front bulkhead panel

[adamnreeves]

I have come to fit the front bulk head panel, the driver side one and the panel has been pre-bent by westfield and it is not straight from left to right it is out by 3mm meaning  I cannot mount the panel straight. This panel also has a different colour protective film (blue, the rest are green) The passenger side is pre-bent also but this fits perfectly. I am sure I can remedy the bend, although it will not be as neat as otherwise would have been, but it will not be visible anyway. Am I being super critical, but I would have preferred the bends not be pre-formed.

[Mark Stanton]

Are you referring to the ali panels       can't it be remedied by some DIY trimming          

After all its a "kit car"          You wanna see what other "manufacturers" supply as kits          

[adamnreeves]

Are you referring to the ali panels       can't it be remedied by some DIY trimming          

After all its a "kit car"          You wanna see what other "manufacturers" supply as kits          

I think westfield supply quality kits I looked at many other manufacturers and agree with you. Nothing against westfield but these panels should not be pre-bent I think. I cannot trim because the bend is out too far, I have just measure it with engineering rule and it is actually out by 6mm from end to end. Despite this I think I can reform the bend but will have a ghost impression where the old bend was but will be hidden from view anyway. BTW, I can see where the original score mark was for the bender and this tells the story, as the bend was on the line, it was the marksman that was out.

[Mark Stanton]

A quick call to Westfield on Monday           if there's owt wrong or missing from kits they're usually very good with folks    

[adamnreeves]

A quick call to Westfield on Monday           if there's owt wrong or missing from kits they're usually very good with folks    

I fitted it this morning. Managed to pursued the bend a couple of mil and the other few mill I moved by clamping the panel in place with wood and clamping with all my strength. I was expecting the sheet to spring back when I removed the clamps but to my amazement it did not. Job done.

[Chasmon]

You'll enjoy fitting the rear bulk head...

[KerryS]

You'll enjoy fitting the rear bulk head...

   

Kerry S

[jak]

I paid to have westfield fit the panels for me - much easier than rivetting all those panels on        

John

[Neil Purdie]

I paid to have westfield fit the panels for me - much easier than rivetting all those panels on        

John

following up on this thread.

Out of curiosity what meterial rivets are used by the factory ( alloy or steel )?

What pitch are they drilled to?

[Chasmon]

I paid to have westfield fit the panels for me - much easier than rivetting all those panels on        

John

You can always pay for them to build the whole car for you.  

[adamnreeves]

Have fitted the rear bulk head a bit daunting as you have to bend it and there is a slight crease now I am sure it will knock out with a  hammer and block of wood.

I have now fitted the rear bulkhead, front bulkhead, transmission tunnel sides and in the middle of doing floor panels. Which incidentally I have had to turn over chassis and the rear of the chassis upside down is too wide for the WF chassis stand I have had to place on rear brackets, suffice to say I used about eight tires and then thought I would clamp with g-clamps also. I am interested in other approaches if there are any? I have to leave it like this over night I hope we have no tremors!

[jak]

I paid to have westfield fit the panels for me - much easier than rivetting all those panels on        

John

You can always pay for them to build the whole car for you.  

What and miss out on six months in a cold draughty garage?      

[KerryS]

I was really annoyed at the crease in my rear panel but was heartened to see that factory fitted ones are just the same

Kerry S

[MAT1800]

Prrhhh! Fitting the panels was the most boring, tedious and unmotivating part of the whole build for me. I didn't get Wf to do it first, but I would if I was ever to build another.  It gets a lot better after this.

You'll get use to 'making parts fit' , the kit is ceratinly very good, and I guess as I managed it, fairly simple, but if you do get stuck, this forum is a great resource and WF are always willing to offer advice on the phone.

Don't worry about turing the car over etc, this will be the last time you need to turn it over completely, although if you wanted to check ahead, you could fix the fuel lines and loom down the tunnel now, although you would have to be very carefull when you put the engine and gearbox in, to make sure you didn't damage it.

Mat.

[adamnreeves]

Prrhhh! Fitting the panels was the most boring, tedious and unmotivating part of the whole build for me. I didn't get Wf to do it first, but I would if I was ever to build another.  It gets a lot better after this.

You'll get use to 'making parts fit' , the kit is ceratinly very good, and I guess as I managed it, fairly simple, but if you do get stuck, this forum is a great resource and WF are always willing to offer advice on the phone.

Don't worry about turing the car over etc, this will be the last time you need to turn it over completely, although if you wanted to check ahead, you could fix the fuel lines and loom down the tunnel now, although you would have to be very carefull when you put the engine and gearbox in, to make sure you didn't damage it.

Mat.

I find fitting the panels quite rewarding but I guess if I was building another then it would be tedius having done it before. But then would WF re-paint all the drilled holes like I did (I know I am obssesed, the car will out-live me! but if I sell it then a plus point)

Good suggestion with loom and fuel pipes but I think I want to get the chassis the right way up as soon as I can, i.e. directly after fitting the floor panels!