4 replies to this topic

[MiniMoe2008]

Hello all,

 

    I'm in the last few steps on finishing the welding on my mini and need help. I'm doing the outer wing at the moment and need help with some gap issues. I'm attaching the video I recorded and could use some feedback. Thanks

 

V/R

Eric

 

 

 

[sonikk4]

Ahh the joys of panel gaps.

 

First thing is, what panels are they as the scuttle and wing look to be Pattern items and not Heritage.

 

If the scuttle is a Magnum panel then these are renowned for not being the best shaped and cause a lot of issues.

 

Also you have an overlap between the A panel and scuttle return. That should not be like that. So moving fwd you need to remove the overlap first. 

 

Now lets try and deal with what you have. On the underside of the wing is a return. These will foul against the lower section of the scuttle so dress that back until you have clearance which judging by your video you have done to a certain extent. The end of the return can be cut back slightly at an angle if that helps. When the wing lines up correctly you will need to dress the wing return back until it contacts the scuttle as this then needs to be welded to the scuttle.

 

Some more hammer and dolly work at the rear edge of the wing will be needed and you may have to do some gentle reshaping of the scuttle where the wing rear edge is contacting it.

 

Also before you go any further have you trail fitted the wing with the bonnet fitted???? Its important you do this otherwise you may end up with serious gapping issues which will entail work on the bonnet you do not want to do. (Look at Project Erm in my signature for that)

[MiniMoe2008]

Sonikk4,

 

    Thanks for responding. To answer your questions. Yes the scuttle and A panels were Magum panels. Lesson learned not to buy them again. As for the wing panels they are Hadrian Car Panels. They were free from an old supervisor who had them laying in his attic. Can't really argue Free. LOL When I aligned the outer wing panels, i did install the bonnet. The gaps were about 1mm on each side throughout both sides of the bonnet to the wings. To hold it a bit more stable I'll be using some Titanium 1/4 inch bolts I have (fighter aircraft engine bolts) to help me keep it in place in several spot which I'll plug weld later. I'll keep hammering and dolly a bit more tomorrow. Thank you for the assistance.

 

V/R

Eric

 

Ahh the joys of panel gaps.

 

First thing is, what panels are they as the scuttle and wing look to be Pattern items and not Heritage.

 

If the scuttle is a Magnum panel then these are renowned for not being the best shaped and cause a lot of issues.

 

Also you have an overlap between the A panel and scuttle return. That should not be like that. So moving fwd you need to remove the overlap first. 

 

Now lets try and deal with what you have. On the underside of the wing is a return. These will foul against the lower section of the scuttle so dress that back until you have clearance which judging by your video you have done to a certain extent. The end of the return can be cut back slightly at an angle if that helps. When the wing lines up correctly you will need to dress the wing return back until it contacts the scuttle as this then needs to be welded to the scuttle.

 

Some more hammer and dolly work at the rear edge of the wing will be needed and you may have to do some gentle reshaping of the scuttle where the wing rear edge is contacting it.

 

Also before you go any further have you trail fitted the wing with the bonnet fitted???? Its important you do this otherwise you may end up with serious gapping issues which will entail work on the bonnet you do not want to do. (Look at Project Erm in my signature for that)

[Cooperman]

I have to say I have seen worse. Your wing seems to fit reasonably well for a pattern one.

With any body restoration it is necessary to do some 'fettling' and shaping in order to get a good fit prior to final welding.

We are fortunate that we can easily get new panels for our old classic cars, even if they do need a bit of work.

In fact, even Heritage panels often require some re-shaping locally to cope with the factory toleranced.

[P490 LON]

I would clamp your front panel in place and check the gap between it and the wings at both sides. Thats where i had most of my issues and also sit your bonnet on like sonik said.