On Fri, 28 Aug 1998, Bowen, Patrick A wrote:
I've personally replaced both floor pans and sills (rockers) on my spit...
i left it on the frame for 2 of the sill and one floor, then took it off
the frame found the 2nd floor was knackered and did that..
I think the for the sills it is a must to have the frame there for
support, and bare in mind that even if you are only thinking of doing the
floors, the sills and A-posts are probably past their best, so when you
take the car off the frame it'll bow badly!! As to the welding, I'm not to
great with a mig torch, but I managed by using a mixture of plug welding
for the sills (close to the standard and very easy to do) and seam/ small
overlap welding for the floor pan to tranny tunnel link!... It may not be
the prettiest bit of welding, but once tidied with the grinder and the
carpet is laid its fine...
As to getting the car straight, if you use the chassis as a jig and brace
the doors (I put a brace between the floor cross member and the base of
the dash top (behind the dash) as well, this added a LOT of rigidity) it
should fit back on with all holes match...
NB I am yet to do this, so it could be pissing in the wind!
Cheers
Tim
> ok Here is my next major project (one I am not looking forward to). I
> have one of my cars stripped all the way down and unbolted from the frame.
> Unfortunately I do not have enough people to lift it off. But I do need to
> replace my floorpans, and The inner part of my rockers. I have seen some
> of you say its best to do it on the frame but others, have told me to
> replace them off the frame. I have the replacement pans that cover the
> whole length of the floorpan, not just the half sized ones. What is the
> best way of doing it, on/off frame, should I overlap or butt weld it (I am
> very UNtalented in welding) Should I rent a MIG welder, or pay someone to
> do it. How do you make sure the car is straight afterwards? I am
> concerned about getting this done right and am looking forward to any input
> on the best way of doing it. Thanks
>
> Patrick Bowen
> '79 Spitfire daily driver
> '76 Spitfire that will soon become the body of the '79
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