pete1987RRC · Aug 29, 2016

Hat off to you feller...got an 87 aka the spares dept which looks like that and it's far to daunting
My other 87 is quite sweet though.

I use machne Marts anti spalatter spray with the MIG nd is behaves so much better, never tried peroni on the welds but it's good drinking When you are away and can't get warm beer.

richardthestag · Oct 3, 2016

Been a bit busy over the last month but have managed to get structural stuff done on the bulkhead and both A posts yay

The hole in the bulkhead for the steering column was just too bad so I bought a section from a chap who is breaking a much later classic. Just needed trimming and aligning

Before welding in, ran out of Mix 15 so was using co2

used some 18 gauge steel to make up a new strengthener plate

Everything still lines up perfect. screen still fits in its hole. moving on

richardthestag · Oct 3, 2016

Next up in September I removed the old fuel tank which of course had 6 gallons of varnish still in it.
Easiest way to drain it was using the existing pump and a car battery - dont try this at home etc etc.

the home made fuel tank could come out

Pretty solid and leak free

Next onto the passenger side B post. Checked the height for the door aperture and confirmed it to be ok
then cut out all the patches and grot on the lower section of the b post. Made up the repair in three sections

Inner piece

Outer piece

and closing panel

for some reason it looks wonky in the pikes but a straight edge can be applied to it

Anyway the pub beckoned and so I didnt get around to tidying everything up. Next is the passenger boot side curtain and arch

richardthestag · Oct 14, 2016

update from last weekend, yeah I know etc

First I was unhappy with B post mk1 so I cut most of it out and tried mk2 which I am happy with

lines are much better and fit with outer wing is tight

next up is to remove the rear side floor, arch and curtain. I was happy with the last 1/4 which has the early holes cut through and because the spare wheel bracket was also in good shape that dictated the cut..

wasnt difficult. I left a fair bit of the top rail in place to trim later when I know how it will fit

with all the bits out of the way I can see what I need to replace. luckily the window rail upwards is in really good shape

the same cannot be said of the bit I removed, again patches over patches was the theme

glad I cut this out now, especially easy while at this stage

new panels lined up surprisingly easily, only issue really was that the panel wasnt quite long enough to run right up to the b post. only 1cm short. I will make up a bit to fit in

I will fit the top rail bit on the new panel on the inside of the original else I think the outer rear wing will sit proud by 1mm or so

note quality pressing on wheelarch which is almost as good as original

Alibro · Oct 14, 2016

I mate
I've been watching this with interest and didn't like to say anything about the first B pillar but I'm glad you redid it. Looks much better now.

richardthestag · Dec 9, 2016

A while since the last update and to be honest not a whole lots has happened.

Back at end of October I finished the rear inner wing fitting up. I chose to leave the rear most part of the side curtain because it was a) intact and b) not replicated on the replacement panel

as with anything it is measure, fit, measure again, adjust etc etc

Lots of tag welds to get it in place. the new panel tucked in behind the top rail. this I hope will guarantee easy fit of the outer wing

nearly 3/4 of the way around

I did find out why the car sits lopsided

Outer wing fits fine

richardthestag · Dec 9, 2016

Finishing up in October
I need to sort the closing panels

This is the back of the b-post mk2, kind of describes the problem of what to do when you have no idea what it should look like, So I did some research and..

Cut off the lip and welded a flat plate to box in the b-post.

Then welded in a triangular section to close in the end of the sill. the wheel arch extension is removeable so I will be able to get to the fuel pump that PO fitted

Next was to measure up where the captive nuts for the seat back catch go,

Then I got bogged down with family stuff and fun.

raywin · Dec 9, 2016

Nice to see the update been wondering how it was going.

richardthestag · Dec 9, 2016

December 9th, pleasant weekend and I have a load of annual leave to chew up so hoping to get 4 days work done on the car.
Since the last update, Dad has had the old barn flood lit. very please with this

Welded in the rear seat catch captive plate in

Next is to sort the seat base support

After a load of measuring and fiddling I ended up with this bundle of bits

welded in a new strengthener plate after measuring and measuring

welded a closing panel

Drilled holes and now all ready to weld into the car. more tomorrow

greyhair · Dec 10, 2016

Wow, that's what you call a project
cracking job, love it

richardthestag · Dec 10, 2016

Good day, did everything I planned to do which is a plus.

First to weld in the seat support panel. Here it is all ready

Trial fit looks good ish

First I need to close the gap between floor and curtain. this soes this trick up top and seam sealer will be applied underneath

Next is this wee gap on the inside of the b post. Now I have done this once I know that this is easy for the drivers side

Made up a small section and welded it in

I must have been mega excited because I had no pics of the job wip but here is the end result. The rear seat was bolted in and fit like a glove

chuffed when it all lines up

Next was to slightly reinforce the bottom of the curtain around the spare wheel carrier

And finally rear outer wing goes on perfectly

Next .. onto the drivers side. Lots of patches

three thin cutting discs later, and 15 mins on the spot weld drill and

I left this bit in place because I didnt yet have a plan for the curtain

But ended up cutting the lot out

When I trial fit the curtain and floor I find that the rear section is about 1cm out. I wonder that the rear x member (that I have done nothing with yet) is too high. Maybe the curtain pattern panel is not accurate.

Dunno. Will deal with this tomorrow

richardthestag · Dec 11, 2016

Been busy today but not with the resto.

Did manage to get a couple of hours to line up the repair panels

Tomorrow I want to have a go at the b post before I wrap it up until the new year

richardthestag · Dec 19, 2016

last update for this month, Christmas prep and family are dominating my time.
Anyway last weekend main objective was to sort the b post

This what I was working with, patches, kitchen sealer and lots of rust