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Frame considerations

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While I understand your desire to get the car right, what some of the posters here are trying to express, I think, is that a frame replacement on any car is a big job, but a frame replacement on Big Healey is a huge job. Unlike a Triumph TR or MGA, the body does not simply unbolt from the frame, it is welded on in many places, the outriggers, as well as around the bulkhead and other areas as well I believe. Hard to completely remove the frame without upsetting the structural integrity and alignment of the body, which I why people are saying it is something you generally only do with a full, frame off restoration, because that is essentially what you will need to do with the body, lots of man hours as well as plenty of opportunity to mess things up. If you still want to do it more power to you, and I do understand your concerns, if the rust is fairly pervasive a patch a cut and patch approach does not seem that great an idea either. You certainly have the right idea of doing a thorough analysis of the existing condition of the underbody with some sophisticated diagnostic tools before you decide what the next step is.
 
I'm not really that concern on the amount of work involved since I've been working on sports cars for 45 years. I realize that it's a lot of work, but since I'm retired and now all I have is time, then it's a go. I finished another car project and I'm now onto a new project. Since I'm basically rebuilding and modifying all the mechanical parts it would only make since to insure those things are on a good foundation. I just wrote Martin Jule to expect the frame coming to him in a month or less and it will be receiving his frame superstructure package. This is by no means my first rodeo and I have plenty of space and tools to do the job. :encouragement:

John
 
WE had a friend like you [The Late Ken Derringer] in the club.He bought a 100 that turned out to be a rust bucket. He built a whole new frame in his garage and his car was a show piece..GO for it !!!--Keoke:encouragement:
 
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Keoke said:
WE had a friend like you in the club.He bought a 100 that turned out to be a rust bucket. He built a whole new frame in his garage and his car was a show piece..GO for it !!!--Keoke:encouragement:
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Thanks. I'm not naive, but I now have all the time I want. I really like rebuilding old sports car's. I've learned over the years that when you run into a problem most of the time it's best to stop, have a beer, and look at it. The problem always get solved.
John
 
jcsb said:
when you run into a problem most of the time it's best to stop, have a beer, and look at it. The problem always get solved.
John
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Good philosophy especially with these old girls. I find that it also helps to seek advice from a specialist when you are in a corner, it can save an awful lot of wasted time.

:cheers:

Bob
 
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