141 replies to this topic

[dave21478]

Well, time for an update.
Progress has been non-existant for the last few weeks due to other commitments, but I now find myself with some free time, so The restoration can continue.

Having placed the new floor section on, I managed to get it lined up square and started to weld it in place. I have seam welded all round the rear, and had started on the front, but then gave up as I wasnt happy with the way it was going, so will have a re-think there regarding the join between the new floor section and the existing bulkhead.

(apologies for the blurry pics, My hands are shaking like mad for some reason today. Ive probably caught Pakinsons or something cheery like that )


So today, I decided to crack on with the back end.
First up... the wheel arch was rotten in various places. Patchable, but would have looked shoddy, so I chopped the lot out.


I am keeping prices as low as possible for this car, so rather than buy a new panel, I attacked the donor shell and chopped its solid arch out roughly....


spent some time trimming it down, and ended up with an OE spec replacement part!


Drilled it and plug wlded into place....


I smoothed off the welds with a flap-wheel, then welded in a patch to finish the curve of the side panel (again, this was chopped from the donor shell)...


Towards the rear, I hacked he crusty old valence off and had a poke at the floor. Hmm, not ideal...


I also cut off the side skin lower section which was rotten...


Patched up the floor. Lots of card templates before committing to steel...




The finished off the skin...


The panel sections will need a wee skim of filler to smooth them off before paint.

Hopefully, I will get some time to continue tomorrow, The other side needs similar treatment, although I wont have to change the whole arch. I can then finish off the flange for the rear step.

Mojo is returning strongly. Having spent so long looking at it and making the holes bigger, to be actually putting it back together is wonderfull. The side I have done is now 100% solid and Im quite chuffed with the standards so far.yeah, its not the prettiest as is, but once the surface rust is removed and treated, the seams are covered in sealer and its painted, it will look fine.

[dave21478]

no comments?
no interest?

done the other corner...


And repaired the rear step, and am about to start building a new valence.

[Tomf]

Fair play! Really good looking project.

And wow how much is that donor car saving you, good use of what you have already got.

keep up the good work.

[Daveuk]

jesus christ! you moved fast chopping that donor car down and the floor out! took me half a day to chop just my mini floor out! you've cut two floors and welded one together!

top job

however my only dislike about chopping and welding lots of patches is the end product (looks abit rough)

that's my opinion on things but what youve done there is alot of hard work and it's paying off

all the best, at this rate you'll soon have it back on the road!

Dave

[kirk]

nice project mate
alot would never try and save that--- fair play

[james105]

Fantastic project, saves another van from the scrap man. Great use of the donor car as well!

[analogue_radio]

Big effort Dave! nice work.

[dave21478]

woo, Thought I had committed some kind of serious faux-pas to offend folk and never get anyone comment!

Anyway, I got a few hours to work on it this afternoon, so started on the rear skirt today. I will let the pictures do the talking....










I am really rather chuffed with how it turned out. This is the first time I have really tried my hand at scratchbuilding more complicated shapes. Just need to see if I can replicate it on the other side now.

[freaker]

i must say, i have a lot of respect for your welding and building panel skills

wreally top job

freaker

[edi57]

Woo! Some serious metal work going on here! Absolutely love it.

Keep up the progress and keep those pics coming!

[davos1983]

Very impressed with your metal working skills! Fancy building me a new valance too?

[dave21478]

Thanks for the encouragement!

Did the other end of the skirts today, made up some closing panels for where the skirt meets the wheelarch, then attacked this section of floor with the flapwheel, knotted wire brush wheel, then gave it a layer of anti-rust undercoat.

delicate forming...


weld up the holes...


Buff it down with a flap wheel...


Go back and re weld a few pinholes, then buff it again and its done...


Closing panel...


Stripping...


Painting...


Painted...


Thats the back end done. Next job is to sort out the join at the front of the floor, which is now annoying me. It seemed ok when I did it, but looking at it now, it looks a right bodge, so its all coming off and getting re-done - hopefully tomorrow.
Also, I have now ordered the replacement a-panels (inner and outer) and a step repair section. They should hopefully arrive in a few days, and I can crack on.

[Rosslin Racing]

I think its more to do with amazement! your getting on with it. nice one.

[aaronyoung]

good job i've got a van needs restoring fancy doing 1 for me when youre done

[Nickh_16]

jesus that's some crazy work you've done there, well impressed!