Munster Mini - '98 Cooper Restoration

[kerryminigringo]

What was wrong with the alternator that was in it.

[Billy]

What was wrong with the alternator that was in it.

I was cleaning it and found that the casing was badly cracked. It might still have worked but I can't chance it.

[Billy]

Ready for collection this morning:



And home at last. It's 23c in Ballyhooly today so I'm going to Waxoyl it before it goes into the garage.



We took off the bonnet so it wouldn't rattle around on the way home.

Mini looks smashing.

Busy few days ahead.

Billy

[The Marcos Graveyard]

Will it be ready in time ?

[keith]

looking very good billy.. . you going to have your work cut out, but will be wonderful when done. you going to give it a shakedown before Switz.?

[DaveC]

Looking good Billy

[Billy]

The Munster Mini is now well and truly Waxoyled, even probably too much so as it was going everywhere in the hot sun.

Sorted the rear loom last night and connected up windscreen washer and RH rear lights. Fitted boot lock and rubber and "strings" to hold up the bootlid.

Today the plan is to change the shocks as I'm fitting a Smootharide kit and I won't be able to fit the tank until the LH shock is changed.

It's all go.

[Billy]

Not very productive today as B&B was full last night and had several callers during the day. Did manage to fit the Smootharide on the LHR hub and as per MiniSport's instructions, also fitted the negative camber kit they supplied. Fitted a few cosmetics just to feel that more had been acheived but tomorrow will have to be more fruitful.

[Billy]

Thanks to Ian Graham (MiniQuip), persevering with a banjaxed gearbox and a blown head gasket, who delivered loads of mechanical bits to me at the MTM sign-in at Charleville on Saturday morning.

More jobs to do today.

Billy

[Tony Cooney]

Phone to silent and away you go.......


Tony

[kerryminigringo]

Rumour has it that the Munster Mini has been reunited with its engine and is running although when I tried to get through a weekend of work had Sleeping Beauty tucked up in bed at 5.00pm

[EAMOSPUD]

Ya heard a unconfirmed story of the local shops in the village running out of tea bags and biscuits large qty purchased to feed a mobile team of so called mechanics that arrived.

[Billy]

Busy weekend. Friday morning:




Friday night Johnny Murphy and Alan O'Connell arrived down:

[Billy]

Woody arrived down at 9.30pm and was disappointed that he couldn't go drilling and hammering as the B&B upstairs was full so I had to bring him to the pub to calm him down. At 1am after the pub, I was ordered to go back to the garage to paint up the old master cylinder bracket to as not to hold up Saturday's proceedings.

A full fry (minus beans) on Saturday morning and he was let loose:



Emma's old dash and an electrical socket fitted using a spray can top along with the new Lidl radio/CD player:




After 6 months off the road, the Munster Mini was cranked up to no avail until it was realised that only one plug lead was connected. When all were fitted, up she flew on the first twist of the key. A test drive up the road followed without windows and lights to the amusement of the neighbours.

In celebration, a tour of the Ballyhooly Triangle ensued (Ryans, Grindels, and the Roundy House) and I can certify that Ronan is the first O'Carroll to complete it.

[Billy]

Sunday morning finished at 3am and restarted at 7am as I had to cook breakfasts for the B&B guests. Ro appeared at 9.45am looking fully refreshed and ready for another fry (with beans) and more rebuilding:

The Witter towbar fitted and testing it using a light board:



Front and rear windscreens now fitted:


Ro left at 3pm and I fell asleep on the couch at 3.20pm. All calls from concerned IMOC members were deflected by Majella for the afternoon.

Major thanks to Johnny, Alan, and Woody for taking the time out to give me a hand over the weekend. With less than 3 weeks to the ferry and a new job starting on Wednesday, I was banjaxed for time so now there are no excuses for not getting the Munster Mini to the IMM. Roll on Switrzerland.

Billy

[The Marcos Graveyard]

That's my F£$*^%N Number Plate

[joebe1]

Serious job, Engine looks fantastic

[Billy]

Serious job, Engine looks fantastic

It will look better once the new alternator and expansion tank arrive. In the interest of getting this yoke on the road, we fitted the old bits.

[Tony Cooney]

Brilliant progress.

You are a dab hand with the camera Billy.......!!!


Tony

[keith]

great progress...¬!

[DaveC]

Excellent work

[woody]

You forgot to mention we took the car for a spin minus a few bits.I presume Majella got the rivets and you have it finished now.

[Billy]

You forgot to mention we took the car for a spin minus a few bits.I presume Majella got the rivets and you have it finished now.

Pop rivets and black screws acquired at Avondhu Motor Factors this morning. With all windows in, it's back to the panel beater in the morning for a final, final polish and I'll collect it on Saturday morning, fit the front lights and wheel arches, and get some miles on it on Sunday with a spin to Maynooth.

[EAMOSPUD]

Looking FAB Billy................ Fair play to ya............

[macker]

looking great Billy, fair play to you and all the rest of the lads for getting really stuck in to it