948 replies to this topic

[Gilles1000]

Nice and quick progress on this one!!

 

At this pace you will finish your bodywork before me... 

[colinf1]

Very nice, good to see it closed up with a nice new panel!

I think you will have to drill the other end of the short arms at an angle to get more clearance, otherwise you will have to plug weld a lot that you could spot weld

[Fred&Rex]

Wow Victor your skills are steadily improving…Keep going, doing well.

[Viktor]

Thanks guys, appreciate the comments!

 

Colin, I ordered yesterday a new set of welding electrodes. They should arrive in the next couple of days...

 

 

I completed the welding on the quarter panel today. The only thing missing is a few spot welds along the outter sill, just waiting for the new electrodes for my spot welder...

 

B-post all welded

 

 

 

The folded section over the B-post was a big pain to weld. It is very difficult to get proper welds in that position. I found welding in vertical very difficult, so after a lot of effort it is done. Not the best finish, but good enough for now...

 

 

C-post welded

 

 

Then all grinded down and primed

 

 

 

So that is all for this week.

 

Next weekend Im hoping to be able to do the other quarter panel and then I will move into the rear panel, rear valance, etc...

 

Victor.

Edited by Viktor, 08 January 2023 - 05:58 PM.

[colinf1]

What's the plan for the rear panel, complete new or up to C post section?

[Viktor]

Hi Colin, I think I can get away with the rear panel up to the C post section. There's a bit of rust above the cut, but it is not too bad. The price difference is quite substantial...

[Viktor]

This arrived today! :)

 

 

I will be making good use of it this weekend!

 

Victor.

[Viktor]

Finishing off the LH side quarter panel. First of all I installed the new arms in my spot welder.

 

 

Then I did the last few spot welds I have left to do from last week.

 

 

And some primer to close it out

 

 

 

Then I moved to the other side, but first I need to do some prep before bringing the new quarter panel. First, the rear seat belts bracket spot welded to the wheel arch.

 

 

 

This panel needed a few repairs, before I can get the quarter panel in. Mark-up and cut off.

 

 

 

Then I cut new pieces from clean metal and welded them in place

 

 

 

A bit of grinding and cleaning

 

 

And zinc primer, ready to recieve the quarter panel.

 

 

I also cleaned up the companion bin and the wheel arch lip.

 

 

Zinc primer for the wheel arch lip

 

 

And primer for the companion bin.

 

 

I need to grind down the rear panel along the seam with the quarter panel, and then I should be able to present the quarter panel for final fit.

 

Hopefully more tomorrow!

 

Victor.

[colinf1]

Great stuff, really starting to take shape now!

New arms look good, plenty of clearance and good clamping force!

[Viktor]

Thanks Colin, getting there!

 

Indeed, these arms are really good and more suitable for all locations than the standard ones included with the welder.

 

Today I managed to get the RH quarter panel spot welded. Some photos of the process:

 

Quarter panel in, clamped in position to mark the cuts on B and C posts.

 

 

 

 

Panel preparation and zinc primer

 

 

 

I cut the B and C post and prepared them for the welding

 

 

 

Panel back to the car for the last time, clamped and ready for spot welding

 

 

 

All spot welded along the wheel arch, window and inner sill.

 

 

 

Then I moved to the C post and started welding. Tacked to start with and then full welded.

 

 

 

Then I run out of time, so this would need to be completed next weekend!

 

Next will be to remove the rear panel (just above the parcel shelf) and do a few works in the boot floor before getting a new rear panel:

 

- Fuel tank support bracket

- Battery box

- Wiring tabs

- Fuel lines (holes)

- Rear valance and closing panels.

 

Have a great week.

 

Victor.

[Viktor]

Not much time in the garage today unfortunately. I only managed to finish welding the quarter panel, although all the grinding is not done yet

 

B post welded.

 

 

 

And grinded down

 

 

 

I also plug welded the lip over the B post. This time better than the other side, although not perfect...

 

 

 

I also grinded down that

 

 

The C post needed some additional welds, because after grinding I left a few small holes.

 

 

I did those but didn't have time to grind them down, so hopefully tomorrow...

 

Victor.

[Viktor]

Not much done today, it was very very cold in the garage!  Just finished grinding the few bits I have left and applied primer everywhere.

 

 

 

 

Now I can say this quarter panel is done! :)

 

Victor.

[colinf1]

Nice work Victor, another job ticked off the list. Rear panel up next?

[Viktor]

Thanks Colin, indeed the rear panel is lined up next. Although I would need to complete this list first

 

- Fuel tank support bracket

- Battery box

- Wiring tabs

- Fuel lines (holes)

- Rear valance and closing panels.

 

Cheers.

 

Victor.

[stuart bowes]

looking good mate well done

 

I can't wait to get back on mine, it's just too cold and bad enough having to be out on the drive doing boring maintenance / repairs on my daily and the missus new car 

 

a lot of the bits on that last list will be easier with the back panel cut out to be fair, doing stuff through the boot opening is a bit of a pain in the arse

 

I would at the very least cut a bigger opening, even if leaving the sides in place for now for a bit of rigidity

Edited by stuart bowes, 23 January 2023 - 11:43 AM.