super structures to new frame & other Q's...

[timbn2]

if anyone has had to do this i would greatly appreciate your experience and advice...

it will be better to replace my chassis than to repair. I understand that it will be difficult and time consuming to put my old superstructures onto a new frame, but it will need to be done. I do not plan on doing it myself, or at least not alone...so:

when fitting the super structures to a new chassis would it be better to use locating measurements off the old frame and then tweak as needed, or should i do something like try and do all panel and body work on the old frame and place the super structures according to panel fit?

is there a "best way" for something like this? Other than to pay someone else to do it...(which I'm actually working on)?

advice?

thanks gents!

Tim

 

[BN1L_156424]

FWIW, When I had my front cross member replaced, I was told they welded a temporary piece behind it. Then removed and replaced the cross member. So if you can put in a temporary piece, thats what the pros do.

-j

 

[Keoke]

Re: super structures to new frame & other Q's...

Hi TimBN2, fitting a new front cross member is a piece of cake . However, fitting the Healey chassis on to a new frame is a bear. If you can get professional help it will make the job a lot easier. There are specific welding techniques that must be used to avoid warpage. Why not talk to Big Wilson in "Oregon" to help you out.--Fwiw--Keoke

 

[BlueRidge2]

Tim, How bad is your original chassis? Seems to me if you are going to the expense of buying a new chassis and paying someone to put it together you may end up spending more money than you would if you bought a finished car. If you can how about posting some pictures of your chassis and see what the other forum members opinions would be on repairing it. Just a thought. Bob

 

[timbn2]

Re: super structures to new frame & other Q's...

Keoke - Who and where is Big Wilson?

Bob - i will post some pics. i have had a reputable Healey restorer look at it and cringe /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/eek.gif . It can be done but... for the money and overall durability and longevity i think a new frame would be a better platform to start with.

Granted, after seening the pics that i will post soon, if anyone has any better suggestions or knows of good people to repair the old frame... im open!!!

 

[Keoke]

Re: super structures to new frame & other Q's...

Keoke who and where is big wilson?? Oh Big Wilson be at " Healey Lane" in Marcola Oregon. and Bill Bolton is also down there in Oregon. Who looked at your car up there?---Keoke

 

[timbn2]

Keoke who and where is big wilson?? Oh Big Wilson be at " Healey Lane" in Marcola Oregon. and Bill Bolton is also down there in Oregon. Who looked at your car up there?---Keoke

Sean Johnson in Okanogan. He has a concourse gold Healey resto under his belt as well as other top notch british jobs. Roger Moment is familar with his work and had nothing bad to say about him.

Uploading pics now....

 

[timbn2]

here are the pics:
I don't think i need to point out the issues... what do you guys think?

This one is the "straight" passenger side...

This is the drivers side...

This is the "divet" made by the rear axle

 

[Keoke]

Yep that fella has been bent up and rusted out pretty bad.---Keoke

 

[timbn2]

Yep that fella has been bent up and rusted out pretty bad.---Keoke

Once again, the pinnicle of inspiration! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/savewave.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rolleyes.gif

 

[Cutlass]

It's apparently been wrecked in the front, and probably the rear too. While a frame machine might be able to get the twist out, the significant rust (and old patch) around the cruciform just don't give me a whole lot of confidence in that frame. How about a complete new chassis? Problem with that, though, is getting the body panels to fit. You might be better off finding a less rusted driver.

 

[Keoke]

Re: super structures to new frame & other Q's...

Keoke who and where is big wilson?? Oh Big Wilson be at " Healey Lane" in Marcola Oregon. and Bill Bolton is also down there in Oregon. Who looked at your car up there?---Keoke

Sean Johnson in Okanogan. He has a concourse gold Healey resto under his belt as well as other top notch british jobs. Roger Moment is familar with his work and had nothing bad to say about him.

Uploading pics now....

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/savewave.gif Inspiration!!

OH my goodness that fella Sean is the BEES Knees on the Healey go with him and take his advice like gospel.--Keoke--- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/hammer.gif

Yep, and he also has a Wankel powered 100 with Rack and pinion under his belt too. Worked concourse with him many years ago.

P.S. That Frame you showed me ain't worth SOD!

 

[timbn2]

i guess one other option is to make a solid jig and replace just that drives side rail and the X brace. that would take care of most of the damage. the rest should fall under the "easier" category, comparatively.

 

[Cutlass]

If it were the last chassis available, then I'd do whatever was necessary. But that frame damage might make it impossible ever to achieve reasonable front end alignment. Not to mention very questionable structural integrity. It can be done, but is it really worth it, when other options are available?

 

[timbn2]

If it were the last chassis available, then I'd do whatever was necessary. But that frame damage might make it impossible ever to achieve reasonable front end alignment. Not to mention very questionable structural integrity. It can be done, but is it really worth it, when other options are available?

Hence, the original question of refitting the existing super structures to a new kilmartin frame, which i would prefer to do...

 

[Johnny]

Or, you can just hand it over to Martin "Jule" and let him provide you with a "sturdier than original" frame at less cost. I've seen some of his work and it's exceptional.

 

[Keoke]

Or, you can just hand it over to Martin "Jule" and let him provide you with a "sturdier than original" frame at less cost. I've seen some of his work and it's exceptional.

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif-----------------------------------Keoke

 

[RestoreThemAll]

I wrestled with the question of replace or repair the frame on my BJ8 for years. I looked into correcting the old frame on my own. The more that I learned the more I found that it takes a very skilled Healey guy to fix a frame. I purchased a Jule frame. I had Jule replace a few rusted pieces and mount the superstructure. The frame and inner panels are thicker and stronger than the originals. They also fixed my aluminum shrouds and then mounted and aligned all of the body panels. Everything fits perfectly, better than new! I'm very pleased. At least call and talk to Martin before you decide. Tell Martin and Don that Dale said Hi, eh.

Martin Jansen, owner of Jule Enterprise:
905-854-3555
https://jule-enterprises.com/
Rockwood, Ontario Canada
20th Side Road
Off the Guelf line

 

[RestoreThemAll]

Correction, I have a BJ7 not 8. I've owned it for over 30 years. Typo.

 

[Healeybird]

I might as well toot Martin's Jule Frame horn as well. Just finished my BJ7. My restoration guys that have driven and restored Healey's for 30 years were sold on this as the way to go. Not only was it effective for restoration but they were really impressed by how much more stable the car was to drive. FWIW

HB