Jim,
I've never understood the old dictum that you should check the door
gaps to determine if there's any serious structural rust=2E Even on rust-fr=
ee
MGBs, I rarely see ones with proper door gaps; however, it seems
to me that this is usually not caused by serious rust but only improperly
adjusted door hinges=2E
Just about every MGB coupe I've seen here in L=2EA=2E has rust in the dogle=
gs=20
and
front fenders, but I've never seen one with rust in the rockers=2E It seems=
=20
that
the rust inevitably forms in those areas because there are no drainage=20
holes,
but that the rest of the rocker panel is not affected=2E
Is that a wrong assessment? Does the rust in the doglegs mean that there is=
=20
also
rust in the inner rockers, even though it is not visible on the outer=20
rocker?
Karim
'67 B-GT and GT6
----------
From: ISC@dcsi=2Enet
To: charlie@mars=2Eark=2Ecom
Cc: mgs@autox=2Eteam=2Enet
Subject: Re: patching rust holes? (Long)
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 1998 1:51AM
Hey Listers:
I feel strongly that it is important for MGB owners to understand the
relevance of rust (or lack of rust) in the dogleg area=2E NOT TO LECTURE
HERE, but the MGB is of unibody construction and rust is a potential
major issue that can contribute to the demise of a B=2E
When I evaluate a B for sale, I first walk around the car entirely once,
maybe twice, just to see how it "sits"=2E Then I immediately zoom in on
the lower fender rocker area and the doglegs=2E If the paint is bubbling
at all, that is not a good sign! It is ALWAYS worse that what shows up
on the outside!
I also check the gap between the door and the B post=2E If rust has hit
this car hard, the car will actually start to sag in the middle (yep,
even this a few times even here in CA!)=2E So the door gap will be wider
at the bottom and smaller near the top of the door=2E I have had owners
who were frustrated when I have passed on their car for sale and didn't
even start the engine, because the rust was so bad! Mechanicals are a
CHEAP fix!
Back to the unibody: There are three pieces here that run from the rear
of the front wheel arch to the front of the rear wheel arch=2E If any of
these pieces are damaged by rust, then everything else becomes at risk=2E
The inner sill is seen inside the cockpit, typically carpeted or covered
in vinyl=2E Next, but hidden from view, is the diaphram=2E Third part is
the outer sill, which is actually on the outside of the car (forms the
door threshold) and is painted=2E All three of these panels are spot
welded together and form a ridge (where exposed in the door threshold)
that the door weatherstripping is attached to=2E Hope I haven't confused
too many of you (its about 1:30AM here, can't sleep!)=2E
OFTEN when the dog legs are rusted, the diaphram also is rusted and has
holes in it=2E This becomes a safety factor that deserves proper
consideration, as in a proper repair=2E When it gets that bad, the only
way to really fis it is to remove/install a new diaphram and outer
sill=2E Back to Square One: when buying a B, buy the best body you can
afford; mechanicals are a cheap fix!
In the past, I have purchased Bs with a variety of "fillers" in the dog
legs: a pound of bondo, steel wool, newspapers, even old shop rags=2E
Fix the car right, you will enjoy it and it will serve future
generations, too!
Thanks for reading this; hope it helps some!
Cheers,
Jim Boyd
Internationals Sportscar Components
Paradise, CA USA
"doglegs" cover the rear of the inner sills
charlie schellinck wrote:
>
> You could use fiberglass or aluminum duct tape! That is very popular=20
around
> here but for a decent job try making a small square paint the back with
> waxol then pop rivet it in place=2E using a body hammer make it slightly
> indented and fill using your favorate filler (I like to use Lead) Then=20
sand
> to shape and paint=2E all of witch can be done from outside the car!
> Chip, Chip, Cheerio!
> Adam Schellinck
> 1973 BRG MGB Roadster in 1 millon pieces and reassembeling!
*****************************************************
Karim Marouf
Canon Communications LLC
Tel: 310-392-5509
Fax: 310-392-4920
Internet Address: karim=2Emarouf@cancom=2Ecom
Home Page: http://www=2Ecancom=2Ecom
*****************************************************
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