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#91
The Lounge / Re: The drunk thread
Last post by Jims5543 - May 02, 2025, 05:48:39 AMI was driving past a Total Wine yesterday, I decided to stop in and grab some Belgium Beer thanks to Red's post. LOL!
I forgot how expensive they are, a 4 pack of St. Bernardus Abt12 was $20..
Then I drifted over to the local Florida beers. I grabbed a 4 pack of these because the name made me laugh.
It's OK, not something I would buy again.
I forgot how expensive they are, a 4 pack of St. Bernardus Abt12 was $20..
Then I drifted over to the local Florida beers. I grabbed a 4 pack of these because the name made me laugh.
It's OK, not something I would buy again.
#92
Maintenance and Modifications / Re: Blade fuse direct replacem...
Last post by MiniDave - May 01, 2025, 08:46:14 PMWow, that's def an upgrade....
#93
Maintenance and Modifications / Blade fuse direct replacement ...
Last post by bikewiz - May 01, 2025, 07:33:31 PMI came across this 4 fuse replacement blade style fuse box from a company called Torque Resto Parts. It screws into the same location as the original glass fuse holder and you reuse the original Lucas cover. It comes with some generic 15amp fuses which need to be replaced with the correct amperage fuses. I got the correctly rated blade fuses from British Wiring which they say are "British Rating" which I think is continuous rating and not the blow rating, there's a post on TMF about the difference, who knew?
A bonus for Dan is they have blade fuse boxes for VW's
TMF fuses
British Wiring
Torque Resto Parts
A bonus for Dan is they have blade fuse boxes for VW's
TMF fuses
British Wiring
Torque Resto Parts
#94
Daves Garage / Re: Mini ST Hotrod
Last post by MiniDave - May 01, 2025, 03:15:40 PMSo, looking at the Sport Pak arches, I went ahead and bolted on one wheel, and took out the brackets and installed the rear shocks, so I could measure the wheel travel compared to the arch opening. I know that it clears the opening in the Q panel but as expected it hits the return on the inside of the arch.
It also looks like I need to move the wheel back about 1/2" to center in the opening.
Then I put my trailer fender in to see how it might work as an inner fender - the curve is exactly right although it's way too short - I would have to buy two and weld them end to end to completely fill the opening.
With the wheel in the normal position - about 1/2 of total wheel travel - it clearly hits the arch, but it does fit comfortably withing the outer limits - since I'm currently using 3/4" spacers it looks like I could at least run 7" wide wheels in the back, but 8's probably won't work with Sport Paks.
I do have a set of Fortech knock off arches and they are super wide, so I know those will work no matter what wheels, spacing, offset or spacers I run but they are a lot of work to make look good. Still, maybe those on the rear and Sport Paks on the front? dunno.....
It also looks like I need to move the wheel back about 1/2" to center in the opening.
Then I put my trailer fender in to see how it might work as an inner fender - the curve is exactly right although it's way too short - I would have to buy two and weld them end to end to completely fill the opening.
With the wheel in the normal position - about 1/2 of total wheel travel - it clearly hits the arch, but it does fit comfortably withing the outer limits - since I'm currently using 3/4" spacers it looks like I could at least run 7" wide wheels in the back, but 8's probably won't work with Sport Paks.
I do have a set of Fortech knock off arches and they are super wide, so I know those will work no matter what wheels, spacing, offset or spacers I run but they are a lot of work to make look good. Still, maybe those on the rear and Sport Paks on the front? dunno.....
#95
Maintenance and Modifications / Re: Question regarding electri...
Last post by bikewiz - April 30, 2025, 06:44:32 PMSo I'm getting closer. Its a little lean at 65 on the highway but decent for the most part around town and perfect at 45-50 with a steady throttle.
The throttle cable is a tight as it can be without affecting the idle.
Idle is steady at 1050 and 8 degrees.
Plugs look good.
I plan to check everything again and work on the needle a little more.
And I think I fixed the intermittent electrical problem by cleaning the connectors and lightly bending the sockets to make a tighter connection, this was of course after I wasted a bunch of time removing the dash to check every connector and ground.....
The throttle cable is a tight as it can be without affecting the idle.
Idle is steady at 1050 and 8 degrees.
Plugs look good.
I plan to check everything again and work on the needle a little more.
And I think I fixed the intermittent electrical problem by cleaning the connectors and lightly bending the sockets to make a tighter connection, this was of course after I wasted a bunch of time removing the dash to check every connector and ground.....
#96
Restorations / Re: Amateur Restoration of a 1...
Last post by skmini - April 30, 2025, 05:39:55 PMIf you're replacing the fuel or brake hard lines that go under the floor, they're easiest to do with the subframes out. The hydraulic hard lines that go across the bulkhead are a lot easier without the engine in. I built the front suspension and brake lines on the subframe off the car. On Dave's advice I actually installed the complete drivetrain on the front subframe and then lowered the shell onto it. That looked a bit sketchy with just a floor jack and jackstands lifting the shell: pictures on page 8 of my "79 Canadian Mini" thread.
I did the wiring after the engine was in, but before the interior.
I did the wiring after the engine was in, but before the interior.
#97
Daves Garage / Re: Mini ST Hotrod
Last post by MiniDave - April 30, 2025, 04:46:30 PMSo, after making the rear brackets and marking where the holes should go on the rear valance, I dropped it out and welded in some flange nuts. I made a little bracket so that I could set the height just below the surface of the valance panel and tacked them in place, then went around and tacked the whole nut in place. After that I ground off the nibs so I'd have a flush surface for the bracket to mate up to.
That done I bolted everything back into the car and to my complete surprise it all fit and bolted up!
The back end of the subframe was only bolted to the parcel shelf, I needed to get these brackets in so I could unbolt it from the parcel shelf and add in the top parts of the subframe so I can see how it all is going to fit.
Next up I'll pull the valance back off and make sure I've cleaned up all the weld nibs and get it ready to finally weld into the car.
I also went over to Northern Tool and bought a couple of trailer fenders, with the idea that I may use those to form an inner fender from the q panel out to the sport pack flares, that should give plenty of room for tires - but I'll need to do some careful measuring first. If it looks like it will work I'll split it down the middle and have one for each side.
The fronts will be stock 13"X6" wheels so std sport pak arches will work there, in the rear I'm looking at either 13X7 or maybe even 13X8 wheels.
That done I bolted everything back into the car and to my complete surprise it all fit and bolted up!
The back end of the subframe was only bolted to the parcel shelf, I needed to get these brackets in so I could unbolt it from the parcel shelf and add in the top parts of the subframe so I can see how it all is going to fit.
Next up I'll pull the valance back off and make sure I've cleaned up all the weld nibs and get it ready to finally weld into the car.
I also went over to Northern Tool and bought a couple of trailer fenders, with the idea that I may use those to form an inner fender from the q panel out to the sport pack flares, that should give plenty of room for tires - but I'll need to do some careful measuring first. If it looks like it will work I'll split it down the middle and have one for each side.
The fronts will be stock 13"X6" wheels so std sport pak arches will work there, in the rear I'm looking at either 13X7 or maybe even 13X8 wheels.
#98
Restorations / Re: Amateur Restoration of a 1...
Last post by MiniDave - April 30, 2025, 04:38:30 PMYou def want to install the brake hard line that goes across the front edge of the subframe, you can do it after it's in the car, but it's much easier to do it first.
#99
Restorations / Re: Amateur Restoration of a 1...
Last post by scalpel_ninja - April 30, 2025, 03:54:29 PMGetting ready to come out of hibernation on this project. So far the shell assembled with the subframes is sitting on jack stands. The front axles and hubs are disassembled; rear hubs will need to come off to replace the bearings.
I'm planning on dropping the engine in after I drill the front subframe for the sump guard and weld in captive nuts. Aside from attaching the speedo cable, are there any other tasks that really need to be done to make life easier? Such as installing the brake hard lines? Fuel line? Wiring? Or could those tasks be done after the engine is bolted in place?
I'm planning on dropping the engine in after I drill the front subframe for the sump guard and weld in captive nuts. Aside from attaching the speedo cable, are there any other tasks that really need to be done to make life easier? Such as installing the brake hard lines? Fuel line? Wiring? Or could those tasks be done after the engine is bolted in place?
#100
The Lounge / Re: Evolve or die
Last post by jeff10049 - April 29, 2025, 10:38:44 PMHigh-end recession-proof clients were precisely what I geared my RV business to. $ 500,000 was a relatively inexpensive coach in our world. We were always booked a year ahead. Each client would book next year's appointment before leaving. Also, anyone like your porch client was fired, and yes, people are that clueless.
We had a customer accuse us of stealing a sink cutout cover from his coach. I never went past the driver's seat. The work was on the exterior of the unit. He called, and I explained this to him. He then showed up, cussing me out in person and also accusing us of getting the carpet dirty. At this point, I told him to fuck off and sue me. And if he has any friends fuck them too.
He said, ' Good luck with your business. ' I won't be back. I said you're not welcome back. It turns out he was a member of the Rotary Club and tried to badmouth us; as a result, we ended up with a dozen or so great new clients from the Rotary Club. They all said don't worry about him. He's an asshole. We came by to apologize and to say that he is not a good representative of our club. About a year later, he called, trying to get an appointment. WTF, really? It turns out that every shop in town had fired him as a customer. I never even told him that every step, from me entering the coach to pulling it inside, and all the work was on camera, and I never left the driver's seat or got near any carpet.
I was hoping he would file a lawsuit so that I could provide the video evidence and expose him for the fool he is. A huge waste of time, but it would have been worth it. We sent him a thank-you card for all the referrals from the Rotary Club. He was later found guilty of embezzling money from the club, a real class act that guy was.
I think the longer you are in business, the lower the tolerance for bullshit becomes. I found out the best money we made was when I stopped catering to the bullshit customers. My favorite saying in my new business is. "You're welcome to go somewhere else"
The majority of our customers were super cool people. We are still friends with a number of them and get together for a visit now and then. We ment some really neat people in that business from all sorts of professional fields I always enjoyed the stories of how they got to where they were.
We had a customer accuse us of stealing a sink cutout cover from his coach. I never went past the driver's seat. The work was on the exterior of the unit. He called, and I explained this to him. He then showed up, cussing me out in person and also accusing us of getting the carpet dirty. At this point, I told him to fuck off and sue me. And if he has any friends fuck them too.
He said, ' Good luck with your business. ' I won't be back. I said you're not welcome back. It turns out he was a member of the Rotary Club and tried to badmouth us; as a result, we ended up with a dozen or so great new clients from the Rotary Club. They all said don't worry about him. He's an asshole. We came by to apologize and to say that he is not a good representative of our club. About a year later, he called, trying to get an appointment. WTF, really? It turns out that every shop in town had fired him as a customer. I never even told him that every step, from me entering the coach to pulling it inside, and all the work was on camera, and I never left the driver's seat or got near any carpet.
I was hoping he would file a lawsuit so that I could provide the video evidence and expose him for the fool he is. A huge waste of time, but it would have been worth it. We sent him a thank-you card for all the referrals from the Rotary Club. He was later found guilty of embezzling money from the club, a real class act that guy was.
I think the longer you are in business, the lower the tolerance for bullshit becomes. I found out the best money we made was when I stopped catering to the bullshit customers. My favorite saying in my new business is. "You're welcome to go somewhere else"
The majority of our customers were super cool people. We are still friends with a number of them and get together for a visit now and then. We ment some really neat people in that business from all sorts of professional fields I always enjoyed the stories of how they got to where they were.