10.18.2026

Yesterday before church, Jim got the newly-modified catalytic converter all installed! 

We had our first below freezing day - with readings of 28° this morning when we got up.  Definitely some frost on the pumpkins!

Today, he was back at it, working on connecting the millions of hoses, wires, electrical connections...

He had lots of trouble with reaching one vacuum hose connection, and practically had to crawl inside the engine...

10.17 - High 47.4/Low 32.9
10.18 - High 59.5/Low 28.6 - first freeze!

10.16.2026

Jim finished all the welding on the catalytic converter today... 

This was the side that had big gaps that Jim had to fill in...

Putting it in the blasting cabinet to clean it up...

All clean...

Then a coat of heat-resistant paint...

Jim had to spend some time doing some cleaning, and then started on the top of the engine, hooking up some of the wiring harness...

The throttle body out and Jim is investigating what he needs to do on it...

High 61.2/Low 41.8 - rainy

10.15.2026

I had lots of errands today, so Jim took pictures of his progress on modifying the catalytic converter until I got home.  After marking the spot yesterday, he used his metal bandsaw to cut the converter...

This picture shows the catalytic converter connected - the back part is connected to the exhaust system and the front to the custom header.  The screwdriver is there to hold it in place.  Then he had to tack weld it while underneath the car...

Then he could take it off...

He then had to weld the flange onto the pipe - this side is done; he still needs to finish the other side.  There are fairly big openings so quite a bit of welding and then finishing is required...

Jim said we needed a picture of me in the new MINI - so he took this while I was moving the car later.  I'm having a lot of fun tooling around in it!   Plus - look at those golden leaves!  The whole property seems alight with yellow.

We have big accomplishments to celebrate so we are going to head to The Local this evening for dinner.

An update - a fun evening at The Local and check out this burger!  It had fried pickle spears on it in addition to cheese, bacon, and toppings.  Yum!

High 58.7/Low 44.9

10.14.2026

Jim has the ladder nearby to work on the car, because sometimes he needs to work from the top down and then from underneath...

Looking up from underneath, things are coming together - he has the power steering and starter assemblies all in place...

One of the last big things from underneath the car is hooking up the catalytic converter.  Jim bought those beautiful custom headers, but they require him to modify the catalytic converter - he has to cut off the end (where the has the tape marked) and then he'll have to weld it.  Sounds terrifying to me, but Jim is always up for a challenge!  Stay tuned!

 

High 61.9/Low 59.4 

10.13.2026

Continuing to put things together - clutch assembly done and new grommets on the stabilizer bar... 

Stabilizer bar in place...

He also got the air compressor installed.  Now everything is really tough to get at - Jim said it sure was easier when it was sitting on the engine stand!

High 61.3/Low 56.1 - on/off light rain

10.12.2026

Yesterday afternoon, Jim brought the transmission over to mate with the block.  But he worked all day and couldn't get the front transmission shaft to fit into the pilot bearing on the back of the crankshaft.  He's done this procedure twice before and while it's difficult because you can't see exactly what you are doing and you're working with these huge parts, but he just couldn't get it to mate.

Of course, Jim's middle name is perseverance so he was back down in the auto bay this morning.  He backed some parts out so that he could see what was happening and discovered that the throw out bearing had slipped and was in the way.  Once he got that back into position, he was able to get the transmission into place...yay!!

Transmission is off the jack and in place!

Now it's putting everything back together.  He's working on getting the clutch parts all in place...

Meanwhile, it's also ladybug day.  It's weird how one day there's none, and the next day looks like a horror movie.  Plenty of stink bugs and wasps flying around too...

10.11 - High 53.7/Low 39.6
10.12 - High 69.7/Low 49.3

10.10.2026

 Back underneath the car, getting things hooked back up...

Header bolts all torqued...

Attaching the newly-resurfaced flywheel...

He then put on the clutch disc and pressure plate before coming upstairs to clean up so we could head to church!

High 55.5/Low 38.2