Indicator holes

Post by **Sidney'61** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:02 pm

Hi,
As mentioned in a previous thread i'm possibly thinking of getting rid of the indicators on the rear wings and 'hiding' them under the bumper.

What can be done with the old indicator holes on the wings, will they need to be welded over or can I get away with just using filler (or will i be frowned upon forever if I do that?

)

Post by **PSL184** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:44 pm

The holes will be too big to just use filler on. You can cut a circle of steel and weld that into the holes then skim of filler over top or use glass fibre repair from underneath then skim of filler over the top. Your choice....

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:44 pm

It will never be right unless you weld up the holes - and it's curved surface, so not simple to do! More trouble than it's all worth!

Post by **PSL184** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:47 pm

Its not such a bad job if you can weld OK. Its a gradual and constant curve so much easier than one which changes direction and shape although even these can be accomplished if you are a dab hand with the P38

Post by **Peetee** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:52 pm

indicators on the rear wings and 'hiding' them under the bumper.

All well and good and a neat little mod but not so great when you get backwash when filling with fuel one day and the next time you look at your indicator the lense has gone pale and crazed

I speak from experience.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:53 pm

But it's right in beside the sealer strip twixt wing and body - so wing off job to weld up the holes !! Although the Dalek lights don't look great - I would live with them rather than go through all that hassle!

Post by **PSL184** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:58 pm

Personnaly (and each to their own) I think they look pants..... and as Andy is stripping the car for a full respray he should be refitting wing beading and therefore could remove the wings for welding etc.... I would just do it anyway

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 10:07 pm

If the wings are coming off anyway - then yes go for it. The proper glass lenses wont be worried by some fuel spillage. Ghastly plastic lenses - well !!

Post by **Sidney'61** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 10:37 pm

Well I wanted to do it as I've already got a modified car and I wanted a nice original one, also in the poll I put on here a few months ago 66% voted to change it (albeit only 6 people voted!)
Anyway, the problem is I've never welded anything in my life.
I fear I may be expecting a bit much of myself for my first restoration project

Post by **Sidney'61** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 10:46 pm

Oh and I've got to bear in mind that this car has been badly shunted in the past and also bodged many times by the looks of it so it's never really going to be very original, I think I may aswell just put it back to how it was when I bought it. Save me the hassle and dissapointment!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 10:56 pm

I think so to! Wise decision.

Post by **PSL184** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 12:09 am

If you want to bring the wings round I'll weld them for you Andy....

Post by **IaininTenbury** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:19 am

Well worth doing in my view. Easy enough to weld a flat piece in the hole and a light skim over will restore the shape before painting. Depending what type of indicators are on its either a round hole about 1 1/4" dia, which needs a small plate making for it, or three small holes - two screws and a wire which are easy enough to 'blob' in with weld.
And with a willing volunteer to do it for you.....

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 12:09 pm

Aye - but taking the wings off is always an adventure into the unknown! What lies below???

Post by **IaininTenbury** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:25 pm

Well yes, if there's no other reason to take the wings off, I'd live with them too. View it as a typical period modification and part of the cars history...

Post by **Sidney'61** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 10:24 pm

bmcecosse wrote:Aye - but taking the wings off is always an adventure into the unknown! What lies below???

IaininTenbury wrote:Well yes, if there's no other reason to take the wings off, I'd live with them too. View it as a typical period modification and part of the cars history...

The wings are definitely coming off for respraying anyway, also I already took the wings off last year when I stripped it down just for fun! The inner wings just needed scraping and repainting, no major problems.
I put it all back together though so I could get it MoTed and take it to the national!!

I'm not crazy, honest

Post by **Sidney'61** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 10:27 pm

PSL184 wrote:If you want to bring the wings round I'll weld them for you Andy....

Rich, thanks alot for the offer, I'll keep thinking about whether or not I'm going to do it, I'll get back to you on that.

I suppose my front wings are going to need welding aswell to put the smaller lights in there.

Post by **Onne** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:13 am

They will do, yes... not a lot though