Superaquarama Posted April 13, 2013 Report Share Posted April 13, 2013 (edited) Looking at photos of various TR4s & 5s, I'm a bit puzzled about the short cross-seams in the rear section - there are 4 per side, 2 on the rear 'tonneau' and 2 by the rear lights. Sometimes some or all aren't visible and thus must be leaded, others have all 4 on display. I'm just getting started on prepping the body for paint and my inclination is to lead them all - anyone have any thoughts on this ? Thanks, Anthony Edited April 13, 2013 by Superaquarama Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted April 13, 2013 Report Share Posted April 13, 2013 I think that if you lead these it may split. Lead works best evenly spread over a reasonable area. If you looked at mine you would see the two on the top surface but none around the lights. This is because I chose to remove them. Others may have done the same. I did this by making a lapped joint and welding them when I made a replacement panel for this area. I could easily have removed the ones at the top but chose to leave em. This was actually a bit more work. I am sure some of em just get filled up with body-filler. Al. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Salisbury Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 Those seams should be there, that's how they left the factory, the cars look wrong without them. Cheers Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 Its your car that looks wrong without them. Mine looks just right. Al. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 I think that if you lead these it may split. Lead works best evenly spread over a reasonable area. I am sure some of em just get filled up with body-filler. Al. Cobblers! I always lead fill all the seam joints on the read decks and down around the lights and then put the seam line back in afterwards. It stops the cracking of the paint as lead is flexible. I also do this for the bottoms of "A" and "B" post to sill joins for exactly the same reason. I would always walk away from a car with no seam lines if Im looking for one for a customer as pretty much everyone else just fills over those seams and thats a bodge and usually means poor repairs. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 Oh well, I walk away from cars with alternators instead of dynamos, TR6 wiper-motors and MX5 seats. But its good to know that you can fill these with lead and it works. Al. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 For additional insurance against lead filling to the seams cracking, consider a bulkhead welded in between the petrol tank and the passenger comnpartment. A good idea anyway, whatever your treatment to the seams. AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 Oh well, I walk away from cars with alternators instead of dynamos, TR6 wiper-motors and MX5 seats. But its good to know that you can fill these with lead and it works. Al. Only guilty of MX5 seats but for the miles I do and the fact that Im 6ft4in I wouldnt have it any other way. FWIW I still have the original seats but their in my shed Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Millward Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 Its your car that looks wrong without them. Mine looks just right. Al. You probably wouldn't like my car with all it's modifications but the seams are still there...it's how it should be bodywise. Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 No seams = bag of s!!! walk away Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alan atkinson Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 Oh well, I walk away from cars with alternators instead of dynamos, TR6 wiper-motors and MX5 seats. But its good to know that you can fill these with lead and it works. Al. I think mine might give you a heart attack... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MikeF Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 The seams on my car were filled (with polymer) by a PO and were cracking. This made a handy negotiating point with the seller (who had bought to resell) on grounds it must be a cover up. Talking to the last real PO he said he had filled them because he thought PO to him had made a bad job on replacing panel. The filler went when the car was repainted on grounds of authenticity and tidy up (metal was sound). Afterwards I thought car looked better (posher) with them filled, but I have to say I don’t really notice that part of car. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jersey Royal Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 (edited) I think that if you lead these it may split. Lead works best evenly spread over a reasonable area. Al. So how would you deal with large door gaps.... Welding rod? Cheers Guy Edited April 14, 2013 by Jersey Royal Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike3739 Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 (edited) Angle Iron, silly billy? Cheers Mike Edited April 14, 2013 by mike3739 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Superaquarama Posted April 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 Ok, ok, point taken - seams will remain as per factory ! But many thanks for the help, everyone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MikeF Posted April 15, 2013 Report Share Posted April 15, 2013 (edited) Oh well, I walk away from cars with alternators instead of dynamos, TR6 wiper-motors and MX5 seats. Al. So that's why I've never seen you round here then Mike Edited April 15, 2013 by MikeF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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