Shameless grovelling

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 4:39 pm

So, come the summer, my poor minor will be needing quite a bit of work - and some of it stuff I've never done before - specifically (assuming they've entered the world of the living) King Pins/Trunions and ideally converting to LHD.

Would anyone possibly consider giving me a hand with that? 'm in Slough - although potentially could do the gearbox / diff / etc with Kathryn and thus get 'becca mobile, so I could potentially bring her somewhere else...

...?

It's not a definite thing yet, but I'm currently contemplating options...

Post by **mike.perry** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 5:30 pm

King pins, trunnions no problem if you can get the parts. LHD more complicated. You need a LHD steering rack, pedal assembly, accelerator pedal. You also need to move the brake master cylinder to the other chassis leg. And also swap the seats over if you still have Minor seats. I expect you also need to move the dip switch.

Post by **ASL642** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:45 pm

Why LHD are you planning a move abroad?

Post by **alainmoran** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:03 pm

PLEASE can you take lots of photos of the LHD conversion? ... I'm contemplating moving to Portugal so it would be really handy to learn about any pitfalls before I attempt it.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:33 pm

First - find the LHD rack !

Post by **alainmoran** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:36 pm

This is probably a daft question (I'm good at those), but I assume you cant just take an RHD rack and flip it upside down?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:45 pm

No - but I suspect Spridgets used an upside down LHD rack! Worth checking it out.

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:59 pm

I'm pretty certain they do have an LHD rack. I've got an LHD frontplate for the gearbox, and an LHD accelerator pedal. Other bits I need to source...

...Alain, certainly. Hell, I might even dig out the video camera.

Post by **d_harris** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 11:21 pm

LHD minor rack and RHD Midget rack are indeed the same.....

You might want to have a chat with Ray, he has done a LHD conversion.....

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Fri May 01, 2009 10:09 am

Aye, he gave me an idea of what I needed to do, and a list of bits ages ago (when I was first considering the possibility). I realise it's not something that needs to be done, but I think it's something I'd rather have done.

I plan to be driving a fair amount in .ca, when I eventually go, and would rather the car was native than me trying to peer around things when I want to overtake...

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri May 01, 2009 10:39 am

The roads in Canada are wide and open - overtaking is easy. The speed limits are also closely observed (and enforced) - there IS little overtaking!

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Fri May 01, 2009 11:37 am

Um, when I was there everyone was speeding...doing 100(km/h) on the motorway there was akin to driving down the motorway here at 60 *everyone* went past you - despite the signs saying 100km/h. Even in the snow.

In Vancouver I drove our US plated loan car at the limit, and again, was in everyone's way. Either they all faked driving faster when we were there (both times) or it's the same there as here.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri May 01, 2009 11:49 am

I was thinking more of the roads in BC - north of Vancouver. When I was charging on, I soon realised that no-one else was doing so, and was told the cops can trap you from their cars going the other way. I soon slowed down to the relaxed Canadian way of life - cruised just over the limit, and enjoyed the scenery! Great country.

Post by **Stig** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:11 am

Hi Kate,

I've got an engine hoist at my place if you need a hand changing the gearbox.

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Sun May 10, 2009 8:54 pm

Thanks... I may take you up on that

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:26 pm

At least you've got a central speedo to start with!!

LHD Gearbox front plate was all I used, and I made the rest by hand (well if you include mig welder and angle grinder as hand tools...).

The LHD accellerator pedal will be useful as my hand made mounts for the original pedal were not perfect and with hindsight I got my pedals too close together. The original LHD version extends across to the existing cable position and fits existing mounts on the floor.

The SII clutch pedal shaft was easier to modify as it just needed a new flat on the shaft to fix the cotter pin into. For a Minor 1000 you may be better getting a spare clutch pedal to cut and shut it.

For pre-preparation work you can fit the pedal shaft bushes to the chassis leg.

I'd love top help but that depends on time and time is v.limited this year

Don't forget to ask nearer the time though.

Does your chassis leg have all the mountings for the clutch relay shaft? These are not impossible to remake but will save some faffing.

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Wed May 13, 2009 9:17 am

I'd love top help but that depends on time and time is v.limited this year. Don't forget to ask nearer the time though.

Cheers. Help'd be much appreciated. At the moment I'm focusing on transport that I have the bits for - so the two DAFs are getting lots of attention and I'm thinking about retrieving the other 'zed (partially rebuilt one) and finishing it off (since it's got a new engine, and my other one needs an engine rebuild!).

Does your chassis leg have all the mountings for the clutch relay shaft? These are not impossible to remake but will save some faffing.

From memory I'd say yes; I recall going under the car and thinking 'ah, at least it's got the mountings so that shouldn't be so hard'. I shall check nearer the time though