[Mgs] Cracked frame blues.

[Stuart MacMillan]

I'd like to see photos of what you are talking about, I can't tell for sure
from your description what is cracked.  Send me one if you can.

FWIW, my son's project '64 had a complete (3') front end clip welded on,
much to our surprise!  Whoever did it was very good, I assume it was
professionally done, because it's perfect.   

If the box beams are cracked, and I think that is what you are describing, a
good weld will be stronger than the metal. You can add gussets for more
strength if you want. Being better than new, disclosure of this shouldn't
cost you anything.  

It's a good thing that you caught this, it may be that it's only the cross
member bolts that are keeping the front end from falling off! ;-0

Looking forward to seeing your photos,

Stuart MacMillan
'65 Roadster, BRG



-----Original Message-----
Subject: [Mgs] Cracked frame blues.

My fellow listers.
Project 75.5 has apparently been damaged in an accident. the "frame" ( I
know, 
it's a "unitary body shell" according to my copy of Original mgb, pg. 8)
ahem, 
where was I? Oh yes, the  "frame like structure" shows a stress crack just 
behind the shock absorber on the drivers (USA version) side, and another on
the 
corresponding side of the same structure, same side. 
   I would say the car has struck  the back of another vehicle, forcing the 
structure to bend upwards, "hinging" at a point midway between the mounting 
bolts of the cross frame for the front suspension. When it was pushed back
into 
the correct alignment, the metal that had been bent and re formed into it's 
prior shape appears to have suffered a fatigue crack.

    My inquiry to you, my wise and illustrious compatriots, is to garner
advice 
on the repair of such damage...
    One side shows a weld repair on the crack. I am planning to weld up the 
outside of the structure in the same way.
   I think I'll drop the sub frame and check the integrity of the metal in
that 
part of the frame like structure as well.
    Then, Since I don't think a simple weld will be as strong, I am planning
on 
cutting some sheet of metal and welding them to the sides of the frame (like

structure), overlapping aproximately three inches on each side of the
crack...

     The blues part of this note, (pun intended) comes from the law here in
Ca. 
where I live, in that any frame damage must be disclosed to the buyer of the

car. Since I bought the car as a "parts car" that didn't apply to the people
I 
bought it from, though I did have them print on the receipt "car includes an

over-drive"  (which it did not)
   But I'm planning on selling the car as a running vehicle. So I'll have to

disclose this information.

 Ideas on repair?
Thanks in advance.
Mgs at autox.team.net
http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/mgs

http://www.team.net/archive