Henry

Henry
Christmas 2009

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

FRAME REPAIR

The frame looked good until I tapped the bottom of the rails with a hammer. Ping, it knocked holes in the rusted out, paper thin frame rails. So, out comes the cut-off wheel grinder, welder, and finishing grinder. The dented cross member looks difficult to repair but it was actually dead simple. My frame rotator was made from two inexpensive engine stands. I could not have done the repairs without it.


3 comments:

Bruce said...

Great Job Henry, I'm just getting into this MGA game.
-Looks like your doing everything as per factory.
-Good idea to use the 2 engine stands for the frame "rotisserie".
-When you say "The dented cross member looks difficult to repair but it was actually dead simple". How was this done? Air pressure/heat method or the cut and weld, other?

Henry said...

The engine sands came with the upright post raked back at an angle. I had to cut them loose and reweld them upright at 90 degrees for them to rotate properly.

Yes, the cross member was repaired using 125 psi of air pressure and a heating tourch.

Unknown said...

Henry,
Excellent job so far, congratulations on all your hard work. I am currently restoring a 1960 MGA 1600. What did you use for a primer on the frame? What did you use for the frame final coat? Thanks and keep up the good work, both on your car and website!
Todd