Vive le rust porn

[renaultvation]

Having got an extension on my workshop until April, it is time to crack on. Next project is to replace the Morris Marina wheelarch repair section and discover what lies underneath. If you compare the before and after photos, you can see how much smaller the Morris arch is compared with the original. Having cut through a thick layer of filler, I came across the widely spaced tack welds which gave up their grip with a small amount of grinding. Next job is to repair the inner arch and fabricate a new outer arch. Here are some piccies:

 

[renaultvation]

Some years ago, I managed to buy a couple of rear wings from a scrap R17. Unfortunately, once cut from the donor vehicle, it was apparent that they had been bodged in the past. The offside wing was useless, but closer inspection of the nearside wing revealed that parts of it could be salvaged. Last weekend I separated the inner and outer wheel arch, cut out any rotten metal and treated any surface rust. This weekend I let in new metal in inner and outer arch where needed and using the replacement arch as pattern, cut out the original outer arch from the car. Tried the new arch for fit and so far, so good. Next job will be to fit the inner wheel arch, but it may not be this side of Christmas.

 

[Panky]

This certainly is a labour of love, great work

 

[renaultvation]

Following my frustration with Bertie, I returned to the 17. On New Year's Eve I trimmed the inner wheelarch and welded in my replacement. I then clamped my outer arch to the inner and I am pleased to report that it all lines up beautifully. Today I have been trimming the lower corners of the car and discovering more plated over rust and decided that I have to remove more of the outer wing to access what is behind. Before that, however, I have made a new lower repair section for the rear wing before I remove any more of the original with the potential to lose reference points. The new lower wing lines up with the replacement arch. Forgot to take the camera though. I was reminded of the conversation about condensation as the roof of the workshop constantly dripped on me in neat lines which follow the corrugation of the roof.

 

[commeracer]

Keep at it Chris

 

[renaultvation]

A bit more done. The area behind the rear arch was a patchwork of plates over rusty metal, so the best option was to cut it out and start again with new metal. Although it involved quite a bit of work, it doesn't look much, but here are the results: The final picture shows the outer arch clamped in position for reference.

 

[renaultvation]

Braved the cold weather this morning and after welding on a lower flange and lots of fettling, started the task of welding on the outer wheelarch. All was going well until about one third of the way round the welding changed in sound with less crackle and more fizz and the welds were no longer smooth: I'd run out of gas! Abandoned the workshop for the day and exchanged the gas bottle on my way home. On the positive side, I drove there and back in Bertie and have since fixed his radio so that the controls now work, including steering wheel controls, so time was not totally wasted.

 

[colinthefox]

There's never a good time to run out of welding gas, is there?

I'm with you on the cold. Trying to change a fuel pump yesterday, my hands hadn't warmed up after two hours. Had to run them under the hot tap. Howl.

 

[renaultvation]

New gas cylinder, so able to continue. Arch now fitted and repair patch behind. This is the second patch, as the first seemed to have changed shape since I made it! Simpler to make another! Light was fading, so there is much more tidying to do before a skim of filler. Then I must make a panel for the forward edge of the arch. I have already made the panel for the lower wing/sill section.

 

[Panky]

Great stuff Chris. I'm having similar issues with the Mini, you just can't get the panels

 

[renaultvation]

As if!

 

[renaultvation]

Managed to finish fabrication of the arch over the weekend, but the battery died on my camera, so I popped in today to take some photos. Last bit was the leading edge of the arch, and the lower section of the wing. All panels were fabricated from scratch. I still have to join the two holes at the bottom of the wing to form the slot for the jack. Just in front of that is the drainage channel for the sill. Next job is a skim of filler over the joins.

 

[renaultvation]

Today I said goodbye to my 'spare' Renault 17. I had a very good sale on Ebay, with fierce bidding by well informed buyers and today the winning bidder travelled up from Dorset to collect it. I wish Brian good luck with it.

 

[admin]

good stuff - a weight off your mind now

 

[renaultvation]

I've got a transporter booked for next Monday to move mine to its new lock-up. All structural work is now complete (I hope). Welder will be coming home as there is no power at the lock-up and my garage will be stuffed full of parts (Bertie will be evicted to the driveway).

 

[renaultvation]

After losing my workshop and two family weddings (both sons), it is more than a year since anything was done to the Renault. Today I took it out of the lockup and gave it a bit of a clean. I have prepared the nearside wing and fitted it and removed the offside wing for preparation. Lots more work is required to the rear wheelarch before it is ready for paint.

 

[Panky]

You deserve a medal for your dedication. What are you going to do with yourself once it's done - before the oil runs out

 

[renaultvation]

You deserve a medal for your dedication. What are you going to do with yourself once it's done - before the oil runs out

Sorry, I don't understand the concept of when it's done! While I've been doing it my Jag and the Punto Cabrio have become classics in their own right!

 

[Paul Goldsmith]

Wow - that's an awesome project

 

[renaultvation]

Gave the car a bit of a face at the weekend, having completed the grill, headlight surrounds and grill surround. Also popped a couple of headlights on just to see what it would look like. Still need to locate another high beam headlight unit. I have the correct lens but need a sound body from a Renault 4 or 8 or a Ford Escort RS2000 Mk2.
Next job is to remove paint from front of bonnet to see what lies beneath; a load of filler I suspect!