Mini engine in, is a go

 With the rad finally attached after a bit of messing around getting the fan spaced correctly, the correct top bracket (which was one I hadn't already cleaned up and painted!) And of course falling short of bolts, the rad cowling this time. The alternator and belt was fitted. At this point it is really start to look like a proper engine !

On the run up I couldn't help but notice a lot of dust, dirt and cat hair (yes cat, it snuck in with out me knowing and I locked it in for 24 hours) all over the engine bay. With out think much of it I got the house hoover and gently hoovered the engine bay .... who hoovers an engine bay ..... 

Um, me..... then  wash it, oh we'll why not get the shammy out as well..... Nerd! But looked better, and was easy with no engine there. So I don't  care, job well done.

Engine mount bolts were gathered up and a chat with a local mini nut who wanted to help drop the engine in, and a date was set. I trundled off to my parents with the trailer on a wet Saturday morning to collect the engine hoist. Dropped  that straight to my garage and then pushed the engine on it's  dolly from the front of the house round to the back alley. Some idiot put a big wooden shed/garage accross the back gate so it can't  be used any more.

So a few hours later the engine had been delicately placed in and bolted in, just the bottom to allow some more bolts ons to be done.

On the Sunday the drive shafts came out of storage, cleaned  and greased then shoved in their holes. Then the hubs were bolted on and the shocks

I had to stop at putting on the hub half with wheel studs in a mild moment of dought over the stud length/ need for spacers which would need longer wheel studs. With some birthday cash burning a hole I phoned a great local chap who had been holding a set of wheels for me... for 2 years. Arranged to collect them so I could check alignment.

Oh, just look at them :)

Yes I had to see how they looked on the back as well, nice. Much better arch fill over the mini lights.

 That evening it was attack the brake servo, well fit the braided clutch pipe while I could still get to it and fit the freshly made copper pipe from master to the braided pipe. 

Then onto the brake pipes from front/rear manifold to servo. Wasn't happy with one of those coppr pipes so re made that one which came out much better, the first was just a little short giving a bad route. It's great when your neighbour says hi, and then ends up lending you a pipe flaring kit saving a run to my friends work shop.

Tonight the servo vacuum pipe and accelerator cable was fitted, really starting to look a but proper in the engine bay. Yay

I had a brief moment staring at the steering wheel I had to get out from the loft so I could straighten the hubs and check the wheels. Really do like it, but hang on, it's  dirty and NOT  shinny!

 

Hang on .....

That's better.

I'm thinking I now have more bits on the car  than waiting to go on it. Now that does sound like progress, still a way to go but it's  good.