1975_mini

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.

Thanks Craig, sent pm

I have changed brandy's front brakes, and was attempting to do the rear. I have a cheap piston compressor so it does not have the pegs to twist while compressing. Therefore i can not compress the pistons on the rear, had no issues with the front. Does anyone know any tricks to get the clockwise rotation while compressing. Or have a better compressor to borrow. Or another trick that may be causing my issues.:banghead: Thanks for any help you can offer.

Looking good

you snaps some great shots of watsons that day, photo 66 has been my background at work since you posted it.

That is fine, i would never ask someone to disrupt there hunting. I will shoot you a pm with ideas in a next couple days. thanks again

The prison was a really good spot, the club photo was the first event I brought watson to after getting him. Ali took some awesome photos, I have one as my desktop at work.

Hey all, I was lucky to win the photo session with Craig at the MTTB5 raffle. I am trying to find some possible locations. I was thinking older European architecture (i.e. row-houses, cobblestone) Alexandria of course comes to mind but always heavily trafficked by people and vehicle. Anyone have any good idea, I am open to all suggestions. Thanks all

You caught Watson with his secondary brake in place, when i first got him he liked to motor without me. I tightened the emergency brake, but the chock is still my safety blanket.

Nice, I think your flames are safe. I don't think I have the artistic ability to do those.

PSUMINI just got a organge classic Mini, but it is not a clubman

Thanks craig, I total missed it was a gen 1.:banghead:

Sorry, the trick is the universal tool, long craftsman flat head screw drive. tip the grille froward after you remove the top four screws and use the screwdriver to compress the tabs. lol

Sorry, i missed this. glad to see you got it. It should have been four expandable screws across the top, and they four slots the you compress and it slides right off. Sorry again for not see this sooner.

Catalina, she starting a dynasty. two years running

Looks like a fun time, Wish I could have come. I got to be soccer dad this morning.