Morris Minor Owners Club

Dreaded.rear.arch repair. Needing done any good welders.fancy job next.job that need doing don't think I have skill.do it.

Well have made start removed rear wing started.to clean up bit next job remove petrol tank rear bumper etc ordering panel.from esm never welded before but have welder so no idea if I can manage it but going to try

More pics

Pictures if anyone in North Scotland any club members able do this welding job for me I.would.pay I'll be stripping cleaning first so as it's ready for welding thanks

If you aren't already a member, contact the Scotland North East branch and see if anyone can recommend anybody in the north who could do that repair. I'm afraid I don't know of anyone in the north who would do it. There used to be a Morris specialist in Brechin many years ago but he's long gone.

Will try thanks plucking up courage to try but if I can get someone it be better

Give Mickey a call, he works in Tillicoultry: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=hamilton%20racing from here: https://www.facebook.com/p/Dth-Performa ... 406706662/

His work and facilities are top class.

Pete

Petrol tank removed bumper.tommorow ready for.prep work then on to next stage

Was helpful having info to read on here it really.helps alot

At the moment the metal adjacent to the arch area doesen't look too bad, it will be intersting to see what you have once all the paint and filler have been removed, If you don't want to do the welding another option is to find a mobile welder to come to you, once you have cleaned it up and trimmed all the rusty bits off and if there's not a lot more corrosion it shouldn't be much more than a days work to weld the new arches in.

Yes not the worse I've seen bit daunting when u haven't welded before how ever I'm determined to have it all cleabed back probably trim out the rusty bits I'm willing to have a try welding as I have a welder the problem being where we are is so remote Hard to get someone come help out my thoughts were trim out rotten bits clean up edges and clean up inner wing order repair panels try them see how they fit tak weld if it's fitting OK with the wing etc then I could continue to get new repair panels fully welded in then cut repair patch I have sheet tin to go from new arch panel inward to inner arch piece it in with plates cut from sheet tin that was what I was thinking but I'll have go at cleaning it all up tonight the wing that came of is OK I have the wing beading and I have paint so all I need is repair panels and some filler when it's all done to tidy it up before painting which will be another thing to try all learning curve in which I'm trying thanks

To give yourself the best start at welding it you will need to clean all the ares you intend to weld back to shiny metal, the best approach is to tack it every couple of inches to check the fit then progressively add tacks(or short bursts) in between each tack letting it cool each time, this makes it less likely to distort or burn through.

Make sure you have a bucket of water with a damp cloth in it nearby to dab out any thing that catches fire (regularly check the back of where you are welding) and have a decent fire extinguiser and/or garden hose to hand in case it gets out of control.

If you haven't welded before I would strongly advise you to practice welding some pieces of scrap steel first. This will allow you to develop your welding technique and ensure your welds are strong. I assume you have a mig welder rather than an arc welder? - it is very skilled job welding thin body repair panels with an arc welder.
Try different settings, make your mistakes on the scrap steel through using incorrect settings (power, wire speed etc) rather than on the car.
Experiment with the different welding methods - butt welds, overlap welds and plug welds. It will build your confidence.
One thing I can't emphasise enough is to avoid putting too much heat into the panels as they will warp if you do - tack in one place and allow to cool before doing another adjacent tack or preferably move to some other area.
Sound advice regarding fire precautions - Morris Minors have plenty of tar like coatings in various places.
When making ad hoc repair panels/patches use CAD (cardboard aided design) to create templates to cut the patch from the steel sheet.
A most useful internet resource regarding welding can be found at https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/
The wheel arch area is a difficult area to repair but is entirely doable with patience and good preparation.
Good luck!

Consider removing the fuel tank and the rear seat. It will make life far easier.

Fuel tank has been removed and seat can't carry on with project just now due to bearevment in family hopefully in week or so I'll get back on thanks

Back at it today got mate who welds off shore to do the welding as it was too much for me so here couple pics of prep work more to come thanks

Not best pics but wee update

Some.job removing old underseal was at.it we grinder non stop.lol starting get.some where albeit at slow rate

I my name is Paul I’m from St Helens I can weld and also I can paint my self I have been working as a mechanic and a paint sprayer where about do you live I am willing to help you out if interested my number is 07810792493

Hi Paul thanks for the offer I think I'm.bit far away I'm.at the top of scotland 15 miles from johno groats in the Highlands my.friend was gonna do it but unfortunately he hasn't got the time