+Sarah Hearn-vonFoerster Thanks for your comment. After 4 years I am actually almost done, getting ready to go to paint and looking forward to reassembly which will be the really fun part. Carl
Hi Carl, on my car I will also need to strengthen (or replace with new metal) the same area you did where the bolts go that attach the convertible top frame to the body. In this video you describe how you added a layer of metal to strengthen that area. It doesn't look like you spot welded in new captive nuts. In your video I see bolts with nuts in the same holes where the captive nuts used to be. Can you describe what you did here? I also saw in Barney Gaylord's MGA Guru site where he cut out that area and replaced it with 5/16 steel. He got rid of the captive nuts and just drilled and tapped holes to use stainless steel bolts to mount the convertible top frame. Sounds like another option to consider. Thank you for your videos. Jeff
hi jeff, yes i did weld in new captive nuts and they are holding quite strongly But I discovered Barneys fix much later and I think a thick tapping plate is a much better solution because it will be very strong, no risk of having a weld come loose inside, and you can easily retap the holes if they get rusty in future
I really admire your patience and perseverance. These were great cars and should still be enjoyed as we enjoyed them back in the day.
+Sarah Hearn-vonFoerster Thanks for your comment. After 4 years I am actually almost done, getting ready to go to paint and looking forward to reassembly which will be the really fun part. Carl
mghamsail Many of us will be waiting eagerly to see the elegant finished product.
Hi Carl, on my car I will also need to strengthen (or replace with new metal) the same area you did where the bolts go that attach the convertible top frame to the body. In this video you describe how you added a layer of metal to strengthen that area. It doesn't look like you spot welded in new captive nuts. In your video I see bolts with nuts in the same holes where the captive nuts used to be. Can you describe what you did here? I also saw in Barney Gaylord's MGA Guru site where he cut out that area and replaced it with 5/16 steel. He got rid of the captive nuts and just drilled and tapped holes to use stainless steel bolts to mount the convertible top frame. Sounds like another option to consider.
Thank you for your videos.
Jeff
hi jeff, yes i did weld in new captive nuts and they are holding quite strongly But I discovered Barneys fix much later and I think a thick tapping plate is a much better solution because it will be very strong, no risk of having a weld come loose inside, and you can easily retap the holes if they get rusty in future