1956 s11 traveller restoration

Postby **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:16 pm

Ive been doing some major bodywork on the traveller lately, complete new floor, sills and front spring hangers. Its been flipped up on its side to tidy everything up and paint it all, today its back on its wheels again!!

So now the bit Ive been dreading, bringing the 52year old wood off to repair the B post and the rear sill bit. I know the ladder rack needs replacing and Im hoping the rest doesnt fall apart when removed..... Usually when Im removing wood its off a scrapper and most of just falls off. I reckoned it would be a good idea to brace the back using the hinge bolts to keep its shape and brace the front once its lifted off.

Any tips or advice? And wish me luck

Postby **alex_holden** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:51 am

Good luck!

What's the ladder rack?

Postby **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:36 am

Cheers Alex!

Its the wooden bit behind the bumper that holds the 2 posts together
http://www.morrisminorspares.net/shop_item.php?ID=3689

Postby **alex_holden** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:45 am

Ah right, I know the bit you mean now.

Postby **stevey** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:14 am

hope it all came off ok. I'll have to pop down and see tomorrow. Working today!!!

Postby **emmerson** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:01 am

If the chassis is now sound, then removing the wood won't be a problem, but I would suggest that you might have been better off taking the wood off before welding the chassis, as there is an awful lot you cannot weld as it's under the wood bits! I was planning just to replace the wood sides on mine, but found that there was nothing left when the wood came off. This led to extensive welding on both sides just behind the B post, and replacing of the complete rear wheel arches, which cannot be done with the wood in place. I hope you're luckier than I was!. Btw, I'd be very surprised if ANY of the wood is fit to go back on.
I'm replacing all of mine.

Postby **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:23 pm

The woods now off and basically still in one peice, HAPPY DAYS! I knew the end of the sills and B post were going to be bad as the rest of the inner outer sill was a patchwork mess, but I wanted some serious strength in the rest of the structure before the wood was taken off. No real nasty surprises, just one additional repair on the ps wing edge. As for the wood the footer rail is loose but still sound and one joint in the wheelarch on the drivers side opened but will glue and screw back together nicely.

Next problem is the repair section for the b post is completely the wrong profile, I think Im going to have to cut it in 2 and reshape each side

Postby **alex_holden** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:30 pm

Good work!

Postby **bmcecosse** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:20 am

Ah -ha! Good picture - always wondered what it looked like in there without the timber fitted!

Postby **emmerson** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:50 am

Well done, David. I wish mine had been like that! I think if I'd been that lucky I'd buy a lottery ticket!

Postby **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:32 pm

So to todays happenings!
I bought a saloon about 10 years ago from a guy who had an unfinished traveller with new wood in his barn. My mate whos kindly letting me use his garage to work on the traveller reminded me of this and today I went and bought it...... Just what I needed another Minor, its also way too good to break so another flippin project

But it now means I have a brand spanking new set of wood, including new doors thats already about 20years old. We did a very quick bolt on to my traveller and its a great fit. Also means that my traveller going to get the full respray its deserved, Ive got new old stock wings in the loft and excellent doors. Just need to wave a magic wand to get it all finished!

Postby **MGFmad** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:44 pm

Nice work there, looks like you could be finished for the summer.

Postby **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:50 pm

Hopefully before the summer, dont laugh but planning to take this to MOT-UK....

Postby **bmcecosse** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 11:02 am

Could I ask - at the start of the thread you show the Traveller rolled over - with engine and box still installed. How easy was this to do - how many people did it involve - and how many to get it back down onto it's wheels again !?

Postby **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:58 pm

Just 3 people, and very easy. Jack the car up as far as possible under the crossmember, one person on each wheel and one in the middle. The wheel guys lift and the middle one pushes. Even easier coming down, its own weight and steady by the roof once its starts to fall!!
Stevey and me managed it once with just the 2 of us, but it started to slide accross the floor without the extra push in the middle, luckily there was plenty of room on the roof side or it could have been messy

Postby **bmcecosse** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:05 am

Thanks ! It's a job i'm dreading, but likely to be necessary in the Spring.

Postby **stevey** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:48 am

'it started to slide accross the floor without the extra push in the middle'

Was ground slippery, i cant remember.

'luckily there was plenty of room on the roof side or it could have been messy'

Yeah nearly needed a new change of underpants!!!!!

Postby **bmcecosse** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:21 pm

Thanks lads -most 'encouraging' !

Postby **Kevin** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:11 am

Yeah nearly needed a new change of underpants!!!!!

Hmm I wonder which bit of the Health & Safety code covers self inflicted skid marks

Postby **stevey** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 2:28 pm

more to the point what it uncovers. it could be covered by

'Protective clothing
All workers should be wearing clothing that is suitable to work in and protect them whilst undertaking their duties.'

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1956 s11 traveller restoration

1956 s11 traveller restoration

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