Battery Box Rebuild

[1965_MGB]

Hi All,
Lately I've been spending some quality time under my B sanding off all the dirt, crud, sealer and other unnameable stuff that has built up under the fuel tank area, and just forward of that. My plan is to POR-15 the whole area to kill off the tinworm.

For some reason, I have decided to pull out the rear end, and continue cleaning up to the rear firewall/bulkhead. My battery boxes, like most are pretty much trash. Missing bits, and others are fairly rotted. I don't have access to blast equipment, so I have been hand sanding everything down to shiny metal, and was thinking that I would get some angle iron close to the size of the original metal, cut and bend it to reform the box.

My current situation keeps me from welding things in place, but I was thinking of bolting the new bits to the old. Once a full restoration comes around, I can weld them then, but is using bolts a good idea? Or should I be thinking in a different direction. This is mostly to get rid of the razor sharp rusty stuff, and make it look whole again. I have the plastic liners in there now, so they are not really holding anything up.

Okay, I have rambled enough for now. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[bob67bgt]

Well, i'll have a go at this one. In you situation where no welding equipment is available i guess i would bent up the pieces from about 20 guage steel. The word angle iron scares me! Do a overlap joint of about 3/8 inch so you can use some STEEL pop rivits. Once a full restoration comes around the steel rivits can be mig welded over when welding the repair pieces in properly. If the lap joint bothers you then just drill out the rivits and trim for a butt weld and you are still good to go. And apply what ever rust perventative you wish. Its good to see you are doing what you can with the equipment available and keeping it on the road. AAA+. Now put those safety goggles on and get back under that MGB. Bob

 

[Shinsen774]

Plastic battery boxes may be a viable option as well.

 

[1965_MGB]

Thanks for the tips. I think I will go with steel rivets, as they will sit in there better than bolts.

I have been doing what I can with the stuff I have available, so it is kind of slow going, but I have lots of free time .

I already have the plastic battery bins in there holding the battery in place, I would just like to make things right under there again. I spent quite a bit of time removing rust and junk from the boot floor, and it turned out pretty well for what I was working with. Once I found the tank was rotted, I figured I would clean up the underside of the boot. After spending some time under the car, I was not happy with what I was seeing forward of the axle. No real rot, but lots of surface rust and years of dirt built up under there. I guess I like the abuse, but it is kind of nice knowing that I am putting my hands on every part of the car.

 

[tony barnhill]

Why not just buy new battery boxes?

 

[bob67bgt]

Ron, if you need a used fuel tank that can be cleaned and sealed on the inside let me know. I think i have several and you can have one for the cost of shipping. These would be the early strap tanks. Bob

 

[tony barnhill]

Ron, if you need a used fuel tank that can be cleaned and sealed on the inside let me know. I think i have several and you can have one for the cost of shipping. These would be the early strap tanks. Bob

& that, my friends, is a DEAL - with a capital "D"....those things cost $600 or so if bought new!!

 

[1965_MGB]

Wow, thanks very much for the offer Bob. I would be very interested in one of those tanks if you have one that can be salvaged.

I will send you a PM with my info.

 

[1965_MGB]

Why not just buy new battery boxes?

I have the plastic liners that I got years ago when they first came out. Is there somewhere to get the actual steel assemblies?

 

[tony barnhill]

Victoria British

 

[bob67bgt]

Ron, PM sent with shipping quote on the gas tank. bob