rusty the clown.

[grinder]

on the INSIDE there is just sound deadening - so you could stick some back - but i didnt bother

like i said - on the inside it just got 2 coats of hammerite - let it dry and put the carpet back

the inside is the easy bit - although thats where my probs began - one i opened the holes on the inside - i ended up smashing thru the bottom of the floor

to be honest looking back - im glad i did - the welding still looks neat and it should be solid for a good few years

gonna get it back up on ramps and give it another few coats of underseal - at a £5 a tin from halfords ( with added waxoyl ) its cheap proventative maintenance

and even after 3-4 months its still tacky

if you can leave the car where it is to weld it make it soooooooooo much easier - i spent loads of time just moving the car up and down the drive

IF you have the space - get the car off the floor on 4 axle stands and work like that - makes it nice and easy ( in a fashion ) and you have a lot of clearance to get your head under and look round

whilst its like that check the front wheel bearings ( they are adjustable and come loose over time )

and get some underseal in the back arches

that should keep you going for the next week fews !!

it took me about 7 full days to weld mine together - but in real time it was about 7 weeks

good luck and you know where i am if you need me !!

Stu

[Brett]

Another tip, jack up one side as far as you can and get it blocked. As a rule its easier to lift one side2ft than it is to lift the whole car 10".  Once you\'ve done one side just drop it down and repeat the proceedure.  My reasoniung being, the more comfortable you are the less likely you are to make a mistake.

[Grizzly]

My advice would be flame proof Overalls,Gloves, Boots etc and tape the gloves to the overalls and tape boots to overalls. Whilst wearing them of course.

You will know why i say this if you forget to do it and it drips on you whilst welding it up.

[Brett]

Ouch......

[FD3SNuttah]

I have most of the tools now. i got some thick leather/suade gloves and a pair of overalls, i dont have the jacket but i think i will be ok, besides if you dont hurt yourself doing something means your not working hard enough! i already have the hammer with the ball on one end, grinder, wire brush drill attachment, assortment of chisels, a welder, all i need now is some 1mm thick metal and some welding rods and that drilla ttachment which allows you to cut through metal, or i could use the electric saw i suppose.. rods shouldnt be a problem, theres like a guage on the welder which tells you the best rods to use for the current/metal thickness. i have managed to get a sheet of mild steel 2mx1m 1mm thick for £18 be picking that up in the next couple of days.

Answer to a few questions by Stu...

Bought the car off ebay,  didnt have an MOT, i knew it needed work, mainly body work. the engine ran and started cold and hot with no problems,. I drove it and it went like a rocket down the road - fell in love didnt i!!!

I bought it for 700 quid, and so far i have spent about 250 quid on transportation, tools, plugs, and various parts. after the welding is done i am going to prep it for painting which i can do myself, (done a car a few years back) and im going to pay a guy i know to spray him up cos i want a pro finish. all in all it should cost me around 1500 quid on the road, including exhaust and if everything goes ok with the MOT.
 
i did a compression test and got 7\'s all round. well only just slightly lower than a 7 on the rear rotor. so theres plenty of life in the engine. i was intending to buy it fix it sell it. but now the bug has bitten so im thinking about keeping it as a weekend toy.

I hope this welding goes well, its the only bit i wasnt sure about. but im glad you lot talked me into doing it myself, cos 300 quid is a lot of money for something you can do yourself!


Nas

[Brett]

I may be being thick, but I didnt see mention of safety glasses or a welding mask in your list Nas.

[Grizzly]

Don\'t forget somthing to put out fires (better to be safe than sorry)

And the tape bit is quite inportant. its ok having fire proof gloves is the hot stuff is on the out side

[FD3SNuttah]

haha, wouldnt say thick mate, "there is no more an important rule than these - safety glasses!" - that dude from new yankee workshop.

yeh i do have the safety glasses. that goes without saying doesnt it!    :cool

[grinder]

"SAFETY FIRST , DIY SECOND"

harry from QVC

best thing for putting out fires - old fairy washing up liquid bottle - you can squeeze and then direct the water to the exact spot !

bargain car though matey !!

so how come you need the back lights ??

ta

stu

i welded mine , in a t-shirt , no mask , no googles etc... - i found they got in the way - but i DONT recommend this

[FD3SNuttah]

the poor car was vandalised as it was stood waiting for work to be done to it to pass the mot. the mirrors were smashed off, rear lights smashed, there are names scratched into the paint work and also its been dented and bits of kit were pulled off it too. bit of a sorry state when i saw it. There was also an attempted break in, but i hpi\'d it and there is no stolen recovery. The guy  i bought it off said that he was going to work on it himself but lost the will to do it in the end...

I have acquired a bargain set of old style lights cos i couldnt look at the car on my drive in such a state. really need the s5 style round kouki ones!

edit -- BTW im not planning on setting the car on fire! but will have a bucket of water near by and a blanket to use to dowse flames! ahh i seen welding being done before it didnt look that difficult, and the guy must have ha big balls cos he wasnt even wearing a shirt, and was using the "close your eyes" method!

[grinder]

i use the "close eyes" method aswell

but thats cause i couldnt get the mask under the car

still a bargain car though - just a shame to see it in that state

will it be ready for the wakefield meet thingy

[FD3SNuttah]

dont worry grinder soon i will be resurecting this rx! I had a go at it last night and chipped away the sound deadening,

lemme get something straight yeh.



ok the floor goes right out to the outter sill, and then i weld the inner sill using a l- shaped piece?

[Brett]

Looks about right, you may have more luck by measuring up and welding the L shaped section to the floor piece b4 you begin, its hard to say with out actually being there.

[grinder]

hey - thats really annoying i did a huge reply to that and its not here - gutted

simple gist was

yeah do that

[FD3SNuttah]

pmsl , yeh annoying when that happens! cheers guys.