20 replies to this topic

[rodandtom]

Hi,

 

I am about to fit a new genuine panel from Somerford. I paid extra to get a genuine panel so the fit would be better. Have a look at these pictures. Is this level of gap normal for a genuine panel?

 

I realise on the side panel I can cut and fit a new strip to get them to meet up but I am concerend about the gaps in the front panel. If I put new strips in there it will look different and lop-sided. Whats the best way to make this fit properly?

 

Also, you can see that the panel appears too long. Now I know I can bend the edge in but wont that distort the whole section with the headlamp in?

 

Any clues anyone?

 

Cheers,

 

Rod

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[lrostoke]

you need lots of clamps

 

Done a few and find lining the front section first seems to work, clamp even a few tack welds you can grind off doesn't hurt.

Then use clamps to pull the wing and A panel together...can be tight but they are under a bit of tension.

 

Think I've seen some people use self tappers along the long inner edge whilst lining up, can be welded up after

 

Always used pattern and they fit so heritage should be OK

Edited by lrostoke, 19 May 2013 - 06:23 PM.

[sonikk4]

As well as the clamps mentioned use a panel beating hammer and dolly to adjust the flanges. You will be surprised how much difference it will make. what you have there is not unusual for panel fit even for heritage panels. They all need some fettling to get them spot on. 

[rodandtom]

It's good to know that this is not unusual.

 

I shall get fettling then.

 

One thing I do want to check is that gap on the nearside front panel - is it really meant to be that big?

 

Cheers,

 

Rod

[sonikk4]

It's good to know that this is not unusual.

 

I shall get fettling then.

 

One thing I do want to check is that gap on the nearside front panel - is it really meant to be that big?

 

Cheers,

 

Rod

 

No that is not right. Are you using the original front panel or is it new?? I did a lot of panel beating and a serious amounts of clamps including a sash clamp to fit Project Erms wings. All the the panels were pattern and a lot of poorly formed flanges to contend with.

[sonikk4]

You  on about this one

 

If so that is very poor but not the end of the world. Where the wing is formed at the join there you could either drill out the spot welds then force the lower section back then re weld or you could do a V cut just below the join there then weld it up.

[lrostoke]

In all your pictures you panels are nowhere near lined up enough, so gaps will be out.

If all the pictures are taken at same time, that wing is about 5 - 10mm to far forward and hanging out sideways to much.

 

Maybe the edge that welds to the inner wing needs trimming to allow it come across more

Edited by lrostoke, 19 May 2013 - 06:51 PM.

[sonikk4]

There was a thread quite sometime ago where the op bought a complete Heritage front end for his car and the bonnet did not match up to the front panel at all.

 

I cannot remember the outcome but it would have needed some serious work to get it sorted.

[rodandtom]

You  on about this one

 

If so that is very poor but not the end of the world. Where the wing is formed at the join there you could either drill out the spot welds then force the lower section back then re weld or you could do a V cut just below the join there then weld it up.

Hi

 

I wasnt on about this gap to be honest. If you look at the first picture in my original post that is what I meant. I reckon I am going to have to make some serious adjustment to this piece. It's pretty poor I think. I spent the extra money to try and avoid having this kind of problem.

 

In all your pictures you panels are nowhere near lined up enough, so gaps will be out.

If all the pictures are taken at same time, that wing is about 5 - 10mm to far forward and hanging out sideways to much.

 

Maybe the edge that welds to the inner wing needs trimming to allow it come across more

 

I was wondering if I would need to do this. The front panel is genuine as far as I know.  Put it this way, it was on the car when I bought it  so it must be right.

Seriously it doesnt look like it's been fettled with so I think its genuine but I culd be wrong.

 

I was hoping that by the time I got to sticking the wings back on it would be easier than this. What a fool!

 

Cheers,

 

Rod

Edited by rodandtom, 21 May 2013 - 04:18 PM.

[rodandtom]

]More photos.

 

I've been out with the clamps and a measuring tape. There are a couple of problem areas.

 

Firstly, the front panel is definitely shorter on the nearside to the offside. By this I mean that in removing the old wing and any rust we have mangled the edge/ shape to the point that its about .5 cm short at the biggest part of the curve. That is going to take some building up to the correct shape.

 

Just for the sake of completeness, in order to test the shape I made a piece of 0.8mm mild steel match the curve on the good side and it revealed just that the curve on the front panel is out. Now we can see that quite clearly in the photos - there's a gap - but doing it this way reveals the scope of the problem since the two sides looked the same with the naked eye. See the photos to see how this worked,.

 

Also, you can see that if I clamp the section next to the headlamp and the section on the side panel, it forces the corner of the wing nearest the bonnet, by the scuttle up. I reckon I have to modify that curve on the wing by removing that corner. If you look at the photo taken through the headlamp when its all clamped, you can see that it causes the wing corner in question to pop up by about a centimeter.

 

So what do you reckon - if I modify the curve on the wing then simply cutting that corner will allow the rest f the wing to drop down and I can clamp it in to the right place. Sound like a plan? Will it work is the question?

 

Thoughts?

 

Rod

 

 

 

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[sonikk4]

Thats a right pickle going on there then. Rather than welding that strip in you could cut a slit in the front panel to lift that flange up. Then you tack it in place and then weld up the slit.

 

Will the back of the wing force down at all?? if it does not then you will have to cut the wing on that curve. Cut a couple of V's in it to see what happens then when you clamp it down. If it all fits nicely then weld up the V cuts.

[rodandtom]

Hi Sonikk,

 

You're not wrong. I like the idea of lifting the flange up to fill the gap - good call. I will just need to do a little extra fettling to leave a seam in the looking right but I think that's do-able.

 

The back of the wing wont force down if the front end (headlamp end) is clamped tight. It forces the back up. I dont think I can cut v's in to the curve by the scuttle. That would allow me to get sideways movement in that end but it wont solve the length issue or have I misunderstood what you mean?

 

Rod

[dow62]

Have you tried the bonnet on when doing this ? Went down a similar route with new (pattern) wings/front panel and ended up a bonnet that does not fit very well.

[sonikk4]

Hi Sonikk,

 

You're not wrong. I like the idea of lifting the flange up to fill the gap - good call. I will just need to do a little extra fettling to leave a seam in the looking right but I think that's do-able.

 

The back of the wing wont force down if the front end (headlamp end) is clamped tight. It forces the back up. I dont think I can cut v's in to the curve by the scuttle. That would allow me to get sideways movement in that end but it wont solve the length issue or have I misunderstood what you mean?

 

Rod

 

Yep you have misunderstood me bud, i am on about cutting a couple of V slots in the wing where it curves around the inner wing at the front. See how this pans out as i think this might sort out your issue. It still looks like you will have to force the rear of the wing over and in as well but until the front is sorted out then this will need to be done after.

[rodandtom]

ahh it all becomes clear now