Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Electrolysis in wings

Ouch! I guess that it's a long time has passed since I paid for mine. Perhaps Sid Watson's prices are influenced by the factory prices.

If when I get around to restoring my steel wings they are beyond repair, which I don't think they will be, I would not hesitate in fitting fiberglass wings from Sid Watson. Its odd I feel how some people have an aversion to them but would quite happily drive around in a TVR or Lotus. I think they are a practical solution unless perhaps you are a into showing your car to win prizes.

It's an issue I am going to have to deal with in a couple of years. The aluminium wings on my 68 4/4 were installed in the mid 80's, according to the records with the car. They don't have the wire edge reinforcing so I guess they are "super form." In any case corrosion is becoming an issue. My hope is that they will be repairable when, in a couple of years, I have to tackle the job. I will be paying to have the work done. Would I go to fibreglass? As a last resort, yes.

I think I have my answer after a long discussion with Bill, who was, or is , a Telstra electrolysis expert in Melbourne .
Don't worry about the radiator. I could put an ampmeter in there to test, but if it read high then I would be better to deal with the cause rather than putting in an anode.
Regarding the wings-Sacrificial annodes do need an electrolyte to work, so the suggestion that as my car is not a ship in saltwater then anodes will not work is correct ...at face value.
But, there is electrolysis on the wings of my car, therefore I must assume that wet drives, and moist nights , provide enough medium for electrolysis to occur between the aluminium and steel wire . It is fair to assume then, that wet drives and damp nights will provide a medium for a sacrificial anode to work if correctly stuck on the car.
Magnesium is further up the scale of whatever than aluminium, but too far up, and could damage the wings. Zinc should work fine, the aluminium should slightly passify? against it, and hopefully, any electrolysis will sacrifice my anode.
I shall drive the car as is, maybe in due course I will come across a panel beater who is knowledgeable and affordable and clean up the present wings. Alternatively, one day I will have a rush of blood to the head and think I can easily bolt on new aluminium or glass wings to a handmade vehicle and assume they will fit every Morgan perfectly.
Thank you to all posters who have increased my knowledge of my car. What an excellent site.

The bendable quality of fibreglass wings may make them preferable in my area, where kangaroos take the fun out of exercising a V8. If I ever hit a roo, I think they would be an ideal replacement.