Hi All,

For some while now I have been constructing a completely new Coupe based on classic Mini parts.
The idea is to see if I can source/manufacture the parts required and if it can be made to pass the IVA.
Because twin bolt subframes are now classic parts I am trying to use single bolt ones, the one in the front has a kink in the front rail so will not fit in the back.
This also necessitated a revision the the bonnet hinge bracket, currently the plan is to leave the radiator attached to the engine in the rear.
Also shown is the latest idea for mounting the steering rack, was never very convinced that bits of bent tin from exhaust clamps was the ideal solution.
On one the forums a while back there was some discussion on rubber cones for the front suspension, the picture shows a standard one in the middle, on the left is one from a Heerey 1.3 (this has no machining inside) and the right one is from a later car.
Having read the Allan Staniforth book I decided that I would not use the latest type of steering locking for the rear but would go back to the Heerey scheme with the fabricated wishbones.
I have now booked a trade stand at Stoneleigh so have a bit of a deadline!
Would have liked to have gone to Blyton Park but the dates clash.

Regards

Derek Hambly

Keep up the excellent work

Nice work Derek

Good work

I wonder where you got the idea for the steering rack mounts, look very familiar


The shot of the later subframe fitted has me intrigued and answers A thought I had.
Have you only got the shock mounts between the subrafame tower and chassis, as I wondered how the height of the later frames compared to the twin bolt and if the spacing was different.

Neil

Hi Derek,
I used a modified Heerey A frame lower arm with camber adjust using MiniSpares inner spherical joints, I found with my old Cox GTM it went positive camber when cornered hard
John

Derek,

Doesn't Alan's book say about the steering arms bending? So they decided to invert the hubs with a bolted on triangular plate

Great work Derek -- you have a PM

Steve

Great to see good progress Derek, I am in the middle of clearing my workshop of furniture and kids toys so I can put in a toy of my own!
As we discussed when I visited you, the wishbone are a good design, it's the carrier that let's it down. I have started to look at a solid mounted carrier. Have you considered a solution?
Coming along nicely by the way.

Hi All,

Making some progress,
The front shock mounts are 8mm plate with hole in the middle big enough for the the spigot on the subframe to fit into and because the top of the subframe is not flat I have drilled and tapped 2 holes 3/8" UNF to hold the shock mount tight to the frame.
Made a new pedal box as the other one, on the Fiesta engined car, puts the master cylinders where the regular petrol tank would go.
Building an engine from the great big heap of bits I bought on Ebay is taking a long time. One set back was re-fitting the pistons in the block only to discover that the fourth one had broken between the piston rings. Had to buy a set of 4.
Also to clean the gearbox properly had to strip it down completely. Picture shows it sitting on an early Cox floorpan in for reconstruction. Once this has been measured replicas will be available!

Derek

Hi All,
A bit more progress on the engine.
Also just finished the new exhaust system, all in 1.5 mm stainless, so should not rot through too quickly!
The manifold is a budget Minisport one so easily replaced, but even these last for a good few years.
Derek

nice work derek

TOP work keep going

Well done Derek Looking good, see you at Stoneleigh.

Great work Derek.

One thought - you may need to check out the angle of the bottom UJ in your steering column. Running the UJ through too great an angle can lead to "lumpy" steering. I think something like 20deg is the recommended maximum. Maybe try to share the angular misalignment between the two joints?

Is that a Fiesta column?

Steve

Coming together well Derek!

Good point Steve, I have negated that issue slightly on mine by having a shorter column at the steering wheel end, that way the angle is less severe.
Simon