The parts (finally) shipped yesterday - and the chief excuse maker - errr, OEM-guy - at DDM is "no longer with us". Coincidence?
. Ordered March 9th - during the course of the seven phone calls I was told the parts (which were listed on the initial order as "inventory items") had to come from Germany, then England, then the San Diego (local) MINI dealer, then CHINA (!); would be shipped USPS (when the invoice and tracking # said FedEx); was told four times I would get an email response w/in 24 hr.s (never got one until the shipping notification yesterday) ... and expected delivery is April 12th (fitting that they picked the slowest FedEx)... [/rant]
Brighter side: the rear control arms are installed, the rear fascia trim piece that melted at SLMP is replaced, the Schroth harness mounts are installed and the belts test fitted, and the O/P gauge is mounted - but I need to pick up a 1-1/16" deep socket to get the sender out to complete hook-up - plus a quick inspection of the ball joints and t.r.e.'s before scheduling the alignment...
(Jeez, Dave, so many words, how 'bout a pic? Maybe an old-vs.-new?)
Had a close friend in Massena offer me the use of the garage space in his glass company shop to do the clutch change - mine for the week-end; has a 10 ton crane: lift the car by the front to slide the transmission/subframe assembly out the front ("wheelie" pic to follow - LOL). Just 1/2 mile from the house, and has a beer fridge (priorities...). (FWIW, he has a '66 Vette and a '68 Camaro that he completely disassembled and rebuilt, down to the correct paper tags on the springs, plus an '81 Vette that he did nothing to - but it's only got 12k miles on it. Awesome.)
Thompson: thanks for the link, and the tip - added to the list while the car's apart (and while I'm installing the B&M shifter). Had read good things on the NAM forums about Classic MINI in Ohio, but will try a "test order" w/ Inskip - probably the new scoop to repair the Land Rover-supplied "beauty mark" (new hood from Illinois) - OR have found a source for a new Torsen LSD that was available in the 2005-6 MINI's - hmmm...