How mighty a task is a complete re-fit?

[Brynmor]

OK, i'm fairly sure I already know the answer but...

Starting with a bare shell (painted) and the airfix kit of parts that make a Mini (mechanicals/interior etc all A1)....how big a job is it for the hobbiest with 'regular' tools to put it back together?

Got the chance of a Mk1, currently a bare shell with all parts there, but needs re-assembly...i'm not the hottest mechanic out there but i'm not the worst either..

Honest opinions with timescales etc would be much appreciated.

(Alternatively how much would a gargae charge to re-fit like that?)

[Frogeye61]

I think a timescale depends a lot on your enthusiasm and availability of free time.
Building a motor or gearbox is time consuming and requires knowledge tools and patience.
Most of the actual assembly isn't too difficult, though knowledge of every system is necessary. Think of installing the subframes, engine, suspension, brakes, electrical, re-upholstery, headliner, installing glass, lights, trim and then the myriad of adjustments. If you are learning along the way (actually even the most experienced still learn along the way) - that is a lot of learning, it will take a long time. The quality of assembly you do is also potentially very time consuming. I must assume you have a small garage to work in and a reasonable set of tools. Regarding tools, think about the above mentioned jobs.

I have been spending too little time each day, though nearly every day, putting my Frogeye together. Admittedly there was a whole lot of rust and body work, but it has taken so far several years. My neighbour has been doing a 1030 Model A Ford - for the last 10 years though I don't see him working on it every day.

[ronie]

If you outsource the engine and gearbox rebuild, the rest is pretty straight forward.
Its difficult to put a number to the hours needed. An expert might might do a job in an hour, while an amateur might need a whole evening.
Its a very satisfying proccess though. I personally love it. If you gan get a mate or two to help out, its even better than going to the pub.

[LMM76C]

Having been forced to re-shell a Mk1 Mini at the age of 19 with virtually no experience (previously, changing front pads had been a challenge), the one very big advantage is that it is small. Apart from needing thin fingers to fit the odd part in confined spaces, so much is within reach for one person when it comes to tightening bolts etc. When I did the same with a Mk2 Escort (still a relatively small car), the sheer size and weight of things like axle and gearbox makes it so much more difficult and so often needs two or more people.

[Brynmor]

Cheers for replies, fortunately engine/box don't need a rebuild so there's at least scope for rolling the complete assembly under i'd imagine.

[zippypinhead]

Well, I went from this:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq74 ... r_0302.jpg


To this in less than a year
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq74 ... 0_0539.jpg

There again towards the end, I started to look at it like I was almost cheating..... No doors to hang, no gaps to worry over, no interior, no stinkin headliner, no window winders/window latches/window tracks.....
At the time I was lifting the subframe assembly complete with lump, radiator, suspension into place, I started thinking, all I need to do is bleed the brakes 'n clutch and drive the damned thing.

[Brynmor]

Cracking job...lots to think about many thanks for all the input

[zippypinhead]

Sit down and make up a budget of both money and time.... Then, figure you'll spend half again that much.... If you're lucky.
I was very fortunate that midway through the process the war department.... errrr, wife managed to misplace all the reciepts. That gave me "plausable deniablitly".
Seriously, she was very supportive through the whole thing. She understood that, once I started tearing the Moke to bits, it was pretty much worthless until finished.

[Will Grant]

Quite an interesting question. A local chap told me 4000 hrs to do a car properly. Admittedly this is for pre war models, but substantiated by the fact he has done several - all different. Having said that, milling a cast ali ' artillery wheel', including drilling each spoke twice (weight reduced by half) probably accounts for 10% of this time. Interesting to know what others think of a cumulative time for a rebuild.

[Lord Croker]

The last full Mini re-shell I carried out took around 400 hours, but that included refurbishment of parts, so it looked like a new car rather than just a new shell with parts transferred from the original. That time did not include painting as the shell arrived ready painted. That was a normal road Mini with all interior trim. At the other end of the scale, with the help of an assistant, I once re-shelled a 'no frills' rally Mini in a week. As a diversion from Minis, my brother & I assembled a V8 Westfield in around 300 hours. (I wish we still had that beast!)