Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi. Can anyone help me please? I would like to know what length of screws to use on the replacement wood that I am fitting on my Morris Traveller as all the existing screws were corroded away? Also, I would like to know what is the best sealant to use on the joints of the woodwork frame? Finally, should I use zinc plated screws? Thanks.

If I were doing this I'd use brass screws, the length should allow the screw to enter the timber to be joined by a little over half the thickness. You should drill a pilot hole first, especially for brass screws. Some people use a steel screw first, to 'path the way' so to speak, then remove and substitute with brass. Glue joints with waterproof Uni-bond and make sure the final coating you use is well applied around the joint.

I'd suggest soaking the joint areas with wood preservative while you have access to them.

I know nothing about the woodwork on travellers but can tell you that zinc coated screws will rust eventually if used externally. Use brass or stainless steel screws.

Use brass/stainless screws, and as above soak as much of the wood as you can (all if it's a complete rebuild) in Cuprinol5 before fitting. Let this really soak in until the wood cannot absorb any more. Then finish in your choice i.e. varnish, oil etc.

Thank you all for your advice.

From my experience the best thing to use is the 1/2" x 6g. You can also get phospher bronze or brass ones. You can check this site out to see if this sealant works for you.
http://www.squidoo.com/waterproof-sealant

I'd also make sure the screw holes were well injected with cuprinol prior to fitting the brass ones.