16 replies to this topic

[3VILC]

Sorry, probably going to be a million questions as I find various things I can't quite find answers for. By far the most major job ahead of me is rotten sills and some floor (mostly the outer edges).
What I'm wondering is, I have access to a donor shell with believe it or not very good sills and floor, is it possible to trim and seam weld in the entire section in one piece rather than fitting up and welding together all the individual repair panels? Or should I just bite the bullet and buy all the individual new parts?

[Maccmike8]

I cant see why that wouldnt work.

Might make jiggling and minor adjustments harder.

[Bobbins]

It would work, but sills are often one of the first areas to rot on a Mini so unless the donor shell is in very good condition it's best avoided. It would make me question why it's a donor shell and unless money really is a restricting issue, I'd buy new. It's a lot of work to fit something that's already on it's way to needing replacement.

[GraemeC]

Keep in mind you can't see how good the sills are on the donor car within the sill cavity - they generally rot from the inside.

Edited by GraemeC, 09 December 2020 - 11:35 AM.

[Ben_O]

My opinion would be similar to what has been said

 

Yes it can be done but it's a lot of work and I cant really see what savings would be made as the replacement panels are already very cheap.

I would bet money that there will be significant corrosion within the sill cavity and probably in the jacking point and heelboard.

My biggest issue would be how are you going to cleanly and neatly remove the donor panels to reuse?

The very way a mini is constructed would mean that any slight damage to the join seams of the panels will mean they would need trimming back and rebuilding before you could fit them. All joints would need to be staggered especially if you are grafting over the end of the seat cross member too.

 

I wouldn't bother

 

Cheers

Ben

[bpirie1000]

I agree on above.. could be done but fresh metallic always better. Thickness of panels matter. And also spend on some wax oil prevention.

Do it right once...

[humph]

I would also agree with the guys above, go new unless you can see inside the donor sills.

 

A couple of other points.

1) Does the donor have proper vented sills?  If it has non-vented over sills that's probably why they look good, behind that is likely a different story.

2) If this is for your Elf it will, as far as I know it should have a 4 flute sill, which may be different to the donor.  Obviously this depends on your view on originality.

 

Being where you are may sway your thoughts depending on part availability.

[mab01uk]

Complete Heritage Floor Assembly:-

https://www.theminif...pinions-sought/

 

[sonikk4]

Now personally unless money was a major issue I would never use a used panel like a outer sill floor or doorstep. I have yet to see either of these items no matter how good they look from the outside without some rust on the inside. Floors especially inner sill section unless you are really lucky will suffer the same. However I have used cuts off old floors for small repair sections.

Now outer sills are cheap and the M a machine ones are very good value for their money. Doorsteps, well they are a con with regards to the heritage item as you cannot just get the step section. You get A and B pillar as well. Which is fine if you need them but if not then a waste.

Magnum doorsteps I advise like the plague, just bloody awful.

[3VILC]

Well I guess the jury has voted unanimous on that idea 🙂. At this point I am just in the research phase before I commit to doing anything. But in answer to a few questions above, yes it is for the Elf, I am not too fussed about originality owing to how uncommon the parts are I realize some bits will be a compromise of the easiest to get parts. I am in New Zealand, but fortunately only about a 40min drive from the countries biggest specialist which stocks most of MiniSpares catalogue including repair panels so will have to have a look at what's available. The 'beam' visible in the bottom of the companion bins is part of the inner sill correct?

[sonikk4]

Well I guess the jury has voted unanimous on that idea . At this point I am just in the research phase before I commit to doing anything. But in answer to a few questions above, yes it is for the Elf, I am not too fussed about originality owing to how uncommon the parts are I realize some bits will be a compromise of the easiest to get parts. I am in New Zealand, but fortunately only about a 40min drive from the countries biggest specialist which stocks most of MiniSpares catalogue including repair panels so will have to have a look at what's available. The 'beam' visible in the bottom of the companion bins is part of the inner sill correct?

 

Its called the Companion bin closeout / inner sill stiffener depending on who you talk to.It ties in the inner sill to the bottom of the B pillar and the rear arch closeout.

[sonikk4]

Somerford mini website (Heritage panels) https://www.somerfor...abriolet-100736

 

11 14A8994 STIFFENER, inner sill, RH 1 Includes later specification piercing.   14A8995 STIFFENER, inner sill, LH

[3VILC]

Excellent thanks for clarification.
The only reason I was considering the donor vehicle is having looked at the condition of it I would guess its had the floorpan and sills replaced at some point shortly before it was taken off the road or someone had started replacing as a project. Reason being the roof is completely gone, the A and C pillars are virtually disintegrated where they attach to the roof frame (owing to gutters rusted through) and for that much water to be getting inside the pillars without a spot of rust on the floors and sills would be otherwise strange. All bottom panels look correct and clean and not oversills and not a trace of rust in the usual first sign places like panel joins and where the little brackets that hold the carpet edges are welded to the angled part of floor

[elliot341]

Might be worth sticking some photos of inside the car and underneath on here, you'll soon get a decent answer

[3VILC]

I will try do that next time I'm out there. My cousin purchased it for the engine and some rust cuts but doesn't need any floorpan area cuts hence I could get whats left of the shell very cheap compared to new panels