- This topic has 25 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 2 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Today was warm enough that, if I had my druthers, I’d have been under Bridget’s front end, prepping for sheet metal work or swapping in my new front disk brakes.
Instead I was prying on my totaled truck.The good news: this meatball surgery may end up being successful.Hillbilly bodywork, continued.
3.5 hours working on the truck, 4-5 writing an article for the Chronicle of Philanthropy that, if it goes according to plan, will almost perfectly offset the cash outlay on the truck repair.What better way to spend the first sunny Saturday of spring?The phrase “Where there’s a will there’s a way” comes to mind.
Looks like you’ve made some progress and that’s always a good thing.Thanks. I’d really rather be working on Bridget. But I really kind of want to have a truck, and kind of don’t have $5k lying about to get another one.
Test-fit the rest of the parts I have on hand today. Not bad.Fender and bumper cover came yesterday. Tonight I test-hung the fender. Off in front by 3/4 inch. See the gap above the headlight?
So I put a 2×4 on the front edge and smacked it with a hammer. Done.
The gap at the lower door is tight now, but the door opens easy and I think I can adjust it a little more once the bolts are all in.I’m kind of amazed it fits this well, as the part it’s bolted to was completely crumpled and only half-ass straightened. But I guess miracles do happen.Next up: the hood. If that goes on decent we’ll be down to the big plastic part. Then take it apart for paint and put it back together and we’re back on the road like nothing ever happened.Man, I stand in awe!
Vicenç - (bee sense)
Pembroke Pines, FL
1986 Aston - BCW Model 52 - "Montse II"(1983 FiberFab MiGi II - "Montse")
Going very well there, you should be able to tweak the hood to fit, just don’t mess up your new parts!
“So I put a 2×4 on the front edge and smacked it with a hammer.”
Makes me wonder what goes on in a real body shop! 😮Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
My father was a body guy for 30 years or more. He never gave me a formal lesson but he did let me watch from time to time as he fixed little mishaps. I do think they had wood scraps in the shop, to put between panels while shimming them in or out. He was a virtuoso at making the gaps straight and true even after a hit. This was 30 years ago though, back when it was common to straighten a quarter panel with a hammer and dolly, and when every mounting hole was factory ovalled.
Hood’s on. Gonna need a little bendy-shimmy but the main idea is there. Already latches closed and pops OK with the cable release.
edsnova wrote:latches closed and pops OKBe quadruply sure it stays latched closed real good. Will never forget the old family wagon when I first started driving, had minor front end damage less than yours. Thought it was okay, and whoosh! Luckily just around 35 MPH after leaving the house.Tried to get the hood adjusted and failed, so turned my attention to the driver’s headlight (also failed, but I have a brainwave…) so I figured what the hey, let’s test-fit the bumper cover. Pretty sure that’s gonna work fine.
All in all…not bad.
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"I show it from its most flattering angle. Headlight needs to come out a half inch on the inside. Hood still not flush, and needs to move right about 1/4 inch. Hood latch is gonna need to move right also, and down a quarter inch. Or I could shim the fenders up a little. All seems doable though.
What I would do is get the headlight to where it can be aimed right, nothing able to shake loose, and call it done. Unless you’ve been considering making it all look close to factory new again, which you had said wasn’t important before.
😀LRH2015-03-28 00:03:49
Yes that. I’m gonna fiddle with it anyway before lighting them to see where they point. Better is better.
But if it doesn’t work and doesn’t look perfect I will still call it a victory.
Victory hell.
You’ve already knocked it out of the park Ed!
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Brainwave worked. She’s all solid now; buttoned-up the radiator, condenser, the windshield squirters, the wiring on the lights (they are both shooting straight), hung the fenders again. Now it’s down to the trim parts, the inner fender covers, and paint.
enjoyed reading about your efforts. Sounds like some of my adventures
1986 British Coach Works Type 52 (Sammy)
Chevy 2.8 V6, 5 speedEd I’m glad your brainwave worked. See…I don’t have brainwaves. Just brain farts!
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackAaaand done. Here’s the final blog post on it.
I ran out of paint so I only did half the bumper. The clear coat started dripping on the hood about halfway through the spray, so that looks like ass. But still–it’s painted. It matches too. Still missing the trim piece that goes in the center of the grill, but that’s like $30 and so I think I’ll do without it.edsnova2015-04-05 20:31:48
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.