Big Positive progress!!
Not many pictures to post... of course a headache or two .. but the first target has been reached.
67 - 68 Cooper S has moved back to the owners Jeff's garage.. we took a delightful long = cross town drive to deliver her home yesterday.
Of course sorting a car back on the road is a timely process. fix this and tweak that = we finally ended with a drive-able cooper!
While i'm not complaining a few oversights on both our parts lead to some further re assembly headaches... Use these as reminders for your own rebuilds. Noting Here....
Once first back on 4 wheels Few weeks ago I found the passenger side steering rack bushing was WRECKED, destroyed. non existent. >. should have been renewed before sub frames went back in.. oh well. Now an In car repair...
I was lucky with fixing.. found the later mk3 on nylon bushing can be modified to fix the Cork Bushing that is originally in a Mk 1 rack.
Please see details here = documented on Mini Mania =
https://www.minimania.com/msgThread/121649/1/1/Mk1__Steering_rack_Bushing_repair_-_it_can_be_doneAfter a few test engine starts. . MAN this place smells like fuel = next morning. LOTS Of fuel on the ground....
HUMM == Oh = there it is = broken Original fuel line =Pinhole rust leak... right behind the crook in the front sub frame.. We wanted to use as many original parts as possible, but here = we failed by a seemingly innocent part. ... metal fuel line had a pinhole rust thru spot= fuel would spray out of the line.. HAD to be replaced.
Another fun operation to re install a new metal fuel pipe= front to back.. with the sub frames in place
OH boy= Time to drive.!!
First drive was great= down the road straight =! up to temp= good oil pressure all seems happy.. A little darty on the steering. (oh yea) lets check the alignment ! 2 inches TOED OUT! Looked good = But on measuring I was second guessing my tape measures! could there really be 2 inches of toe out! dialed that in to a 1/8th toe! MUCH More civilized around the neighborhood! WHEW!
after 2 drives== water on the ground == whats that.. = Freeze plugs..
Bummer= who knows why = or how. or what === weeping freze plugs== had sealer from the engine build but just didn't do it.
Replaced two and took a new test drive = engine up to temp== other 2 are leaking

used another type of sealer= replaced the other two.. again.
Test drive= up to temp = Leaking 2 AGAIN! oh no make that 3 leaking AGAIN!!!!
Reach out = ask for suggestion = go that route. Sand all edges for more bite= + jB Weld.. Did that operation for one more time!
let dry for 36 hours= water in= test drive = good temps = good tune. HOLDING WATER.
Jeff just took the car out today and reported success = Holding water! Just one of those annoying things!
Happy to report Jeff is Happy Happy to have this car headed towards interior re assembly + show around town time = Cars and Coffee next weekend! is his goal !
I was genuinely happy with how this car rode + drove = Hydro is SOO Soft / floaty and comfortable!
The driving position with the Remote shift gear lever has such an unique direction along with the big original steering wheel adds to the character. Upright seating position . sliding windows. Jeff couldn't believe how hot it was + no air flow! (yes welcome to summer mini driving! )
Now Thru the healey club, jeff picked up a mk1 Sprite.. = might be working on that with him next! DOnt we all love new projects!