welding advice

[howarddj]

i am guessing few people on here have had to do this job, just wondering which is easier, build the lip and light cluster from bits of sheet metal or cut bits from a decent shell as ready made panel parts?

(sorry for the large picture, i will make them smaller next time!)

i will also be starting a project thread for this car shortly if anyone wants to have a laugh at an amateur building his first car

thanks!

[cam]

If you can get the panel parts I would use them if not sheet metal, looks like a lot of the weld will be hidden.

[Model flyer]

Hi . I have done a lot this sort of work in the past. Provided you have some decent tools including cutters grinder, mig welder , selection of clamps and hammers it is a reasonable simple job . But do check for corrosion beyond what can be seen, especially in structural areas and make sure its worth repairing . If you can buy new panel or decent pattern panel then buy them .If they are not available or too expensive look for a decent breakers who will let you cut parts from a decent shell . Cut at the next panel so that the bits you want can be cleaned up on the original spot welds. Clean the corresponding panels on your car and fit . The parts that have rotted out on the wing panels can be left in place and welded after matching the panels up .Can take some time and manoeuvering to get a good fit. When happy remove and clean all mating surfaces with grinder then coat with weld through primer . Re-fit clamp up and weld in place . Spot weld if you have one or drill through the outer panel and plug weld this simulates a spot weld and is easy with a decent mig welder. Keep as far as possible to original welds , where extra welds are needed ie across panels then you can either continuous weld or braze . Its not difficult but can take time is dirty and noisy job. Once welded seal up welds with polyurethane sealant . Sheet metal for extra repairs to panels can be bought from any good car paint factors in various gauges. Good luck.
ps if you dont have the welding gear you can always ask a local body shop if they will weld it up if you do the cutting and fitting.

[Antz]

Make your own panels from sheet metal.

Steveandhis244 with John_h did the rear lip on my car.

[stephend]

Not an answer to your question - but is that a Mk1 Escort estate parked next to your 240 in the photo...?

[howarddj]

Originally Posted by stephend

Not an answer to your question - but is that a Mk1 Escort estate parked next to your 240 in the photo...?

it is a mk2, but good eyes!



it looks so small next to the land yacht.

[Antz]

Although the mk1 and mk2 estate were technically the same car with different front end and interiors. Good old Ford being cheap and reusing old designs.

[mylittletony]

Originally Posted by Antz

Although the mk1 and mk2 estate were technically the same car with different front end and interiors. Good old Ford being cheap and reusing old designs.

Don't forget the 140 and 240 series (mainly the estates) were practically identical from the A-pillar rearwards, so that would have been in production from 1966 to 1993 :- 27 years.

Maybe that's why Ford bought Volvo!

[davebslater(uk)]

Back panel available from Volvo, i bought one . How are the wheel wells?

[howarddj]

passengers side is solid,, very good infact.

other side, well......



here is an album of a few pics of the car, just got to get the time to sit down and start a project thread.

http://imgur.com/a/3zgUg#0