18 replies to this topic

[maryquant]

Hi all, will try and make this thread more photo based than talk as I know how much we all like pictures.

Eda basically needs a new front end. So I had to have my first go at removing panels, something ive been daunting for some time, I also am very limited on toolage due to a complete lack of funds. anyway as with all minis, the more I cut the more i found that needs removing. Heres where ive got upto today

All this to replace the scuttle


First job was to remove the a panel, the foldy round bit had be confused for a bit as i couldnt see the spot welds. This also revealed a loverly hole in the flitch panel, so will need to make up something to repair that with (cardboard and fibreglass ok? just kidding)


The hole.....


Then i plucked up the courage, fired up the grinder and did this....

Boy was that scary

The other side isnt too pretty on the scuttle either, anyone know what the panel is called that the scuttle welds too - because thats gone as well.


Must hide any tool capale of poking...


A hole near the OS A Panel/ Door step, on the bit where the sill welds too - not sure what im going to do here yet...


Managed to get the scuttle closing plate off as well but forgot to photograph that. Still not bad for 2 hours work (at least by my standard)

Comments always appreciated.

[kez_19]

holy that a lot of rust

michael

[maryquant]

Lol, i think the body work was the only thing it didnt fail its MOT on

[kez_19]

It didnt fail on that body work ???? where did you take it stevie wonder garages ltd

[maryquant]

Previous owner had it MOT'd, then sold it to me when it failed - I could do with finding out where the garage is though

EDIT : There was a creative use of filler mind on that scuttle, for all intents and purposes the filler was rock solid and passed the poke test - but not the wire wheel test. How the flitch panel was missed though is a bit beyond me. Also quite a large hole in the sills which I shall get too.

Picked up some new sills from Malvern show and had a bit of a blonde moment, ended up with two R/H sills

Edited by maryquant, 05 April 2010 - 06:46 PM.

[adam_93rio]

i know how you feel cutting into the body work, ive done the same thing this weekend to fit a fibreglass front end

when i did my rebuild i had to replace the top 6'' or so of the bulkhead (the part the scuttle welds to)

for what you need to replace i would make a patch, i dont think you can buy a replacement without buying the whole panel (which was about £350)

[maryquant]

Ouch, ill make a panel then

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Looks good! must be painful chopping up your pride and joy?

[maryquant]

Yes well im practising on this one before I have to do it my Mary lol, still hurts though. I was amazed at how smokey it was, quite a few times I thought it had caught fire as smoke came from under the wings, have a picture of the rust that fell off too - thats shocking to see how much 'structure' is literally hanging on by a thread.

Nerve racking but educational, fun and plenty of cuts to prove im learning by making mistakes lol

[1275 A+]

looks like good progress keep the pictures coming.

[Scallywag630]

The scuttle is welded to the bulkhead and top dash rail to make a three layer "sandwich". I have a heritage top dash rail if you need it.

[maryquant]

I really want to do something different and unique with this one, but cant think of anything - anyone got any ideas - preferably aesthetic rather than mechanical?

[maryquant]

The scuttle is welded to the bulkhead and top dash rail to make a three layer "sandwich". I have a heritage top dash rail if you need it.

Thanks, I think its the bulkhead bit thats 'missing' - how much for the dash rail, I know at least one of the other minis needs one.

[freaker]

if you want i can check, but if my mind isn`t fooling around with me i should have the part laying around from the window bit from another accident mini.....
that mini was hit in the rear so no worries there

freaker

[josh.evans]

good luck pal