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Healey repair panels questions...

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timbn2

timbn2

Jedi Hopeful
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i have noticed some floor replacement panels have the seat mounting holes already drilled in them, and some don't. as far as repair panels go, who would have the best or more correct ones available? I have looked at VB, Moss, Kilmartin and and place called classic collectibles...any one better than another...?
Thanx
 
HI timbn2, I am a little biased here I like Kilmartin panels.However, I am also a bit lazy so I might lean towards the panels that have the mounting holes in them provided I could be assured that they were correctly placed.Regarding Classic Collectibles I have no experience ,but you just might give them a call and ask a few questions about their products.---Fwiw---Keoke
 
I would go for the kilmartin ones but im bias as i sell them
One thing i have found is that all cars are different some panels fit well on one car and not on the next one so i would say you would be better getting the panels without the holes in that way you can decide on the best place to put them
Adamb
 
I can't comment on the different vendors but I think you'd be better off drilling the holes yourself. Otherwise the floor will dictate where the seats are positioned, and you may not find that to your liking.
 
Now Pan, Im just wondering why you would say that!. Cheers---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
I just totaled up the cost of replacement panels needed for my 64 BJ8 to the tune of about $1800 for Kilmartin. I don't mind paying a little more if I know that I won't have to fight the fitting of every panel. From British Car Specialists catalog it appears that Kilmartin certainly make a complete selection of panels and parts. They claim that the panels are a heavier duty steel also and have the correct fittings where needed. Is this the experience of most people who have used Kilmartin panels? To learn from the experience of others is one of the most valuable assets of these forums. Thanks for your help.

John
 
I've had good luck with both Kilmartin panels and others that were of unidentifiable origin. If you are going to be cutting out anything that has a rolled wire edge or something that will be key for matching an adjacent contour I would choose Kilmartin based on what I've done. Don't forget that often-times you want to cut out the smallest portion of the bad area that you can, and use only that portion of the repair panel. I did not have to cut any rolled wire edges of the wheel arch in repairing 3 out of 4 wings. Even if all you leave is the rolled wire edge you can weld to that and often have less finishing to do in the end. You need only cut out what will get you to solid uncorroded metal you can weld to. It was odd not using 3/4ths of some of the repair panels. They now sit on the shelf with various pieces cut out of them. Hope I never need the remainders. The excess pieces you have left after you cut what you need are also good for doing a few practice welds, and then right on through the finish lead work (or bondo if you must). It was perhaps the most satisfying part of my rebuild (next to firing up the motor and driving the frame down the street).
 
Well John, see what that new vendor on the forum,Adamb, can do for you or go direct to Kilmartin in OZ. Be sure to take into account the shipping and exchange rates in your comparison---Keoke
 
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