South African Mk3

Try and get as much of that red paint off as you can before repainting. I use paint stripper (with care!) and then make sure you wash it all off with clean water and let it thoroughly dry before going near with it with new paint. Medium grade wire wool also works well on the alloy parts.

boris710 wrote:Try and get as much of that red paint off as you can before repainting.  I use paint stripper (with care!) and then make sure you wash it all off with clean water and let it thoroughly dry before going near with it with new paint.  Medium grade wire wool also works well on the alloy parts.

Trying my best to get the paint off :

Making a start with paint removal on the engine. The previous owner put some good stuff on there - seems like it'll fight me until the end.

I did some more cleaning on the engine today. The block is nearly ready to paint. Need to give the gearbox some attention to get that remaining paint off.

Also sprayed a small patch of green on the block to see what it'll look like - not bad.

Well done. You are getting there !

I brush painted mine with the same Engine paint that was used back in the 60's on the Coopers and Cooper S models.
The paint is nice and thick and so is well suited for brush work.

Be careful with the spraying not to get any paint spray where it shouldnt go. Not so much of a problem when using a brush.

I wanted some brush on paint to get a nice thick coat, but trying to find paint in this little farm town is not the easiest. People aren't willing to post paint like that as well.

Finally managed to get some time for this car.

Did some cleaning and spraying in green :



Also had to make a small fix to the filter housing. Will clean it up decently later on :

From this :



To this :

Spent a bit of time on the engine this evening and managed to get some paint and other bits on it :







The head is still to come off and make way for the 1000S head. Will also need to clean the gearbox and clutch housing and possibly paint them. Diff housing will come off at some stage too.

You are making good progress Jared. That green looks great. So much nicer to work on a clean, freshly painted engine too !
Keep up the good work !

boris710 wrote:
You are making good progress Jared.  That green looks great.  So much nicer to work on a clean, freshly painted engine too !
Keep up the good work !

Thank you Keen to get the head done and painted, as well as the gearbox to see the full effect. Should look god with the carbs

I made a purchase (this is after a clean up) :



Also, I had to rethink the bonnet straps. My initial setup meant that the bonnet would still lift up even when fully tightened. I repostioned the strap on the slam panel so that it now comes through the grille, thus holding the bonnet down without any movement now. I still need to do the other strap, but this idea is much better than the first. Also, there's a change in grille for the car as well - just need it to be rechromed :

I sourced some US-spec tail lamp lenses a few months back and they finally arrived :

And fitted :



I think it needs a slight window tint and a change of wheel colour to silver.

So, I received a parcel today :



And what they'll look like fitted :

Really glad I decided to take the carb setup apart for a rebuild. Pieces of rubbish and dirt in the float bowl and the needle in the one carb I took apart was slightly bent/damaged.

Pity about the damage to float bowl, but hey, character :

Here's my idea for the leather bonnet straps. Hope it works :

I finally received this in the post after 2 months :



Yet something else to set me apart

I have a problem. I thought the wiper motor might just squeeze in with the bootlid mechanism, but it seems I was wrong - BUGGER! No worries, I'll keep it for another car that I have.

I test fitted the alloy blocks and both fit nice and snug. I now need to drill the holes correctly and get them fitted. I also adjusted the bonnet for a better fit. Also, the bonnet badge needs to be shifted - haven't been happy with the fit from the start, so will get it sorted soon.

Small update :

I have a parcel of Mini parts waiting for me at the Post Office that I will collect on Monday. Also, I changed the windscreen washer piping from the rubbish stuff that MiniSpares supply to Isuzu washer piping. Much nicer fit and quality.

Also, I got a bee in my bonnet and decided to have a go at changing wheel colour to see what it'd look like in person. I'm going to get the centres anodized in the same/similar colour as below :



Also, added another sticker :

Well, I am now in possession of a Hardy Spicer setup thanks to Tim in Australia - much effort went into piecing this together.

One more item for the diff setup is yet to arrive.

And my MiniSpares order has arrived :

Not a lot of progress lately - simply no time.

I did receive a brand new Smiths volt gauge as a freebie from a generous Mini owner who had one condition - he has to see the car running in person. Happy with that!



Also, I got myself a birthday present in the form of these MED 1.3:1 roller rockers :



They'll be attached to the 1000S cylinder head that has currently gone for an unleaded conversion, some flow work, new guides and valve stem seals. It'll be a little while until I get that back.

Lastly, the twin carb setup is now done! I just need to get a new heat shield and springs, as well as redo the jet on the LHS carb, but rather happy with the result :

I fitted some new plastic master cylinders because I wasn't too confident about the fix I made on them; I just know they would have leaked. I covered them back up with the yellow faces.

This picture also makes me slightly embarrassed about the wiring in the engine bay. Definitely need that sorted . . .

The HS joints are finally back together - I just need to do a few touch ups.



I've also been getting the front suspension ready for the new adjustable arms, so decided to make sure everything was greased. Pity the MiniSpares knuckle joint rubber caps are such **** quality.



I also received my Newton sunvisors and fitting kit :

It's been a while, but I just haven't had the time to do any work on her. I got some fabric loom tape off of eBay for a steal. Hope it works well :



Also spent the afternoon fitting some bits and pieces :



Ended with this :



Almost back on her wheels. Just need to add some paint to the disc and flange on the LHS and then it's sorted.

Lastly, I made some basic brackets for the spots to get an idea (ignore the placement of the AA badge) :

Not the best picture, but something I have been and will still be busy with :