1983 Mini City

[colinf1]

A great warm day here, great to get out in the mini!

130km round trip in total, a bit noisier in the cabin now with the opening rear windows, but much more comfortable for the kids in the back now...

[Redned]

Looked nicer with the Black Grille.

[colinf1]

Thanks Redned, I just put on the chrome grille as I wanted to see what spots looked like. I've wired them with connections behind the grille so its easily swapped out.

[colinf1]

Not been doing much with the mini the past few weeks, plenty of spins here and there, drove to work a few times, nearly 1000kms done since it came out from hibernation, making the most of the fantastic weather we've been having the past few weeks!

Added a bonnet stripe and pin stripes along the side today, cheap ones from temu - so not expecting them to last...







I've double checked the timing, tightened up the alternator in a bid to eliminate a slight rattle when the engine is running, but still there, thinking it could be timing chain tensioner.

It has been driving great so a bit reluctant to go pulling the timing cover off.

[woody]

As with most Mini owners the modified/personalised bug is taking hold. Looking good.
To pin point the noise hold a length of tube to your ear and move the other end around the engine .

[colinf1]

Had a few hours to spare on Monday evening to have a closer look at what's causing the rattling, decided to take off the alternator belt to eliminate at alternator and water pump. Started the car and the noise was immediately worse, checked the crank pulley and could get a very very slight bit of movement. Took off the starter motor, locked the flywheel with a screwdriver and managed to get an adjustable spanner onto the bolt and got it tightened up ever so slightly. Checking the pulley by hand again and couldn't get any feeling of rotation.

Put all the pieces back together, started it up an the noise had disappeared. Drove it to work the next day and it felt very sluggish, but no rattling noise, had the timing gun in the car so took it out for a run at lunchtime to get it up to temperature, set the timing to 12° btdc, the drive home was much more livelier.

Then was on wedding car duty for my brother's wedding, just over an hour's drive to the venue, didn't miss a beat. He then took it off after the ceremony for photos, all arrived back safe and sound, although I forgot to tell him to ignore the fuel gauge saying it was empty on a half tank!

**But***....there's always a but....

Since tightening the crank pulley bolt, I have a bit of a whirring noise when it's idling, that goes away when the clutch is pressed.

[Billy]

Clutch release bearing?

[colinf1]

Minis in the City in Lisburn today, so got the car cleaned yesterday evening once it had cooled down. Also gave me a chance to update the mini-mini from the parcel shelf. Getting this out of the interior at 4pm was a struggle, it was like an oven inside, the diecast body was extremely hot and the glue on the velcro had melted!

Added the bonnet and side stripes, also added the mudflaps. I had to glue the steering column back in place after some little fingers had got at it



170km round trip to Lisburn, very very warm day. Temperature just went up a shade past the 2nd dot past N on way home on motorway, 25 degrees on the external temp gauge, car loaded with wife, 2 kids and picnic supplies, but soon was below N once back on the minor roads. All in all a good show and say out, even though the warm weather got the better of the 2 kids..

[colinf1]

A few more photos from Minis in the City, courtesy of Conor Harden, Leslie McMullan and Paul Donnell

[colinf1]

A couple of local cars and coffee this weekend, Dundalk and Kingscourt, thanks to both Derek Watters and Love Photography Ireland. A bit hit and miss with the weather, but thankfully dodged the majority of the heavy showers. Didn't need to wash the car/didn't have time to, but it still looks fairly shiny from the last show 2 weeks ago.





Next show is Kilbroney on the 21st, but our due date for baby #3 is the 4th July, but things could be happening sooner....week

[colinf1]

Kilbroney Vintage show today, wasn't too sure if I'd make it as we welcomed baby #3 into the world (very unexpectedly, 2½ weeks before due date) on Wednesday afternoon!

Fast forward a few days, Mum and baby doing well, but have to be kept in until Tuesday. Decided to go ahead to the show (with Mrs permission, and she had other visitors to see) to get the 2 boys out of the house on a very nice summers day.

A quick wash and wax on Friday evening, then hit the road just after 9am. Got to the show just after 10 and it was already very full.



The boys wanted to have their picnic as soon as we arrived, hungry hippos! Well over 1000 vehicles on display, and got such nice weather, didn't threaten to rain at all.

Well play it by ear to see what will be the next show I make it too, see how we can arrange the car seats in the mini to accommodate all 5 of us + all the stuff to get them fed and clean!

[The Marcos Graveyard]

Congrats on the new addition to the family, time to look at an estate or a trailer ??

[colinf1]

Congrats on the new addition to the family, time to look at an estate or a trailer ??

Thanks, are we going to have to draw straws to see who goes in the trailer??

[ctwomey]

Congratulations Colin on the new member of the family. Great news!