Nick
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,483
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Sept 20, 2005 19:10:36 GMT
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Right chaps, i need to pick your brains. my not overly retro e30.. well it has some rust issues, but ive got myself into one of those "ive started" so i'll finish situations.
anyway...the outer sill, has a hole in and is dented ...is it cool to just get the angle grinder out and cut out the holey/denty/rusty bit and then make up a patch to bang in? also if i find out the inner sill is rusty whats the best way of fixing them, i mean is there a certain welding method thats better for inner sills since its structural.
trying to think of what else to ask whilst I'm here. erm...how close to a petrol tank/fillerneck is cool/safe for welding. I'm pretty overly cautious anyway but just want to double check.
oh yeah whilst the cars off the road (i work sloooww) i bagged myself a 1.6 sierra ..nah also not very retro.. but it cost me £0 haha so i thought you guys would appreciate it.
cheers for any advice
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idea stolen from rattely eddie.
this weeks car count "5"
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Davenger
Club Retro Rides Member
It's only metal
Posts: 7,272
Club RR Member Number: 140
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Sept 20, 2005 19:13:51 GMT
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A patch should be fine as long as you can make it look tidy. The welding on the sill is no different to welding any other bit of a car, just do it properly. I'd take the tank out, it's not worth risking a life ending explosion just because it's a pain in the
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slater
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,390
Club RR Member Number: 78
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Sept 20, 2005 19:41:02 GMT
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Only thing you have to remeber is structral areas have to be seam welded unless its on an original seam (where you could obvioulsy spot/plug or stitch weld)
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Sept 20, 2005 21:56:14 GMT
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Depends on how bad the hole is and how long you are going to keep the car. Normally if you have a small hole in one place the rest wont be that far behind. If its for speed then a a small patch is fine. Normally I wont weld grind within a foot of a petrol tank as long as the tank pipes and breathers are all ok. E30 tanks are a mare to take off arent they? You could try to make up a shield of some type to protect it, but just make sure you err on the side of caution. You could always drain your tank and put water in it while its still in place
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Nick
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,483
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Sept 20, 2005 22:59:58 GMT
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good idea, with the tank draining. thanbks for the advice guys.
the sill hole is big enough to get a couple of fingers in the rest of the outersill is ok (ive ground off the paint) but I'm worries about the inner sill
right hope this works cos ive been tryin to reply for god knows how long... stupid "too many connections"
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idea stolen from rattely eddie.
this weeks car count "5"
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MOGGY
Part of things
Posts: 272
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Sept 21, 2005 10:51:53 GMT
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hi. as for welding near fuel my theory is if you can't smell or see fuel weld away. If the tank breather is near where you are welding, block it off because the fumes are more dangerous than the petrol. welding one inch from a tank or pipe is not a problem as long as it isn't leaking. obviously if any petrol carrying parts are plastic and near where you are welding heat shield them with a sheet of tin or something. patching outer sills is ok but cut out all metal that has little black marks on it after grinding. these black marks are rust pits and will eat into the new metal quickly if not cut out, due to being double skinned after patching (condensation). as for inner sills, if a small amout of inner is gone either attack it from inside or cut a larger whole in the outer and repair the inner through your new window, then repair the outer, do not be tempted to waxoyl the inner before welding the outer cos you will need the local fire brigade when you then weld the outer back up. good luck and this advice comes from a man who does this for part of his living.
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Total classic car pervert
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Sept 21, 2005 20:25:01 GMT
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I use a piece of ali sheet to shield fuel pipes, I've also used wet rags, and I give the area around the pipes a good drenching with a trigger spray bottle, in case of stray sparks...
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... the only injury I sustained was a bumped head when I let the seatbelt of without realizing the car was upside down and that's not really the car's fault.
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