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Installing Tex door mirrors
Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 12:37 pm
by paulhumphries
I don't know if the Tex mirrors where ever fitted as original to the late model Minors but looking at photo's of other peoples cars they seem to be the most popular type.
I've just bought a new pair off eBay and am ready to install them as I find the (one) wing mirror useless.
I can see the position everbody else seems to fit them but wonder about the mounting base.
I intend using the plastic plinth which angles the mirror slighlty but see that it isn't recommended for Midget / Mini where a chrome plinth should be used.
I'd prefer chrome over black plastic for the plinth so had a look at the Tex web site -
www.texautomotive.com
In my opinion the chrome plinth might look better but isn't really suitable for the angle of the Minor door as it's designed for the amost vertical face of the Midget / Mini door installation areas.
What do other people use for indstalling the same Tex mirrors on a Minor - the supplied plastic plinth (c)
http://www.texautomotive.com/images/Cla ... M99986.jpg
or do they buy the alternative chrome plinth
http://www.texautomotive.com/images/Cla ... M99987.jpg
Thanks.
Paul Humphries.
Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:47 pm
by d_harris
it might help if you showed us the actual mirrors.....
Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:51 pm
by paulhumphries
Dan_Harris wrote:it might help if you showed us the actual mirrors.....
The mirrors are the standard fitment to most BL cars from late 60's to 80's !
http://www.texautomotive.com/images/Cla ... M68991.jpg
Paul Humphries
Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:57 pm
by d_harris
aah yes, those ones. When we put similar (maybe the same...) on the old trav we used the plastic
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 1:28 pm
by alex_holden
I've just bought a set of these. Anyone have a photo of where on the door they fitted theirs to? I'm guessing the wedge shaped plinth will be more suitable than the flat one.
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 1:41 pm
by paulhumphries
alex_holden wrote:I've just bought a set of these. Anyone have a photo of where on the door they fitted theirs to? I'm guessing the wedge shaped plinth will be more suitable than the flat one.
In the end I simply fitted them to door with the plastic angle plinth after looking at pictures where other owners mounted them.
I applied masking tape to door and then had helper hold mirror in place whilst i sat in drivers seat to "fine tune" exact postion. The helper then just marked on the masking tape with pencil.
Bascially the mirror is in line with the quarterlight/ main window channel.
Problem was that when I came to check the helpers pencil marks I found the fixing screw was directly in line with the channel. Besides the added possibility that it would foul within the door I also note on my spare doors this is an area which can crack so moved it slightly forward. Wished now it was slightly back instead on nearside as the mirror is almost starting to get obscured by the channel.
Paul Humphries.
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 2:33 pm
by JimK
Was this type also mounted on wings? I have bases on the wings but no arms or mirrors, and I can't work out what shape to get.
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:20 pm
by Judge
Generally the wings were fitted with the 'boomerang' type.
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:32 pm
by JimK
Judge wrote:Generally the wings were fitted with the 'boomerang' type.
Eh? Boomerang? <scratching head icon>
I think I may need a photo...
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:40 pm
by alex_holden
I'm going to remove my wing mirrors and fill the holes in the wings (I can't see a thing in them, hence why I'm changing to door mirrors). You can have the old ones if you want them. They're in good condition but the heads are two different shapes. See
this photo.
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:43 pm
by Judge
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:43 pm
by Judge
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:34 pm
by d_harris
The ones on the wings are a pain in the backside. Used purely for decoration as I can tell
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:00 pm
by JimK
Thanks for the answers.
I'm not sure the ones on the wings are as good as door mirrors, but I'm not sure either about my ability to fill in the holes without it looking dreadful or to drill holes in the same place in each door.
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:48 pm
by minor_hickup
I have Tex viewmaster mirrors on my wings and they really are for decorative purposes only. The view is so small even if they are adjusted right they show so little its not safe to use them for manouvers without a glance over the shoulder.
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:56 pm
by JimK
I might have a go at blocking up the wing holes then. How do folks usually block small holes like that?
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 11:25 pm
by minor_hickup
Well you could weld in new steel, use aluminium mesh and filler or fiberglass.
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:34 am
by alex_holden
The easy way is probably to clean any rust and dirt off, epoxy a piece of thin sheet metal under the hole (eg. a section cut from a drink can), put filler in the hole, sand it flat, and respray the area. That is a slight bodge, but probably "good enough". I'm planning to try to do it the hard way by butt-welding small patches in.
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 9:08 am
by JimK
Thanks Alex. I might do that simple method for the time being. The wings aren't perfect anyway so I don't think an extra "bodge" will hurt.
I'm planning to start a welding course in January, and I'm going to practice before starting on my car
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:50 am
by paulhumphries
JimK wrote:I might have a go at blocking up the wing holes then. How do folks usually block small holes like that?
Until you weld etc the holes how about using the small sized chromed domed blanks used in public type toilets sinks where you have two holes in basin but only one tap ?
Paul Humphries.
