Mixed Pickles

While I haven’t spent any time in my garage for the last week – quite a few things have happened. As some might know I killed the Morgan’s rear axle on the first test drive back in July. In September I brought the axle to a specialist in the UK. Unfortunately, it needs a new pinion & crown-wheel and this is a bit of an issue as the original Salisbury 7HA rear axle for the Morgan 4/4 has a 4,11:1 ratio. Spares are rare and expensive. Even though I sent a few emails to the specialist – I didn’t get any update on my axle. But: This week I got a hint where to ask for spares – and fingers crossed: I hope to be able to get either a good used crown & pinion or even an entire rear axle. The aim is to have the Morgan back on the road including interior trim by April/May 2022. Hopefully, this will work out.

As you might have seen/guessed from the last picture I found a replacement body shell for Mildred – the 1973 MGB GT – which I decided to buy. It is not perfect nor complete finished by any means – but sandblasted and coated with 2k epoxy primer. It certainly needs a new sill on the left side – and maybe on the right as well. But the area around the windscreen and the engine is much better. I assume that it requires 40% to 50% less welding work and new panels. And some panels from the other shell might come in handy as well. There are quite a few additional parts that come with the shell – it will be a bit of a challenge to get everything sorted and stored. The plan is to pick it up next weekend – just before I am heading to the UK. I will use this opportunity to pick up quite a few spare parts which should keep me busy in December and January.

But the best news is that I will be able to “trade” hours. I started fixing a Mini 40 edition. This is one of 800 cars (400 LHD and 400 RHD) cars built in 1999. It has roughly the same milage as my 1991 Mini Cooper (Miffi). I just did a very short test drive – suspension and steering need a complete overhaul. It has many small rusty aeras (e.g. doors) that need attention. On the plus side the engine runs much better than the one in Miffi….. hmmm, looks like Miffi might need some upgrades some day…:)
Today I started stripping the rear. It took me almost 4 hours to remove and strip the entire subframe (plus an hour preparation yestderday evening). The MPI based Mini’s with SportsPack have a reinforced subframe – which I believe was introduced in 1996. Yet, I was surprised that it made an even weaker impression compared to the new subframe I got for Miffi two years ago. Next up is replacing the steering rack – a somewhat sh%ty task with the engine and front subframe installed….

There is plenty of work left on the Mini and I will be compensated in “welding hours”. Not on a 1-to-1 basis – but I am sure I can cut down the costs for the MGB GT project this way.

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