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Another interesting piece about Doc's thread, especially this page, top, is that it shows just how malleable mild steel is. And as a consequence, why it's so good for press work. Reminds me of student projects where we had to plan and progress stuff - but NOT using mld steel!

ads7 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 14, 2021 10:25 am Stunning work on this whole project .. really though why does everyone struggle with fitting engine mounts?

Offside in first, used a flat blade screwdriver to jiggle around until full hole was aligned then fitted the bolt into a ring spanner with a little bit of cling film around the nut head to make it stick in there until I'd manoeuvred the bolt in and tightened the nut.

Used the minispares mounts without any welded on nuts.

Absolutely no delay whatsoever in getting these fitted.

Thanks for your feedback and your experience.

Regarding the engine mounts, I have spend hours in the past fiddeling the bolts into the correct position. I think its also a matter of the rubber condition, whether they slip in easiely or not. But maybe I just havn't found the right way to install them

During my last engine installation I struggled with the alignment of the holes for about an hour. And the mounts where already modified with selftaping nuts. I'm not sure how much time I would have spend with the bolts routing inside out.

I'm happy to hear others don't have problems to bolt the engine mounts to the subframe .

In the meantime, the electroplating shop has also done its job and galvanised my small parts. Reassembly is much more fun, even if the small parts are in mint condition.


This is a good opportunity to see the difference in the brake pressure regulating valve between the Cooper S and the standard. With the longer spring, the valve closes later, allowing more pressure to reach the rear wheel brake cylinders.


The old Lucas relays are also allowed to move back into their old, newly renovated home.

At some point, there comes a time when I have to hand over work. And that is the case with the paint job. I went through all the steps in my mind for a long time to make sure I had done everything that needed to be done before the paint job. But now the time had come to load up the shell and leave it in the care of strangers. As you can see from my choice of words, it wasn't easy for me. I was well aware that this was not going to be easy. But the fact that I had such a hard time putting the body, which I had spent well over 1,000 hours building and knew every welding point by first name, into the hands and responsibility of my chosen painter surprised me myself. In the end, however, I got over it. With the space I've gained in the garage, I can devote myself fully to the technology for the time being.

Looks fantastic, I know it’s hard to allow someone else to work in it, but at least you have the time to get all the parts ready for reassembly.

Don't be away for too long Herr Docktor. How long will they need for painting the body? There is plenty to do and show us while the body is away.

Guten abend metallbau-guru!
I have just spent the past two and a half hours reading through all your posts. I thought I was an averagely competent welder but to say that I am blown away and in awe of your metalwork and fabrication skills would be an understatement.
So typical of German attention to detail and problem solving. Sir, you are an inspiration, a true example of Vorsprung Durch Tecknik.
I cannot wait to see the finished car

Another huge step Doc!

A big wrench to let it go, but just think what it will look like when it returns!

I can't wait!

Yes, it feels a wretch, but I am sure just as much care and attention has been put into deciding who would do the paint and prep as has gone into the rest of the work so far, so I'm sure the decision will be justified.

It will come back looking perfect, and you'll tell yourself that it's better than you could ever have done (and we'll all secretly think 'aye right, Doc COULD have done that because he seems to be some sort of wizzard!' )

But enjoy the change to the mechanicals for a while, and look forward to the return of a perfect surf blue GT! It's an exciting stage in the project

Al

Should have clear coated it and left it as is to show workmanship and skills

Thank you for all your encouragement about letting the shell go. I now have a good feeling about my choice of painter. I have finally found a painter who understands me. Not only in terms of language, but also in terms of what is important to me in this paint job. Unfortunately, that didn't always work out with other painters in the past. And that unfortunately had a negative effect on the result every time.

With a week's holiday break, there is now also a new update on the mechanical work. Even though many parts are now available new, I am much more a friend of the old original parts. You rarely have to expect surprises, unless the parts are damaged. So it was time to overhaul the axle and brake parts. Remove rust in a white vinegar bath, check for damage, paint with etch primer and finally apply a solid 2-pack paint.

Great work Doc!

Like you i also think that nothing works better than an original part!

Keep on with the good work!

Btw: what vinegar do you use for the bath?

Thanks Fabian. I just use some vinegar from the supermarket for about 80 cent per Liter. I tried to find vinegar with a high acid percentage. Actually, there is no specific vinegar I can recomend. Most of them work very well. And you can reuse them for quite a while. I already have a 5 Liter container filled with the mixture (vinegar/water) which I use since years.

I continued with the overhaul of the steering wheel and column. I have also dedicated myself to various axle parts and, with a good portion of elbow grease, refurbished them for further use.

Stunning quality work as always Doc! You are an inspiration.

Very good choice the Les Leston Grand Prix and yours is looking like new.

Kees

The MR registration code is near Frankenberg is it not? I went there to visit an old car dealer called Fred Koch probably 20 years ago - he had some amazing stuff.

Costafortune wrote: ↑Tue Aug 17, 2021 9:13 pm The MR registration code is near Frankenberg is it not? I went there to visit an old car dealer called Fred Koch probably 20 years ago - he had some amazing stuff.

I'm sorry but I don't understand this comment

The current summer again clearly shows how important a heating system is in a Mini. And so that it can do its job, everything has to be checked, overhauled and refurbished. In almost new condition, it can then move back into the footwell of the Broadspeed.

MR is the car area code for Hessen/Marburg? You may or not have known the garage of Fred Koch not far away in Frankenberg (now gone) that had lots of interesting old cars.

Oh, now I got it. I was wondering what you mean with MR and Frankenberg. I thought about MiniRegister etc. but did not get the connection to the registartion of the towing car.
And unfortunately I don't know Fred Koch. I know another Koch-Family who is addicted to Minis in second generation already. But they are located in the Stuttgart area.

To my delight, the painter has also been busy in the meantime. First of all, he devoted himself to the areas that are particularly painful to the fingers when sanding. So the underbody, the engine compartment and the interior got a solid coat of primer first. I then sealed the seams myself. I'm a burnt child when it comes to sealing seams. And then I got a foretaste of the final colour in these areas