gunman Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Tonight I began the fist of what I thought was 'preservation' of my manta. As always I found more tin worm than expected The worst is the front of the chassis rails and front panel. The near side being the worst. Anyone got a scrapper with good rails? Who am I kidding[][][] The gaurds and inner gaurds are fine. Engine and gearbox to come out at the weekend. What have I done[:0]? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 i reckon I'm gonna have to cut the front grill off to sort the rust. Also looks like a replacement front lower panel is in place at some point (there's blue metalic paint). just ordered a spot weld drill bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 The front sure seemed the worst Mark, hopefully the rest of the car is 99% fine, well we didnt find much anywhere else, and the chassis legs underneath the car look mint [] http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 Yeah, the rest of the car looks good. But I did find some rot on the N/S chassis leg at the mounting point[] Should be able to weld a patch tho. I take it ther's something solid in the leg at this point as I cant actually push a screwdriver through. Took teh N/S wing off after the photo's, nothing to worry about here, the gaurd and inner gaurd is 100%. Just needs some rust eater (ordered 1l of jenolite) and paint. Around the headlights needs attention too. I just went to a garage that had a dismantled manta outside a few months ago, there is another one now, a silver gte coupe. Chassis legs are bad as well tho[]. Still the guy said that the owner broke a few mantas and had a load of parts. [] Here's hoping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 Just phoned this dude. Going up after work. He says he has a good front panel. That would make my life alot easier[]. Says I can look around and see if I can find anything useful[]. gidnt mention price tho! Wish me luck...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 front panel not in bad order, some scale rust. has cross member and first 6 inches of rails att'd...£40. Not bad but dont know it it will be any use. I will need closer to the first 2 feet of the rails to make a good job. they have been welded before but have rotted through again. The ones on the car i looked at are a lot better but will need some patches. Still an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 progressing: either need to weld a load of patches or a front panel. someone has already replaced the lower section of the panel. Robbie: got a mail from paul, but he hasn't got any rails[]. Thanks anyway. I may have to make some. the front panel i can get has the very front anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted November 16, 2005 Author Share Posted November 16, 2005 I've now been offered this silver coupe shell. Still has front suspension etc. although it would have to go in the driveway and I dont think the wife would be too happy. Wouldnt mind buts its far too cold to live in a tent![] PS: it was a non sunroof with a good roof but some idiot has lifted it by the roof[]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Try the scrappie for Cav ones you prob get what you need of them to match. http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted November 20, 2005 Author Share Posted November 20, 2005 Robbie: dont think many scrappies around here would have a mk 1 cav. Got the front pannel yesterday, also asked if I could take the section of rails from the scrapper gte. The guy came out with an air chisel and whacked the first 2 feet of the car off for me. I had a go myself and it was excellent fun. Rails are quite bad but at least I can see what shape they are meant to be. Got most of the front of the car stripped now. need to remove the front panel. It seems a lot of replacement for little rot there in the first place but its the easiest solution. Looks like I will have to remove the 4 slot grill to be able to rust proof tho! anybody else done this? Heres a couple more pics for anyone who's interested: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 Out of interest what year is your car?. Just a little advice for you, if you can graft new parts to replace rotten items you will keep the strength in the car, example don't remove your front panel if the main panel is good enough you can repair it. Must admit not seen the front of a chassis that bad before though. At least it's accessible. Difficult to tell off the pics but it looks in pretty good shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 I'd guess at an 85 B reg looking at it... Big job there, just do one bit at a time and dont cut too much off at once or as Ian says it'll lose its strength and shape. Mick OMOC 5924 1980 Black Berlinetta Coupe 2.0 SRI Project 1985 White GT/E 1986 1.8 Hatch spares (see classifieds) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted November 20, 2005 Author Share Posted November 20, 2005 It's an 84 B reg! not a bad quess tho! It is in very good shape apart fron at the front, the rear arches are almost blemish free, the boot floo is like new, the floor pan is 100%. Just the front end and a couple of small plates on the sills, car has done 57k miles and drives (well did drive) like new. To be honest I expected to find a lot worse when i took the gaurds off but all I found was this: I intend to drop the back axle out as well and strip the car underneath, treat with jenolite, prime with 'low rost (yes rost)' primer and hamerite! As I said I want to preserve this car! Ian, I'm not sure I understand your advice! Do you mean to try to repair the panel rather than replace. I had thought of cutting/drilling sections off the good panel to repair this one. at the very least I will have to remove the 4 slot just to get access to the front panel for welding. I must admit to being concerned about strength as the front crossmember will have to come off during chassis repairs. The front panel will be off too (not at the same time tho!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 If your front panel is generally good then try to keep it original and repair the affected areas. I would plate the chassis too, as long as you take time to graft your plates in nice you'll hardly notice it. That little area under the washer bottle could be tricky. Bit of a bad place there. Stuarts went from a 50mm sqaure hole to around 100mm by 150mm and holes in the pedal box. If you look under the dash you'll see where the condensation sits/hangs, this is a common Manta problem. Suggest you brush primer it and hammerite over ot to protect it for the future. Check under the battery tray too. Been there bought the tee shirt and the video!!!. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 You call that a hole???[] Thats a hole!!![] Its not an easy place to repair properly, it overlaps, curves, is stepped and is generally a pain to do neatly. I managed but its not as good as it should be. Mick OMOC 5924 1980 Black Berlinetta Coupe 2.0 SRI Project 1985 White GT/E 1986 1.8 Hatch spares (see classifieds) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted November 20, 2005 Author Share Posted November 20, 2005 Ian: the battery tray looks like it did the day it left the factory! I really dont think there is much to worry about at the washer bottle either. The problem with the rails is that they have been plated already and over the top of the rotten panels. It has eaten through again and to be honest it's an awful mess[]. I was planning on drilling the spotwelds and welding in the lower section only. Mick: That looks as bad as the rotten gte coupe I cut the front end off yesterday[]. You didnt need the doors to open, you could crawl in through the floor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted November 27, 2005 Author Share Posted November 27, 2005 heres an update for anyone who's interested (if that nobody at least its gining me something to do[]) Interior is now stipped, as is the back axle. The front sections I got from the silver gte have been cut into bits and I am using them as templates to cut ne sections out of steel. The plan is to weld them together to form chassis! Notice the state of the washing machine and tumble dryer? I seem to have a very understanding wife![8D] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmanta Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Nice bit of work !! With regard to the washing machine and tumble drier i think it is you that is understanding, i wouldnt have them in the garage !!![][] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Can you get a section of chassis rail out of the casing of a washing machine and it still work? That's most impressive.... Cheers, Joe. Did you notice when you began to disappear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted December 4, 2005 Author Share Posted December 4, 2005 Another update: one chassis leg fixed![][][]. And it only took a week[]! I was at the final peice of metal today for 5 hours with the hammer and dolly and blowlamp. here's the evidence: Still have to dress the welds, but I'm happy I was able to shick to the original shape. It feels much better now I've actually accomplished something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 looking good under there, just dont forget to fill it with Waxoyl after or it'll be gone just as quick... Good Job on it, well done. [8D] Mick OMOC 5924 1980 Black Berlinetta Coupe, 2.0 SRI Project 1985 White GT/E Coupe, Standard 1984 Silver GT/E Coupe, Rebuilding as a Road Rally Car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted December 4, 2005 Author Share Posted December 4, 2005 Yeah, I'm ordering a 25l drum of the stuff! reckon a couple of gallons gown each rail will do the trick![][] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opel2000 Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 Heck of a thing, never known one to rot at the front as that, Ever! http://www.customsolutions.me.uk could be full time by Xmas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 Doing a great Job Mark, [] I know what you mean Clive about the rust it's so strange after the first 18" or so the bloody chassis legs are mint [?] http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted December 5, 2005 Author Share Posted December 5, 2005 I wouldnt say they're 'mint' robbie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.