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#11

Maintenance and Modifications / Smiths temp gauge calibration ...

Last post by 94touring - May 08, 2026, 08:51:22 AM

I've never had to calibrate a gauge before but this week was the week.  I went through 3 different temp senders on hand, one for sure is supposed to work with the gauge. All read very high, one pegging out.  I knew there was a way to adjust them but had never done it. So here's the intel if you need to do it yourself.  I took a crap gauge apart to learn the internals before I accidentally broke a nice brand new gauge. Back side of the gauge has 2 spots with little slots.  They don't screw with a flat head but rather slide on a pivot.  Both adjust the readings. Doesn't take much to adjust it.

#12

Daves Garage / Re: Red

Last post by MiniDave - May 07, 2026, 06:09:34 PM

More goodies arrived late this afternoon, a center console and armrest from a friend of a friend. He used to go to the scrapyard any time a MINI came in and look for stuff - he had 2 MINIs of his own then. So he scored this years ago and it had just been sitting in his basement - he was happy to send it on and I was happy to get it! My blue Clubby had one and I missed not having it in this red car. I don't know if I'll do it but I know a company that puts a leather cover over these, right now it's just hard plastic.

#13

Daves Garage / Re: Red

Last post by MiniDave - May 07, 2026, 11:32:03 AM

1st to arrive.....shiny new SS exhaust! That got here fast....I only ordered it 2 days ago, on the 5th, and it came from Va.

I also shot some black Rusty Oleum on the new suspension parts that were unpainted.  Planning to start in on this sometime next week. The radiator for the green car should be here Monday so I can get that buttoned up and off the rack. I think putting this exhaust on while the car is on JP's drive on rack would be a lot easier, so I may do that.

#14

The Lounge / Re: Like Dylan at the Newport ...

Last post by bikewiz - May 06, 2026, 05:29:45 PM

Could you make the trip non-stop or do you not have enough range one-way?

Does this truck do like the Tesla's tell you where you need to stop and so on?

With 98% charge when I left, I arrived with 82 miles remaining (indicated) Ford's navigation will map a suggested charge strategy like Tesla if you're traveling further than the single charge range. Where I messed up yesterday was cheaping out instead of just going straight to a DCFC and paying a little extra, as I said above it was a difference of maybe $4.
My daughter lives <1 mile from a 150kw DCFC so stopping there when I arrive I can charge to 90% in maybe 35-45 minutes (it's charge rate dependent)and be ready to return home with plenty in reserve. I also have the option of stopping about 35 miles from her house at a DCFC on the highway and charging while I stop for a pee, which if you time the next time you stop, is about 15-20 minutes or so unless you're really in a rush.
I guess it's just a different way of looking at travel.

#15

Daves Garage / Re: Red

Last post by MiniDave - May 06, 2026, 04:54:06 PM

Ordered some more parts for Red today, cam chain tensioner, struts all around, water pump, oring for the crank sensor, oil pan gasket set and a new drain plug. Most of this is either because it's time or just in case sort of stuff....

I already had all the filters and fluids, new complete front end parts (all the ball joints, control arm bushings etc) a complete new SS exhaust system from the cat back, and supercharger service kit, tensioner, idler and belt. I'll change the engine oil and I've already serviced the transmission.

I think that should do it for deferred maintenance stuff. With all this installed I should have a fully correct functioning MINI for a good long time.

That's a whole bunch of parts to change out on this car, more than a few days worth of work, but I think that should get me ready for the 2K mile trip to West Carolina in June.

Edit: Dang it, still need the left side transmission mount - the ones for Automatics are WAY more expensive....
Edit 2: Found one! Thank you Google.....

#16

The Lounge / Re: Like Dylan at the Newport ...

Last post by MiniDave - May 06, 2026, 04:44:39 PM

Could you make the trip non-stop or do you not have enough range one-way?

Does this truck do like the Tesla's tell you where you need to stop and so on?

#17

The Lounge / Re: Like Dylan at the Newport ...

Last post by bikewiz - May 06, 2026, 03:18:14 PM

So, what was the drive itself like, especially compared to your other truck?

I saw an ad today for a range extender for about $1K, of course you'd pay to have it wired in, and so on.....

So the drive was very relaxing, this truck rides much nicer on the broken, frost heaved pavement we have up here in the NE, no more rear end bouncing sideways on the potholes. The instantaneous power is just incredible, coupled with comfy seats and an ultra quiet cabin makes for an nice drive. Using one pedal drive is awesome in stop and go traffic, it reminds me of how we control speed in a manual, throttle control instead of brake control.
 
The only aspect of the trip that was a little stressful was figuring out the charging, being a rookie plays into that. Now that I understand the process better and which apps to use it will smooth out trips. I think I can do the same-day trip in basically the same time as my gas truck with just slightly better planning. If I stay overnight it won't be any different, the truck will be charging while I sleep.

Ultimately we'll see how this treats me over time. My last F150 was a good truck but it was starting to exhibit 10 speed transmission issues like a lot of the Fords and Chevys do.

#18

The Lounge / MOVED: Red

Last post by 94touring - May 06, 2026, 01:48:06 PM

This topic has been moved to Daves Garage .

https://www.restorationmini.com/forum/index.php?topic=3023.0

#19

The Lounge / Re: Like Dylan at the Newport ...

Last post by MiniDave - May 06, 2026, 01:38:55 PM

So, what was the drive itself like, especially compared to your other truck?

I saw an ad today for a range extender for about $1K, of course you'd pay to have it wired in, and so on.....

#20

The Lounge / Re: How's the Weather Today?

Last post by MiniDave - May 06, 2026, 01:37:19 PM

Colorado is getting a ton of snow up near Estes Park....

Today we've got sunshine and cool temps....60F or about 16C...supposed to keep warming up till the weekend.