Floors/Inner Sill (Ford Capri) Advice

[DanZac]

I dont want to put you off, but it looks like the cars out side at the moment?

If thats the case you might want to think about how your going to progress things before you strip to much off, or at least start thinking about getting it undercover somehow.

Once you start cutting bits off, you'll start to lose the structural integrity (what's left) and then you won't be able to move it at all.

If it was me (and it's not), I'd be thinking about getting it jacked, level and trestled/ well supported and covered, even if it's just a big tent or gazebo before going any further. At least then you'll be able to keep the weather out and progress it through the winter.

 

[Retro Rust]

Thanks for this. I'll get on it tomorrow . Might be a bit of a battle. Someone modified this to be smoothed off on the front valance. Never liked that but I imagine I'll like some grinding.

 

[Onoff]

Have a look at this thread by @Domdom

D

Thread 'Sierra XR4i full restoration.'

Apr 18, 2021

After more poking around we decided that minor repairs were not going to cut the mustard on this lovely old crock. We bought a rollover jig and set about getting the car ready for the surgery needed to make it right again.

Took 2 full days to get from a running and driving car to what you see below.
There do seem to be some decent repair sections available which is going to save time bashing it all out of flat sheet, but there is still going to be a decent amount of the latter. We are actually on the lookout for a decentish breaker to make panel cuts out of but not holding my breath for a...

• Domdom
• Replies: 331
• forum: Automotive, Bike & Trailer Build discussions

• 

Note how he braces the door apertures temporarily and supports the sill / floor.

Also worth checking door and wing fit as you progress in case things have moved. On the Capri gaps should be a Pound coin's width, bonnet to wing, wing to door.

 

[Retro Rust]

I dont want to put you off, but it looks like the cars out side at the moment?

If thats the case you might want to think about how your going to progress things before you strip to much off, or at least start thinking about getting it undercover somehow.

Once you start cutting bits off, you'll start to lose the structural integrity (what's left) and then you won't be able to move it at all.

If it was me (and it's not), I'd be thinking about getting it jacked, level and trestled/ well supported and covered, even if it's just a big tent or gazebo before going any further. At least then you'll be able to keep the weather out and progress it through the winter.

Yeah I think i've covered this in another thread. I will jack it up and put it on big sabs/flags soon. Just started having a go at it to see where its at. I need to remove the fuel lines and maybe create a tempory fuel tank. I do have a clarke tent it lives in but thats 30m from the house. I can't really put it down by the house for a few reasons but I do have a car cover. Maybe I'll have to give it a rest over winter but hoping for a work around. I was hoping to get power down there but its a bit far for the welder maybe.

Have a look at this thread by @Domdom

D

Thread 'Sierra XR4i full restoration.'

Apr 18, 2021

After more poking around we decided that minor repairs were not going to cut the mustard on this lovely old crock. We bought a rollover jig and set about getting the car ready for the surgery needed to make it right again.

Took 2 full days to get from a running and driving car to what you see below.
There do seem to be some decent repair sections available which is going to save time bashing it all out of flat sheet, but there is still going to be a decent amount of the latter. We are actually on the lookout for a decentish breaker to make panel cuts out of but not holding my breath for a...

• Domdom
• Replies: 331
• forum: Automotive, Bike & Trailer Build discussions

• 

Note how he braces the door apertures temporarily and supports the sill / floor.

Also worth checking door and wing fit as you progress in case things have moved. On the Capri gaps should be a Pound coin's width, bonnet to wing, wing to door.

Brill thanks for this! I was talking to someone about bracing before I bought some 1" square tubing but the bloody thing isnt long enough haha. I'll take it back and get some from a proper metal supplier along with more 1mm sheet.
I'll get reading this inbetween cutting and crying tomorrow

 

[NickW]

I've done these jobs on several Capris, and I think you've cut enough already!

Yours isn't too bad, and some good repairs can should be done before you go much further: I would make a complete inner sill from the seat crossmember to the toe board, carefully remove the old one from what's left of the outer sill (so that you have a known place to work to) then weld in the new panel. Next would be the floor edge, again in a long but relatively narrow panel that when attached to the floor and the inner sill would make a robust structure that's in the right place to attach a new outer sill. Although you would still need to repair the rear end of the sill/floor/lower inner quarter first.

Cutting just the bottom off the wing is a waste of time, as the A-pillar and return to the inner wing are guaranteed to need extensive surgery. The ends of the scuttle are probably bad too.

These are all areas that are out of sight, so are good places to develop skills.

Before fitting the new outer sill you need to have a plan to retain the sill to quarter panel joint, as deleting it is a bodge that looks terrible.

You're going to need a good selection of clamps if you don't already have them....

 

[bricol]

I've not read the whole thread, but have you got the hang of your welder yet? If you haven't, you will soon lose enthusiasm with a car in bits and no ability to put it back together.

I've never had a car in that bad a shape (and I'm a serial Lancia-ist) but even so, the size of the task can be enough to get you looking for the scrap man's phone number. Working under cover is so much easier for the amount of work needed.

But if you sorted with welding ability, then I would be removing the rest of that trim, belts, seals, glass - only takes one spark to melt a hole in a dash, a belt, stick to glass and wreck it.