Welcome to the Irish Mini Owners Club Forum. Keep an eye out of on coming events!!!!

1983 Mini City

This section is for Mini projects and restorations and also the place to show off your pride and joy.

Moderators: spud1979, The Marcos Graveyard, Moderators

User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Last show of the year for me, the indoor car show at Laois Shopping Center, a round trip of 336km / 208 miles. Total journey time of just under 4 hours with a quick toilet stop.

Drive down had a few hiccups, drivers side wiper blade tried to escape, the little tab on the end had worked it's way out from the arm. Just needed pushing back in and ensuring clips were secured. Then indicators stopped working, tried reseating the flasher unit, but no joy so had to continue on and hope that it wasn't too busy at the M50/N7 junction, which thankfully it wasn't. I reseated it again at the services and they started to work...that's another job for the winter list.

Show was good, but very cold, hard to keep the 14 Month old from pulling his hat and gloves off! A great selection of cars, and a good showing from the club.

Drive home was constantly raining, passenger side mat is very wet now from the rain working it's way in, again another winter job to fix - it's either the wiper arm bush or the blanking plate on LH side that doesn't have a gasket on it. A liberal amount of sealant should sort it out.

I'll more than likely remove the front carpet and underlay to make sure it not wet all winter.

Image

Image

Total mileage is now 3686km, not a bad effort.


Image
ctwomey
NON Member
Posts: 332
Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:44 am
Whats your location?: Ballybrittas, Co. Laois
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: I owned a 1978 Mini 850 when I was in my late teens. I owned a 1986 Mini Chelsea that I imported from the UK. Also owned a 1982 MG Metro that was bored out to 1293. Restoring a 1981 Dublin Mini City.
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by ctwomey »

Great to see you Colin. Your mini was looking fab! Glad you made it home too as that was some round trip with the young fella. I think my gang are starting to get excited about my own project now. So no pressure then...
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

A tight squeeze...

Image

A quick stop under the cover of the lean-too patio roof, awaiting a underbody wash and air dry..

Image

Removed the front carpets, a fair bit of water in the underlay, thankfully the floor is relatively dry, but will leave the windows open to let the air circulate.

Image

Image
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Started the underside clean down, got drivers front and rear done.

Image

Noticed the bushing was loose on the rear shock, that would explain the knocking noise that came on on the last drive home. I thought it was the child's buggy wheels that I had in the boot.

Image

There are a few bits of tar and a few small stone chips, mainly just on the flitch panel, but I'm very happy with how clean it is and how well all the paintwork is holding up, both the body paint/raptor stonechip and the brushed on hammerite on the suspension parts.
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Got the passenger side cleaned up today, this side was a bit dirtier as expected, but thankfully no signs of any cv joint grease from the split CV boot on this side. Also checked the rear shock absorber top bushes, but these seem fine with no movement at full droop.

Gave it a quick wash overall then into the shed.

Will make a list of jobs that I want to get done over the winter, then hopefully get all the required parts on the minispares black Friday sale...no doubt there'll be something I'll need a week after getting my order!

Image
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

A few small jobs done over the weekend, clamped off the petrol line and let the car idle until it ran out of fuel. Will drain the remainder of the fuel from the tank.

Also drained the oil, not too dirty with over 3.5k kms on it, a small amount of swarf on the magnetic tip, but nothing much at all.

Image
Image
User avatar
woody
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 2837
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:55 pm
Whats your location?: Drogheda
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: Traveller
Turbo
Hornet
Equinox
MINI Clubman
Location: LOUTH
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by woody »

Don't know about draining the oil, I'd rather see the gears sitting oil rather than air.
TECHNICAL MODERATOR
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Don't worry, fresh oil and filter going in shortly, just need to pop the driveshaft out to change the cv boot so didn't want oil spilling out from diff!
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Started the strip down of passenger side driveshaft, only a few minutes on it.

Image

Ordered all the parts and package got delivered today then noticed the knuckle gaiter has split, so will have to source something locally.

Image

Not too good that it has split already, but as others have said the rubber components don't seem to last as long as old stock...

I've a new CV joint for the passenger side, just in case any dirt or water got into that split boot, I can always strip it down for a full clean down and keep it as a spare.

Also got a set of rear quarter opening windows from the guys in Minifix, cleaned up nicely and have new seals there ready to get them fitted.
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Continuing the strip down of the front hub, very very greasy. Got one ball joint off with the shock method, but top one wouldn't budge, but I had ordered new sets to have on hand if it became an issue. Inner pot joint boot came off ok, but I have a new one to go on here too as that one had become twisted.

Image

Ran out of latex gloves, so will leave the cleaning and strip down as it's too dirty without the gloves.

Moved onto removing the rear quarter windows, cut through the old seals, popped windows out and removed remainder of the seal. Was surprised with the amount of water that was trapped under it, then revealed some rust along the top of the panel/inner waistrail. Will need to clean it all down and get that rust treated and protected.

Image

Image

Not sure what I can do to prevent this with the opening type windows....
Image
User avatar
woody
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 2837
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:55 pm
Whats your location?: Drogheda
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: Traveller
Turbo
Hornet
Equinox
MINI Clubman
Location: LOUTH
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by woody »

Standard problem with minis, once you have finished restoring the car it starts rusting again.I rather see the car driven and enjoyed than trailered from show to garage.
TECHNICAL MODERATOR
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Rubber cone compressor deployed today, so that meant bonnet had to come off. Marked its position before removing. New knuckle joint installed, old cup came out without too much fuss.

Image

Image

CV joint removed and shaft cleaned up. Grease had a green tinge to it, so definitely had water in it. CV joint didn't look to be damaged, but new one put on.

Image

Inner clip that came with the kit suits the bigger size driveshaft, but had some other clips there.

Hub is built up with new ball joints and Timken bearings, ready to be put in once I get the inner joint cleaned and re-greased.

Image
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

A few hours here and there throughout the week has one window installed, was a bit scary drilling through the C post stiffener plate, had a bit of rubber stuffed behind it to stop the drill bit denting the actual C post. Other side has had its rust treated, plenty of zinc primer and blue top coat.

Image

Pot joint has been cleaned and ready to have a new boot and greased. Hopefully get that all put back together this weekend.
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Happy Christmas to everyone reading this thread.

Image

Hopefully get back to it soon, get it ready for the road as early as possible 2025!
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Got the passenger side hub reassembled, took forever to get the metal band on the inner pot joint boot, tried 3 different bands as 2 slipped off just as I attempted to tighten them!

Image

Next up is check the drivers side CV boot and get the drivers side quarter window put in.
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Got some jobs done on the mini today, hoping to get it out of the shed as soon as possible.

First up was to reattach the bonnet, spot lamps, new alternator and oil filter.

Image

Then put some body trim on back of wheel arches, then offered up a set of 70's Italian mudflaps, very much inspired by Speedwell Custom Blue. A small modification needed on the back of the wheel arch to allow it to sit flatter. They came with brackets that attach to the seam and subframe, but only if your running without arches or spacered drums. Attached with rivnuts into valance closing panel.

Image

Then fitted a refurbished chrome passenger door handle, freed up the internal handle mechanism as it had been sticking and not returning to it's closed position.

Image

Need to added some cavity wax before putting door card back on.
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Drivers side mudflap on.

Image

Rivet nuts were a pain to get in as had to do them without the tool as it's too long to fit in the wheel tub.

Happy with alignment of both sides

Image

Passenger door card and furniture put back on also. List is getting smaller... slightly smaller
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Drivers side arches and seam strip done. Also got the chrome handle put on, plus some more wax in the door cavity. Also put some more in the sills and A posts

Image

Engine oil topped up and spun engine over, just sparkplugs to gap and replace, then some fresh petrol and go for a start.

Noticed some corrosion on the alloy body of the new distributor, and on the rotor cap retaining clips, looks like all the zinc plating is gone off them already!

Image

Need to finish wiring up the spot lamps and add a switch, or do I just wire them to the main beams?
Image
User avatar
woody
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 2837
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:55 pm
Whats your location?: Drogheda
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: Traveller
Turbo
Hornet
Equinox
MINI Clubman
Location: LOUTH
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by woody »

Standard Rover is a relay onto the main beam. Its easier as all the wiring is in the engine bay.
TECHNICAL MODERATOR
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

An over engineered solution to non existent problem... didn't have a proper battery tie down clamp, so done some digging in the shed and came up with this...(Probably has been done before?)

A long/joiner M8 nut...a through hole drilled and tapped suit M6...

Image

Pop the bolt through the tab hole, screw on the long nut and point threaded hole at 45degrees...

Image

The attach the clamping bracket with two M6 countersunk screws, tighten up but no need to go mad...

Image

Securely held in place. Just need to get a cover for that positive clamp.
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Spot lamp wiring finished off, running from full beams via a relay.

Image

Also changed the fuel filter. A few we chips on the underside to touch up and thats it ready to for the road (well a test drive anyway)
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Working on a boot liner the past few evenings, wanted something with a hinged cover that would allow the spare wheel to be removed without lifting out the covering panel.

Image

And opened...

Image

A few tweaks to do, had initially tried magnets to hold the bulkhead cover on, but the side panels cause it to move down slightly and it pinch's the spare wheel, but I think it's a good effort so far.
Image
User avatar
woody
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 2837
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:55 pm
Whats your location?: Drogheda
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: Traveller
Turbo
Hornet
Equinox
MINI Clubman
Location: LOUTH
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by woody »

Looks good.
A space saver with PDC 4x4"??
TECHNICAL MODERATOR
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Boot liner finished off over yesterday evening and this morning. Really happy with how it's turned out, especially the cheapo temu cross-stitched vinyl.

Image

Had forgotten about the need to relocate the battery isolator switch, but thankfully it looks ok where I placed it.

And a cheeky photo of the rear end now with the NOS mudflaps....

Image

Ready for cars and coffee in the morning...
Image
User avatar
colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
Contact:

Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

Took it out for a spin Saturday evening, drove nicely, then got to test out the new spotlamps on the way home and quiet impressed with the extra visibility!

They are a bit shaky when the road is bumpy, so may need to look at stabilising them against the grille or adding an additonal support back to the grille opening on the front panel.

I forgot to reattach the levers to the new door handles, so was unable to lock the car! Thankfully I got them without needing to remove the door card fully.

Then on Sunday morning I gave it a quick wash before heading in for Cars & Coffee, a few water leaks still getting into the cabin from under the dash, plus annoyingly have one on the drivers side quarter window, not much water but still something else to sort out.

Image
Image
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Ahrefs [Bot], Bing [Bot] and 2 guests