Tuesday 26 August 2014

Light work

Whilst going back and forth between uni and home, I have decided to do light work on parts that can be easily removed and replaced, while still leaving the car drivable. This week I'm doing the speaker set up.

Home made speaker board with two 130W speakers and a 500W 4 channel Amplifier, nothing outlandish but should make the loud motorway journeys more tolerable with audible music.
Some very neat soldering 

My new oil filler funnel, prevents having to clean up each time I refill the engine

Thats a lot of degrees!


New Battery Cable

After my recent exhaust troubles I have found that the battery cable has been melted by close proximity to the exhaust, whilst it has not failed yet, I do not want to give it that chance. So:

A freshly crimped end, with some left over heat shrink to hide the metal
Comparison: Old vs New


I know Green/Yellow is recognised as earth but it was the only suitable cable I had for the job. And by that logic, so is black (the original colour)

A very nice picture

Angus took his mini to Wales and this is a stunning photo from the trip.

Friday 22 August 2014

Honda Generator

Just a few pictures from an old Honda EB-1900X generator I'm refurbishing, heading off to university soon so might be a while before it is running.

The new grinder wheel I purchased is ideal for removing lots of paint, fast.

 Ultrasonic speaker location is very visible inside the cylinder head.

Lots of shiny, repainted parts. Still a bit tacky so waiting for drying time


My very haphazard fuel tank system; an upside down peanut butter jar with a piece of plastic pipe glued to the lid.


Shiny metal everywhere!


Thursday 21 August 2014

Seat Diaphragm


 Hit a rather nasty bump on the motorway, seat diaphragm split right down the middle.

Repaired with copious amounts of tie wraps.

Wednesday 13 August 2014

Car Camping

After arrival at the Harrogate TR Show, enduring 7 hour traffic from Birmingham (2.5 hour drive tops!) I found a lack of inspiration to find a tent spot, or to go out in the rain. I decided that the appropriate cause of action was to sleep in the car.

For future reference the most comfortable way to sleep in a Mini, is to put both seats all the way forward, lift up the drivers seat and rest it as far forward as possible, and sleep either diagonally with your feet on the passenger seat, or curled up on the back seat...
For added relaxation the remaining battery life on my laptop was spent on Dragon Ball, a worthy sacrifice.

Exhaust Catastrophe Part 2!

On the way to harrogate I was subject to torrential rain, I could not see a thing out of the front windscreen other than the blur of rear lights in front of me. Driving along suddenly the car jolted as I hit a puddle, obviously my exhaust must have dislodged itself once more as I found the next day during the Auto Solo that after a few races (which could only have aggravated the problem) that my exhaust had once again fallen off.

After the day was done I wheeled by car to the tent and begun work.

I managed to slot the exhaust in place and smear some borrowed fire gum all over the join but there was still a large blow at the head/manifold join. I decided that I would have to fix this at home.

Incase the exhaust once more dislodged I supported it by attaching it to the subframes with wire coat hangers acquired from the clothes store and made my way home.

I had barely made it half a mile before I stopped at Sainsbury's for some ear plugs.

Harrogate TR

Unfortunately the TR6 was not road worthy due to internal engine problems and suspension, so I decided to go to the Harrogate TR International Weekend in the Mini.

On the way I suffered yet more exhaust trouble, torrential rain and steamed up windows. Lots of awesome TR's about and found much fun in taking part in the auto solo race in the Mini.

Of course, Mini's handle much better than TR's so any comparison is negligible but 2 other minis thought they would give it a go too.

My best time was 70.00 seconds, but the prize was taken by a 69.00 done by another mini with a modified Toyota turbocharged engine!

Exhaust troubles to come later...