2) Blue Clubby

[RikWalsh]

Right,

Journal No2... IMHO_Matt's blue clubby.. We have alot of history here..

Matt bought this off a friend a good few years back.. We threw a working 998 engine in it - Win!.. It died ..

We built a 1293 stg 3 engine... It was an awsome engine, but it also died...

Queue a three year stand at the mini centre in Preston. Queue half the damn thing being nicked So, I'm not going to go into how it came into my posession - Its a long story involving cowboys and retards..

Anyways, about 3 weeks ago, I recovered "Rouben", down to Benson so he could be put back on the road....

Pics to follow



Rik

[RikWalsh]

So I've spent quite alot of time working this of late.. I've cleaned it a few times (OCD might have kicked in a little) The subframes/mounts off the front seats are long gone, and the seats themselves have a funny smell.... Bin.

What else... Well, The loom is a mess! Over the past few years, someone has decided they wanted the relays/fuses dash/clocks, and pilferred it.. But they've just ripped it out.. Very messy! I was going to pull it all out and start over, but with it being six & two threes over repairing it.. I went with the repair option as I had the solder/heatshrink spare.. The dash has been rebuilt, but untill i can get power on, I won't know if it will work..

Anyways, I've fixed all the cut wires (well, pretty much all of them) and I have a new fuse box (MITP bargain! £1 ).. Once tthe fuse box is in, I've got a few bits left to do - Fit a new battery +ve cable.. And build an engine There is a donor engine at IMHO-Matt's Dad's place, so I'm waiting on that from there.. Probably a job now for when I get back from Afgan




Rik

[dannoodle]

.. Probably a job now for when I get back from Afgan

Rik

you say it like its like going to london.. good luck dude, stay safe

[RikWalsh]

Right, the hunt is back on for a donor engine! We have one, but its buried in a garage full of junk.. Thats hopefully been dug out and I can bring it here to re-con it.. Happy days..

Going to pop down and make sure my garage on the station hasn't been burnt down/broken into/stolen in the past two months and look to move the car to my garage here for the loom fix/engine install.




Rik

[RikWalsh]

Last week, when her micrs "died", I offered Matt some pennies for the car.. Deal done, Matt agreed to sell me the car, providing I offer to sell it back to him first if/when I sell it on.. Happy days!

Plan is to get it running in the next week or so! It has been stood for about 3 years

It needs a little welding - Which I would do myself, if I had the kit - The hand brake lever needs welding to the floor..

SO, I'm going to move it up to the house today from the station, and get an engine in it (I have a 998 spare, so that will get me on the road) I also need an interior, as its empty (only need seats and seat belts for the MoT!..)

Busy week....



Rik

[RikWalsh]

Day one of the clubby build:

Today has been a semi productive day in the garage, what with having brought the thing up from Benson.. Joc's a bit rhubarbed because he has to sleep outside for a few days

So, I have put a new fusebox in there and spent a some time in the back of the Haynes book of lies trying to put the connections on the right terminal.. I took out the old dash too - Not sure what road I want to go down with the dash, might go for a standard 3-clock jobbie, might make my own..

I also drew up a list of parts I need - Mostly small bits and pieced, so thats good

Injuries sustained:
Lost left thumb nuckle in a snip related incident,
Sprayed duck oil in face.. not an injury, I know.. Almost a trip to the local GP there though..

Pictures in a few days..


Rik

[RikWalsh]

Productive day today - Even if it doesn't feel like it..

Fitted a battery +ve cable and had power on for the first time - The loom is rebuilt, but nothing works So the plan for tomorrow is to clean ALL the earths out.. must dig out tap and die set .. The wiper motor works though - so its a start!

Tried to fit the new fuel tank, but for some reason, I can't get it to seat right Take two tomorrow..... I get the feeling I may draw blood again.... If that goes in, I'll do the fuel line too

On Friday, I dropped the block & head off at Downton. Turns out the 1275 engine I've been sat on for 6 years is an MG engine I knew it was a 940 head on it, bu that was it. The head is in for unleaded conversion, and the block is getting new cam bearings and honed..

Must do pictures though..

Happy days..



Rik

[Zippyrude]

must dig out tap and die set ..

proper job

Must do pictures though..

deffo rik!

[RikWalsh]

MAN!.....

Well then! I dug out the tap and die set, and ran though/over all the earth threads.. The lights work now - Or they did (I'll come back to that..) SO - lights and wipers.. All I need are indicators Nope.. Dug out the old circuit tester, but as I started to find lives, the dam thing stopped working! As well as this, the connector on the blue cable going to the light switch broke!

Net result of today - Feeling like I've achieved nothing at all!

I did get the fuel tank in though.. And found an air box that sits behind the wing Found a bonnet safety catch - Just need a scoop/lock for the slam panel and I can have the pins off!

Gonna jack it up and put it on stands to tomorrow - Need the drive shafts off so I can fit new inner CV's before the engine goes in.. When I get it back....

I'm sure there is more to add, but I'll do it later - Gotta pop out now! Got no pictures Even took a camera out with me today

EDIT: injuries sustained.. A sore nose.. Its a good thing I've broken it before! Got an accelerator pedal too! Parts needed are getting fewer for the MoT!




Rik

[RikWalsh]

I think the only thing going well thus far today is that I remembered to take pictures!

I still have the passenger seat - it smells like a dead tramp, but its dry and it'll do while I fix electrical guff!!

Right!! I managed to get the rear heated screen to work. Trivia on the grand sceme of things, but its a start - the plug on the back was plugged into the brake test switch.. easy fix.. I still have my head in the Haynes wiring diagrams, and am getting nowhere

There is power getting to the indicator switch, but not from it - and the power goes if i make a switch.. I'm going to short the connections for the bulbs on a 12v supply i think, just to make sureeach side physically lights up!

I'm starting to think that the original option of a re-loom would have been a better decition!

Ball bag!

Anyways,












EDIT: after disconnecting the indicators from the circuit and connecting them to a 12v supply, they do work! so there is a loose wire somewere...




Rik

[Callum]

Stick your multimeter on resistivity and check to see if the stalk is making a connection.

[RikWalsh]

I've already got it working Cal

turns out, at some point, some retard had pulled out the 3 wires that go to the stalk (gnb - feed, gnw - RIGHT and gnr - LEFT), and the tangs that keep them in place were bent down.. I folded them striaght and pushed them out proper. So, indicators work now - off out after a pee-break to go a figure the hazzards out...




Rik

[RikWalsh]

Productive morning!

I've not really done alot, but its seems I have.. I've fitted the dash switch panel (Cheers for the brackets, Phil ) petrol cap is on, so it can go out of the garage now without it filling up

I think I've fixed the hazard circuit now, too! just waiting on the switch coming in.. I got a box of spares ordered from minisport on Wed today - The postman didn't drop it yesterday because no one was in (needed to be signed for). Put another order in today for a few bits and the bloke wasn't as helpfull! Hit and miss..

In other news, I pulled the LH hub apart - turns out whilst it was parked up, some rhubarb robbed the dust caps off the ball joints, leaving the ball joints & track rod ends loose and to think, I towed this car on an 'A' frame.. So I've pulled the drive shafts out, pulled the CV's apart and cleaned the whole lot up. Going to do the hubs next week - When the ball joint kits turn up, will probably start it on Monday AM.

I think thats it. Engine isn't ready yet ball bag!




Rik

[philster]

I think thats it. Engine isn't ready yet ball bag!

what engine you going for rik?

[RikWalsh]

what engine you going for rik?

aRiktune engine




Rik

[Zippyrude]

aRiktune TM engine

[RikWalsh]

Ola..

Quick update: Pulled the hubs off the car today to finish stripping the driveshafts down and remove the old ball joints.. Had no issues at all removing the O/S hub, but it seems to have lost a CV boot at some point and never got cleaned up

Lookie:



Mingin!

Anyways, Whist doing the other side, I had a few..... Issues.. whilst attempting to undo the hub nut on the N/S:



Yep, that was a 3ft breaker bar... Taking the hub into work tomorrow, I'll see what a 6ft breaker will do!

Going back out shortly as the woman want to watch some rhubarb on BBC @ 20:00, and being as she made me this for tea:



She can have the buttons It moo'd when I stabbed it too Dam it was good!!!




Rik

[Zippyrude]

Yep, that was a 3ft breaker bar... Taking the hub into work tomorrow, I'll see what a 6ft breaker will do!

tried a rattle gun?

[RikWalsh]

Yep, that was a 3ft breaker bar... Taking the hub into work tomorrow, I'll see what a 6ft breaker will do!

tried a rattle gun?

Naa, not got an airline in my garage.. Have at work though ..




Rik

[RikWalsh]

Monday update:

Good news - Managed to get the hub nut and last ball joint undone Went to my MoT testing station (closer than work) and they used a windy gun to undo it all

Bad news - The parts I ordered from minisport on Thursday aint here yet! Even though the bits I asked for on Wed arrived on Thursday! I'm hoping a few ebay purchases will pitch up tomorrow too!

Anyways, I cleaned up both the nubs today - cleaned them off with skywipes and ran tap and dies over/through the threads for the brake calipers as they were looking a bit mingy. de/re greased the CV's and stripped out the gearbox rod change box... thingy... Wired the horn in too, but the horn its-self is knackered New horn required! More money going out!!!!! I wonder if I can wire in a train horn ..

Oh, had a phone call from the work shop - Block ain't ready




Rik

[RikWalsh]

Been a slow few days now Little gutted,as I was hoping to have this thing MoT'd now.. I've been sat around waiting on suppliers and the machine shop - They've had the block for three weeks now (they said a week) and they only started looking at it on Monday

The Minispares order I put in on Monday was here on Tuesday - Happy days..

The Minisport order I put in last Thursday still isn't here! I rung them today and did the irate customer thing.. Turns out they have no ball joint sets in or spark plugs!!! Annoyingly, they said on the phone last week they had it all, more annoyingly if they told me, I could have got it from Minispares! Nobbers..

Anyways, got the seatbelts fitted now - that feels like a bit of a land mark.. Screwed in a new fuel pump too - just need to connect up the electric string/switch and put the main fuel line in - The latter for when its back on its wheels so I can get to the LHS.. Started routing in some speaker wire too - Off to maplin tomorrow morning to get some more terminals and a fag lighter..

The local auto-factors (Interpart in Didcot) is getting me two ball joint sets for the morning, so IF the Minisport ones ever turn up, I'll keep them spare..




Rik

[RikWalsh]

Did the ball joints on Thursday.. Took me about 4 hours to get all four joints shimmed - Fitted the O/S hub assy too.. This afternoon, I refitted the N/S hub assy too.. I had to change both track rod ends - Good thing I keep spares in.. With the car back on its wheels now, I cold fit the fuel line. I now have a fuel system

Got me a bonnet catch too now (Cheers for that Brocko ) so the pins are gone Need to fix the holes they left at some point soon.

All I need now is a few parts to arrive from monkeysport and get the block back from Downton! It *could* be driving soon..




Rik

[Zippyrude]

get some pics up rikko

[RikWalsh]

Will do later, just off to collect my head/block




Rik

[RikWalsh]

So I picked up my block (all naked), head, pistons and transfer case from Downton/engine shop.. The head does look VERY nice! the block is all shiney too

So I fitted the pistons this afternoon.. Managed to break a ring into 3 pieces luckily, I found another .... Got the crank in too - Had a bit of a faf with with way the caps went on the con-rods.. After a brief inspection, there was a stain on them where the oil used to flow before it was dismantled - Happy days! Caps fitted - Its all gravy so far..

I did take pictures, but I forgot to upload them from the garage and bring the camera in

After gym tomorrow AM, going to find a timing plate and get the short engine finshed!




Rik

[Zippyrude]

did you check the ring gaps in the bores ?

[RikWalsh]

did you check the ring gaps in the bores ?

The machine shop (should) have done it - They got the pistons for me, so I asked them to ensure the rings were suitable..




Rik

[RikWalsh]

Pics....







And when I got the hazards working.....



Not done alot today.. Started removing the master cylinders so I clould clean up the bulkhead underneath. The clevis pin on the brake master is a little stuck, so I gave up rhubarb thing.. Clutch one came off easy enough (kinda - I kept all my knuckles )

Thats about it I think.. Getting to that point where I think "why did I bother starting", but I'm hoping a minisport order will arrive tomorrow and I can smash the engine in.. We'll see..




Rik

[Zippyrude]

newly machined kit looks nice doesnt it

make sure you check the main bearing crush mate (min 0.004").

when d'ya think it will all be ready then ?

[nightrain]

More importantly check the oilways you can still get at, most engineering shops parts washers don't get rid of all the swarf. If you find anything pull the oilway core plugs and clean everything.
For future reference, always fit the core plugs yourself and then you can easily make sure it's all clean.

[philster]

stuff like this makes me want to rebuild an engine (although my next engine rebuild will not be a-series )

[RikWalsh]

Still waiting on a few bits from minisport, like a countersunk 1/4" screw for the timing cover (I used to keep spares! where the hell have they all gone!?) Once that is here, I can throw the short engine onto the gearbox/transfer case and smash it in the car! Also got a new clutch plunger/release bearing/diaphragm coming.. Just need to fit the fly to the crank and lap it on (as per Zippy's build) - Something I've never done berfore - Can't see it being hard...

In the mean time, I really should get the "dash" fitted (you'll see why its in inverted commas when I get more pictures up ) Mount the wiper motor correctly and fit the washer bottle/pump!

Also going to see if the 1/2 can of duck oil I put on the brake pedal clevis pin has worked

There is probably more trivial stuff too, but I can't think of it now




Rik

[Brumski]

Once that is here, I can throw the short engine onto the gearbox/transfer case and smash it in the car!

Before you go, fit transfer case to box (with gasket) with idler gear in and check the clearance... it may need shimming if doing it correctly.

Then remove transfer case and build up...


Most people just throw it together and it works but as you're going to so much trouble...

[RikWalsh]

Thats not a bad call.. Its already got a shim on IIRC, but its not going to do any harm, is it





Rik

[RikWalsh]

Put a few hours into this today. Net result is the engine is in! (Did it on my own too )

Got one of them ratchet hand crane thingies, and suspended it from the rafters in the garage.. Lifted it, pushed the car under and lowered it in - Took me about 40 minutes.. Good times! once the engine was in, I threw the flywheel/clutch in - I left it out when I lefted it in, to keep a little wieght down on the rafters. Torque'd up the fly (152Nm!!!!) and the clutch nuts. Done.

So now I need the timing cover back from the paint shop.. Along with a few other bits (breathers and what not) I could fit the bonnet so its not in the way

Plan for tomorrow it to fit the head and check torque everything on the engine whilst its accessable still.. If I fit the head, I'll do the exhaust too.. Need to dig out my spare inlet manifold

I'm at the point I wanted to be at 2 weeks ago! nevermind, It'll give my bank balance time to recover untill her micra goes I'll post pics later - I left the camera in the garage..




Rik

[mini-geek]

Once that is here, I can throw the short engine onto the gearbox/transfer case and smash it in the car!

Before you go, fit transfer case to box (with gasket) with idler gear in and check the clearance... it may need shimming if doing it correctly.

Then remove transfer case and build up...


Most people just throw it together and it works but as you're going to so much trouble...

wise words, I was shocked to find that that I had 10,thou on mine I never had any problems with it in the engines previous life but I don't thing it would have lasted much longer with the 1380. the shims can be a bit costly but something you don't want to scimp on

glad to hear it's coming together..... but hurry up a bit Rik

[RikWalsh]

Semi productive day

The engine I fitted yesterday, I hauled out today I was sprawling in bed this morning, a realised I didn't fit the lock washers under the flywheel I know I could have left it in, but its probably quicker lifting it out as nothing was connected yet..

So the engine (minus head, timing cover & water pump) was fitted. Again We got 152 Nm. Again..

Head is also bolted on now and was progressivly torqued down to 68Nm (50Lb/ft) and of course the rockers are on..

Some pictures for you..





Happy days




Rik

[RikWalsh]

A quick update before I go to work for the evening..

I found my spare inlet manifold I've been hunting for it for a few days, so I cleaned up some studs I found and the spacer/plate pmplovesminis sent (cheers ) there ready for a carb now, so I might as well get a rebuild kit and strip it out/clean it up..

When I get to work, I'm going to see the boys in the paintshop and find out if they have done them few small bits for me.. If they ain't, I've got two more for them If they have, happy days!..

Should have it running soon




Rik

[RikWalsh]

Ola,

Not got the parts back from the paint shop yet, but I have now got a set of seat subframes! They just need altering to accept the seats I have, and they can go in! Win!

One thing I have noticed, is how hot my angle grinder gets - not the spinney bit, but the angle part.. Could this be a bad sign? .. Will continue with bracket manufacturing tomorrow/rest of weekend, its BEER O'clock now




Rik

[philster]

Ola,

Not got the parts back from the paint shop yet, but I have now got a set of seat subframes! They just need altering to accept the seats I have, and they can go in! Win!

One thing I have noticed, is how hot my angle grinder gets - not the spinney bit, but the angle part.. Could this be a bad sign? .. Will continue with bracket manufacturing tomorrow/rest of weekend, its BEER O'clock now

Rik

they usually do get hot, just don't let it labour and you should be fine, i've killed a few through hammering them rather than letting the grinder do the work and taking it easy.......

If you can't smell electrical burning I wouldn't worry