Restoring a bj7 floor issues

[steve burton]

Hi Guy
Can you help
i am restoring a bj7 Healey and i need a bit of tech help
i have 2 tech question
first is there a measurement for the front main floor which sit in the out riggers? the front edge is not straight and tappers away towards the gear box
the heel floor is straight
so is they a gap dose it touch at the sill edge and then gap opens out toward the gear box
i cant check the other side as the floor are rusted away

tech question 2
i am replacing the front heel section and the inner and outer side panels
with the inner panel (gearbox tunnel) side in place it seams to lift the front body tub away from the chassis
it seams the panel it 13mm to tall is it comman that these panels need a bit of fetling

ps the front tube is sitting on a new chassis
all parts purchase fro head 4 healey

i hope i have explained it well

 

[bob hughes]

Steve

I have replaced my floor on the BJ7, the panels came from AH Spares.

In answer to question one, I just took the bull by the horns and sort of centred it on both outriggers, there was enough of a landing on the outriggers front and back to allow me to do so. But, first I reinforced the end of the tear drop recess to accommodate the floor seat belt fixing, there was enough metal on the old floor to show me what had been done so I drew up some templates and went from there.

In answer to question 2 - I did not have to install the side panels, but I did install a big chunk of the foot well panels and they just dropped in with a bit of judicial trimming around the inner sills. Some panels may need to be adjusted. If you are replacing the outer panels are you replacing the A post as well? This would be major work as the doors are hung off them and the shut lines could be affected. How were the shut lines before you started, if they were good I would recommend welding in some temporary supports to keep everything in place. What about the inner sills? are they in good condition?



Bob

 

[steve burton]

Hi Bob
Thanks for your reply
yes i am replacing the whole side panel and the A post ,Cant check door gap as i have no wings yet Car came stripped
would you recommend ordering some wing and fitting the doors
i will temp fit A post with a few spot welded until i get some wings .I know the whole car is built around the doors

 

[Csarneson]

Your post is very difficult to read and therefore difficult to understand. I'm not trying to criticize but it's tough to try to help.

I welded the inner and outer sills (I think you are calling them side panels) together into one unit before attaching to the doglegs. They attach at 4 locations. First they are aligned where they fit the doglegs. Next they weld on the two wheel wells using the folded tabs. You will not want to weld on the rockers until you have doors and wings. attached. I just masked off that area on my sills for painting and will spot weld them on later.

It might help if you take a picture of your alignment problems. Have you checked some of the online photo archives for the areas you are struggling with. Andrea on this site has an extensive photo library and his work was well done. There are many others.