maintained properly, so discs may not even be necessary.
There is a supplier of glass fibre bonnets for a Clubman, although one of the local Mini spares suppliers might have an old straight bonnet for you.
RE: Finally got something! - ChristiaanV - 09-27-2017
(09-27-2017, 12:15 PM)Vinay-RS Wrote: Congratulations on the purchase! It actually looks quite original in the photo. If I were you, I'd try to preserve the original seat material and interior trim as finding original parts is getting quite rare.
A disc brake upgrade is definitely worth considering, but if you'd like to keep your 10" wheels (which is also recommended), then you'd need to source a 7.5" disc brake kit. Also, many people report that drum brakes actually work really well if maintained properly, so discs may not even be necessary.
There is a supplier of glass fibre bonnets for a Clubman, although one of the local Mini spares suppliers might have an old straight bonnet for you.
The leather on the driver and passenger seats have torn, maybe they can be resewn? Most of the upholstry just needs a desperate clean after the car stood still for 7 years.
When I get to have the rust removed and the car sprayed (as close to the original color) I'll try save as much of the trim and interior as I can, but the back windows will need to be removed to get to the rust under the rubbers, in which case might as well remove all the glass.
I should most likely also replace all the window and door seals after the paint job, I don't know how well it will seal when refitted.
I doubt I'll be able to afford disks any time soon, but is this (C-AJJ4028MS minispares) the kit I'd have to get, or is there a less expensive alternative like a Nissan 1400 bakkie brakes?
Oh, I can only pull the handbrake 3 clicks, that's working perfect.
So the guy I purchased her from is more concerned with the performance of the minis he's been working on the last few years, and put HILO shocks on the front. I will probably have them raised some so I don't come to a halt driving over a speedbump.
There is so much work to do I'm trying to make small manegable projects like getting a large pan to put under the engine bay before I clean the engine. Don't want that oil to stain the garage floor, and no place outside to make such a mess.
In my flu-fighting body staying home today I did manage to fix the passenger seat by re-bolting the seat to the front hinge.
RE: Finally got something! - Vinay-RS - 09-27-2017
I'd steer clear of Nissan, VW or Toyota brakes. Sure they'll be cheaper, but you won't be able to use the lovely 10" wheels that a Mini was designed for and that alone will ruin the handling.
HILOs are a great mod. They'll help you to correct for cones that compress at they're used.
If the seats are damaged, perhaps chat to some of the reupholsterers. Deon, who is on this chat comes highly recommended by the folks up in Gauteng. There may be ways to save the seats with minimal new fabric. If you're based in Cape Town, there are a few recommended people for reupholstering interiors too.
You can also get new rubber kits, which will seal properly. There's no need to reuse old and perished rubbers for a Clubman.
Glad to hear that you're slowly fixing parts to get the Mini in a driving state. It'd be great to see some more pictures of your car and see what the plans are for it.
RE: Finally got something! - jimmyjamjar - 09-28-2017
Hi!
I might have a bonnet somewhere behind my shed. If you're in CT we might be able to arrange something. I'lll take a look and see if I have one and what condition it's in.
RE: Finally got something! - ChristiaanV - 09-28-2017
Here's an album of pictures. I don't like uploading here, don't want to load the server with high resolution images.
https://imgur.com/a/u2uTj
If any of the shorts look fuzzy it's because I used a low ISO on the camera to let more light in and my arms were not that steady.
So in it's closeup glory you guys can see the rust along the seams, original badges, and how dirty the engine bay is.
Also there's a heater inside which I greatly appreciate for winter use.
(09-28-2017, 09:04 AM)jimmyjamjar Wrote: Hi!
I might have a bonnet somewhere behind my shed. If you're in CT we might be able to arrange something. I'lll take a look and see if I have one and what condition it's in.
I am, residing in Bergvliet.
At this point I'm not caring for the color of the bonnet, it just shouldn't slice a pedestrian in half when they run across the road in front of me, or cause gangrene when I pop the bonnet open (see https://i.imgur.com/2lMrcBP.jpg )