"holiday" friday

 As ever there is so much to do I had to crack on with some home chores first so the conscience was clear and I was at least semi focused!

I did see this coming so had a quick moonlight go at the clutch bell housing, just one of the 3 bolts to mount the clutch slave plate just didn't  pick up enough for a secure mounting. After it was re tapped and a longer bolt was found the test fit was all good. It had seemed like forever to "just" mount the clutch slave. Missing bolts, spacers, new pins, new washers.

Have to admit it was just a test fit last night but meant a confident and quick bolt up this morning.

It was then onto the front brake pipes, which was nice just to tidy up the copper brake lines, that until then, had been flapping around the engine bay. Under the wheel arch is looking good and ready for the engine before the hubs go on.

Sorry it is a bit dark, but you can still see shinny things :)

I spotted I had been waiting for a sharp Stanley blade to cut the front window beading, so got on with that and tucked it in to the rubber seal.

Another job which has dragged on monumentally is the steering column bracket. This time .... After I had worked the right location again, it all went smoothly. All new washers and spring washers every were. Oh, I have been so used to the rope holding up the column I didn't even take it off the car! I super easy job for the next visit.

Talking of easy jobs, beaded fuel line to carb fitted at the pump and intake has the jubilee fitted as well. Small bits but all have to be done

 

Bolting up

 Since the last post a couple of brackets have been bolted on to the engine .... And I found some bolts I didn't have, sigh.

Some nice progress was made on the front end. Finally the front suspension was removed and new cone springs fitted.... After I was loned a compression tool which fitted unlike mine, there is only fine thread or course thread. Mine was course ... It just didn't fit the new cones!? While I was down there the bottom arm bushes looked past their best, so they where replaced and the front tie bars got the same treatment. Well the new bushes where fitted to the adjustable front tie bars ;)

The decision to stop there before putting the reconditioned hubs on was made when I realised I could cut out the bottom door stop rail on the garage. This would allow the engine hoist to get inside, so I no longer needed wheels on the mini to poke it outside and then get the engine fitted. Yay.

New brake pipe s have finally turned up, I really wanted to fit them before the engine went in and got in the way

Things are looking good for bolting on some big parts, a long time coming but it has given extra time for those little parts to be cleaned or painted.

A quick decision to take this Friday off was made, so I am hoping to get on with some of this prep and be ready for dropping the engine in. A little bit excited :)