1975_mini

Ali, Are you the one managing the store or can you point me to who is

1 can will be plenty (home depot or lowes will have it), I am free all weekend.

Nora, Just toss out a day and where abouts you are. Another possibility there is the dent removal party at the garagemahal (craig's garage) next weekend, you would get to meet some of the members, I would be willing to help. Not volunteering Craig's time or garage/ spot on his driveway to lay down the grille, but he is a PD wizard and always willing to help. Just drop him a line (CMCVeay). Feel free to send me a PM I am available most weekends, I would only be working on Watson or Brandy would be giving me jobs. Payment is hanging out with other Miniacs!!! Corey

It is an hour project if you take your time, as the gen2 grille removes very easy, so you don't have to tape off. It is pretty durable stuff, areas I did almost 2 years ago still look great. Only issue I had was blaze colors (i.e. orange, blue, pink) bleach out in the sun. As for pealing the thicker the coat the easier to peal, or watch the pick-a-part lots around and you can get a spare grille for 20 bucks. Not try to push, I am a member of the PD fan club. and you could do your grille and all bezzles with a $8 can, can't beat the price. There are plenty of us that have used it, and would be more that willing to help out if you choose that route.

All buttoned up, fuilds refilled, and four tires back on the ground for the first time in a few months. I should be crossing my toes and turning the key tomorrow. Also replaced the lower control arm and tie rod bushing. I think they were a bit wore, front should definately be stiffened up now.

Any particular reason you dont want to use PD? This is PD on a brandy's grille and bezzles

Engine back in its home, bolting all the externals on tomorrow.

The boot is shorter than the bonnet, could you just cut a set shorter.

Thanks, Craig Thanks, Tyler. I have been wanting to check out cars and coffee, but its an hour drive for me and I have not made the commitment to getting up that early. Definitely going to need coffee to gt there.

Engine is ready to go after a refresh: degreased, repainted, new hoses, belt, and gaskets. Also a shiney new 11 blade fan that has all blades, the old one had 10 and a numb. Hope to drop back in this weekend, and have him running again next week.

all the ulgy flaking rino lining gone, and repainted to match the body, also repainted the subframe black after this photo. the engine is painted as well and hopefully ready to go back in this weekend.:top:

Plasti-dip is only 8 dollars a can, that is how I did the wifey's stripes (brandy_brown). works great and if you don't like peal off and try another design.

They are fx1160 5.5" halogen fog lights (i.e. $65 EBay special). I may look to upgrade down the road, depend on how much they get used. They are wired in pairs center two and outside two, so may switch one pair to driving lights. Also they are mounted using the VIP quad bar

Thanks

I ordered the VIP quad bar for Brandy for V-day, i have install and mounted the two outside lights on Ebony. As I look at the amount of the grille that is covered, my question is has anyone had any overheating issue after added quad lights:questionmark: thanks

That's some pricey equipment. Erin, not sure the area you are at, but at the auto hobby shop here on quantico it is 14 bucks a tire, 18 for low profile. I am not sure the side wall height that separates standard and low profile.

looks like it was a fun time, brandy said she enjoyed it. Sorry I missed it, hope to see everybody soon.

Finally got my hands on a friends engine hoist, and wanted to get the engine out before traveling for business. One rusted motor mount held me up for a few hours, but engine is officially out:rock: A lot of cleaning ahead of me. Also need to decide whether to keep the engine block black. black is original for 998cc motors in mk IIIs. Depend if I keep the engine bay black or try to match it to the exterior paint. Here is the link to the album, set filter to oldest fist and the pictures are in order http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/buckshot2191/library/Watson/Engine%20Refresh Looking back I probably should have covered the fenders, got luck no dings. I found the original Red paint

Figured I should get some work done before the next artic freeze. I was able to get the engine full disconnected and ready to pull. So Brandy and I we were able to get all fuilds drained, the carburator, alternator, distributor, and starter removed. The gear selector diconnected, axels pulled from the differential, and all wires disconnected. Once it decided to be above freezing (garage is not heater) we will removed to prelossened motor mounts and lift the engine. Here is a link to the photobuck album, it is mostly kind of boring reference photos at the moment. http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/buckshot2191/library/Watson/Engine%20Refresh Gus decided he was helping too

I had a friend bring a hoist over. You could pick it up with two guys, but I would do that as a last resort. A buddy and I picked up and loaded the 1098cc I bought, but it was not in an engine bay. Lifting out of an engine bay is just ask to drop it damaging the engine or the car. You would pretty much be straight leg dead lifting it, and ask to hurt your back. You might be able to put a jack under and push it up most of the way then lift out.

I know pulling mine is pretty simple like 6 wires, the heater hoses, the fuel line, and undo the motor mounts and out it comes. Yours is a little newer so might be a bit more involved. My level is not that high, old a series motors are pretty simple (no computers or fuel injection). My garage is not much, but always open for anyone that wants to stop in or need tools and a hand with something. I might have to take you up on the pressure washer, I still need to return your your brake compression cubes. I have been doing some scouting for a good spot, see if we can get one that bumps Ali's photo as my profile pic.

Those are pretty cool, but kind of like having a actual a-series motor when you lift the hood. I did pick up a 1098cc motor the other weekend, and spent the last two week breaking it down. basically a stroked version of the 1000cc motor he is currently running.

Since purchasing Watson he has looked great on the outside, but under the hood is an eye sore. Mechanically everything runs great,, but the engine has years of grime, and the former owner make a poor attempt of coating the engine bay. So I am pulling the engine to give it a good cleaning and replace a few worn gaskets. The big effort will be stripping the bay and cleaning up some backyard wiring. I will also be replacing bushing through out the front end as the all look to be 35 years old. Hopefully I have him back on the road sooner rather than later. Here is a photo of him doing his best Maynard impression. I'll toss update on here as I go.

I there really such a thing as overstock, I will have to check my racks. My MINI inventory isn't to bad. My Mini part inventory is another story, I use the excuse you can't just go to autozone to stockpile pats for Watson.:top:

Thanks, Craig. Rear brakes complete, and I was able to dodge Brandy's dog house.