Section : Bodywork and Interior

Chassis, bodywork, interior, instrumentation.

floor sill catastrophe

Posted By : Willie Cameron, 08-Aug-2004, 10:02pm

Hello All
My 1981 spitfire body is back on chassis and i bridged the door gaps with lengths of steel and clamps cut away the floor then removed the sills on the passenger side, guess what the door gaps parted outwards and the temporary door clamps gave way , what i would like to know ,what is the correct door gap measurements , i do not want to take measurement from the other side of the car as this may be wrong and i hope to replace floor and sills also, i had a look at john yarnells web site and i saw the floor fitted under the hand brake tunnel, other sites have the floor sitting on top of the tunnel,can you tell me the correct procedure?.

regards willie cameron

Followups :

floor sill catastrophe

Posted By : Philip Brammer, 08-Aug-2004, 11:44pm

Hi Willie, I have just fitted a new o/s floor and welded it on top of the hand brake tunnel, made sense to me as its much easier to weld and seal (no water traps underneath).
If you have lost the measurement of the door gap simply refit the door temporarily. A cheap option to ensure the gap even with the door in place is this. Buy a 1 metre length of threaded rod, a non nyloc nut and 3 washers to fit, and a 1 metre steel tube to slide over it from B+Q or somewhere. Grind a slot 1" down one end of the length of the rod and the tube. Place rod in tube and the slots in the seam at the top of each side of the door gap (minus rubber seal) and use nut to fine adjust. This can be used with the door closed. Cost? Urmm, &163;4.50.
Why did the door gap spring open? It usually closes and causes the glass to hit the windscreen frame.
- floor sill catastrophe
  
  Posted By : Willie Cameron, 09-Aug-2004, 09:21pm
  
  Thanks for the reply philip
  I foolishly used a hammer and chisel to knock out a part of the sill, "won't do that again" tonight i roughly fitted the door and i have made one of your clamps and it works a treat, i will make another to push out the bottom of the door as i have no sills or floor fitted,
  do you know if there is an exact measurement for the door gap or is it just trial and error?. thanks again for the reply philip.
  
  regards willie cameron
  
  floor sill catastrophe
  - floor sill catastrophe
    
    Posted By : Philip Brammer, 09-Aug-2004, 11:15pm
    
    Hi Willie, your photo looks sooo familier!! There is an article in one of Couriers within the last year about fitting new sills but cannot recall which month. I don't think there is a set absolute measurement and I think its best, after 25 odd years, to make the body fit the door. I suspect the sills are the last thing to put in place after the floor, floor reinforcer, etc etc, at least I hope so!!!
    By the way if you have any odd bits of cash around buy an air compressor, an air drill with spot weld drill bit, and an air chisel. Makes life so rewarding!
  - floor sill catastrophe
    
    Posted By : Philip Brammer, 09-Aug-2004, 11:24pm
    
    Sorry, forgot to mention Willie, don't forget to crank up the door glass when trying the door to make sure it does not foul the windscreen surround.
    - floor sill catastrophe
      
      Posted By : Willie Cameron, 10-Aug-2004, 10:09pm
      
      Hello Philip
      Thanks again for your valuable hints and tips.
      
      regards willie cameron
      - floor sill catastrophe
        
        Posted By : Philip Brammer, 13-Aug-2004, 09:49pm
        
        Willie, the Courier mag with the article re bodywork renewal and repair including sills and door gaps is No 280, october 2003. The article is written by John Thomason and is excellent.
        
        floor sill catastrophe
        
        Posted By : Willie Cameron, 15-Aug-2004, 08:51pm
        
        Hello Philip
        Thanks for information, i am a new member to the club, can i buy the back issue of the courier?.
        
        regards willie cameron
        
        floor sill catastrophe
        
        Posted By : Philip Brammer, 16-Aug-2004, 08:08pm
        
        Hi again Willie. If you e-mail where you want the courier posting to I will send it. Return it when your done...in a couple of years or so
        
        phil.brammer@dsl.pipex.com