"tidy Up" Project Dominic :)

Projects Mini Saloons
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Here we go again! Firstly a short introduction. I got my first mini, a '72 850 from a “reputable” mini dealer back in April 07 which lasted two weeks before I took it back due to severe unroadworthyness . I then purchased “Bumble”, a '85 998. In Jan 08 I sold him… some of you may remember I bought Evelyn, a '79 1275stg1 Due to other things happening in life mainly lack of money I decided to sell Evelyn and she went in June 2008.

After much thought and consideration I purchased my fourth mini yesterday - DOMINIC!

He is an Austin Morris Mini 1275 GT, he was born on 11th February 1981, he is White, and he is almost completely standard!
By standard I mean the original radio, interior, everything down to the spare wheel cover! The only changes I believe have been made to him are the full beam spots on the front, and the brown vinyl roof.

This will be a fairly slow-moving and small-scale project hence the “tidy up” title. But along with hopefully making a few people smile it will help me keep a record of what I have done and what needs doing!

**The “to do” list currently stands at:**
*New fuel tank sender unit needed
*

**Things done so far:**
*New HB075 BMW 318i Battery fitted 25/10/09, 520amp starting power. Battery box also de-rusted & treated with primer & hammerite.
New headlight switch
Brand new alternator fitted 11/06/09
New rear valance welded on and sprayed, inside of boot floor refurbished, rust removed & repainted
Mk2 rear lights fitted
New external door window seals fitted
New (non leaky) fuel filler cap fitted
New fog & reverse light fitted under bumper
Battery earth strap removed, cleaned up, greased & re-fitted.
Fusebox & associated connectors replaced with like-for-like genuine Lucas
Re-conditioned indicator stalk
Replaced brake master cylinder cap - warning system all working okay
Replaced all block & bullet connectors behind grille.
New stereo & speakers fitted
Windscreen washer system removed, flushed, cleaned, and reassembled.
Re-conditioned the Solenoid, which had a poor earth. Double earthed it.
New genuine clutch slave cylinder & slave-master rubber hose fitted. System bled thoroughly.
Black/Silver plates fitted
New 1275 GT badge fitted to boot
Both sidelight bulbs replaced
New engine earth strap fitted
Stereo fitted and wired in, with speakers
Adjusted Brake Light Switch under pedal so the lights now work!
Two new front tyres
Exhaust moved to eliminate knock from gear selector
Full service & Crypton tune by Minifixit
Full check of braking system & clutch
Helicoil fitted to L/H side of engine block where steady bar bolts into
Tracking set
Temporary drivers seat sourced & fitted
Drivers door hinge tightened*

**The plans so far as far as styling goes, mostly for the long term though, are:**
*New interior of a black & white theme, comprising of cobra classics & new black carpets, Cue Ball Gear knob, etc
Revo’s with black centres, and those shiny black arches (group 2’s?) which have a chrome trim..*

The existing bits will be kept so he can be easily changed back to original if/when required.

Enjoy!

2

i do like this car gonna be nice

3

That looks lovely mate, cant wait to see more pictures

4

Love that car man, going to be great

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Dominic is booked in to the garage for next week… for a full service & crypton tune, a thorough check of the braking system and clutch, and the exhaust moving so it doesn’t knock the gear selector thingy

The brake lights come on only if the brake pedal is about halfway down, which is a bit worrying because I generally try slow down well in advance when I’m in the mini, which means I may not be showing my brake lights at all they might just need adjusting though/the switch moving.

The clutch judders if I try set off with no gas (just idle, approx 1krpm) but is absolutely fine if you give it some revs (1500+) apparently this is normal… but I’ve asked him to give it a once over while it’s in.

However, before he goes into Mini hospital he is going on his first (in my ownership) Mini outing tomorrow, to meet his new friends from LCMOC!

Pictures should be added tomorrow!

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Looking good Chris

His new switch is in the post!!!

7

that clubby looks in realy good condition

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> Looking good Chris

His new switch is in the post!!!

We are hoping you have posted it to “Dominic GT” upon his request

…he actually told us “Mummy and Daddy, I need a new switch”

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Don’t worry its will come to “Master Dominic Gt!”

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He’s lush, Chris. Congratulations.
Has he got the “Champagne beige” stripey interior? (i.e. Seventies brown?)
I wouldn’t presonally fit a different interior if you want to keep him standard, just change the stereo & be done?

> *Red GT badge for the front grille, the original is missing*

The late ones didn’t come with a badge. I’ll see if I can scan in the brochure for you.

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> He’s lush, Chris. Congratulations.
Has he got the “Champagne beige” stripey interior? (i.e. Seventies brown?)
I wouldn’t presonally fit a different interior if you want to keep him standard, just change the stereo & be done?

> *Red GT badge for the front grille, the original is missing*

The late ones didn’t come with a badge. I’ll see if I can scan in the brochure for you.

Gonna reply on Chris’s behalf here, seeing as he is out with Dom on his first proper mini outing atm (I came back home so missed it )

Aye, “seventies brown” lol. His seats are very comfy hehe, in surprisingly good condition for his age!

He is so lovely

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Master…! love it!

Yeah Juju it is the stripey brown one, the same I had in evelyn. It’s all in very good nick apart from the drivers seat, whoever had it in the past mustve been “quite large” as the webbing underneath is a bit bust at the back, so on big bumps the metal pole hurts my rear I’ve attempted a makeshift repair using cable ties but I dont think it made much difference.

Like I say, if I put in a new interior I will keep the old one. It’s not so much to bling it up, well, partly, but mainly for comfort. If you look back at my evelyn topic I think I made a good job of the interior in her if I say so myself it wont be for a long time anyway till I can afford it.

Interesting about the GT badge, the dealer who I got it from said it must’ve come off but if there wasn’t one originally then it’ll save me £20!

Here’s a couple of pics from the LCMOC Ilkley run out earlier. There were 5 mini’s in total but one left before the piccies were taken. The missing one was also white, meaning they were all either red, white or blue not a bad turnout for a run organised at the last minute (a day or two before).

James (jplonlie on here) checking out Dominic!!

Thought he’d sprung a water leak though.. parked up and noticed a little puddle of water and a drip coming from underneath… took off the rad cap and emptied a load out by means of steam and pressure then refilled to the normal level, started the engine, and was still dripping… drove a few miles down the road to the garage and it was dry as a bone? spoke to Dan my personal mechanic () who said if the car gets hot, the rad cap lifts and dumps water out of the overflow. It’s the first real run he’s had since I’ve had him, so I will put it down to that as the temperature seemed bang on earlier on and has been fine on the way back home.

That’s all for today, forgot to take my pictures for the agreed value and then it got dark will have to make time sometime soon.

Added to the “to do” list: two new front tyres.
Taken off the “to do” list: Relay for the spots.. turns out they are wired in properly through a relay!!

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> The late ones didn’t come with a badge. I’ll see if I can scan in the brochure for you.

That would be appreciated I have a handbook with him but it is for the Clubman and has a mileage record handwritten on the back, the first entry is 1976 I think and the car is 1981 so it’s not the original handbook.

Cheers shifty, I will post you a pint!!

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I’m sure we’ll bump into each other and you can give it to me in person(ohhh errrr!!!)

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lol seems good like the pics mine dumps water all the time means it needs a new rad cap lol another 3pound for mini sport

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> I’m sure we’ll bump into each other and you can **give it to me in person** (ohhh errrr!!!)

…I KNEW it!!!

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I told you shifty was shifty! I didnt know he is a homosexual though!

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WHAT!!!

I’ll have you know I’m not an up-hill gardener!!

…#

…

…

(My boyfriend is a right chutney ferret though!!)

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!! Here I dont want my topic turning into SPAM!

Checked the engine number against the online list of engine numbers and confirmed it is indeed a GT engine.. not that it makes any difference because it’s no different from a normal 1275 apart from the gearbox is slightly different but I’m glad it’s genuine

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Dominic is now safely tucked up in mini hospital ready for a long day tomorrow

Getting the following done:
*Full service which includes full car inspection, top suspension arms greasing, all fluids, points, condenser, dizzy cap, leads, plugs, oil, oil filter, fuel filter if he has one, air filter, check the braking system, clutch, etc etc.
Crypton tune
Exhaust taking off if needs be and re-moulding/adjusting and re-fitting
Two new tyres on the front
Tracking set*

Noticed that the engine steady bar that goes from the left of the engine just below the rocker cover to the bulkhead has been bodged (just about the only thing on the car that has!) and packed out with washers and isn’t serving its purpose at all, it is moving about all over the place. Steve (the mechanic) will attempt to remove this in one piece but if it has been bodged, chances are the bolt may not come out in one piece in which case a helicoil will be fitted.

Not looking forward to handing over £300+ for it but it’s worth it to get it right and *fingers crossed* I shouldn’t need anything else doing in the near future!

Will be taking my Infinity speakers back to Halfords tomorrow as my mate Dan has offered me a set of two Kenwood 6x9’s and also a Kenwood Amp for a similar cost so I will be fitting those instead, give it a bit more juice.

Steve was very surprised at the condition of Dominic in all respects and said you dont find many like that!