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MG MGB Technical - Sill replacement methods

I have just finished replacing the left hand sill, castle rail and repair section of the step sill. I’m quite happy with how it is aligned but it has been quite a faf and taken a lot longer than I would have liked.

The right hand side is worse and I am going to replace the whole of the step sill as well as the sill, membrane and castle rail as it is rusted further back and has been bodged by a previous custodian.
I am thinking of building the assembly off the car, welding the panels together and then weld it in situ with the door aligned. My thinking is that I will only then have to align the whole unit rather than the individual parts.

Has anyone tried this way and have any experiences to share?

Regards
Tony
Tony Brough

I haven't tried it, but I can imagine it would have its own problems.
Dave O'Neill 2

Me too. It is far more important to get the outer sill correctly aligned than the other two. With all three welded together that may be impossible.
Paul Hunt

Don't build it off the car!

Get everything aligned now, and brace the door gap, bars top and close to bottom.
Then cut everything out and put the step sill in place, then the membrane, jack point support, castle rail and finally outer sill. Measure 100 times and cut/weld once. It will take ages to do well, but you'll thank yourself!

The pannel quality, plus the alignment of the original shell will make it a process of adjustments in all areas. Putting the unit on as one, will just be a quick lesson in how to split them apart again so they line up.
Roadwarrior

Thanks for the responses. I will do it one piece at a time again as I certainly don't want to do it twice!
Tony Brough

I am completely out of touch with this and I would like to get the sills rebuilt on my 1970 MGB GT some day.

Is there a current "ball park figure" for this work in the UK?

Is there a list of people who have a consistently good record doing this work with lots of recommendations from satisfied customers?
sam christie

I think I asked much the same questions 15 years ago in relation to the same car and found no answers.
sam christie

Sam

The only reference I could find quoting a price was by a company in Kent. It says £740 per side

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/lmg/restoration-bodywork-mgb-mgbgt.shtml

Regards

Tony
Tony Brough

Tony,
Good find.
Prices correct @2013. Expect a higher price today as parts cost keep rising even if labour should be about the same.
All said, I think you would be looking at about £850 a side before the extras kick in.

Best of....
MGmike
M McAndrew

Thanks. Perhaps my 1970 GT will be rebuilt some day after all but sentiment apart, would it be cheaper to buy a well restored one?
sam christie

Sam,
It's always cheaper to buy a well restored one (that's not a show car) than pay someone to do the work.

Best of...
MGmike
M McAndrew

Yes, so long a the well restored car is genuine and not just superficially good it represents the best value for money. But I am still sentimental about my own 1970 GT - I drove it on my honeymoon and have many happy memories.
sam christie

Sam,
Snap... I drove mine on honeymoon too, I'm also sentimental about my 1970/1 BGT and that's why I do all of the work myself! Mind you, the rust was so bad that a "replacement" shell has been acquired! All the rest is original (except for the parts that are new, ie most of them :D).

Checking the quality of work undertaken on a car is always difficult but that's where the phrase "Buyer beware" comes in to play. If you contract the work out you still need to be aware of the risks due to lack of quality from the chosen supplier.

Best of...
MGmike
PS. if you’re not in a hurry, send your GT to me and I'll personally guarantee the quality of work ;)
M McAndrew

MGmike you are a Romantic.

I would like to do all the work on my BGT myself but I am distracted by a 1930 M-type and a 1933 J2 and a 1978 MGB. Luckily I have just the one wife and she is surprisingly patient.
sam christie

This thread was discussed between 11/06/2015 and 25/06/2015

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