53 replies to this topic

[59 Speed]

Hi there,

I've searched on your forum already but I'm unable to find the answer I need.

I just completed welding on a new full length inner sill and I am now I'm ready to weld the outer sill on.

My question is: can / should I use over sills instead of the original 4 1/2" sills that I removed? I have already bought them and they look to be a good fit, I understand about the open holes at the bottom of the original type sills and I purposely bought the over sills as they would not let any water inside the sill.

I am planning to protect the inside of the sill area with etching primer / weld through primer followed by waxoyl when completed.

Also could I get away with plug welding them along the bottom edge or should this be seam welded?

Thanks in advance,
Ian

[jinjrich]

Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!

Please dont, i thought the same as you. I fitted one in May 2010 and thought better of it a few months later. In 4-5 months it had literally rotted my floor where it joined. Now, i'm sure there was a bit of corrosion there beforehand but the oversill didnt do the car any favours. Do the job properley and repair any sections of the inner sills that needs it and fit proper sills. You'll feel better for it in the end.

You need any water that gets in to drain out.

[jinjrich]

Have a look at my sills here:

http://www.theminifo...x...=172533&hl=

[1984mini25]

Best thing you can do with a pair of over sills is chop them down the middle and fit them like normal sills, but the vents will be slightly bigger than standard.

[wardyxxx]

I think Lulu had oversills. Not sure though, but they were awful. Have a gander at my thread too. They were more rust than metal! And that was WITH waxoil and undersealing ect ect

[Ethel]

Ok if used as intended: to replace rot along the sill joint by welding the inner sill directly to the new panel and creating a new joint with the floor. Not the best idea, if you weld the remnants of the old joint inside to make a rust sandwich.

[grahama]

Why not fit sills witn no vents and fill witn boat foam so no water absorbsion, therefore no moisture to corrode things??

[Ethel]

They did that with VW Beetles.

Ok as long as the foam stays bonded to the metal, would be worse if moisture got between them, without any ventilation.

[Carlos W]

There is a difference between over sills that go over the top of the old sill and wide outer sills though isn't there???

[miniman24]

There is a difference between over sills that go over the top of the old sill and wide outer sills though isn't there???

As I understand it, there are 3 types of sill: the original short sills fitted from the factory, the oversill which is 9" I think and has no open vents, and the wide sill, which is half an inch or so wider than the original. I fitted these to my project (pic below) they have open vents and are for some reason much cheaper than the original sill!

Edited by miniman24, 20 February 2011 - 11:19 PM.

[1977 Loud_Mini]

My mini has oversills fitted and have been for i'm guessing since 1998 when most of the panels such as A panels and door skins etc were replaced (they have original stickers/invoice saying date) and they still seem fine at the moment. I wouldn't mind removing them but since they are seem welded to the floor i wouldn't want to go through it.

[Sleepy Stu]

Hello all. Sorry for the thread hijack but I have oversills fiited to my car and im pretty the sill is full with water. Ive heard tthat you should drill some holes to let the water out but does anybody hae a picture of exactly where the holes need drilling?

[Shifty]

This what oversills can cover..





At glance it looked ok, if you look at the oversill it looks in good condition.

The reality was far far far different!!

[lrostoke]

Snap on that one. We've just cut an oversill off today, by the looks the oversill had just been welded directly over a rotten standard sill, so forming the rust sandwich. The whole floor looks a bodge, front even looks like a new floor pan welded over the old floor ?? and plates welded from below as well.
Rear heel board looked good, but ground away the stonechip, and filler and found a plate not even welded on.







I've fitted oversills in the past but never over rust, always cut out the rust first. Saying that my new mantra is use vented sills.

[Shifty]

Pah....

Look at this for a bodge then..



Beat that one..!!