Thread: Looking for bulkhead restorer/repairer

Originally Posted by nostromo

Hi All

Starting to dismantle front end wing to access bulkhead & see some repairs are required.
Looking for bulkhead restorer/repairer.

Nostromo
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1955 Series I 86" x2
1961 Series IIa SWB x1
2004 Defender SWB x1

There are insufficient bulkheads to be repaired to have someone specialise in this work. There are any number of people with the skills to do it but it comes down to if they are prepared to do it and will you be prepared to pay the price. I'd look at panel beaters and sheetmetal fabricators for a start.

There are a couple of threads with photos of how to go about it where people doing their own restoration have done a good job of cutting out the rust and replacing it with sound metal.

Good luck

The rust at the top in your first photo looks to be in a difficult place to repair. I repaired a S2 bulkhead for a friend once and I estimated that had I been charging for it, a minimum of $500 would have been needed; the bulkhead in question had minor rust in the upper footwells and sundry other places.

From your two photos; you might be looking at an: economic write-off; or sourcing a better bulkhead; or doing as Sluggie suggests and having a go yourself,

Cheers Charlie

Doesn't look too difficult a job.

Either hire/borrow a MIG and have a go yourself, or track down a panel beater who is willing to do it for a reasonable price. Many will want to plate over it - but if you want it to look original they will need to cut out the sections and weld new ones in. You should be able to save yourself some money by grinding the welds back yourself.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

Doesn't look too difficult a job.

Either hire/borrow a MIG and have a go yourself, or track down a panel beater who is willing to do it for a reasonable price. Many will want to plate over it - but if you want it to look original they will need to cut out the sections and weld new ones in. You should be able to save yourself some money by grinding the welds back yourself.

hi ring me regards fire wall jim 0428732001

Originally Posted by isuzurover

Doesn't look too difficult a job.

Either hire/borrow a MIG and have a go yourself, or track down a panel beater who is willing to do it for a reasonable price. Many will want to plate over it - but if you want it to look original they will need to cut out the sections and weld new ones in. You should be able to save yourself some money by grinding the welds back yourself.

Got some good ideas, thank you all. Local panel beater will give quote on rust repairs using his MIG when firewall out of vehicle ("Dolcit").Expect it to be out and stripped down by the end of the weekend. Will post results of quote and plan of action.

Nostromo
---------
1955 Series I 86" x2
1961 Series IIa SWB x1
2004 Defender SWB x1

Thants great news that you can get it sorted out iam still trying to find a firewall for my 86" for a fair price its amazing what ppl charge for them these days.

Originally Posted by nostromo

Got some good ideas, thank you all. Local panel beater will give quote on rust repairs using his MIG when firewall out of vehicle ("Dolcit").Expect it to be out and stripped down by the end of the weekend. Will post results of quote and plan of action.

Nostromo
---------
1955 Series I 86" x2
1961 Series IIa SWB x1
2004 Defender SWB x1

make sure that the firewall is worked on attached to chassis whenever possible, to prevent warping and then becoming a problem later!

Originally Posted by nostromo

Got some good ideas, thank you all. Local panel beater will give quote on rust repairs using his MIG when firewall out of vehicle ("Dolcit").Expect it to be out and stripped down by the end of the weekend. Will post results of quote and plan of action.

Nostromo
---------
1955 Series I 86" x2
1961 Series IIa SWB x1
2004 Defender SWB x1

Well bulkhead is out and local panel beater will give it a go when i get some repair panels, no quote, do and charge. (bad option)
Off to local sheet metal worker next who said can fabricate and weld in panels at $70 per hour for labour with worst case scenario is 8 hours work and materials next to nothing using off cuts in the work shop. (hmmm)