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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 20:19:21 -0500
From: Jim Stuart <jimbb88@erols.com>
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To: mgs@auto.team.net
Subject: crack of doom
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I had both doors repaired on my 1975 MGB about 6 years & 80,000 miles
ago. The work was done by a local LBC shop, and has lasted to this date
without reappearing (knock on wood). This was the procedure:
1. correct the door fit.
2.correct the door fit.
3.correct the door fit.
As the door closes, if not correctly aligned, the vent will strike the
windshield post, putting a strain on the door skin. Alternately, if the
strike is too high, closing the door will cause the lock edge to rise,
straining against the lower hinge, pushing against the upper hinge, or
if too low, the reverse. Continued strain will tear the door skin, not
break the hinge, the hinge being MUCH thicker metal. The top of the door
is weakened by the cutaway for the vent window, and agrivated by mirror
placement (weight, vibration, being hit in parking lots, etc). The
problem is not helped by grabbing the vent to close the door.
4. drill a small, clean hole at the end of the crack-3/16" is fine. This
is for stress relief.
5.with a dremmel or die grinder, slightly grind the meeting edges of the
crack so the edges are close enough to weld (not braze), but not
touching.
6. Weld crack in small sections, skipping spots then going back, so heat
build-up is minimized.
7. grind smooth, a little filler if requires, sand & paint
8. no patch or reinforcement required.
To preserve your door glass, remove it before starting. Plan on spending
1-2 hours getting your door to close properly. If you skimp on this
effort, all the rest is a waste of time.
Jim Stuart
1975 MGB V8
1974 MGBGT V8
both with a/c, radios, & other creature comforts.
"Any one can restore a car, it takes real ****s tocut one up" Boyd
Coddington
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