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MG MGB Technical - Pre-Assembling Sills?

There is local fellow who bought an early 'B to restore, it's too far gone and he's selling all of the many body new panels he purchased. I need to replace the RH sill on my '66 and he has the bits.

Here's my question. He has already plug welded together the complete sill assembly, off the car, on the advice of a "guru" on the Moss Motors forum. He said that he was advised that this was the best way to go. Since I have never replaced sills I have no idea if the parts are now worthless or if the advice he was given is sound. I can see a few problems with this approach.
David

David,

It MIGHT work, but I wouldn't try it that way. First of all, some of the sill components on your car may be perfectly solid. The rule of thumb is to cut as little as possible. With a complete pre-assembled sill "assembly" one would end up cutting the original car only to make it fit the new sill. While I can't think of a specific example (and I've done this several times), it strikes me that there have to be welds in the sub-assemblies that are inaccessible once the whole is together. Also, how can one control the gaps under the doors if the outer sill is firmly in place beforehand.

Personally, I'd stick with new pieces.

FWIW,
Allen
Allen Bachelder

Over the years,I've replaced 4 sills but have never had to replace the inner sill. I've had to repair the odd one with new metal patches , which is very easy once the outer sections have been removed.This gives a starting/reference point. If you can separate the various sections into usable pieces that would be better.You could possibly fit the outer sill, inner membrane, & castle section as one unit, but then you don't know if the jacking point reinforcement piece has been fitted or if it's in the right place. All the books on the subject that I've read all suggest you build up the sill sections piece by piece. Also, I've found that it's quicker & easier to replace the outrigger section & jacking points rather than try cutting around the original ones. Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

It's MUCH better to put them in piece by piece, can't weld it properly, and can't get everything lined up for a good fit, otherwise.
Robin Meier

Unless he welded them in a special purpose made jig he is bound to have welded in some distortion.
David Witham

Thanks, guys, for your input. I think I'll pass on these parts.

David
David

It might be worth offering them up to see if they fit and paying if you can use them. I found this hard enough to do without this complication.
Stan Best

This thread was discussed between 25/06/2007 and 26/06/2007

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