In a message dated 8/17/10 10:55:11 PM, healeys-request@autox.team.net
writes:
> Mark, I cannot tell you how many times I have seen these types of repairs
> come
> through my shop.They do not work. Patching a chassis is just
> irresponsible.
> Your chassis is suffering from what is known as a compression buckle. Your
> chassis is sagging. This problem occurs in most Healeys. If your out
> riggers
> are rotted this only makes it worse. Welding strips of steel on the
> chassis
> will make it weaker. I know that will upset many on this site but that is
> true.
> The upper structure cannot be relied upon to strengthen the lower
> structure,
> this would be a mistake. The connecting points offer very little
> torsional
> rigidity. These repairs offer short term resolution.
> The Healey frame is a ladder monoque design, it does not provide torsional
> rigidity due to the light weight of the steel originally used . Torsional
> rigidity is essential to provide panel fit and handling. Patching as you
> are
> suggesting will lead to acceleration of structural failures in the
> performance and handling of the Austin Healey.
> In 27 years of doing Healey structures I have yet to have one of our Jule
> frames fail like the original chassis.
> If you choose to repair the chassis please
> be fair and disclose this at time
> of sale. It is a legal requirement in Ontario and elsewhere that a patched
> frame must be disclosed to a potential buyer.
> Happy Healeying Marty www.jule-enterprises.com
>
Do we really condone advertorials on this list? This is nothing but an
advertise masquerading as advice. I realized that Marty at Jule beleives that
his replacement design to the original Healey frame is what Donald and Geoff
would have done had they been as smart as him, but the fact is that there are
excellent replacement frames available done to the original design. In any
case, just because a frame sags doesn't prima facie prove that it must be
replaced. Many restorer/rebuilders do excellent jobs of repairing frames to
original specifications if they aren't too far gone.
That having been said, I think there is general agreement that patches are
not the way to go.
Gary
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