Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all,
New to moggies and the forum,
I recently bought a 1965 4 dr saloon and dived head first into stripping her down, paint n all, great fun with my 12 yr old son,
we got the wings off this weekend and found (not surprisingly that the inner arches are shot.
What i would like to know is would it be easier for a novice to replace the panels or repair them, the rot seems to be confined the the inner wing to flitch at the front and the whole of the top section at the rear where the wing bolt on.
Also the rear wing flanges are u/s.

Thanks in advance.

Paul.

I would say probably to repair what is there might be easier for a novice, assuming the panel is not to far gone. Doing a repair will save having to strip so much down rather then having to get the alignment right on re-assembly.

The rear is obviously much more difficult to repair than the front. but don't see an option other than to let in new metal. Good luck with it!

Cheers for the info,
I don't think the panels are too bad.
if i repair, whats best, over lap the new metal and puddle weld, or butt the metal together and seam weld?

Cheers.
Paul
p.s. heres some pics http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii13 ... storation/

Puddle weld? Do you mean plug welding?

Hi alex
Yes i mean plug welding.
I watched a video on expert village and they called it puddle.
Haven't got a clue what i'm talking about really.

thanks for the link, shall be having a read of that today.

Hi and welcome, both to the forum and the dubious delights of cutting, grinding and welding.

as has been said, it can be easier to repair than replace, providing you have sound metal to attach the repair piece to. MIG likes lovely clean shiny metal to weld and as you've found, there isn't too much of that within a Moggy wheel arch.
I've had to replace the full wheel arch and filch panel on both sides and the wheel arch is quite a daunting job, trying to get the pattern arch to fit, and then welding up all of the joins. When I did the filch, I left the bonnet gutter in place and lap welded that in with plug and seem welds.
Your's doesn't look as bad as mine did though.

All the best.

Where the join is in view - you should butt the new metal to the old. Where it's not in view - can't see a problem with overlap welding if that's easier.

Thanks for the info everone
looking forward to next weekend so i can really get going on it.

Thanks again.
Paul.

Hi Paul another one under restoration in Hertfordshire sounds like you have your work cut out, but will it back on the road for our Rally at Hatfield House in the summer.

In order for a repair to be acceptable for an MOT test it has to be attached as per the manufacture. That means that a repair must be seam welded all the way around. The only exeption would be if you are reattaching to an origional spot welded seam in which case that section only can be plug/spot welded.
It is normally better to cut back to solid metal and then butt weld a nicelly made patch panel in than to lap weld this ensures that you dont have a build up of moisture under the lap weld and helps the repair last longer.
If you are new to welding then clamps are available to hold the new panel in place while butt welding and do make life easier. Also try ensure you use the same gauge steel for the repair,the cheap sheets commonely used by garages are way to thin.
All the best
Rod

Cheers redmoggy, excellent advice.

Paul.

Kevin wrote:Hi Paul another one under restoration in Hertfordshire sounds like you have your work cut out, but will it back on the road for our Rally at Hatfield House in the summer.

Hi Kevin,
Yep live in hemel work in ricky, so will be getting in touch with you soon about membership.

I really hope shes finished for the summer, will be great to see the old girl back on the road, plus i need the room for the next one

Thought you might find these interesting.........<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
Wanted to illustrate my point and explain why i preach about cutting rotten metal back. The origional repairs (there was at least 4 or 5 patches) to the inner wing and A post would have passed an MOT but were structually a joke!
Rod

Useful reference pics there!

Glad you like em!
She was in a bit of a state,bless her!

Cheers Rod,

The mig turned up today so should have the engine/gearbox out sunday am and be welding sunday pm. back on the road monday
Paul.

That's what I like - Positive Thinking! Bon chance.

You think your rear wing flanges were bad?! Take a look at mine!
http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w50/ ... CF0078.jpg =:-O

thats bad