Up-date on "Statler"

[apbos]

Update on "Statler"

Well, I'm back from a great vacation in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. Friday I stopped in at Dan's (Tinman58) and picked up some large patch pieces (Thanks Dan!!!!! :thumbsup. Today it was quite at work and hot so I turned up the AC in the garage and went at the rear fenders! I broke 2 bolts and learned a lot about the car.

I think "Statler" original color was Black with Red trim (I have yet to get a Heritage Certificate). Seems I know of another early TR3a in the same color combination! Don Elliot I may need lots of pictures! I think my frame was originally white and then oversprayed with black in some locations. I guess this all could be conjecture until I get the HC. The doglegs look ok under the stone guards but I have tinworm in the inner fender wells. I think the car sat full of leaves and that pile caused the rust out. I'll get out the grinder with the wire brush and give it a test on Tuesday. I sure hope I do not need to repair the doglegs or outer rockers!

Paul

 

[apbos]

Re: Update on "Statler"

P.S. I still have not made up my mind if I should make the car a front tilt. I the car was originally Black it will put my body work to the test!

 

[apbos]

Re: Update on "Statler"

Looks like we have some patching to do............

 

[tinman58]

Re: Update on "Statler"

Hey Paul
That doesn't look to bad, buttttt I would really like to see what the main support rails under the rockers look like. Can you get a photo from under the car or probe around with a ice pick? I don't remember at what point you saw my "new" donor body but this is what was hidden under the rockers. I think that one good pot hole and the car would have broke in two. Remember that I have a 4 foot brake and plenty of 16 ga, steel to fab up new rails like I did on TS 37148L.

 

[apbos]

Re: Update on "Statler"

Dan
You are making me nervous!!!!!!!!!!. I'll be cutting out the rusted section to get a better look and clean up the inside. More pictures as they become available.

Paul
P.S.
Working on the door wood this evening.

 

[TR4nut]

Re: Update on "Statler"

Not to steal this thread too much, but a question for Dan: what gauge are you using for the other patches? 18 or thinner?

Thanks!
Randy

 

[tinman58]

Re: Update on "Statler"

Randy
I am using 16 ga for the main rails and 20 or 22 ga for the other patches (eaiser to weld)

 

[TR4nut]

Re: Update on "Statler"

Thanks Dan- I have a sheet of 22 gauge but I was thinking it looked a little thin compared to the inner fenders. 20 gauge I bet matches up pretty well.

 

[apbos]

Re: Update on "Statler"

Good news!!!!!!!!!
Opened up both sides and the inner rails are solid :banana:.

Just filled with tree leaves etc.......

My plan is clean the area, apply navel jelly then paint with POR15. Leave it open until after media blasting the the tub and then patch. What do you think?????


Paul

 

[tinman58]

Re: Update on "Statler"

Awesome Paul!!
That saves a LOT of work. The metal looks alot better than I thought it would.

 

[apbos]

Re: Update on "Statler" Aug 21

Progress! :banana:
Well the passenger floor is out and the inner sills are in great shape and I've cut out the rust on the fire wall. What I found was kind of shocking. The spot welds to the inner sills were only about 3 mm in diameter every 2 inches and it pealed off very easy! The prop cover was a little tougher but total time to clean out the rot was only about 2 hours.

Question to the group. How do I clean and prep the metal under the rear floor to prepare it for spot welding to the new floor? Since the car is still on the frame access to the metal is limited.

Thanks
Paul