Chassis tidy up without body off?
Chassis tidy up without body off?
Author
Discussion

ILoveMondeo

Original Poster:

9,614 posts

242 months

Thursday 12th September 2013
quotequote all
Hi,

The chassis on my car is in absolutely excellent condition for a 13 year old Tuscan. really, it's like new! one tiny spot of surface rust where the powdercoat was damaged. Currently waxed, will be treated and sealed properly soon.

BUT

It's not, it's got the usual burned off powder coat around the cats, which are covered in surface rust. I want to get this sorted before it becomes an issue.

Traditional thinking would be wait a few years then do a body off restoration, or just bite the bullet now even.

However, that's a big old job and considering the rest of the car is so good it's a shame to yank the whole thing apart.

So, if I dropped the cats, and maybe the gearbox as well, do you think this would give enough access to get in and treat, and clean the rust, seal it up good and proper and install some heat shielding/matting over the newly treated metal work.

Whilst not as good as a full body off job, it would cost buttons in comparison, I could definitely DIY this and it'd likely buy another 5-10 years of not worrying about tin-worm in the chassis.

Cheers

Dave




m4tti

5,479 posts

171 months

Thursday 12th September 2013
quotequote all

ILoveMondeo

Original Poster:

9,614 posts

242 months

Thursday 12th September 2013
quotequote all
Cool, thanks for the link, really nice job you've done there.

It's more the transmission tunnel, above that bit and beside/above the "top cat" (close friends get to call him TC).

If the cats come out, is there enough space to do a proper job!

cheers

Dave

MPETT

967 posts

222 months

Monday 16th September 2013
quotequote all
I had to cut out the section on the rear of the tunnel chassis member to get rid of the rust. But that can be difficult without a body off in that position. I can't work out where your rust is?
http://thumbsnap.com/GtkVFso4
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

ILoveMondeo

Original Poster:

9,614 posts

242 months

Tuesday 17th September 2013
quotequote all
Hi, it's on the two uprights to the left of the cats and slightly above them too, doesn't go too far over the gearbox.

It appears to be surface only so just needs treating properly with something heat resistant and it will be fine for ages.

I had another look the other day (forgot to take pictures, doh!) and it all looks reachable.

Will whip the cats off next weekend and get cracking with it and get some photos. Will be a fiddle to get to but easy enough on ramps and a lot easier and less destructive than taking to body off!






geoffphead

637 posts

217 months

Tuesday 17th September 2013
quotequote all
Talk to Craig at Track V road they were doing something on chassis restores without taking right off