| From: |
Bernie MacIntyre [minxpei(at)yahoo.ca] |
| Sent: |
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 3:37 PM |
| To: |
HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com |
| Subject: |
"[HillmanCars] Restoration Update |
To All:
Just an update on restoration work on the Hillman Minx IIIA Conv:
Pulled the engine and transmission to repair numerous oil leaks and leaking valve seals.
Re-gasketed everything incl. basepan, valve cover, sidepan, water pump, timing chain cover & trans/OD. Replaced
front trans oil seal and O/D output shaft seal. Rebuilt O/D interlock switch. Replaced pilot bushing.
Replaced starter ring gear. Replaced clutch and throw-out bushing. Replaced all valve seals. Replaced
timing chain tensioner. Replaced distributor vacuum advance. Rebuilt and painted generator. Rebuilt
and painted starter. Stripped and painted entire engine and all attachments. Painted manifold with hi-temp
manifold paint. Replaced engine and transmission rubber mounts. Replaced wiper gear boxes. Rebuilt
wiper motor. Refurbished voltage control regulator. Removed heater unit, replaced foam air gaskets and
repainted unit.
I will leave the engine and trans out until I get more work done on the chassis. I am presently
degreasing the engine compartment and preparing it for paint. I have removed all wiring and attachments for the
painting. I recently picked up a salvaged transmission tunnel and will be welding that into position in the
coming weeks. I plan on doing some minor rust repair work on the front floors, rocker panel and wheel wells.
Add in some upholstery work and a paint job and she should be ready for the British Car Show in late July.
I wish I had been a little more ambitious before the new year. Procrastination is cramping my
schedule between now and summer driving!
Great fun though. Thanks for all the gems of knowledge you have provided me with during this process!
I'll post a few pics of the project.
Bernie
Prince Edward Island
(See if you can find it)
Canada
1960 Minx IIIA Conv.
| From: |
Alan Miles [lord_rootes@yahoo.com] |
| Sent: |
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 3:54 PM |
| To: |
HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com |
| Subject: |
[HillmanCars] Re: Restoration Update |
Wow, it sounds like you've been very busy. Looking forward to seeing some pictures.
Alan M.
Richmond, B.C.
| From: |
Bernie MacIntyre [minxpei(at)yahoo.ca] |
| Sent: |
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 4:37 PM |
| To: |
HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com |
| Subject: |
Re: [HillmanCars] Re: Restoration Update |
Oh and I forgot:
Rebuilt clutch and brake master cylinders. Replaced all brake shoes and two wheel cylinders. Restored steering wheel. Rebuilt and finished parking brake lever assembly. Repaired horn unit. Replaced ignition points with Pertronics Unit. Re-stitched tonneau. Had bumper, grill and tail lights re-chromed. Replaced muffler. Fixed numerous electrical problems associated with being idle for past 20 yrs. Replaced door seals. Other minor items too numerous to mention......there seems no end to them.
Alan Miles wrote:
Wow, it sounds like you've been very busy. .........
Prince Edward Island
(See if you can find it)
Canada
1960 Minx IIIA Conv.
| From: |
Alan Miles [lord_rootes(at)yahoo.com] |
| Sent: |
Thursday, March 30, 2006 10:26 AM |
| To: |
HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com |
| Subject: |
[HillmanCars] Re: Restoration Update |
Great pictures, Bernie. I love the job you did on the engine and gearbox. It looks brand new!
-Alan M.
| From: |
murray [eaglevis(at)bigpond.com] |
| Sent: |
Friday, March 31, 2006 5:59 PM |
| To: |
HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com |
| Subject: |
Re: [HillmanCars] Re: Restoration Update |
Bernie, what painting process did you use?
Murray
| From: |
Bernie MacIntyre [minxpei(at)yahoo.ca] |
| Sent: |
Saturday, April 01, 2006 3:33 PM |
| To: |
HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com |
| Subject: |
Re: [HillmanCars] Re: Restoration Update |
Thks Alan.
Murray;
I used Easy-Off Oven Cleaner to degrease the engine and all attachments. It has the side
benefits of lifting any paint that is not well adhered and will dissolve most rust as well. If you want to
strip to bare metal, use a couple of coats and let it sit for 30 minutes. It is also great if you want to
remove paint from plastic material since it will not react with the plastic the way normal paint strippers do.
I got this technique from my son who is big into plastic models and sometimes wishes to repaint the model without
damaging the plastic.
I hand brushed the engine with several thin coats of Tremclad Rust Enamel that can be applied over stable rust or bare metal without a primer. However, some of the engine accessories were stripped to bare metal so I used a primer before the enamel on those. I was assured by several antique old-timers that the engine heat from a small water cooled engine will not damage the enamel finish - in fact will make it more durable. The manifold was hand painted with POR-15 Manifold Paint (Rated at 1500 degrees) I used the "cast iron grey" color that looks like sand-blasted cast iron. I'm very happy with the look of the manifold.
Bernie
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