I do not understand all the fuss. If you have a AH with a rotten chassis
you have two options, may be three:
-Repairing the chassis to its original *optical* condition which will
mean a difficult and lengthy process with success not guaranteed,
introducing many possible stress areas and deformations because of the
cutting and welding and it will never regain its original strength but
it might be to concours standards.
-Getting an original spec replacement chassis, if that is a possibility.
-Getting a new chassis that has been improved upon like the Jules
chassis (there are other suppliers as well I believe) which will also
save the body work by reducing flex, and thus stress cracks in various
panels. (Get it dip galvanized inside and outside before starting to
build up the car)
If you want to fully enjoy driving the car and do not care for concours,
the latter is the option to go for at anytime.
If you want a concours car well good luck on the road ahead cutting and
welding and hope for the best but technically it is the wrong option.
I have a similar situation. The chassis on my old Landrover is shot. In
the past I have had it repaired by fitting a new rear section and
outriggers, however the front is now crumbling and the welding and parts
costs is way more expensive than replacing the full chassis, in my case
with a fully dip galvanized one inside and outside), which will never
give me any bother concerning rust for the rest of my and my children's
life if they want to keep the beast. My new chassis is not build to
original spec as it has several improvements on the original like
thicker gauge, various extra reinforcements, a bolted on cross member
under the transmission (military spec) to aid replacing the gearbox if
needed and is far better welded and put together than the original.
Kees Oudesluijs
NL
[demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type text/x-vcard which had a name of
coudesluijs.vcf]
_______________________________________________
Healeys@autox.team.net
Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
Suggested annual donation $12.75
Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
|