Good nights sleep wanted

Do you need help with your bodywork, Help is at hand

Good nights sleep wanted

Postby Andrew Morris backup » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:31 pm

Right Guys,here goes,1978 hc,beautiful interior,engine excellent,front suspension re built. Long Term Viva enthusiast competent mechanic,never welded in my life and my viva requies welding and er what appears to be lots of it.
O/S Front wing off and new one to go on/Needs welding.
2,N/S front wing good er untill you get down to the sill and not so good.Repair section?
3,Sill needs one at least,where does it start,where does it end does it start under the front wing shrowed and finish at the rear arch?

Rear Arches,oh my god !!!!! Needs 2 but have the genuine repair sections.

So heres my quest,needs welding needs paint mechanics(yep can do that)

Any Viva bodywork specalists around to make me sleep better,oh and lastly you know those cullender things we use in the kitchen,front valance where it joins the front wings,very similar.

Conclusion ,i dont want to scarp her it took me ages to find the model i wanted,Ember Red 2 Dr 1978.

Please Help

Andrew
User avatar
Andrew Morris backup
 

Postby northernutter Backup » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:31 pm

First of all welcome to the club.
Ok the sills thay start about 1/2" or a bit more from under the wing.
You can get full lenth sills or just a repair peace.
Rear aches mmm bit triky.
As for the wings you could just bolt them on. I have done this befor on my viva E coupe when i had a bump in it i was glad that thay were just bolt on it was fixed in a afternoon.
As for welding anyone can weld it realy is easy with a mig.
If some one does it for you make sure the rust is treated and the rot is cut out or all the hard work will be wasted.
You can get books on welding i no halfords sell them.
As i said arches are triky i have never done them befor but it will not stop me my Brabham needs them.
Hope this is of help to you.
User avatar
northernutter Backup
 

Postby Andrew Morris backup » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:31 pm

OK so its try it yourself withn the welder ,will check it out and report back,now wheres that beer.Thanks for the prompt response.


Andrew
User avatar
Andrew Morris backup
 

Postby northernutter Backup » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:31 pm

You will find my number in the front off the news letter give me a ring any time if you get stuck or just fancy a chat.
User avatar
northernutter Backup
 

Postby Droopsnoot backup » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:32 pm

I always used to do rear wheelarches by cutting the old one back to the flat metal of the wing, then fitting the repair section inside the wing so it overlaps on the inside and can be seen from in the boot. Then you weld along the join, grind it flat and fill to suit. But when the Firenza was being done, the bodyshop guy told me that was wrong because none of the curves fit properly. And of course if it's a four-door you won't be able to do that because there isn't really space on the leading edge of the arch. Also the snag is that you can see the repair section inside the boot.

If you're going to take up welding, the key seems to be practice, and practice a lot on something other than your pride and joy. Get lots of bits of scrap metal and have a go before you go near the car. I did some a long time back, but because I haven't welded for some time, I've lost what little 'knack' I once had.
User avatar
Droopsnoot backup
 

Postby Andrew Morris backup » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:32 pm

northernutter wrote:You will find my number in the front off the news letter give me a ring any time if you get stuck or just fancy a chat.


Will do Deon ,thanks,when you read Practical Classics there is an abundence of TR,MG Jaguar,etc etc body work speecialists are we on our own with our vivas? Suerly there has to be Vauxhall Viva Restorations uk ltd some where,
User avatar
Andrew Morris backup
 

Postby Andrew Morris backup » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:32 pm

Not so sure about the welding but appreciate the reply
Andrew

quote="droopsnoot"]I always used to do rear wheelarches by cutting the old one back to the flat metal of the wing, then fitting the repair section inside the wing so it overlaps on the inside and can be seen from in the boot. Then you weld along the join, grind it flat and fill to suit. But when the Firenza was being done, the bodyshop guy told me that was wrong because none of the curves fit properly. And of course if it's a four-door you won't be able to do that because there isn't really space on the leading edge of the arch. Also the snag is that you can see the repair section inside the boot.

If you're going to take up welding, the key seems to be practice, and practice a lot on something other than your pride and joy. Get lots of bits of scrap metal and have a go before you go near the car. I did some a long time back, but because I haven't welded for some time, I've lost what little 'knack' I once had.[/quote]
User avatar
Andrew Morris backup
 

Postby northernutter Backup » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:33 pm

Andrew, Unfortunately there are no body shops that specialize in Vivas, which is unlucky for us.
How ever if thats the root you want to go there are places that will do the work, ask to see some of there work 1st that way you no what you are geting.
Where are you?
User avatar
northernutter Backup
 

Postby Andrew Morris backup » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:33 pm

Hi Deon.im down south,St Albans in Herts.Found your details in the mag,ill give you a call in the week and go from there,but thanks for your interest and assistance,im certain i some shape or form i will get there.
User avatar
Andrew Morris backup
 

hutchimr Backup

Postby pbottomley » Sun Oct 30, 2005 3:52 pm

Andrew if you do find a good body guy please let me know. I live near you in Hemel.

I also need a good paintwork guy in this area as well.

Thanks

Mike
User avatar
pbottomley
 


Return to Bodywork

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests

cron