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Re: repair panel

To: "Breda O'Sullivan" <conbreda@eircom.net>
Subject: Re: repair panel
From: Bob Spidell <bspidell@comcast.net>
Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2006 16:44:05 -0700
Breda,

Just so happens I just finished installing two of these on my BJ8.  Here 
are some
of my "observations:"

1) if you can effect the repair without cutting the "bead" on the wheel 
cutout, do so

2) there are at least two types of panels being supplied.  One has the 
original type bead,
    with the bead bent around a wire, the other, less expensive, just 
has a flap of sheet steel
    folded over for the bead.  If you are going to replace the bead, 
spring for the first type
   (BCS has them, as may others).

3) I butt-welded the panel with a low-end MIG welder.  If I ever do this 
again I'll do
    it different; e.g. use an overlap with spot-welding, or maybe even 
use gas welding.  MIG
    is tough to do on thin sheetmetal, if you do want to use MIG use 
"back stepping;" i.e.
    weld a half-inch or so bead then skip ahead a couple inches.  
Back-weld when the
    metal cools.  Expect to do quite a bit of grinding.

4) one Lister pointed out that many of these repairs leave the repair 
panel curving out (there
    should be a gentle curve inward toward the body).  This looks a bit 
like a "spur" on the
    bottom line and spoils the line.  You'll probably need to shape the 
repair panel some
    before you affix it to the wing.

5) make sure everything lines up--on all sides--before you weld (this 
sounds obvious
    but it's difficult to do perfectly).

6) the repair panels may come with some holes pre-drilled.  They 
probably won't align
    with the existing holes (I think the wings were probably 
hand-fitted; why the replacement
    panels come with the holes I don't know).


bs


Breda O'Sullivan wrote:

>Hi Guys,
>
>The rear r/h wing on my BN4 is badly corroded, low down near the 2
>attachment bolts (just in frount of the rear wheel)
>
>I suspect this is from the previous owner never cleaning out these
>areas,(the exhaust side is in much better condition due I suppose to heat
>etc)
>
>The rest of the wing is ok, I have seen repair panels for just the area in
>question, any one have any experience of using these?
>
>Are they a success, difficult to use etc
>
>Would appreciate any advice
>
>Thanks
>
>
>  
>
 

***************************************************************
Bob Spidell         San Jose, CA        bspidell@comcast.net
'67 Austin-Healey 3000             '56 Austin-Healey 100M
***************************************************************




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