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mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;color:windowtext” lang=”EN-GB”>Well, we got a late
start but we got it done….almostFollowing the advice of several folks here and on the Samba web site we
measured, measured, measured and then measured some more. We used several
constants from the frame itself as well as from the floor. Even though
the floor wasn’t exactly level (although it was very close) we used the
measurements as the baseline for the new frame. As long as every
measurement from the new head was the same as the old one we knew we had
installed it correctly.I’ll spare you all the details, cuz there were plenty, but here’s a quick photo
summary.After all the measurements we finally started cutting. That’s my son doing the cutting.
Finally off…
Not sure what an original looks like but this kinda looks like I’m not the first guy to do this…..
I had them shore up the tunnel with some extra steel so we had to modify the replacement part to fit properly. Took a several cycles but we finally got it…
Measure, measure, measure…..tack weld, measure, measure, measure, tack weld…you get the idea. I used my motorcycle jack to hold it in place.
And finally……
We had one scary moment when I realized we forgot to verify one of our crucial measurements…AFTER we had finished tacking the head on. Had to cut away some tack welds, reposition and tack again but we caught it early enough so we were good.
In the end we had 2 measurements that were less than 1/16 off from our baseline. In my research I learned I had 1/8 inch tolerance so I took a deep breath and we called it good.
We still have to weld the underside and do some repair work on the tunnel where we cut out some rust but once that’s done the floor pans go on and we move to other things.
Whew!
mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;color:windowtext;mso-ansi-:
EN-US”>Thanks for the excellent pictures and description of what looks to me to be a major project. This should remove any question as to whether or not you can salvage this chassis.
Rockyx,
Now I understand. You’re building the automotive equivalent of Abraham Lincoln’s original axe.
That’s the one with 2 new heads and 3 new handles.
Will there be anything left of the original when you are finished?
Are you going to put the body on hinges so that you can show off this masterpiece?
BDriver
Great work Rocky!
And thanks for the tech pictures!
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)
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