This doesn't look right

[Grizzly_Adams]

Hi Folks,

I've finally got Molly down to her underwear and I'm concerned her rear cross-member setup doesn't look right. I've got the feeling she may have been operated on before? Some of the welds are absolutely pitiful....

Would appreciate your comments and (if possible) some piccies of how it should look?

http://gallery.bloodvale.info/gallery/var/albums/gcrawford/projects/series_II/IMG_0194.jpg'm=1319449519

http://gallery.bloodvale.info/gallery/var/albums/gcrawford/projects/series_II/IMG_0195.jpg'm=1319449522

http://gallery.bloodvale.info/gallery/var/albums/gcrawford/projects/series_II/IMG_0198.jpg'm=1319449540

http://gallery.bloodvale.info/gallery/var/albums/gcrawford/projects/series_II/IMG_0199.jpg'm=1319449543

http://gallery.bloodvale.info/gallery/var/resizes/gcrawford/projects/series_II/IMG_0200.jpg'm=1319449551

http://gallery.bloodvale.info/gallery/var/albums/gcrawford/projects/series_II/IMG_0203.jpg'm=1319449559

[wrinklearthur]

Hi Grizzly_Adams

Molly definitely would look better with her clothes back on and those are gaps that will take more than some filler rod to fill !

Cheers Arthur

[Lotz-A-Landies]

That chassis has had it's rear cross-member replaced. The gap is an indication of significant rot in the rear of the rails.

I would be wanting to see what's inside, either by opening windows or by using an endoscope/camera and looking inside. My bet is that the vehicle has been exposed to beach sand or spent significant time near the salt air, the chassis may be rotting from the inside out.

The side rails should look as if they go inside the "C" section of the rear cross member, and the outer sides of the chassis side rails should continue inside and join the inside of the vertical plate that makes the very rear of the chassis. On top of the chassis a square of plate is welded to the top in a diamond alignment with the longitudinal axis of the chassis (you can see half the square, the back half has rusted away). The flat bar welded in a "V" shape is an addition and should not be there. The rear fuel tank sits in that space in the station wagons and UK build SIIa/SIII 109.

Diana :(

[Sideroad]

If you are interested I have a good S3 109 rear cross member(with 1/4 of rear chassis). Located at Logan city. PM for details. I will see if I can get a pic tonight.

[Grizzly_Adams]

Thanks guys, thought as much. Yes she's seen some salt in her life but I still want to restore her.

I might start saving my pennies and see if I can get one of them new galvanised chassis from the UK... ok, might take me a year to save up and the chassis would be worth more than rest of the vehicle but she's worth it.

In the meantime I can try and build a better shelter for her whilst she's waiting for a replacement spine :(

Thanks for the offer Sideroad, I'll see if I can get her a new galvanised one instead.

[isuzurover]

Thanks guys, thought as much. Yes she's seen some salt in her life but I still want to restore her.

I might start saving my pennies and see if I can get one of them new galvanised chassis from the UK... ok, might take me a year to save up and the chassis would be worth more than rest of the vehicle but she's worth it.

In the meantime I can try and build a better shelter for her whilst she's waiting for a replacement spine :(

Thanks for the offer Sideroad, I'll see if I can get her a new galvanised one instead.

You may be able to find a good 2nd hand chassis and get it galvanised yourself. It will save you a fortune, and end up just as good.

[pfillery]

Looks like the same symptoms as the one i just wrecked. The rear x member had been replaced but with the body still on the car so welded on the bottom and sides but not the top. When I cut the x member off because it was a well made copy that was more heavy duty than the original, about 5 kg of rust and dirt and sandy mud came out of the chassis ends.