Beyond resonable economic repair.... or not....

[PaulP]

Hi all,
I have just uneartherd what could be, but I hope dearly not, a rather nasty surprise of rust on my inherited Minor Traveller. From my un-experienced eye it appears that the chassis down both sides has rusted in various small spots... It was well hidden underneath some sealant and has just been found whilst poking around. There are approx 3 - 4 one inch holes (before cutting out all rust) along each chassis leg...
The rest of the traveller is in remarkable condition considering what I've just found.

Is this repairable??... Is it a costly task??

Help!

Paul

[img]http://C:\Data\Home%20stuff\Morris%20Minor\Underneath%201a.jpg[/img]

[Chris Morley]

Is this repairable??... Is it a costly task??

Yes it's repairable, quite easy for a specialist who knows what they are doing. How much it will cost depends on how much rust there is compared to sound metal. You might even be able to get them patched quite cheaply, although that is not going to be a long-term repair. The cost of two whole chassis leg replacements would be less than the value of a tatty traveller with 12 months MOT. Often it is only the front half of the chassis leg that needs replacing - Chertsey Minors did one of mine for less than £200.

Any chance of a picture?

[PaulP]

Hi Chris,



Go on... be honest....

[bigginger]

There's nothing there except the word 'image' - honest!

[PaulP]

No.... really?...

[coogee]

No photos

[JimK]

Paul, have you linked to a page of an album instead of just to an image? When I put the link into a new window I get nothing appearing at all.

The first image you put up was on your c: drive

If you want, email me the photo to jim dot king at doulos dot com and I'll put it up somewhere folks can see it.

[PaulP]

Hi Jim,

Right, I set this up about 5 minutes ago just in case this was going to happen.

http://morris-minor-restoration.spaces.live.com/

Hopefully this will be better.

Cheers,

Paul

[JimK]

Your car looks great to me. Others here have (much) more experience than I, but I would say that with a bit of investment you'll have a lovely car.

Underseal is the work of the devil.

As for the image hosting: it wouldn't surprise me if Megashaft doesn't allow direct linking to photos, as that would bypass advertising.

[flying]

most things are fixable... wow ive never seen a water pump blocked up that much before

[Welung666]

I was just thinking that Flying

[Packedup]

Is this repairable??

Easily (if plated, a little more but not much trickily if cut out fully and replaced)

... Is it a costly task??

Most likely, if you're paying for it to be done. But then I consider anything more than 30 quid or so costly! ;)

I've welded up far more holes than that in far smaller cars in a weekend and had them through the MOT the next day. OK, my welding's not pretty, but if I can do it with an old washing machine side or PC case, anyone with a welder should be able to make it roadworthy! How much for a proper job at a Minor specialist I don't know, but probably worth it if the pennies stretch that far.

[tickman]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Morris-Minor-2-4d ... dZViewItem

sorry only 30 mins to go but is this what you need! i do not know how much from a supplier

[chickenjohn]

It looks to me from those photos those holes are in the sills, or floor edge panel to be more accurate, not in the chassis legs.

Its a lovely car you have there! definitely worth repairing, even to get it done professionally.

[PaulP]

Well, if I'm totally honest I'm a little confused as to what parts have rusted and what parts are needed to be repaired.
'NS underneath before 1' picture shows the NS wooden floor rail to have persihed. This isn't a problem at all as from what I've read it should be pretty easy to repair.
The main problems are the 'Underneath 1' and 'underneath 2' pictures.
I've done a fair bit to the engine, brakes and a few other bits and pieces, so it's music to my ears that it should be worth repairing. I'm going to get a quote for the work to be carried out properly as I am yet to master the welding process. Chassis rails are about £50 each from the sites I've surfed... although I've heard a few stories about ill fitting panels.

Thanks for help and advice to all.... oh, and Flying... I've seen your handy work on your Minor... so if you have any spare time...

[chickenjohn]

Its hard to make out from the pics, but if thats the RHS of the car, it looks like its one of these that has rusted:-



£6 plus vat and delivery.

If this is the panel, then it would be a good idea to do the classic Minor thing and remove the silver painted sill cover panels and the "U" sill finisher channel- 4 screws at the top 5 bolts along the bottom- these are found underneath the door. Then you can easily see inside the sill and judge the true extent of the rust damage.

They can't be as bad as this though!

[rayofleamington]

Chassis rails are about £50 each from the sites I've surfed...

it sounds like you are looking at the front chassis leg prices (for the complete unit). In terms of 'chassis' the Minor saloon does not have one as it is monocoque. The front chassis legs are named that, as they are the same size / shape / function as a chassis, but for the structure at the extents of the floor (under the doors) they are called sills, as per a modern car.

If you're really not sure which bits need replacing then it may be better to et a parts catalogue from a supplier (e.g. Bull Motif) and get whoever is welding the car to tell you which bits you need to order.

Good luck with the repairs - every one that's rescued is a bonus

[Kevin]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Morris-Minor-2-4d ... dZViewItem

sorry only 30 mins to go but is this what you need!

Dont go for those as the are only half chassis repair legs as it looks like you need full length ones.

[PaulP]

If you're really not sure which bits need replacing then it may be better to et a parts catalogue from a supplier (e.g. Bull Motif) and get whoever is welding the car to tell you which bits you need to order.

Good advice Ray, this will be the route I'll be taking. It may delay being on the road until after the New Year, but hey ho never mind.

Dont go for those as the are only half chassis repair legs as it looks like you need full length ones.

I also think so too Kevin, so I'll make that call and get someone over who can point me in the right direction of ordering the correct parts.

Thanks again for the good advice and help.

[Kevin]

If I remember correctly Paul Bull Motif will send you a free parts catalogue.
http://www.morrisminorspares.net/