Wilbur Engelsma's Journal - Tail Lights : The MG Experience

Tail Lights

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http://www.mgexp.com/journal/Wilbur/2618

Wilbur Engelsma — Posted on The MG Experience
Sunday July 20, 2008 7:22 PM

The sheet metal around the tail lights didn't fit too well either- large gaps and the light frames don't sit flush to the body all around. After I filled and blended, the lights now fit much better.

right light after modifications

left light after modification

tail lights installed

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Door Seams

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http://www.mgexp.com/journal/Wilbur/2576

Wilbur Engelsma — Posted on The MG Experience
Sunday July 6, 2008 8:53 PM

After all the body panels were installed and the doors hung, I measured the gaps around the doors. They varied from approximately 1/8" to 3/8", and the door skins weren't flush to the body skins in all areas either. I know most of the MG's I've looked at have similar conditions, but I've always liked the clean appearance of consistent gaps and smooth contours, so I spent a couple days with welder, grinder, filler and sander; and got the doors flush to the body in all areas, and the gaps consistent at 5/32" (.156). I still need to make a tool to put a consistent 1/16" radius on the edges, but it already looks much better than it did a week ago.

Update: I finished off all the door edges with a radius off about .075"- looking good so far.

left door after lots of work

left door aft edge

left door front edge

right door aft edge

right door front edge

right side of the body looks pretty straight

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Door Openings

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http://www.mgexp.com/journal/Wilbur/2562

Wilbur Engelsma — Posted on The MG Experience
Wednesday July 2, 2008 7:46 PM

Since things are already getting out of hand welding up all the body seams, I thought I would seal up the gap between the front fender and the inner fender (at the front edge of the doors). I will be pumping hot engine compartment air through the fenders to evacuate the engine compartment, so I'd like the area sealed to prevent tainted air from leaking inhto the passenger compartment, as well as reducing any whistling due to air leaks. I welded metal in the gaps, then ground it smooth and primed it. This should paint very nice when I finally get around to it.

driver's side- prior to welding

after welding and grinding

complete and primed

right door opening- finished

right door opening- top

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Front Left Fender Completed

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http://www.mgexp.com/journal/Wilbur/2155

Wilbur Engelsma — Posted on The MG Experience
Saturday February 23, 2008 7:30 PM

Whoo-hoo! I finished blending in the front left fender this weekend, and primed it after finishing. Things are starting to come together!

left side

another angle

with fender vents attached

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Fender Vents

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http://www.mgexp.com/journal/Wilbur/2119

Wilbur Engelsma — Posted on The MG Experience
Tuesday February 12, 2008 8:35 PM

To keep the heat down in the engine compartment, I am installing vents in the fenders. I like the portholes (ventiports) from the 61 Buicks, and after much searching, I have enough to put 3 per side. These will be force fed by a 4" 250 CFM blower in each front fender. These blowers are used for brake cooling, cockpit ventilation, and bilge ventilation, so they should be OK for moving the hot air out of the engine compartment. I will need to rig a thermostat and a couple relays to provide power to the fans, and fab some brackets to hold them in place, but the concept seems sound.

61 Buick porthole

blower in right fender (rough fit)

blower in left fender (rough fit

portholes on left side

port backside

removeable backing plate

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Right Front Fender

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http://www.mgexp.com/journal/Wilbur/2112

Wilbur Engelsma — Posted on The MG Experience
Sunday February 10, 2008 7:53 PM

Even though I didn't have to replace the whole right rocker panel, the front area had some damage that had to be patched prior to replacing the fender. The right fender needed repair as well, so I've installed the patch panel, and welded all the seams.