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1983 Mini City

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

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colinf1
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Posts: 466
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
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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.

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


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ctwomey
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Posts: 314
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.
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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...
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colinf1
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Posts: 466
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
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Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

A tight squeeze...

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

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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.

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colinf1
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Posts: 466
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
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Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

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

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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.

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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.
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colinf1
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Posts: 466
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
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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!

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colinf1
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Posts: 466
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
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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.

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woody
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Whats your location?: Drogheda
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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.
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colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 466
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
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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!
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colinf1
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Posts: 466
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:27 am
Whats your location?: Dundalk
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1983 Mini City 1000
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Re: 1983 Mini City

Post by colinf1 »

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

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

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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.
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colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 466
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.

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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.

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Not sure what I can do to prevent this with the opening type windows....
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woody
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Posts: 2831
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
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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.
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colinf1
NON Member
Posts: 466
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.

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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.

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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.

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