fiestaturbo.com

[matteoman]

Hi there

First a brief introduction, My name is Matteo I come from a Ford ka background i have a project 220bhp ka uprated brakes, suspension roll cage, racing arches, custom rear beam etc etc and an rs turbo engine waiting to be installed by me!

Anyways i bought a mk3 yesterday its pretty good but the bottoms of both wings are shot. How easy are they to remove? i have seen spot welds but can anybody give me a quick walkthrough? Im alright getting it on etc.

Thanks in advance

[jayrs]

alright mate.
its pretty easy really depending how you go about it.

a spot weld drill bit is a thing to get, its like a small end mill, and you only cut though the first layer of metal, then grind the pip thats left off.

you could cut most of the wing off then do whats left to make it a bit easier, such as where it joins to the front panel.

wings on the mk3 are spot welded along the top where it meets the inner wing, when it gets to the front panel, it could have bewteen 3 and 5 spot welds there.

on the bottom of the wing on the A piller (next to the door) theres 2-4 spot welds holding the bottom on.
also on the A piller on the inside of the wing, is 2 10mm hex self tappers holding the sing to the piller.

as you come to below the headlight, the wing is sport welded there also, theres norm 1 sport weld for each lug, moving to 2-4 on the flat bit, these ones can be trickey to get to, i always cut the wing off here, and then grind the metal thats left over from the wing where the spot welds are, until its so thin it can be pulled off, then clean it up after.

if the wing has been replaced before, there could be more or less sport welds, and you might even find someone has used a mig welder to spot weld the front edge of the wing to the front edge of the lower front panel, so your need to check that

im maybe not explainging it too well if you dont know where i mean, but if you have a look, you will soon see what i mean.

[matteoman]

Hi there

Thank you very much for providing me with the good knowledge on what to expect. I guess its just have a good look first to see exactly where its welded ive found the ones where it meets the inner wing, theres 2 on the bottom where it joins the sill and untill i start removing things i cant see any more.

Im not worried about welding it back on but i am worried about lining the panel up to get the correct gaps is there any tips you can give me? im chasing 2 original wings to make my job easier..

Thank you.

[jayrs]

im restoring a FRST for a mate on here, if you follow his thread, as i shall be final fitting the wings (and front panel) next week, and i get some pics of where the spot welds are on the fiesta.

the-recaro-fiesta-restoration-update-5-10-vt142671/page2380/

[matteoman]

That would be great mate the more info i can get will make me more confident.

Im hoping i dont find any nasties under the wings the sills that the bottom is welded too it rock solid and the inner wings from engine bay side look good too.

I also need a replacement arch section welded in on passenger rear arch its not bad but i want to fix it. Done any of them before? thats out of my league though and ill have to get a proffesional to do that.

Found myself 2 genuine wings though I know its not an RS or an XR but its still a farely clean fez that i want to make nice.

[jayrs]

no worries mate, ill get plenty of pics for ya, although the old wings have come off, so i can only show you my spot welds, and where the factory ones would be.

as for rear arches, yeah done them, ive replaced both inner arches on that car, a outer arch on drivers side, and fitted a complete rear quarter panel on the passanger side, also fitted 2 sills, scuttle panel, lower back panel, filler cap repair panel (made that from scratch) for the rear inner arch, and more

have a flick through that thread starting on page 51
the-recaro-fiesta-restoration-update-5-10-vt142671/page1750/

ignor the big sledge hammer etc, they were put there for a pi$$ take

[matteoman]

Hi

That thread is a beast! but also looks like it was one poor rotten RS now all repaired nearly!

Im hoping i don't find any nasties behind the wings as it does look really clean and with the low mileage too im hoping its ok. I will have 2 genuine wings on the way very soon which should make my job easier fitting them right? Any tips to getting panel gaps right?

Im not confident enough to do the arch section myself unfortunately and ive heard its a big job and can get expensive.
I just want it fitted so i can paint it after.

Look forward to another good reply!

[matteoman]

Evening guys

I had all 4 wheels off tonight to have a good look inside the arches. Front wings are shot but i have 2 new ones coming the front inner wings are rock solid though and so are the sills the wings are welded too!

Drivers side rear arch is absolutely mint. Rear valance drivers side is mint too

Passenger arch rear needs replacement but upon reading a blokes restoration on here i looked up and found 1 or 2 small holes in the inner filler panel and the rear valance on this side needs work too.

How much am i looking at to get a new inner filler panel fitted (exterior is honestly mint not even a blister yet), Outer arch and if it needs it an inner arch? not painted just fitted and why im there the bit to the rear valance done??

Just after a few rough prices guys

[jayrs]

to be fair mate, the rot wasnt as bad as some ive seen, and what rot was there was in the normal places, but as i say, ive seen worse

gen wings should fit better, ive had pattern parts fit spot on before, and pattern on witch are poor fitting, that said, the gen ford scuttle panel i fitted on this wasnt a very good fit, i had to make it fit, but i think thats a bit due to it being a mk5 item, and poor pressing, but it didnt need much to fit right.

as for panel gaps, see what gaps you have before you remove the wings along the bonnet and door shut, see if you can get a bit of wood or something about the same thickness and use that as a gauge when fitting the new ones.
a slight run off (as in it gets a tiny bit wider or narrower) towards the top or bottom of the door shut would be ok as it wont notice, and may need needed for a decent fit up front, but really keep it as uniform as you can.

as for rear arch, if you have never done one before, then yeah, its gunna be hard work, less if you (and i hope i dont offend) are clued up with metal working in general.

[jayrs]

Evening guys

I had all 4 wheels off tonight to have a good look inside the arches. Front wings are shot but i have 2 new ones coming the front inner wings are rock solid though and so are the sills the wings are welded too!

Drivers side rear arch is absolutely mint. Rear valance drivers side is mint too

Passenger arch rear needs replacement but upon reading a blokes restoration on here i looked up and found 1 or 2 small holes in the inner filler panel and the rear valance on this side needs work too.

How much am i looking at to get a new inner filler panel fitted (exterior is honestly mint not even a blister yet), Outer arch and if it needs it an inner arch? not painted just fitted and why im there the bit to the rear valance done??

Just after a few rough prices guys

i wouldnt like to say mate, but i would expect the bill to be around the £600 mark at least, they dont make inner filler panels, so one would have to be made up.
its strange the inner filler panel has gone and not the outer one, this leads me to think that the outer one has been repaired in the past, hopefully by means of a filler repair panel, however, theres always that chance its just full of filler!

price would also depend on how you want it fixed, if you just wanted the rust sorted, it would be cheaper of someone plated over the top, which is what a lot would prob do anyway, if your thinking cut out, and new bits welded in, then its gunna be more.
would be interested to know what you pay in the end though mate if you dont mind letting me know

[matteoman]

Evening mate

Ive found it very interesting reading various bits of that resto thread you have its what made me look at the inner panel. If im honest ive never welded a car before hence not wanting to do the arch myself but wings im betting i can do i have welded 3mm steel and i am lucky to have a few mates who are willing to watch over me doing the wings.

As for the arch it doesnt look to have been repaired ill have to get some pictures but the inner panel has 2 or 3 small holes. Id just like it fixed if im honest but i aint willing to pay out 600 thats what i paid for the car tax and moted. I dont do patches tho im a bloke who likes a job done properly.

Looks like im a bit stumped after ive finished the wings then as im not in any way good enough to do the arch and at that price its out my budget ( i have a turbo ka build in progress see)

[AW3K]

prob a bit too late but you might find these helpfull

these show the placement of the welds and brazes on the lower front panel







i have got all this to do on my project here aw3k-s-2-0l-xr2i-rust-restoration-vt148231/


Andy

[matteoman]

Cheers mate

Hmm lucky you lol rather you then me but i honestly cant afford 600£ to fix the back of mine i only paid just under that for the motor with full test and 6months tax. I really need to find someone who isnt going to charge me that kind of money to fix mine. I want it done though even if its just a standard fiesta its preserving it then!

[AW3K]

Cheers mate

Hmm lucky you lol rather you then me but i honestly cant afford 600£ to fix the back of mine i only paid just under that for the motor with full test and 6months tax. I really need to find someone who isnt going to charge me that kind of money to fix mine. I want it done though even if its just a standard fiesta its preserving it then!

totally aggree mate

if you can weld then your half way there,

i have to replace on mine
parts of the A pillars
scuttle panel
rear panel
light panels
both rear qtrs
part of turrets

not much work lol

need to save it from scrappers

Andy

[matteoman]

Wow thats a hefty list of welding you got there mate. I cant weld thin metal but im confident enough to do my wings myself i have 2 mates to call up on to watch me doing it and help me out ive got 2 genuine wings coming too.

My list is just

2 front wings (inner wings are rock solid as are sills and front panel)
Outer arch on passenger side rear
Inner filler panel just started to go
passenger rear corner of valance is holed too.

To do the last 3 is gonna get expensive but i want it done without patches i want new metal or panels in there i just dont know who to ask or where to go on that one. Youd never of thought im a mechanic eh

[matteoman]

HI again

I have found myself an rs body kit including everything but the bonnet. So i need to repair my rear arch and patch the valance.

How easy is it to get the rear passenger arch off? is it spot welded? and the lip on the arch is it only the outer arch lip there or is the inner arch lip joined to the outer?

Thanks

[AW3K]

post up a pic mate to see the rot then we'll have a better idea.

rear outer arches are not removable they have to be cut and re welded


Andy

[matteoman]

Here are some pictures of the fiesta can people please shed their useful advice on how to repair the arch please? im wanting to fit an arch repair panel but need to know exactly how to remove it or is anybody local to birmingham who would want to come show me? i really want to learn. I will be doing the wings myself i can do them.






This is what i need to repair guys any advice? most of its solid but as you can see starting to blister then theres that hole, Behind the bumper looks good from what i see from peeling the corner back.


Outside the panel though is mint not even 1 blister!




Drivers arch mint! flakey paint is being fixed but very rock solid.

[DanFraser]

Either I need an eye test or my car has more rust than I realise...

[AW3K]

mate yours are near mint, its when they look like mine then you should get worried




Andy

[matteoman]

Its the body kit that causes water traps im guessing for it to get bad like yours.


I still want to fix it mate though. What we reckoning a new outer arch or does it look the edge of the inner has gone too? if i look up inside it looks and feels mint. I cant put a body kit over that or it will look like yours in the end

[matteoman]

Can anybody else help me on the matter of the rear passenger arch? i understand its pretty good but i dont want to cover rot up with an rs kit i need to sort it.

Anybody whos changed panels like this in Birmingham or not far from Birmingham i dont mind travelling at all

[jayrs]

sorry i missed the replies mate.

that arch isnt that bad as said, i think if it was me i would be tempted to take as little out as poss.

might be betetr if you had some betetr pics of the rot we talking about though

[matteoman]

I will whip the rear bumper off tomrorow and get some better quality pictures. Yeah i was thinking not to cut to much out. Just wish there was someone in Birmingham who wouldnt mind lending a weekend to help me do that one bit you know?

[jayrs]

okie doke mate cool.
yeah its always a pain when theres no one around, ive seen many posts like that, and ive helped loads of people over the net whos said, if you were closer etc

[matteoman]

Hi guys

You asked for a few more pictures i tried my best but trying to take pictures of a white car outside isnt easy but here they are..























The rear valance has one hole which has been filled with filler from the last owner but other then that its ok i think..

[jayrs]

from the looks of that,. i would say the arch has been filled, but the lip wasnt painted.

hmmm, i think as far as the lip goes, without wanting to paint the quarter panel again, i would clean the lip up, see just how bad it is, you might find cleaning all the rust off and kill rusting it might help, rather than cutting it off, but you said the inner arch has holes didnt you? which would also tell me the outer arch was filled, but again, if your looking to avoid having to paint the outer arch, then the best you can do with the inner arch is cut the rust out best you can and plate it, or plate over it for a quick fix.

as for the rest of it, clean it all up, anything thats not rusted through or too thin, kill rust it, the hole, cut the rot out and patch a new bit in, or again, if your looking for a quick fix, plate over it

[matteoman]

from the looks of that,. i would say the arch has been filled, but the lip wasnt painted.

hmmm, i think as far as the lip goes, without wanting to paint the quarter panel again, i would clean the lip up, see just how bad it is, you might find cleaning all the rust off and kill rusting it might help, rather than cutting it off, but you said the inner arch has holes didnt you? which would also tell me the outer arch was filled, but again, if your looking to avoid having to paint the outer arch, then the best you can do with the inner arch is cut the rust out best you can and plate it, or plate over it for a quick fix.

as for the rest of it, clean it all up, anything thats not rusted through or too thin, kill rust it, the hole, cut the rot out and patch a new bit in, or again, if your looking for a quick fix, plate over it

I dont mind getting things painted but i dont want to do half a job its gotta be good if im gonna do it at all. I believe the reason the filler is there is because it looks to have had new outer sills because theres a join line right along the bottom of the quarters on both sides of the car which leads me to think this.

Inner arch is looking very good just the bit in the photo it was the inner fuel filler panel which has 1 or 2 pencil tip sized holes but i can live with that it will rust treat nicely.

So how is the best way to cut a lip off and graft a newun on?

[jayrs]

well if painting isnt a problem, first thing you wanna do is buzz off the paint to see whats under it, if the arch is full of filler then your need to go higher up and find out why, if its rust, then go past it and see where it stops, then you can decide how best to do it, but i expect your get away with a arch repair panel.

so, once you know where it needs to be cut, cut the new arch to the size you need, then use that as a template on the car to mark the cut, then cut the outer arch off (see knuckles thread for what i done) then offer the replacment up and get it lines up and then tac it in, then carry on to weld the new arch in, but do not do too many spot welds are one time other wise heat will warp the panel, do a few, then move off to another part of the arch and do a few and so on, you could cool the panel as you go also with a damp rag, or better still a blow gun connected to a air line.


oh, you might well find (and prob will) that the inner arch lip is rotton when you get the outer arch off, how best to repair that depends how bad it is, you might get away with cutting the small ares of rot out and patching in new stips, on the other hand you might need a complete inner arch lip? again, untill the old arch is off you wont know.

when you buzz the paint off the arch, i wouldnt go past half the arch radius to start with, as i dont think your need to, and it will be easier to blend it all back in on the arch rather than the main panel

[matteoman]

Hi mate

Really appreicate the depth youve gone into there i understand now much better on how to approach it. When i "buzz the paint off" im guessing i can use a linisher wheel on my grinder? thats what id normally use. Im hoping its not full of filler but it doesnt look it so should be ok.

I cut my old ka door skins off to use as metal for the fiesta would it be easier to make my own plates for the inner wing or just buy a panel and chop the bit out i need?? Actually i just remembered you saying its hard to judge without removing the panel.

Also when i get to this bit referring to the picture below do you think its best to cut it down to near the sill as in to put a complete new lip in?



My last question for now mate is just the rear valance hole:



How is best to do this? looking behind i cant just cut a neat square out of it as its not completely flat behind is it. Also the previous owner bodged a small hole with filler below the big hole you may can see a brown patch and below that you can see the bit of filler. Im thinking the best way for that is just cut a square out and do my best to form some metal into the hole left?

Sorry for so many questions but i do feel were getting somewhere

[AW3K]

if your wanting to replace the lip then youll need to use a repair panel

this is from my old fiesta but youll get the idea















you get the idea

[matteoman]

Cheers fella

That's a five door model but its the same principle, They don't make them panels for the 3 door ive looked they just do an arch repair section but it would be good if they had the bit that goes down by the rear valance.

I appreciate everybody's help i will be referring to these photos a lot over the next month or two.

How did you get such an acurate fit to your panel there?? as in how did you know where exactly to cut to know your panel would fit nice.

Thanks

[AW3K]

Cheers fella

That's a five door model but its the same principle, They don't make them panels for the 3 door ive looked they just do an arch repair section but it would be good if they had the bit that goes down by the rear valance.

I appreciate everybody's help i will be referring to these photos a lot over the next month or two.

How did you get such an acurate fit to your panel there?? as in how did you know where exactly to cut to know your panel would fit nice.

Thanks

here you go not sure on quality tho

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BN-Ford-fiest ... 564cb0ac83


erm measure lots cut once,
use lots of clamps to hold it till you tack it
Andy

[jayrs]

they do in deed make the outer arch repair panel with that bit for the back mate.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Pair-Ford-f ... 564d2a270a

thats a pair, you could ask if there sell you just the one you need, or buy the pair and sell the other on

[jayrs]

great minds andy