h8ckyRST

Hey all went out and started stripping the bay out as i wanna paint it up nice before my new engine goes in.
After taking the bumper off, Rad, Lights etc, I can only see one way this thing is going and i don't like it! New front end anybody? looking at the body it looks a bit worse for wear, one of the many previous owners decided that the crossmember would be a perfectly good jacking point and it looks that its already had a new front end anyway as there's some dodgy welding in places. see pics! Anyone live near Northants/Bedford good at welding? I really don't trust myself welding this as i have very minimal experience.

Mark RS

iTrader: (13)

its never good when you take bumbers/side skirts off,my escort cosworth was the same mate. don't give up it will be worth it in the end

mickie

wash it out first, things always look harder when they're dirty..

welding isnt hard on cars, its all just a bunch of spot welds.
have fun

fuzzy

ive often regretted jobs half way through when they start getting difficult but perseverance has always come out top . at least you know exactly what your in for now rather than finding out in the future when things might have gotten far worse.

h8ckyRST

My worst fear is trying to fine good metal to weld to! Also whats the best way to prepair the bay for paint? like rust prevention, remove old paint or prime ontop?

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

I hope you can get it sorted bud.

one_nineRS

First off, get everything out, or out of the way, and then give it a good clean..all issues will then present itself, ie rust...give it a good inspection, if its just surface rust, just treat it with rust killer, or you could just clean it back with a wire wheel on a grinder.... i don't think your bay is actually that bad...my first RS was way worse.. the paintwork in my latest project is not bad so i opted to sand off the shine on the paint ( took about 15 hours) then sprayed over with 2k filler primer using a compressor setup and hvlp gravity gun....sand it back with 1200 sandpaper for a smooth finish, wipe down with tack rags and apply the paint...
Heres a few pics...


Midway through applying filler primer..
The yellow is just some halfords filler primer rattle cans i used up because i had them lying around..

Good luck with your project...

Ke1th

The first thing I'd do is check the rest of the car out first. If the front ends like that - you might find sills, arches and floor pans need attention too. Let us know how you get on.

doctor stavros

Give the bay a proper clean and your troubles wont look half as bad mate

h8ckyRST

cool i'll give it a good washing now and see how it looks! i've seen a new front panel on fleabay for £56.50 delivered with no crossmember though is that a good price or not? where is a good place for panels?

1971dommo

hi m8,seen a lot worse!like others have saidshould take a look at the rest of the car under the kit and get it all done together,will be worth it in the end,the only way is up!!!!

delterflier

looks not to bad mate dont give up

AJC

iTrader: (6)

persist pal, it will be worth it

RSandy

iTrader: (1)

id definitely get it cleaned up to show the full extent of the job

regards the front panel, id personally just take the grinder to it and clean it all back to bare metal 1st. to me, that doesnt look like it warrants a complete replacement, just a couple of neat patch panels on the bumper mount areas, but thats as it is now, it could be a lot of rot i cant see.

if it is generally fairly solid, id just cut out that knackered crossmember, and weld in a new 1, then as said just patch the front panel. saves a lot of work if it isnt needed

also, when buying a replacement crossmember, if u cant find a genuine item, make sure to check the pattern part VERY closely. i fitted a pattern crossmember without fully fitting up the anti-roll bar set up, just lining up the holes by eye, and ended up with a car that wouldnt go back together, so had to start again with a genuine item i tracked down. cost me a lot of time, and damaged a lot of fresh paint

andy escos

iTrader: (1)

IT DOESNT LOOK TO BAD TO ME IF YOU YHINK THATS A BIG JOB LOOK AT MY RESTO

h8ckyRST

Okay De-greased and hosed down the bay today, the wings look ok apart from where they meet the front panel, think i may chance it with getting new panels as there are a few dodgy places like bolt holes that are too awkward to patch. Atleast i can offer up the new panels and see before i go gung ho on the grinder! What do you guys think about the battery tray?

heres some more pics

xrmalin

Have a look in my estate resto mate i put a new cross member and bumper mounts on that it should give you an idea of what your up against its easier to do than you'd think if you get stuck theres plenty of people that have done it before on hand to give you afew pointers

mark.

dingla rs

iTrader: (2)

get stuck in m8 thats a easy repair if you can weld an use a grinder be worth it in the end

one_nineRS

Battery tray looks okay, might need some new seam sealer over it when the surface rust is treated and cleaned up, best way to check it, is to have a good look above the passenger footwell, behind the glove compartment, although that might be difficult, with the dash still in....or give it a poke with a screwdriver if its solid..you got no probs...even your inner wings from the pic, don't seem that bad, can't really see anything so far that needs to be changed other than the crossmember, but even that is a personal choice...

h8ckyRST

Cheers for the link to your Resto Mark thats a good little project you got there! i've ordered my panels so should have them soon! Wish i had a Unit to work in!

xrmalin

Once youve got the panels all should become clear
Its nice having the unit one of the joys of living in the sticks theres plenty of farmers with empty shed's i share mine with my stepdad and we pay £40 a month and that includes the electric.

mark.