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Reinforcing Wheel Arches

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tiiM5

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I am getting my car ready for paint (taking much longer than anticipated) and part of the process is welding reinforcement rod in the arches.
Attached are some pics of the process. Rod stock formed using pipe bender tool and follow up on vise by hand ultimately welded in place with vise grips and clamps. The fender in pic needs some work as it was hit years ago but is coming into shape.
Lots of hours spent on project which as we all are aware are precious to find.

Anyone know where I can purchase original material so I can reface my dashboard?
 

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Dash material in a BE is the same as the rest of the interior and should come with a re-upholster kit.

Kurt
 
Or take a sample from your seats / new upholstery kit down to a local quality Reupholstery Shop. They have books and books of sample fabric. Bring your female better half as she will not be color blind. You will be able to get an exact match on texture and color. I was able to get a yard of fabric x 55' width with shipping for less than $40 IIRC. Maybe a little more but bring a sample.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I am concerned as the grain on the material seems to be 'finer' than most I have seen at vendors.
I was thinking if any vendor still sells Hardura material they might have the dash material as well?
 
Check out Newton Commercial. They make upholstery kits for many cars, including custom designs, and will send you samples if you think you found something close. That's where I got all the upholstery done for the Morris I just restored.

https://www.newtoncomm.co.uk/home/
 
Always easier the second time around.
Made a forming jig after tracing the arch on cardboard. Made the job so much easier, able to form the 3/8" rod stock with minor effort.
The fit was close and tight which allowed for much easier welding on this side.
 

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What color are you looking for? I have some black (that came from a fellow BCFer) that I won't be using as my car will have a red interior. I'm happy to pass it on.
 
Drew,
Black is the original color, I am happy to purchase from you.
PM me when you have the opportunity.
Thanks!
 
What a great idea for the forming jug. I will keep that in mind before I go to Paint On Bugsy IV.
 
Take a trip ti Joanne's Fabric you might find a black with the grain you are looking for. As a side note, I was in Menlo Park the other day. If we get lucky my oldest will get accepted to Stanford, which will mean frequent visits if you need any help.
Paul
 
Paul, best of luck with your oldest. I'm a stones throw from the campus.
I'll see if there is a Joanne's Fabrics in this area.
 
Redwood City. Download a coupon before you go:smile:
 
I don't have any cracks but will reinforce before paint as I'm going front tilt.
 
As I am going in for paint next spring.
I assume that the reinforcing of the arches is a good idea for reverse hinged bonnets to protect the paint from cracking due to bonnet flexing when open.
I will probably use t angle steel that I can heat and form to the curve before welding to the bonnet. Thinking of 3/8 X3/8 or maybe 1/2.
Input is welcomed as to the right material
 
Joe,

While reinforcing the wheel arch for a front tilt setup is a good idea, it really is not the main factor for the fractures; usually, they already exist. Most cars with fractured wheel arches are so due to the stress fatigue caused by lifting the very heavy nose from the front over the years. I'm quite sure there is actually more weight on the forward side of the wheel arch the the rear side. Next time you have one off, try lifting the front or rear independently, and you'll see what I mean. Hinging from the front probably puts less stress on the apex of the arch than the factory hinge, but with sheet metal this old and a pending paint job, why not take the opportunity to prevent possible damage in the future.

Joe Schlosser said:
As I am going in for paint next spring.
I assume that the reinforcing of the arches is a good idea for reverse hinged bonnets to protect the paint from cracking due to bonnet flexing when open.
I will probably use t angle steel that I can heat and form to the curve before welding to the bonnet. Thinking of 3/8 X3/8 or maybe 1/2.
Input is welcomed as to the right material
Click to expand...
 
So what was the trick to getting it to fit the curve. Start clamping and then more clamps. I'm trying to imagine doing this without introducing a kink in the metal. Thanks. An intermediate Picture along the way would be nice to show how the magic happened. Is heat the key?
 
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