mgbrv8 David Hetrick McAllen Texas (78 posts) Registered: 03/09/2008 12:49PM Main British Car: MGBs- 1977,1969 Vettes-1965,1984,2003 ZO6 LS1s in MGs |
Is it worth it
I got my car soda blasted and put a light corrosion inhibitor on it. I was wondering while looking at my spot welder if it was worth adding a few spot welds and if so were. Any comments gentlemen.
Dave |
Moderator Curtis Jacobson Portland Oregon (4577 posts) Registered: 10/12/2007 02:16AM Main British Car: 71 MGBGT, Buick 215 |
Re: Is it worth it
Well... you might get some ideas from this article which shows what areas British Motor Heritage beefs up when they seam weld their Competition Bodyshells:
[www.britishv8.org] |
rficalora Rob Ficalora Willis, TX (2764 posts) Registered: 10/24/2007 02:46PM Main British Car: '76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302 |
Re: Is it worth it
Dave, if you're paying for the work, consider there are quite a few cars without those extra welds that have been driven very "spiritedly" for years without issues. Unless you are planning a very high HP track car, you'd probably be better off spending your money elsewhere. Maybe check with Perry. If any car would find the weak points in the unibody, I'd think his would have.
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mgbrv8 David Hetrick McAllen Texas (78 posts) Registered: 03/09/2008 12:49PM Main British Car: MGBs- 1977,1969 Vettes-1965,1984,2003 ZO6 LS1s in MGs |
Re: Is it worth it
Oh no I have a full personal automotive shop and machine shop at my disposal. Tig and mig in hand Sir. I traded the soda blasting work for some mill and lathe work, I love bartering. I am just looking for hints and direction.
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kerbau53 Geoff Morton Naples, FL (109 posts) Registered: 08/09/2010 10:27PM Main British Car: 78 MGB Ford 5L |
Re: Is it worth it
I don't know if it's worth it but I've gone ahead and done it. I read the article Curtis mentioned and checked the pics. To my somewhat simple mind it seemed a reasonable idea.
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kstevusa kelly stevenson Southern Middle Tennessee (985 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 09:37AM Main British Car: 2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT |
Re: Is it worth it
FWIW, I added sub frame connectors to the rear, they noticeably stiffened the rear suspension. there is an article in the "How it was done" part of the Board. They were welded from the spring hangers to the center X-member. I submit this would be a very positive addition to your project.
SAFETY FASTER! |
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Re: Is it worth it
I had a 2.8 Ford V6 in my GT which it was a full race car for a few years. The engine develop 275 hp 240 lb of torque
The first2 years the cars started to show cracks between the firewall and inner panels and also where the top gets attached to the body in the rear panels. The Gt had a full SCCA spec cage attached as per SCCA. I fix the problem by adding frame extensions and following the the LBC recommendations. If you are going to use a V8 I would say follow those points in the article. Just keep in mind that the rear section of the MGB is not really completed, it is a if the factory got rush to finish the project. From the seat back is the weakest section of the RD. |
britcars Phil Ossinger New Brunswick, Canada (346 posts) Registered: 02/02/2009 07:58PM Main British Car: 1977 MGB Roadster, Rover 3.5 ADVENTURE BEFORE DEMENTIA! |
Re: Is it worth it
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kstevusa kelly stevenson Southern Middle Tennessee (985 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 09:37AM Main British Car: 2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT |
Re: Is it worth it
Great job, Phill mine were very Basic, but made a noticable difference. MERRY CHRISTEMAS ALL!
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Re: Is it worth it
I would just add a diagonal between the two extensions.
YES 1 Merry Christmas to you all and a safe 12 |
mgbrv8 David Hetrick McAllen Texas (78 posts) Registered: 03/09/2008 12:49PM Main British Car: MGBs- 1977,1969 Vettes-1965,1984,2003 ZO6 LS1s in MGs |
Re: Is it worth it
Now would you bolt the cross brace or would you weld it ,classic conversions ?
Dave |
Re: Is it worth it
I would welded to each end and about every other 1" to the floor boards.
The brace would have to just in front of the rear sheet metal brace to clear the drive shaft. |
Re: Is it worth it
BTW you can make your own bracing out of 20 or 22 gauge sheet metal. Once bent in to a box it becomes rigid and light.
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Re: Is it worth it
Many steel places have steel channel of different sizes in this case a 2" or 3" is plenty.
By the thin one channel. Also a sheet metal shop can make you some. |
Moderator Curtis Jacobson Portland Oregon (4577 posts) Registered: 10/12/2007 02:16AM Main British Car: 71 MGBGT, Buick 215 |
Re: Is it worth it
This old article might help... How to Give Your MGB 6-Pack Abs
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rficalora Rob Ficalora Willis, TX (2764 posts) Registered: 10/24/2007 02:46PM Main British Car: '76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302 |
Re: Is it worth it
Mine are probably heavier than needed, but I used 1x3 rectangular tube - 3/16" wall if I recall. You can get it at Metal Supermarkets if there's one by you. They"ll cut it to the length you want (vs having to buy an 8 or 10' piece). I just butted it up to the cross member and welded the three exposed sides. At the spring perches I used a cut-off wheel to trim it so that it saddled the perch and again seem welded. I don't recall why, but I plug welded it to the floor from inside the car every few inches instead of along the edges as Bill suggests. I think I may have had dillusions of it being easier to replace the floor pans if that's ever needed. I did have the body shop use seam sealer along the length when the car was painted.
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BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6470 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Is it worth it
Anything thicker than 20 ga. really is overkill but it doesn't add much weight so whatever you can find is going to be OK. Thicker metal also makes for a good jacking point. I've seen claims that it stiffens the car, maybe it does. Even if not it isn't hard to add, and in any case reinforces the mounting holes for the spring bushing which are prone to wallowing out. I added a reinforcing rib out to the sill on my RD instead, by forming some sheet metal to leave room for access to the bolt, but I only did that on the right hand side. Basically, within reason, anything you do to triangulate in any of the three dimensions is going to add strength. The idea is to add it where it is most needed. The theory on adding this rib is that it will spread out the forces from acceleration and deceleration and cause less flex. It's good theory but the body of the MGB doesn't flex much anyway. Despite that, reinforcement of those particular mounts can't be a bad thing when you double or triple the power. It's sort of like welding the seams. Is it necessary? No. Can it help? Probably. So if you want to do it, there's no real reason not to.
JB |