My new project - 1965 Morris Cooper S - HOY 500D

[Nick W]

lt must be a nice feeling to know everything will fit after its painted

the battery lead channel was a bit uneven on mine...hard to sort after paint

[Andrew1967]

lt must be a nice feeling to know everything will fit after its painted

the battery lead channel was a bit uneven on mine...hard to sort after paint

Better add that to the snagging list Nick

I think this comes from building 'bespoke' machinery as my day job where, if the machines are not 'black built' before paint, you can guarantee there'll be problems at final assembly with parts not fitting !!

[Andrew1967]

Peter .... it's a good idea in theory ... 'The DIY restorers guide to restoring a rotten Mk1 Cooper S, in a domestic garage' ....

Might please someone

Maybe I will do something ...

[Andrew1967]

Following Peter's request in the Headlamp fitting thread in the Technical section, here a pic of the squared off headlamp bowl fixing holes.

I have been on holiday from work this week and forgot to bring my mates square drill bit home to do this job (a long standing joke on one of our younger members of staff who was having a blonde moment at the time ).

So, quite simple, I enlarged the existing holes with a 1mm incremental step drill (good quality step drills are fantastic bits of kit) to just under the required size and then filed the corners square with a square file until a decent fit was achieved with the fasteners. Simples !!

I did use my pencil die grinder (Blue Point - expensive but a brilliant thing for detailing in tight corners etc) to remove some of the wing metal from around a hole on each wing to allow the fastener to sit flush with the bowl mounting plate.

I guess someone is now going to say the holes aren't correctly orientated

[BLT]

What is the reason for the square holes? Won't round holes do?

Anyway, looking great Andrew. You've done more on that car in 6 months than I've got done in 3 years.

[timmy201]

What is the reason for the square holes? Won't round holes do?

Anyway, looking great Andrew. You've done more on that car in 6 months than I've got done in 3 years.

The plastic clips that the headlight bowls screw into are square. There are some photos in the thread below:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=25551

[BLT]

Ok thanks. Where can I buy the clips?

[Peter Laidler]

And don't forget that the small 'head' of the square plastic nuts will prevent metal to metal contact as well as the metal screw graunching its way through the metal wing. Not totally relevant here because there's a rubber seal around the bowl. But it is relevant for the grille retaining screws.

Where can you buy the clip thinggies....... Can you put the retailers details up again SurfBlue?

Thanks Andy

[BLT]

Is it these?

https://www.bresco.com/acatalog/Nylon-s ... tml#SID=18

[Andrew1967]

Yes, they are the type Richard, although I found some NOS from auto jumbles over the years.

[Toby]

I guess someone is now going to say the holes aren't correctly orientated

You're right Andrew, I'll get you a pic of a nos headlamp ring later on

[Andrew1967]

I guess someone is now going to say the holes aren't correctly orientated

You're right Andrew, I'll get you a pic of a nos headlamp ring later on

Well, we'll all learn something new today then Toby. I'm not altering them though

[Costafortune]

Painted this year, and reassembly starting?

Wonder what the engine's like?

[Andrew1967]

2 pack primer and maybe initial colour coats by end of year but top coats will be next year.

Engine, thought to be original (by block number dating and physical evidence) currently at plus 40 and will need rebore etc. Currently has 4 sync box but have 333 box to correct that.

[Costafortune]

Don't leave it in primer for months as it absorbs moisture - get a good base coat on. That will settle over the months, find any imperfections and be a very good base to flat off and top coat.

[Andrew1967]

Don't leave it in primer for months as it absorbs moisture - get a good base coat on. That will settle over the months, find any imperfections and be a very good base to flat off and top coat.

I’m using an 2k epoxy primer that is waterproof but yes, normally primer is porous so good advice

[Andrew1967]

First instalment of primer today

[Daz1968]

Always looks better even with primer, makes you feel like you are getting somewhere after all the hard work.

[swifty]

No right hand tank bracket on the rear seat upright Andrew ? . Ive forgot that many times in the past . And had to mix up a small amount of paint and puff in ... ken

[timmy201]

He may be keeping it single tank as per the factory delivered spec?