15 replies to this topic

[Rhys]

It's been a long time since I've been around here looking for help. After a 10 year break I'm back at it.

 

I have a 1275GT that I am looking to get back on the road ASAP. I have completed all bulkhead back bodywork (excluding scuttle). It was a flip front when I got it but I am looking to get it back to steel fronted with heritage panels.

 

No mechanical work beyond subframe rebuilds has been completed and everything is stripped.

 

Is the generally accepted order that I finish metalwork then work on mechanical (first fit before stripping and painting)? Or get mechanical first fit completed, then finish the metalwork giving myself more room to work and less chance of damaging panels?

 

Any experiences or opinions welcome before I drop £1k on panels.

 

 

[Quinlan minor]

My two ha'pence worth.

Get all the mechanicals: engine, gearbox, subframes/suspension, brakes, wheels, exhausts exactly right.

That way you'll find any areas of bodywork that need to be addressed.

Once you're happy that everything is ticketty boo get on with the panelwork and paint.

Edited by Quinlan minor, 08 June 2020 - 10:11 AM.

[sonscar]

Myself I would fix the body first unless you are serious and will progress in a timely manner.Finding your rebuilt engine and new tyres are ten years old when you come to fit them is slightly disappointing.Steve..

[Rhys]

Myself I would fix the body first unless you are serious and will progress in a timely manner.Finding your rebuilt engine and new tyres are ten years old when you come to fit them is slightly disappointing.Steve..

 

I'm as skeptical as you are that I'll get there. Fortunately I have money and time at the same point for the first time in my life and nothing better to do!

[sonikk4]

Yup i would go bodywork first, get that straight and sound BUT before you paint think about any mods you would like to do, things like captive nuts for P clips and stuff like that.

 

I wish i had sorted my loom out first before i painted the car as i would like to hide it. So thinking weld in studs and so on.

[humph]

For me I'd go body first, especially if you're reliant on someone else doing it for you, as from my experience it's the bodywork costs that will escalate quickly if you find something unexpected. No point spending on mechanicals if the bodywork goes out of budget and kills the project. 

 

All this said I'm about to place an eye wateringly expensive order for parts to build up my subframes.  Comparing the cost of the parts to a list I compiled a few years ago the increase is shocking really.   

Edited by humph, 08 June 2020 - 03:25 PM.

[Curley]

I have a 1275GT that I am looking to get back on the road ASAP. 

 

Do whatever order gets you on the road sooner 

[Homersimpson]

Always do the bodywork first, there are very few unfinished projects for sale where the bodywork is done and the mechanicals are left.

 

As mentioned above its the cost of bodywork that escalates and a lot of people end up giving up after spending a fortune on the mechanical bits.

[Rhys]

I really appreciate all the responses. It seems as much as I don't want to, bodywork is the way to go.

Like I said originally, bulkhead back is done including entirely new floor, toe board, heel board, bins, valance and arches. Somehow it all still lines up...

I will have to suck it up and carry on forwards. I'll be doing it myself as so far so good with the rest. It is currently a flip front so I'm undoing that.

[steeley]

Body first, it’s the dirty, dusty rusty frustrating job, once it’s done you will have a nice clean garage to work in and enjoy all the fun bits

[Cooperman]

I normally get the body done first, but usually remove the engine/gearbox first. In fact I shall start re-painting the car I'm doing for my grandson this week. The engine is out as is most of the interior. The new panels are fitted and it is ready to take paint. 

Then I'll take the engine off the 'box, check and replace anything necessary, do the trial fit for the twin HS2's, paint the engine BMC green and put it in the car. After that it'll be the brake rebuild to take 10" 'S' wheels, new dampers and a suspension check with ball-joints and bushes being changed and new SPAX all round.

Final 'nibbing back' and polishing of the paintwork will be last.

[roughneckin]

I did mine like this to save my sanity as I am fairly decent at mechanical (not including anything inside the engine though) but quite crap at bodywork.

I started on my bodywork and when I got upset over a crappy weld or bad job I moved over and did up the front brakes to get my mind back onto the fact that I wasn’t completely horrible at this. Then went back after and kept going on the body till something ticked me off and went and did something mechanical again. Now I’ve got mainly the front bodywork to complete, which is fairly decent and original so should go together easy, but most of the mechanical is now complete too through touch and go.

I get what everyone else is saying though but mine was all about my own sanity. Good luck!

[Gilles1000]

I'm basically in the same phase as you.

Completely dismantled the car, acid dipped it to get rid of all the rust, now I'm doing the bodywork as it's not that protected from surface rust, so the faster the better (will be acid dipped again so no real worry). After having the main floor and its surrounds changed and repaired, as well as the boot repaired, now I am in need of something else and refurb parts of the suspension.

Will start nest week again on the bodywork.

 

Cheers

 

I did mine like this to save my sanity as I am fairly decent at mechanical (not including anything inside the engine though) but quite crap at bodywork.

I started on my bodywork and when I got upset over a crappy weld or bad job I moved over and did up the front brakes to get my mind back onto the fact that I wasn’t completely horrible at this. Then went back after and kept going on the body till something ticked me off and went and did something mechanical again. Now I’ve got mainly the front bodywork to complete, which is fairly decent and original so should go together easy, but most of the mechanical is now complete too through touch and go.

I get what everyone else is saying though but mine was all about my own sanity. Good luck!

[Ethel]

Always do the bodywork first, there are very few unfinished projects for sale where the bodywork is done and the mechanicals are left.

 

As mentioned above its the cost of bodywork that escalates and a lot of people end up giving up after spending a fortune on the mechanical bits.

This is a great point to get an overall consensus.

 

Though, if you're rebuilding the front end bodywork, having it as a rolling shell will be useful for panel alignment.

[Rhys]

 

Always do the bodywork first, there are very few unfinished projects for sale where the bodywork is done and the mechanicals are left.

 

As mentioned above its the cost of bodywork that escalates and a lot of people end up giving up after spending a fortune on the mechanical bits.

This is a great point to get an overall consensus.

 

Though, if you're rebuilding the front end bodywork, having it as a rolling shell will be useful for panel alignment.

 

 

This is what I will end up doing. I will get everything perfect bulkhead back before starting on the front end with all new panels. Welded, filled, epoxy primed and ready to go. I have the subframes built up for a rolling shell although the front needs the traditional ball joints, bearings etc sorted but that can wait until final fix.