Jeff,
It is rather easy to replace, but when cutting away the old metal, be very
conservative. It's easy to cut away too much and then you
are up a tree.
Also, be sure when you are ordering parts, get the tow seam strips that go down
both sides below the bumper.
Joe
Jeff McNeal wrote:
>
> Happy holiday weekend, all. I grew rather ambitious today and washed and
> waxed both my Spitfire and Expedition. I'll wipe the dried wax off Mrs.
> Jones in a bit, but I'm going to have my 16-year old son buff the
> Expedition. That kid needs to learn some work ethics and besides, I've
> already done the tough part! Anyway, I digress. As I was waxing the rear
> valance on Mrs. J., the light pressure of my fingertip caused some paint to
> crack. The rear valance is 33 years original and the cars' history of
> English and Chicago weather have caught up in a few spots. The rear valance
> is by far the worst piece on the entire car with an actual rust through spot
> down below where it's deftly concealed from public scrutiny.
>
> Here's the question: Is the rear valance the easiest body panel to replace,
> or what? It certainly LOOKS like I could do it myself. What's the
> easiest/best way? Take a Sawsall to it and cut as close to the side and
> bottom seams as I can? Then take a die grinder, spot weld remover and pry
> bar and have at the remaining sheetmetal until I'm down to the lips of the
> rear wings? Then fit the new piece, TEMPORARILY steel pop rivet in place
> (to hold it in position), then a few taps from a MIG welder, or what? The
> longer I own this car and the more projects I complete, the more emboldened
> I'm becoming to start whacking away at the cancer myself, then take it to
> the pros for the finishing touches and painting. What say you?
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Jeff in San Diego
>
> '67 RHD Spitfire Mk3 aka "Mrs. Jones"
> Jeff's Classic '67 Spitfire Mk3 site & Vintage Spitfire Webring
> http://www.ohms.com/spitfire/spitfire.shtml
> home of the NEW Totally Triumph Auction
> "By Triumph enthusiasts, for Triumph enthusiasts"
> http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRauction.cgi
> and... The Triumph Autos/Parts Wanted Listings
> http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRwanted.cgi
> ...plus a few other surprises!
>
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