37 replies to this topic

[antidigerati]

Where does the time go?

 

Some progress made:

 

The back corners inside the boot are in pretty bad shape.

Started some cutting with the aim of keeping that rear-subframe mounting bracket in place. The new boot-side panel seems designed to be placed over top of the floor rather than fully replacing it. Wants to get mounted on top of that bracket. Here is the space ready for the new panel.

 

 

Also interesting that the replacement panel has flanges bent upwards... whereas the floor it is replacing was spot-welded in between the boot panels and the valance. Not entirely sure exactly what I'll do about that.

 

I did manage to extricate and clean up this bracket from the rear back corner. I'll weld that back in once I get the new floor in.

 

 

Before I get that in place I first needed to repair the wheel well panel and that back bottom section of the rear quarter panel.

 

 

 

 

Not the prettiest, but does seem sealed. Still getting a handle on the welding of sheet.

 

Now the lower quarter panel.

 

 

 

 

Not bad. I'm pretty happy with my work shaping that panel. I will be replacing the entire bottom few inches of the rear panel with the boot opening... so didn't spot-weld that side of the seam yet.

 

I just bought a compressor and am having good success using it to help cool down the sheet welds every few tacks. Speeds things up.

 

I've been using 16 gauge sheet for my replacement parts... I can get it flush on the outside but of course the inside it will sit slightly proud. I'm not concerned about this and my success with welding the 16 gauge is significantly higher. I tend to burn through the thinner sheet.

[pete l]

Magnum panels seem to be made to fit ON TOP of the old bad rusted panel. They are nearly always a terrible fit (although my front panel seems OK)

 

You should of gone with M-Machine's boot quarter panels, they are 100% better.

[antidigerati]

Magnum panels seem to be made to fit ON TOP of the old bad rusted panel. They are nearly always a terrible fit (although my front panel seems OK)

 

You should of gone with M-Machine's boot quarter panels, they are 100% better.

 

Dang. I didn't realize this. 

 

Hmm. I'm thinking I can still make these panels work but will know better when purchasing future panels. Thanks.

 

Any thoughts on the fit of Magnum front fenders? I already have those bought but haven't got to those repairs yet.

[dasupersprint]

Magnum ''repair'' panels may be meant to go over original, which is a shame, but Magnum complete panels like front wings are OK. I have everything front ends Magnum  (front panel, wings and A-panels) and they fitted OK

[dasupersprint]

I have the same car jack from Canadian Tire  

 

Why are you keeping the weird bracket at the rear corner? It was meant to hold the big Canadian bumper and the fuel tank strap. Your Mini was already converted to normal bumper and I'm sure you don't have any fuel tank, being EV and all

[dasupersprint]

Before and after in that corner...

 

 

[antidigerati]

Why are you keeping the weird bracket at the rear corner? It was meant to hold the big Canadian bumper and the fuel tank strap. Your Mini was already converted to normal bumper and I'm sure you don't have any fuel tank, being EV and all

Ha! :)
I'll admit I didn't fully understand what that bracket was for. I assumed it was partially structural (although I did notice it was only barely welded to the wheel well) and that I'd need it once I started reassembly.

Thanks for the heads up... It will save me time when doing the other side if I'm not trying to save that piece :)

[antidigerati]

Damn. Nice and clean. Hope mine will look that good.