Leeds based Surf Blue 1963 Morris Mini Minor

[surfblue63]

Worth a try. Do you have a vinyl roof in your blue clubman, does the headlining fix behind the window rubbers?

Yes the GT had a Britax Weather Shield and the headliner was fitted as per a Mk3, to the edges and under the window rubbers. I no longer have the car now as I sold it last summer.

[AndyB72]

Not done an update in a while so after some progress with the engine today I thought I'd add to the thread...

Front numberplate restored/painted. It should have a silver outer border being a 'posh' version but I couldn't get it looking right. I'll see how it looks on the car and might have another go in the future...




Third time lucky with the dashboard, this has taken forever, mainly down to me trying to cut corners with cheap lacquer and being impatient. Fingers crossed we don't scratch it while fitting it...






First time I've replace a valve seat, fingers crossed I did it right...



Putting engine together...






Flowing the water pump. Mark told me about this years ago, only takes a few mins...






Bit or MiniSpares rattle can paint...




Its not concourse with quite a few non '63 bits but should work well...






Sorting the carbs ready for a Burlen parts order...

[66Traveller]

Wow - all looking superb! I know what you mean about the border on that model of Hills plate - nigh on impossible to get crisp: much better to paint the whole backing as you have done!

[surfblue63]

Nice finish on that dash. How many coats was it?

[mk1]

Looking GREAT Andy!

[AndyB72]

Nice finish on that dash. How many coats was it?

Four but could have kept going. For the first two attempts I used a 2K rattle can which was supposed to be good quality but I couldn't get it to harden off properly, even in the recent hot weather. I ended up using 2K in a spray gun, more hassle but it worked much better.

[roger mcnab]

hi did you corner the market on su carbs the dash looks great with the pattern in the wood grain
the whole car will look fantastic when all together
cheers roger mcnab

[AndyB72]

I knew I had one or two pairs of NOS carbs kicking about but didn't realise I had three. I kept my eye open for sprite/midget carbs rather than Mini Cooper, much cheaper and I'm not really bothered about them being 100% correct.

I really like the tiger pattern in the veneer, very chuffed with the final result.

[AndyB72]

Looking GREAT Andy!

Thanks for your help with the cam timing!

[mk1]

I didn't do anything! You had already set it perfectly

[AndyPen]

Seeing your engine paint has made me wonder about fitting the engine without the head on when it comes to mine???

[AndyB72]

Yes it made sense, much easier to mask off, the only paint you would damage is to attach a ratchet to the crank pulley to set the tappets.

[AndyB72]

Bit of a Friday update. After hatching a plan with Tim and Chris at Whights to collect the GTM for painting sooner rather than later I decided to move the Mini from my parents garage to mine so I could finish it off. After fitting the engine last weekend I've notice a patch of oil under the back which appears to be coming from the diff, so the engine will have to come out again, very frustrating as for once I'd manage to drop the engine in without scratching the body or any of the other parts.



Another problem I've come across is the twin box RC40 sits way too close to the starter switch, about 10-15mm, and no matter how much I twist and move it I can't get it to sit further away. If the output from the freeflow manifold was about an inch longer it would sit perfect, but would be a bitch to drop in. I've ordered a section of straight pipe and plan to chop the manifold end off the other one and weld it on.



As they say these things come in 3s. I've fitted new cones from MS along with new knuckles and adjustable suspension but even on the very lowest setting the suspension sits a bit too high for me. The cones have been under compression in the subframe for several months and have sat with the body on them since December. I was hoping that after fitting the engine they would sit perfect, even too low. I'll give them a few weeks to settle further otherwise it looks like I'll have to strip the suspension to remove the locking nut from the adjustable suspension.



So a few steps forward and a few steps back, really happy with how its looking though.

I'm having the suspension setup on Monday so I can run the engine in. Then I'll get him back to tweak the Mini and GTM once they've settle fully.

[Minigman]

I’ve found similar suspension height issues with new kit in the past. They do settle once the car is driven. I think with acceleration and breaking the whole thing starts to sit down better.

[Nick W]

I thought my car sat too high at first ...but will defiantly settle down once driven ....
Car looks too good to use though ....

[SMOKE GREY]

Plus one on the ride height, that will be fine with a few miles on it.

[docka]

Can’t beat smurf blue

Where’d you get the elephant’s trunk, catmint?

[Fanfaniracing]

Wich Cones do you use from MS? I had the Same problem with my red dot cones. Had to mill down the trumpets by 12mm and the screw by 20mm.

Now everything is fine and the ride is good with this cones

[AndyB72]

The standard cones. I’m sure once I’ve driven a few miles things will settle down, fingers crossed.

[AndyB72]

Can’t beat smurf blue

Where’d you get the elephant’s trunk, catmint?

Yes from a friend but originally from catmint, I think Mini Spares sell them too.