It seemed a good idea to wrap the body in plastc as it had to live outside for a time while I completed the
other parts of the rebuild. Unfortunately this was a big mistake as you can see when I decided to make a start
on the tub it had deteriorated realy badly to the extent I wasnt sure if it was worth tackling
The situation isnt helped by the fact that it had had several very poor repairs done over the years (not by me)
but I wasnt sure that even if I obtained some new panels I would have any reference points to use when welding them back in.
After much deliberation I realsed I would never be able to repair the original Tub as it was too far gone. Once again I resorted to good old e-bay and soon picked up a replacement from a chap who was making a kit car and only needed the chassis and engine.As usual shiny paint hid a multitude of issues but it looks potentialy a easier prospect.
Once I started the grinding process the poor repairs done over the years became apparent, in fact the main mounting points were obviously done while on the chassis and therefore not welded on three of the sides !
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By the time I had removed all the dodgy patches it didnt leave a lot, but I will be happier when I know there is solid metal behind the mounting points. As I had to grind off the brackets I have sourced replacements from Chic Doig in Scotland and dependant on getting some more gas from BOC this should sort out the underneath nicely. The plan is to coat everything in Jenoseel rust treatment and top coated with some under body sealant.
still some work to be done as the lovely red paintwork hides some major filler and not a few holes but at least I have reference points to work to which should make life easier.
Although it shouldnt be a priority I spent a LOT of time getting the car starting/running better as I needed to drive it in and out the garage to give me room to work and also to protect the work done already as when you start grinding off all that underseal and rust everything in the garage gets covered in dust.
After having no problems since putting the engine back in I had a nightmare trying to start the car. I had a spark and I had petrol but no start, after stripping the carb twice , static timed the engine twice and heating the plugs with a blow torch I still couldnt start it. The breakthrough came ahen I got ready to change the condenser, points and plugs. For some reason I decided to swap the coil on a whim. Bingo away she went. Just goes to show its nearly always something basic.
All old underseal stripped off and new metal let in.Ive also "created" a new box section and welded on the excellent new body brackets from Chic Doig. I wont claim my welding is great but hopefully functional. I will need to go around with a seam sealer when completed to seal where I couldnt complete a seam weld.
I shouldnt blame my tools but my trusty SIP MIG welder is struggling, they are notorious for their poor wire feed but trying to weld rusty thin guage metal is a chore. Still its better than it was and once it has been rustproofed and seam sealed I can spray it with stone chip paint which should hide some of the less attractive welds. Another cost is how quickly Im getting through gas, Ive already used 1/2 a bottle of Argon at £30+ a refill.
Update: my lack of progress and news that my good friend John has a son who is starting up a new garage venture has prompted me to take the decision to let someone else tackle the bodywork for me. I wasnt relishing the spraying part as Ive never been that good, I started some basic welded repairs but my welder has now departed this world and the BOC gas is costing me an absolute fortune. Johns son Tom has already taken delivery of the rear tub and once that is repaired and painted he hopefully will start on the bonnet and other panels with a view to helping me with the reassembly early next year. Tom has persuaded me to go with 2K paint as its tougher and he can apparently get a good match for the original Triumph white colour............we will see
