A-Serious.com Community Blog List

ken555's Blog - Piston Broke

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:35:00 +0000

Took the chance of a dry morning and swapped the brake pistons for the stainless steel ones.

Again using the compressor I popped the old ones out, then levered the seals free.
The bottom "fluid" seal presses back in using your fingers. But the top "dust" seal and ring,
requires you to semi-fit the new piston,then using it to centre the new seals, press both down
together with a piece of wood the right size, listening for it to snap into position.

The old piston shows quite a lot of the plating failing and this in turn has ruined the dust seal, but not the fluid one.

ken555's Blog - Wing and a prayer

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:48:00 +0000

Next trip for the coupè was to the Arbroath seafront spectacular,
this event is held in the Victoria park, and isn't a car show, more a charity event.

Approximately 14000 people attended to see the various events, including an oompah band ,
helicopter rescue, motorbike stunts and even some wing walkers.

ken555's Blog - Holiday Shopping.

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:30:00 +0000

Having had a few days holidays, during which we visited the heritage motor centre in Gaydon.

Along with the Brooklands museum.

I paid a visit to a couple of suppliers and picked up some stainless steel brake pistons,
along with a seal kit, these need swapped as I have noticed the coupè pulls left under heavy braking.

I also picked up a new steering wheel, along with a quick release hub.

First of the tasks was to fit the "spigot" to the steering column.
After removing the existing wheel and hub, I heated the spigot up,
then tapped it down onto the column shaft.

Once cooled I don't think it will move, but to be on the safe side, I may weld it internally also.

With the new spigot in place, it was found that the steering boss, didn't cover the complete opening
so a blanking plate was made and fitted. Also to make it more obvious that the wheel is quick release,
I decided to paint the release ring yellow, as is required on race cars, this meant dismantling the boss,
then assembling it once the paint was dry.

ken555's Blog - Sunset Strip

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:29:00 +0000

With the sun now shining, the lack of sun visors on the Coupè was making itself known,
so to help a little, I fitted a sun strip to the front screen.

ken555's Blog - GTM at the GTM

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 09:24:00 +0000

A rather wet start for a trip to the Grampian Transport Museum at Alford,
for the Aberdeen Mini Owners Club summer show.

A few cars had braved the weather, and as it brightened up in the afternoon,
I took the Coupè out for a quick few laps of the track.

Vtec does fit in a round nose.

ken555's Blog - Tyre less

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 09:21:00 +0000

Had a phone call from the tyre fitters, to say they have fitted the wrong brand of tyres.

So I had to strip the wheels back off and take them for replacement.

ken555's Blog - Update part 2

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:13:00 +0000

The older rollbar I had, seemed to designed badly, so a visiting owner brought an original one with him from the fens.

I cleaned it up and removed the seatbelt mounts, then gave it a paint.

Once it was dry it was bolted in place with nylon spacer blocks

and spreader plates welded to the floor with the feet welded on.

Final thing was a set of new tyres. Kumho KH17 175/60 R13 H slightly bigger than the normal Mini size.

Sunday the 13th June saw me travel down to the Errol Airfield for the Tayside classic motorshow, where I tried out the gymkhana, managed to put in the 3rd fastest time.

Video here

ken555's Blog - Update

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:12:00 +0000

Been a little time since I updated on here.

So.........

Got the fans and catch can from Stoneleigh fitted.

One of the things I have been noticing is that the alternator is on it's limits.
I have a suspicion that one of the diodes is gone as it produces low power and a lot of electrical noise.

So I planned to change it for a more modern one. After a few scrapyard visits not finding one with a single vee,
I decided to try and see it I could swap the pulley over. So I grabbed one off a Proton

A lot better than the 34Amp ACR16 unit

So I stripped them down and turned down the Lucas pulley boss/spacer.
Then fitted the old pulley to the new alternator

Then fitted it all back on, had to take a little off the mounting, and use a thraded rod with a custom made bracket and some custom wiring.

Now producing loads of power and no ign light showing.

ken555's Blog - Showtime

Mon, 03 May 2010 10:37:00 +0000

An early start see's us heading for the Stoneleigh National Kitcar show.

Just after 1:00pm we cross the border at Gretna. The first time the Coupè
has done this under it's own power. The last time it was here, was on the
back of a trailer on it's way home in October 2006.

Then around 5:30pm we arrive at our hotel in Coventry, the whole trip
being made with no difficultly.

The next day dawns cold but dry, and we headed off to the show.
We parked up on the GTM owners club site, where we drew quite a
crowd, and were joined by quite a line up of other GTM's

The trip home goes without a hitch, the whole journey
totalled 1256.5 Miles, with 132.8 Litres of fuel being used.

While at the show I managed to pick up a few items,
these were; an oil catch can, two 9" fans, a spare cut-off key,
a "Schultz" gun and some door edge seals. These will be fitted soon.

ken555's Blog - Last Minute Snag

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:37:00 +0000

A last minute check reveals a split rear tie-rod bush, that needed changed last thing on Friday.
But the car passes a quick test drive, all the luggage is prepared and we are ready for the off.