1954 2dr Saloon

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Neil MG
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Neil MG »

I would certainly recommend the complete inner wing panel.

Had a good look at mine and the main problem is the weight of the rear part of car will be on the back of the chassis rail with the inner wing completely removed. In my case the boot floor also needs repairs where it meets the upper chassis rail, but as far as I can tell the upper chassis rail is solid. The lower chassis rail incorporating the rear spring hanger is completely corroded the same as yours. The outside of the chassis rail is actually made up of the inner wing itself and is the first part to rot as it is thinner gauge steel. Probably more than 95% of minors have had a plate welded on there!

My plan is to complete the repairs to the sill boxing plate extension area and work backwards removing the inner wing and rear spring hanger panel assembly completely There is a bump stop strengthening bracket inside the upper chassis member that will probably also need to be repaired. I don't want to remove the rotten boot floor from the edge of the upper chassis rail at that stage because then I will lose too much reference, as the chassis rail and rear of the car will be totally disconnected. My plan is to dress that area enough that the spring hanger panel will rest in place (albeit a mm or so higher) and help to position the inner wing. After welding the inner wing in place there will be enough connection between the chassis rail and body to replace the section of rusted boot floor and fit the rear spring hanger. Needless to say the weight of the body will need supporting throughout.

Not sure if you follow that, but I will post pictures when I do it next week. Unfortunately I am tied up the weekend with MMOC business, a combined Lancs/Cumbria Mechanics day tomorrow and our Northern Area liaison meeting on Sunday.

You can measure the key dimensions before you start between front and rear spring mounts and cross member. If they are all correct then be careful to keep everything tight, if they have already altered (not uncommon) then you can set them right. But you will have to pay extra attention to inboard outboard and diagonal dimensions and relative height to ground (datum).
1956 Morris Minor Series II
1959 MGA 1600 Roadster
1966 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 MOD
Wyliecoyote
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Wyliecoyote »

Great, thanks for all your help!

Had a look at the last blog post and I'm guessing we've similar problems. I'll get a parts order sent off soon.

Took Monday and did some tidying up of small jobs. Sorry I've no pictures at the minute for here but if you go to my resto blog at:

www.restosaga.wordpress.com

there is plenty see. Will keep you all posted and thanks again for all your help everybody!!
Wyliecoyote
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Wyliecoyote »

Image

Image

Image

Image
Wyliecoyote
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Wyliecoyote »

Had a bit of spare time today so began stripping down the engine for unleaded conversion and a general tidy up...[frame]Image[/frame]
Dean
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Dean »

Excellent looking work! Is this your first resto? One thing I would do, is keep testing the doors fit as you have been welding around that area. Just a hunch thing really as you don't want to get near the end... fit them and .... swear a lot.

As per advice above. Measure everything around the rear suspension from a fixed datum.

Have you seen taupe's resto? A very rusty traveller that has seen better days...

An excellent source of advice for replacing panels that had disappeared through rust.

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=25298


welcome to the series 2 gold dash club!
My Minor:
A Clarendon Grey 1953 4 Door Series II.
MMOC - 66535


Wyliecoyote
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Wyliecoyote »

Thanks for all you advice, much appreciated.

More progress made on the '54 last weekend with the n/s rear sill and outer panel. I cut off the rusted original, fabricated some strengthening behind and reattached the new pattern part, very pleased with the result!

To start:
Wyliecoyote
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Wyliecoyote »

Apologies, can't get pics uploaded for some reason. Maybe at the weekend.
Wyliecoyote
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Wyliecoyote »

Before:
Image

Then:
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

Finished:
Image
Wyliecoyote
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Wyliecoyote »

DAVIDMCCULLOUGH
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by DAVIDMCCULLOUGH »

Good progress, its amazing that the new sills were fitted to hide all that rot! Hopefully you wont find anymore horror stories as you work you way around it.


Too many Minors so little time.....
stevey
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by stevey »

yes great progress. keep it up

Wyliecoyote
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Wyliecoyote »

Thanks all for your continued enthusiasm, advice and encouragement.

I got a bit more done there at the weekend but progress is slow.

I hope this video will show you how I'm getting on with tricky and fiddly repairs. I've tried my hand with a bit of fabrication and I think it's going ok.

Enjoy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msiN5Ru1rtk
DAVIDMCCULLOUGH
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by DAVIDMCCULLOUGH »

Keep up the good work! When you get really fed up come over and have a drive in one of mine 8)


Too many Minors so little time.....
Wyliecoyote
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Wyliecoyote »

Thanks David, I will definitely take you up on that offer, I've never driven one!



In other news, took off the off-side rear wing and got some more nasty surprises!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO154CEgE_8
Wyliecoyote
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Wyliecoyote »

This will be my last update for a while so it's a bit longer but covers all the work done so far, enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XkzaNVKAKg
DAVIDMCCULLOUGH
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by DAVIDMCCULLOUGH »

Enjoy your travels, the rust wont get any better or worse while your away!! 8)


Too many Minors so little time.....
stevey
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by stevey »

great progress since you started. enjoy your hols

Wyliecoyote
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Wyliecoyote »

Hi all!

Back from my travels and now on to the back axle as a break from welding the shell.

I'll get a video up soon but here's a pic of the axle in paint after blasting and new mounts welded on, enjoy!

[frame]Image[/frame]
DAVIDMCCULLOUGH
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by DAVIDMCCULLOUGH »

Nice, is that your first shiney bit 8)


Too many Minors so little time.....
Wyliecoyote
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Re: 1954 2dr Saloon

Post by Wyliecoyote »

Yep, the first proper shiny bit. The brake plates are painted also and now doing to drums in gloss heat resistant paint. Just waiting on my new brake cylinders arriving and I'm good to go for reassembly. It'll be nice to have it ready and waiting to fit. Prop is next then a good degrease and scrub for the gearbox before returning to the welder!
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