On Fri., Kevin M Beam wrote:
> a 1969 Spitfire MKIII...
> flaw is that the floor panel has broken around the support for
> the radius arm. With the car on stands, one can see the broken
> piece moving to and fro if one pushes the rear tire. And, when
> accelerating or decelerating, the offend piece makes a rather
> nasty sound. The floor panel around the radius arm mount is rust
> free...Can this be repaired? If so, would the car be
> *safe*? And, any guesstimates on the cost?
and Ross Vincente answered:
> Kevin -- first, please don't call your Spitfire a "trashcan".
> Remember, Spitfire's are Triumphs and have feelings too.
AbSOLutely right, Ross. Harsh words towards your car now WILL haunt you
later. ;-)
> Second, YES, based upon your description of the problem it can be
> fixed... cut out the area and weld in
> a new panel. You'll need to have whomever does the welding be
> careful to maintain the original geometry of the radius arm
> attachment point....
Right again. Rimmer Bros. online catalog shows the "heelboard", p/n
903134 (the entire vertical panel), for 20.21 UKP. It's not clear from
the online catalog whether or not this includes the reinforcements for
the radius arm mounts; if not, I'm sure they must be available somewhere
if not from Rimmer. Kipping probably has this as well, maybe even TRF.
> Third, YES, it will be safe as long as the welding is done
> properly. Sometimes a weld bead is stronger than the surrounding
> metal. I've seen sheared panels after an accident where a nearby
> weld held up but the sheet metal sheared off.
No problem with safety on proper welding. (Remember, most of the Spitfire
tub was originally spot-welded together.) With a proper repair, the car
should be at least as safe as it was before the initial damage occured.
Needless to say, though, the car SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN until this repair
is made! You don't want to know what happens when a radius rod lets loose
completely on a Herald-based car; for that matter, it's better that you
don't explore the change in geometry right now, while that side of the
suspension is free just to move to and fro several degrees. Can you say
"E-Ticket Ride"?
Don't let this scare you from an otherwise solid car, although without
this repair being made, it will be hard to truly assess the car before
purchase.
Good luck!
--Andy
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Andrew Mace e-mail: amace@unix2.nysed.gov *
* *
* Mrs Irrelevant: Oh, is it a jet? *
* Man: Well, no... It's not so much of a jet, it's more your, er, *
* Triumph Herald engine with wings. *
* -- The Cut-price Airline Sketch, Monty Python's Flying Circus *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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