I'm re-posting this thread in this forum as could not upload pics in the "welcome forum" where this thread starts......soory about the quality, only had a phone with me. First one shows nomal join on left with crack on right. Second one shows close up of crack..........
Here is the original text from the first thread on the topic: -
Quote:
Hi to all,
at present in Tasmania checking out a 1978 4 seater Plus 4. Generally in good condition but there is one thing that I've seen that concerns me. I took a check list with me on what to look for ( not sure which site I downloaded it from but very useful )and one of the things it mentioned specifically in relation to the 4 seaters was the proneness to cracking ( presumably stress ) in the quarter panels between the door apertures and the wing piping.
On the vehicle I am looking at there is a stepped vertical crack in the sill, below the drivers side door roughly two thirds of the way back from the leading edge.Seems to be only in the skin but difficult to tell.
Questions for the incredibly knowledgable guys on this site....
Is it serious? Is it easily fixable? Could it be associated with a crack in the chassis?....I have checked out the chassis as well as I could and can see no evidence of one but then again I'm a rookie!
This is probably the only thing holding me back from proceeding as it will make a terrific restoration project and the big bonus is ......my 6'3" frame can fit in OK!!
Thanks in advance, so grateful for the help Im getting from guys on this site.
Cheers. Neil.
Now, onto the photos: -
The crack is about 6-8 inches behind the join that Frank mentioned. With the door open I managed to carefully lift the metal strip secured with pins/nails to the horizontal surface of the sill. Access was very limited but at the point directly over the crack I could not see or feel any wood rot.
Is this serious and can it be easily fixed.
Thanks guys
Cheers, Neil
Last edited by Simon; 01/04/1107:07 AM. Reason: to include relevant text from Neil's previous post
Neil, the first - straight line crack is the one I mentioned in your previous post (and what I thought you were referring to).
The second crack - the zig zag crack - looks to be damage to the frame that has been painted over; however, as before, I am not an expert and perhaps someone with greater knowledge will confirm or correct my opinion.
Neil, if the "Z"-chassis doesn't show a damage/distortion underneath and is straight it shouldn't be too alarming in my opinion. Most of the part of the chassis where the crack is should be visible from outside of the car. To be on the safe side you could loosen the padding on the inside - if the owner allows. If the wood near the crack shows also no damage I would rate it as "cosmetical", probably badly repaired rust.
Worst case would be that the car had a shunt from the rear but then there should be other indications of repairs.
Could it be a joint in the wood frame ie where a straight piece meets the curved corner piece? This could explain the stepped shape (no dovetails) and perhaps the glue has come unstuck?
From what I can remember, at that point in the car, you have the Z section chassis with a 1" by 6" plank of ash bolted on top of it followed by the Ash frame at the edge, which supports/shapes the body panels. (you can just about see them all in the picture below, on the pasenger side, the back is chassis, the blue on top is the ash plank, just at the edge you can see a slightly different color about 1" which is the inner body frame.)
It's hard to see from the picture, but it looks like the crack has started at the top.. as this is where the gap looks largest. If this is the case, then it looks like a stress fracture in the body-pannel (which I'm assuming is Ali) where the tail end of the front tub pannel goes under the door.
Thanks for all the input guys, it's been extremely helpful and interesting.
I've just had a report from the owner to say it has been checked by a mechanic and there is no crack in the chassis. It is definitely a sress fracture of the body skin ( steel ), and at this stage it cannot be ascertained whether it is related to any associated damage of the wood frame.
One Morgan owner I spoke to opined it may simply have been due to excessive chassis flexing when eg. hitting a large pot-hole ( yep we have those too here in Oz along with the bull dust!!
Thanks to the last two posters for the pics which were very interesting.
It's now academic as I think I've found a much better vehicle..........off to Queensland once again!
