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Provided there is solid metal in the surrounding area can the sills be welded in place without removing the body from the frame? Is it true that the sills on a Spifire contribute to the structual integrity of the car more so than other TR's? Anyone have pics of doing a sill replacement on a Spit?
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Spitfire Spitfire sill replacement.....
- Thread starter karls59tr
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I don't have any pictures handy, but you are correct in that the sills contribute an enormous amount of stength to the body. It was even described by some as a "semi-monocoque" construction when it was introduced, as the chassis itself is essentially a backbone. The sills themselves are actually three layers: inner, outer, and a reinforcement in between. Odds are, once the outer sill is off, you'll find that at least the intermediate sill will require some attention as well.
The only way the inside one is any better than the outside is if the outside rusted from lack of paint on the outside and it then rusts outside to in. If the outside rusted from water inside the sill, then the inner is most likely worse. If the floor pan rusted underneath the sills, then all three pieces of the sill are most likely shot. I would replace the stiffener if there is any thinning or holes from the rust at all.
Hardest part of a sill change on a Spitfire is keeping the door opening where it belongs. You cannot overdo the stiffners and refittings during the rebuilding phase. When I redid my passenger side I thought I did it adequately, and wound up with a door that only sort of fit.
The sill holds the firewall, windshield and the door and even in perfect condition is only marginally strong enough.
I would buy new pieces, they aren't that expensive and it saves a lot of time.
At issue is that there is no real way to paint the insides of the sills, a liberal dousing with used engine oil once a season is probably the only way to slow down the tinworm.
Hardest part of a sill change on a Spitfire is keeping the door opening where it belongs. You cannot overdo the stiffners and refittings during the rebuilding phase. When I redid my passenger side I thought I did it adequately, and wound up with a door that only sort of fit.
The sill holds the firewall, windshield and the door and even in perfect condition is only marginally strong enough.
I would buy new pieces, they aren't that expensive and it saves a lot of time.
At issue is that there is no real way to paint the insides of the sills, a liberal dousing with used engine oil once a season is probably the only way to slow down the tinworm.
Mark Jones
Jedi Warrior
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You do not have to remove the body from the frame to replace the sills. I did this job a couple years ago and it wasn't that difficult.
foxtrapper
Jedi Trainee
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Sure, you can weld new sills on with the body on the frame. No reason to take it off, and in fact many reasons not to.
The sill does diddly for the strength of the actual car, as a whole entity. That is the job of the frame, and the sills do little to bolster the rigidity of the car.
But, as a bare body tub, the sills are quite important. Under these conditions, they become the primary structural members.
The sill does diddly for the strength of the actual car, as a whole entity. That is the job of the frame, and the sills do little to bolster the rigidity of the car.
But, as a bare body tub, the sills are quite important. Under these conditions, they become the primary structural members.
Mark Jones
Jedi Warrior
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Andy is correct, the sills are a structural element on a Spitfire. Semi-monocoque is a good description of the Spitfire's body and frame relationship.