1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

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Michael Foster
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#46 Post by Michael Foster »

"The air hole punch made light work of the holes for the button welds." Steve, could you explain this statement for me. Did you remove spot welds with the air hole punch? Did you first remove spot welds with spot weld cutter then use air hole punch?

Thanks

Michael
MICHAEL FOSTER

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StephenJohns
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#47 Post by StephenJohns »

Hi Michael,

What I did was grind the old piece of the tank floor from inside the car so as I had a nice straight piece of metal to work with. This took a fair bit of grinding but at the end of it, I have a nice clean piece of metal to work with.
I then trimmed the tank floor to size and used a 5mm air punch to put holes all around the peramater. This puts the holes at the top side of the rear of the tank floor which sits up on the inside of the rear panel on the car.
I then also used the air punch on the lower mating surface of the piece of metal that runs between the hinges. I will button weld on each side which replicates how they were spot welded at the factory. I will also then button weld all around the peramater of the tank floor.

I hope this makes sense.

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StephenJohns
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#48 Post by StephenJohns »

Did some more on the centre LH side ro repair what appears to have been accident damage at some stage. Had to move the rear out approx. 15mm as it had been repaired in the incorrect position.
The factory panel shop manual has been a wealth of knowledge and I don't think anyone should attempt replacing panels without having all of the measurements at hand.

BEFORE...
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AFTER...
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StephenJohns
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#49 Post by StephenJohns »

Cut out a hole in some timber today to create the recess for the heater tube in side section.
Came up quite well. Is now almost ready to weld back in the heater tube.
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neil blaber
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#50 Post by neil blaber »

making good progress stephen!
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StephenJohns
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#51 Post by StephenJohns »

Finally got around to welding in the fuel tank floor.
Have made hole for RHD car as have a RHD fuel tank on its way from Roger Bray Restoration in the U.K.
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And a shot from inside the car...
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Last edited by StephenJohns on Thu Jan 08, 2015 5:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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StephenJohns
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#52 Post by StephenJohns »

Removing the old closing panel which will be replaced by a restoration design piece.
20150107_231202_resized.jpg

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StephenJohns
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#53 Post by StephenJohns »

The extent of the rust on the RH side front.
This will all be removed and replaced with shiny new metal. Note the crack in this piece from some sort of stress.
20150107_231214_resized.jpg

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StephenJohns
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#54 Post by StephenJohns »

Mating up the new lower section of the sway bar mount to the axle beam.
Small repair required at rear also where it had rusted out.
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All now repaired and painted with a coat of etch primer.
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StephenJohns
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#55 Post by StephenJohns »

1 months worth of cutting and repairing....
20150108_210914_resized.jpg

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StephenJohns
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#56 Post by StephenJohns »

Starting to cut out the bad metal for repair.
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Piece now cut out. Now time to cut, bend and shape some new metal.
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neil blaber
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#57 Post by neil blaber »

nice to see you making great progress pal, its coming on a treat!
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Rafik Dous
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#58 Post by Rafik Dous »

Stephen, very impressive work but the carton of Coronas in the back is obviously not getting enough of your time!!

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StephenJohns
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#59 Post by StephenJohns »

Hi Rafik,

The beer can wait until the car is finished. Its an incentive.....

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StephenJohns
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Re: 1960 356B T5 Restoration plus LHD to RHD conversion

#60 Post by StephenJohns »

Fabricated up the replacement piece today.
It came up quite well I think and was a perfect fit after little adjustment.

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Welds now ground back after being welded entirely.
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Now finished and sprayed with a coat of etch primer.
Some small imperfections that wont be noticed once a layer of under-body coating is applied.
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