Recent posts

#11

Daves Garage / Re: Mini ST Hotrod

Last post by MiniDave - April 16, 2024, 12:25:22 PM

I've been acquiring parts, finishing up other projects to clear the shop out and looking at whether I need to build a rotisserie or maybe acquire some other specialized equipment.

I've also been working on engineering the rear subframe and suspension. I currently have two different designs on the drawing boards, one with long/short arms and one with trailing arms ala MiniTec's version.

Once the shop is clear, I'll be back on it "full time" - in quotes because I can only work in the shop for a few hours at a time.

#12

The Lounge / Re: Freon costs

Last post by Brit_in_TX - April 16, 2024, 12:10:12 PM

I got charged $150/lb in November last year. Which was up significant on the previous year of $90/lb. 

#13

The Lounge / Re: A new game... Post pics fr...

Last post by Brit_in_TX - April 16, 2024, 11:54:05 AM

It is a 1964 Austin Mini Countryman. I bought it from someone in South Texas and it was a none runner, the engine started but the brakes and clutch did not work.  So spent a bit of money to get it running.

I keep toying with the idea of selling it, but every time I take it out it gets such a great reaction. 

#14

Daves Garage / Re: Mini ST Hotrod

Last post by Scargo - April 16, 2024, 09:59:22 AM

What's happened with this project in the last seven (7) months?

#15

The Lounge / Re: What did you do in your sh...

Last post by MiniDave - April 16, 2024, 07:25:07 AM

So, now that you have everything cleaned out, does it feel any different when braking? Did you reset the balance bar so that the rears are actually doing some of the work?

PS I never noticed the mirror extension before, that's wild!

#16

The Lounge / Re: What did you do in your sh...

Last post by Red Riley - April 16, 2024, 05:59:02 AM

I've been putting some miles on the VTEC Elf, and I started to notice a weak return on the brake pedal, so decided to pick up a vacuum bleeder and do a fluid flush.
Can of worms, opened.
I guess the 9.5 inch racing discs on the front work pretty well, because I suspect the rear drums hadn't been doing anything in quite a while. I'm running a three master Wilwood pedal box, and the rear MC was completely inop and the whole rear brake circuit was bone dry except for a little thick sludge. Long story short, I bought two new Wilwood compact master cylinders, two 3/4 inch rear wheel cylinders, both rear hard lines, new master cylinder hard lines, and flushed and replaced the fluid. My first time doing double flared brake lines. I wish I had ponied up for the pro-level flaring tool, but I made do with the standard one with the bubble flare adapter. The vacuum bleeder did a great job, although it takes some getting used to. No brake fluid on the garage floor after a few days of driving around, so I guess I did okay.

#17

Maintenance and Modifications / Re: Lightweight Starter Batter...

Last post by Red Riley - April 16, 2024, 05:36:59 AM

I bought my Odyssey battery at the Batteries+ store. Pro tip: when it gets within a month or two of the guaranteed free replacement date, take it back and get a new one for free. They don't ask whether it's good or bad, they just hand you a new one.

#18

The Lounge / Freon costs

Last post by MiniDave - April 15, 2024, 03:37:10 PM

for the house, not the car......

We've started having temps in the mid to high 80's here, along with commensurate high humidity, so I decided to kick on the A/C. I'm not a novice at how A/C works so the first thing I do is clean the outside coil and check the A coil for obstructions, rust or evidence of leaks. I had just changed the filter recently so all systems were "go".

I hit the switch and it immediately came on, ran for 5 minutes and shut off again. In about 5 minutes it kicked on again, ran fine - made nice cool air and shut off again after 5 minutes. The third time it came on and ran fine from then on. The house cooled down nicely and after a while it shut off. It continued to cycle normally for the next couple of days.

My neighbor across the street's son has his HVAC license and he stopped by to see his dad today so I asked him to pop over and tell me what he thinks.....we both decided the short cycling is probably due to being a little low on freon. Last time I had to add any was more than 10 years ago so I wasn't surprised....what did surprise me was he said R22 now costs $250 lb, his cost!!!!

I did a little looking online and saw prices from low $20's to mid $30's per pound.

I don't know where he got his number, but I think I'll call someone else just to see.

#19

The Lounge / Re: A new game... Post pics fr...

Last post by MiniDave - April 15, 2024, 01:48:28 PM

NIce! Looks fantastic! The little one is cute too!

#20

The Lounge / Re: A new game... Post pics fr...

Last post by Brit_in_TX - April 15, 2024, 11:45:12 AM

I bought it in late 2021.  I still have the blue one.