Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

[listerjp2]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

Wow I am in awe.

You are making an excellent job of you car.

I feel very humble.

Carry on and I hope to see you at one of the meets.

Adrian

[meverett]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

Making my own hood is definitely a learning curve for me.
To start with I had a bit of a catastrophe with the old singer machine, needle, timing gear teeth, anyway back up and running again with help from google.
Nearly there with the hood, just got to fit the lift the dot poppers and sew in the zips.

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[listerjp2]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

Respect.

Adrian

Thanks Hugh, the template hood was not quite symetrical either, it’s close but not exact.
I may tack it or use the sailmakers tape inside out then try correct way around before sewing.
When the three parts are sewn together and the rear window is sewn in I will do another trial fit before the final edging is sewn on.
I have use of a heavy duty machine so it should be ok.
Got to give it a go, don’t know until you try. :-)

[meverett]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

Thanks Hugh, the template hood was not quite symetrical either, it’s close but not exact.
I may tack it or use the sailmakers tape inside out then try correct way around before sewing.
When the three parts are sewn together and the rear window is sewn in I will do another trial fit before the final edging is sewn on.
I have use of a heavy duty machine so it should be ok.
Got to give it a go, don’t know until you try. :-)

[HairyDave]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

Respect, I've made a few things in canvas but hand sewn. My Singer won't take the needle and thread for canvas. Good luck with it!

[h_m_cumming]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

Hi Martin,
admire your courage. Remember if you do it inside out it will change sides and if it's like mine nothing is symetrical so I'd do a lot of measurements each side and compare.
Hugh.

[meverett]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

Discussions on another thread inspired me to start on my hood.
Made the cardboard templates, just a tweak here or there.

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I have ordered some thick black water resistant tent grade canvas, it’s not uv stable but the car won’t be living out in all weather.
The plan is to cut the canvas over size then fit it in much the same way but inside out with bulldog clips on the outside to hold the seams together before getting the sewing machine out.

[meverett]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

Thanks for the link. I was also thinking about check straps mainly for security as I feel that the doors are a little too easy to remove.
First I will take all the old paint off including the inner wings, then fit them and fabricate some support brackets so the running boards will then be level across the width. Then I will have to wait for some fine weather again to get the paint tent out. The check straps will be included in the final finishing of the interior.
Cheers, Martin.

[David]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

I had the doors hitting the wings on both the cars I've owned so fitted door straps to stop them opening too far.

Also on the car I built (PKK989M) I welded brackets under the wings to pull them down and fix to provide support for when the inevitable plonker decides to jump on them.

Like these, probably make your own but at <£40 a pair...

https://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?pCode=097.799

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[meverett]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

If it's only catching at fully open it will be the inbuilt warp in the N/S wing, which is why I put the support in, a) to pull it down b) to hold it there. Has also been handy as you can put your full weight on it without it sagging. Unfortunately, it will interfere with a silencer if you have one under the wing.

You are right, both running boards are warped slightly through age and when mounted the outer edge is higher than the fixed edge. A pair of strengthening brackets will sort this. Like you said the side exhaust will be in the way but I think I will be able to fabricate something.

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[listerjp2]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

Hiya

I spent ages trying to fit the wings with many pleas on this forum, all of which were gratefully received.

To put it bluntly, the only thing you have to be worried about is the suspension upright, as long as that doesn't dent the inner wing then your ok.

I ignored the drawing in the manual and did my own thing I. E. If it looks right then it is right.

I had very little stress and they look fine.

Like you, I felt it depended on who built them and when.

Good luck.

Adrian

Thanks Hugh, I will check again but think 180mm to the centre of the leaf spring mount is too high on mine. My running boards were probably made in the Friday afternoon mounds or the curve has changed or warped slightly over the years.
When I got the car the doors didn’t open fully but I dismissed this and put it down to the fitting but back then as I was just stripping it down.
I also want to fabricate some centre supports like you have.
I will take the paint off first so at least I will be working with clean panels.

[h_m_cumming]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

If it's only catching at fully open it will be the inbuilt warp in the N/S wing, which is why I put the support in, a) to pull it down b) to hold it there. Has also been handy as you can put your full weight on it without it sagging. Unfortunately, it will interfere with a silencer if you have one under the wing.

[meverett]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

Thanks Hugh, I will check again but think 180mm to the centre of the leaf spring mount is too high on mine. My running boards were probably made in the Friday afternoon mounds or the curve has changed or warped slightly over the years.
When I got the car the doors didn’t open fully but I dismissed this and put it down to the fitting but back then as I was just stripping it down.
I also want to fabricate some centre supports like you have.
I will take the paint off first so at least I will be working with clean panels.

[h_m_cumming]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

This is my modified measurements Martin

[meverett]

Re: Roadster Rebuild Diary from Cornwall

The build manual says 185mm from the top of the running board to the centre of the leaf spring mount.
This will make them even higher and the door will barely open.
I think 160mm is about right to get the door to open 90degrees.