The 'E' Type Forum

Dear all, I am new to this forum and to E type ownership having recently bought a 1973 Series 3 E type DHC, and just started examining it properly and planning some improvements.

Upon close examination of the rear wheel arches I have found some rust on a horizontal line that runs from the back lower corner of the door to the rear arch- in other words I think this is the top of the outer sill.

I believe you should not be able to feel a ridge as you run your hand down the wing between the door and the arch but you can on mine.

Should this be lead loaded and be a completely smooth surface? I guess it was butt welded before lead loading at the factory.

I am now worried it has had a bodge over-sill repair slapped on perhaps in the eighties! I know the car has sat around since the late eighties in a dry garage and barely used.

Cheers many thanks for your help
Bob

Hi Bob and welcome.
It certainly should be smooth, but being a little ridged may be due to poor lead-loading, oversills, repairs to the wing.....all sorts. If you're doing a body restoration then a quick blast with the orbital sander will reveal all...otherwise leave well alone!

You may be able to see something if you remove the trim inside, behind the rear wing.

Good luck!

Yes I've got to know- if they are oversills then I can imagine what horrors lie beneath!

Thanks for your help
Bob

Bob,

One of the best things I bought was a boroscope, available cheaply enough from E bay. You can get right into the sills and box sections to see what they are like inside. The one I have allows you to take video and still shots and is equipped with led lighting on the 8mm head. Great for looking in engines as well through the spark plug holes.

Simon

This is a very common problem and not one to get particularly worried about. What happens is that the lead loading in the horizontal seam is surprisingly fluid and migrates downwards under the influence of gravity and creates a ridge, often cracking the paint as it does so

Thanks guys, I think the boroscope is a great idea- there are I believe some access holes from the inside.
But I don't think that the lead has moved as the paint was not cracked just has this ridge along the seam line.