Pick up Restoration (Part 2)

[davidmiles]

Finally bolted up the right panel side, but I'm not welding anything in until Ive got the tailgate in position to act as a guide.
[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

That will involve the use of these rather stiff hinges, rust treated and then painted, they will provide the correct location of the tailgate. In turn leading to the correct lining up of the rear sides.[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

But of course first must come, the left panel repair work. Shouldn't take as long as the rust holes are much smaller than the right panel.[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

The holes are here, on the wheelarch bottom edge...[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

and here, forward of the wheelarch bottom edge, where the water gets trapped I would presume.[frame][/frame]

[aupickup]

it might be wise to put the cab back on before finally welding everthing up

[davidmiles]

good idea Dennis, that will provide another datum point.

[les]

Regarding your nut that has come adrift in the b post, I grafted on the lower parts of a saloon b post to both sides of my van, and on the n/s forgot to attach the internal nut!
I intend cutting a hexagonal hole, a tight fit for the nut (5/16'' bsf) leaving it a 1/16'' proud of the surface, then welding in position. The protruding 1/16'' should be 'lost' in the thickness of the rubber gasket. Maybe you could consider a similar plan.

[aupickup]

ah so you bodge it as well then les

[les]

You know better than that Dennis! I just forget things!

[aupickup]

thats old age i forget i have a saloon and not a van sometimes

[les]

Is it that noisy?!!

[JCMews]

David, I have only just joined, but have restored numerous classic and vintage vehicles but am now retired and potter around.
I have spent the day reading through your post and am wondering what you are up to. You do not appear to be too fussed that once finished the vehicle will rust away like nobodys business. I see that you are doing this as a hobby, but spending a few bob having things properly stripped prior to welding, painting etc would make a huge difference to the finished result.

I think that you are spending too much time documenting and publishing your work and too little time with the important detail.

Sorry if this is not my place to comment, just the norm on the forums I frequent.
James.

[sgray]

now what was it my old gran used to say? "if you can't say some thing nice.."

[les]

Subtle as a train crash!

[taupe]

David

Dont be disheartened by such comments, I for one really admire your tenacity with your restoration, you have taken on a massive project and have got stuck in and shared it with us all to our delight.

How can you learn to restore if you dont get stuck in and try your best!!

Weve watched your welding skills improve too

Regards

Taupe

[Masher]

David
I too very much hope that you ignore the advice from Mr Perfect and keep posting! I have been involved with classics for about 35 years and still didn't have the courage to do a restoration. I chickened out and bought a "fully restored" van but through reading articles such as yours, I hope that one day I too will restore one from scratch. I also thought that the beauty of doing your own restoration is that it is to YOUR standard, it's your time, money, patience, skill and dedication and thus of no importance what some "know it all" has to say

Please keep posting your progress!

[mmjosh]

JCMews this is someones project who enjoys doing this pick up and by you putting negative comments it dosent help anyway they dont rust away like no bodys buisness so just keep your comments to your self as this is causing upset to the club and ALSO TURNS NEW MEMBERS AWAY!!!!! so just keep comments to yourself

[davidmiles]

Thanks to you all for the comments of support, It'll take more than one newcomers negative comments to make me loose heart, I'm totally enjoying this project and the support I have received, Ive no doubt I'll have some rust to keep on top of once this is complete but who knows, maybe a few years after its on the road I will be able to afford to get it dipped, the future is not set.
In the meantime I'm learning slowly but surely and practical experience is the only way for me, so here goes... the rusted out bottoms of the wheel arch on the left panel need to have repair patches made and built up piece by piece. Templates can be made of cardboard, as the card bends the same way that sheet metal does.

[frame][/frame]

[Dryad]

David, I have only just joined, but have restored numerous classic and vintage vehicles but am now retired and potter around.
I have spent the day reading through your post and am wondering what you are up to. You do not appear to be too fussed that once finished the vehicle will rust away like nobodys business. I see that you are doing this as a hobby, but spending a few bob having things properly stripped prior to welding, painting etc would make a huge difference to the finished result.

I think that you are spending too much time documenting and publishing your work and too little time with the important detail.

Sorry if this is not my place to comment, just the norm on the forums I frequent.
James.

And I thought I was cynical! Glad to see you're ignoring such "advice", David. I'm on my first ever restoration too, and I'm sure I'll make what some people will consider mistakes, but we all do our best according to our experiences and you're going to end up with an excellent Minor there from what I can see. I just hope mine turns out just as well. Keep up the excellent work.