9 replies to this topic

[Woody001]

Hi all,

I'm about to purchase the panels required to restore my car, my question is about the best order to cut and weld in the new ones.

I need to replace the complete front end - front panel, A panels and wings, inner wings, drivers corner scuttle panel, also the floor - front to rear both sides and drivers door step inc A post.

 

As it hasn't at present got these panels fitted, where would a good datum point be to start? I do have the original bonnet, which I could use as a reference for alignment of the wings.

Would it be best to cut the floor out and weld that in first or start on the A panels and work forward.

 

I don't want to cut everything away just yet if it's best to leave certain points in for positioning.

I've also found this guide, Clicky is this how others have done it?

 

 

 

 

 

Any help or guidance gladly received!

 

Many thanks,

Ian.

 

[Shifty]

Start in the middle and work your way out, do the door steps first, then the floor/sills, boot floor next and the front end last

[Shifty]

I also wouldn't follow that guide you linked to either!!!  That's a good way to get things hugely wrong

[sonikk4]

I also wouldn't follow that guide you linked to either!!!  That's a good way to get things hugely wrong

 

Yup no front subframe fitted so you will end up with issues with the front panel and of course the subframe may not even fit. I went through all of that but was lucky to a certain degree as i had taken a load of measurements. The subbie was a bloody tight fit though.

[Ben_O]

That guide is not very accurate.

 

I would go subbie in, front panel and scuttle, then a panels followed by bonnet and wings. That way you have all the points of reference to get nice bonnet gaps and a good fitting nose.

 

never weld anything until everything lines up perfectly.

 

I agree with the others, steps - floors- sills - nose

[Woody001]

Thanks guys, just what I was after!

 

I haven't got room to get all the panels stored whilst working on the car, so wondered which ones to purchase first.

So in order, I'll get;

• Door step.
• Floor - one side at a time? I've got some 1" sq tube to brace the inside, as I'll take the roll cage out to aid turning it on it's side.
• Sills.
• Boot floor - although it looks pretty solid
• Rear arches need patching.
• Anything else I find!
• Front end with the subframe fitted to aid alignment.

This is going to be good fun!

[Woody001]

Oh yeah, I also need to reinstate the bulkhead and then weld in the lower dash panel.

[Ben_O]

Unless you are going for a full floor, then definitely do one side at a time.

 

Get the steps fitted first but just don't weld them to the inner sill. then cut the floor half out, fit the new one and then you can weld the strp to the inner sill and finally fit the outer sill.

 

Then just repeat the other side.

 

The first thing i did on mine was cut the old front off. it made it easier to store the shell and freed up space. It will be the last thing to go back on though

[midridge2]

Not once did he mention in the guide about trial fitting the doors before welding the apex panels in place.

[Woody001]

I noticed that also.
I'm holding off re-skinning the drivers door until I get the A pillar repair completed. I cut the outer metal away and the lower A post internal metalwork is rotten. I've got to add some internal bracing to ensure it doesn't move when I cut it all away.