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Keoke said:
Yep. That's what big ol' cardboard boxes are for: Receipts. Check 'em, file 'em, forget 'em. You'll get divorced otherwise.
R.
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Rust hole wisdom
- Thread starter jjbunn
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Yep. That's what big ol' cardboard boxes are for: Receipts. Check 'em, file 'em, forget 'em. You'll get divorced otherwise.
R.
Jack_Long
Jedi Hopeful
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I redid my doglegs myself using 3M structural adhesive. The outer rocker panels behind mine were holed (as I am sure yours are) but the inner membrane and sill were still OK. I welded patches on the inner rockers but chose to glue the outer dogleg repair panels to get a nicer finish (my welds ain't much to look at).
I wrote an article for my local club newsletter on this: here is a link:
https://www.mgsofbaltimore.com/images/stories/Octagram/octagram-sep-oct05.pdf
I wrote an article for my local club newsletter on this: here is a link:
https://www.mgsofbaltimore.com/images/stories/Octagram/octagram-sep-oct05.pdf
Monark192
Jedi Warrior
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Try thinking in Car Units instead of dollars. This works with my boat and makes things a lot less painful. The commonly used exchange rate is One Car Unit = $100. Your rust repair might now only cost 10 car units - sounds much better. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
Of course, those facing an extremely expensive repair might consider the inflation adjusted car units where one car unit = $1000.
Of course, those facing an extremely expensive repair might consider the inflation adjusted car units where one car unit = $1000.
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That's a good job, Jack.
R.
R.
terriphill
Darth Vader
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My father is into woodworking and carpentry. My mom is into quilting. Both have spent so much time and money on their hobbies, I couldn't even guess how much ( I know they took an "Antique Tool Tour" of Europe last year to search for antique tools) Anyway, they don't get the "car thing" Dad is always saying, you should sell it and cut your losses. Its not about money, a hobby never is. Its about spending time together, arguing, getting excited when it turns over, enjoying the weather and dreaming of the day we can get behind the wheel. But, once its finished...you know we will start over. That's what a hobby is.
OP
jjbunn
Jedi Knight
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terriphill said:
Yes, agreed. But there is a limit, right? For me, if I feel that it's getting too expensive, it starts to etch away at my enjoyment. A few hundred bucks here and there once in a while is fine, but outlays of thousands give me pause. Also, with things like non-structural bodywork, it's all about cosmetics. And although I don't want to be driving around in a visible wreck, I am much more interested in the mechanical restoration and tuning etc..
19_again
Jedi Warrior
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Well I'm new here so I don't want to attract too much attention, but I gotta say I LOVE the "car units"!!!!!!
I don't know the meaning yet to the starwars characters, but anybody smart enough to come up with car units sure ought to be worthy of consideration as more than just a Jedi Hopeful.
Long Live the Car Unit.
I don't know the meaning yet to the starwars characters, but anybody smart enough to come up with car units sure ought to be worthy of consideration as more than just a Jedi Hopeful.
Long Live the Car Unit.
tony barnhill
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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Ah, the starwars characters....they don't mean anything.... just a fun little thing.
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My car financing is all in terms of gigs. Normal going rate is about $100 per show, so a $1000 worth of work would be about 10 gigs. Depending on the season, that's either a couple of weeks or a few months. Puts a nice perspective on it for me, and I don't have to worry about adding it all up. I know what I paid for the car, and what's it is probably worth now. The rest that I spent was just in the interest of pursuing one of my passions, and that's good enough for me.
terriphill
Darth Vader
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jjbunn Yes said:
OP
jjbunn
Jedi Knight
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Oh yes, agreed ... but in the case of a kitchen you are probably going to see a return on your expenditure as the value of your house increases more than the cost of the upgrade.
As hobbies go, this is the most expensive one I've dabbled in. I used to build my own loudspeakers, but never spent more than a hundred dollars or so on the drivers and wood.
Anyway, I don't want to end up sounding like Scrooge, but the estimates of $1000 or more for patching Harold's rust hole jolted me a bit
As hobbies go, this is the most expensive one I've dabbled in. I used to build my own loudspeakers, but never spent more than a hundred dollars or so on the drivers and wood.
Anyway, I don't want to end up sounding like Scrooge, but the estimates of $1000 or more for patching Harold's rust hole jolted me a bit
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It IS daunting. Bodywork cost has increased exponentially over the last decade or so. "Environmental Impact" issues have found the industry retooling to meet compliance reg's; meeting materials expenses' skyrocketing rates.
"DIY" is not impossible but requires tool expenditures and learning which will likely cost MORE than a commerical job on one LBC. As a for-instance: A gallon of epoxy primer/hardner is well in excess of $100. A single stage polyurethane (color coat, no clearcoat) top coat paint is about the same per gallon. Add in the equipment to properly apply the materials, various welding, finishing tools and materials for doing the prep work... time and patience to learn the techniques to do a proper job... It scares ME when I think about it. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
These cars can't be considered an "investment". NO car is... unless it has a prancing horse or $imilar badge onna nose. Even then it can be dicey. It's more like pet ownership: you're responsible for Care & Feeding... if there's enjoyment in the experience to outweigh the expense, it can be fun. If it becomes a chore or burden, it's time to 'pull the string'.
You're in a high population density area, and a car crazy one to boot. Get with Steve_S, some of the area owners, find the LBC friendly bunch and get some recommended local shops to give you an eval from a good 'survey'.
Sorry for the diatribe. I got carried away. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
"DIY" is not impossible but requires tool expenditures and learning which will likely cost MORE than a commerical job on one LBC. As a for-instance: A gallon of epoxy primer/hardner is well in excess of $100. A single stage polyurethane (color coat, no clearcoat) top coat paint is about the same per gallon. Add in the equipment to properly apply the materials, various welding, finishing tools and materials for doing the prep work... time and patience to learn the techniques to do a proper job... It scares ME when I think about it. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
These cars can't be considered an "investment". NO car is... unless it has a prancing horse or $imilar badge onna nose. Even then it can be dicey. It's more like pet ownership: you're responsible for Care & Feeding... if there's enjoyment in the experience to outweigh the expense, it can be fun. If it becomes a chore or burden, it's time to 'pull the string'.
You're in a high population density area, and a car crazy one to boot. Get with Steve_S, some of the area owners, find the LBC friendly bunch and get some recommended local shops to give you an eval from a good 'survey'.
Sorry for the diatribe. I got carried away. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
Scott_Hower
Luke Skywalker
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jjbunn said:
Agree. But while the hole in the dogleg is not structural, what is lurking underneath most certainly is. If the rot has eaten through the dogleg, your sills are shot. No iffs ands or butts.
OP
jjbunn
Jedi Knight
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Good advice, Doc: thanks.
There's a guy called Jim on Colorado Blvd. who has been repairing British sports cars for 30 years. I may take it to him for an opinion. I passed by his shop when I first got Harold: he had an old Rolls, a couple of Midgets, and several other old cars in there I couldn't immediately identify. Oh, and an old Bread Van ... looked 1930s vintage. He told me that that was originally from New Zealand!
There's a guy called Jim on Colorado Blvd. who has been repairing British sports cars for 30 years. I may take it to him for an opinion. I passed by his shop when I first got Harold: he had an old Rolls, a couple of Midgets, and several other old cars in there I couldn't immediately identify. Oh, and an old Bread Van ... looked 1930s vintage. He told me that that was originally from New Zealand!
Jack_Long
Jedi Hopeful
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I guess mine was the exception, then.
My doglegs and the ends of the outer sills (rocker panels) under them were rusted through, but the inner membrane (piece with the triangular reinforcements) and inner sill were fine - just light surface rust. The outer sill (rocker panel) is more cosmetic than structural; the real strength comes from those center and inner pieces.
I really don't think I am alone; the car in this Chicagoland MG Club tech session was in virtually the same shape as mine. They patched the outer sill and welded their dogleg in but the situation they faced was the same as mine and it most certainly did not require a complete sill replacement. Here is that link:
https://www.chicagolandmgclub.com/driveline00/0500/dogleg.html
I would encourage anyone to dig into their car and see how far the rot has advanced before they throw up their hands and commit to a complete sill replacement. Or to abandoning the car.
My doglegs and the ends of the outer sills (rocker panels) under them were rusted through, but the inner membrane (piece with the triangular reinforcements) and inner sill were fine - just light surface rust. The outer sill (rocker panel) is more cosmetic than structural; the real strength comes from those center and inner pieces.
I really don't think I am alone; the car in this Chicagoland MG Club tech session was in virtually the same shape as mine. They patched the outer sill and welded their dogleg in but the situation they faced was the same as mine and it most certainly did not require a complete sill replacement. Here is that link:
https://www.chicagolandmgclub.com/driveline00/0500/dogleg.html
I would encourage anyone to dig into their car and see how far the rot has advanced before they throw up their hands and commit to a complete sill replacement. Or to abandoning the car.