DrGonzoPOW's 1981 320/6 - 325i -Race'in Up-

[DrGonzoPOW]

What am i going to need then Jim? Type of wire, thickness, gas all that gear? (i know you've told be before so sorry). I have no clue about welding but guess i need to learn

[e21-Mark]

Check you-tube for mig welding basics.

[murran]

you got a good pic of the bit that needs welding? what welder is that one under the bench? has it got any wire in it already, if so, what type? have you got a regulator for some gas?

[drjim]

what welder is that one under the bench? has it got any wire in it already, if so, what type? have you got a regulator for some gas?

It's a clarke pro 90 with a new torch fitted as the old one was knackered. He has a regulator for argon or CO2 bottles although the LPM gauge got bashed when the bottle fell over. No wire in it.

[DrGonzoPOW]

what he said

[DrGonzoPOW]

Couple of jobs done today. Mostly things still on hold due to the welding issue but think im gonna have a crack at it myself now (oh dear). Grinded and wire wheeled it all back and its not actually that bad. The inner skin is very solid so i just used some rust eater and caked it in U-Pol weld thru primer


Still just cleaning and re-painting stuff until thats sorted. Did the block in high temp blackness

Buffed the head up with a drill mop and its looking nice so no paint on that.
And most of the day was taken up by getting the new member into the Fantasy Factory

Has a 1.8 supercharged Corrado engine in. Just needs bolting back together and tidying up and it'll be a nice little weapon indeed!

[murran]

motor looks good dude, niceo'shiny! did you clean up the sump or are you leaving it with the protective anti-corrosive layer of oily dirt (like i suggested)?
you do any practice welding?

[DrGonzoPOW]

Went for anti corrosion muck mate Need a mask before i can try welding. Ive ordered one so will be able to have a crack soon.
Regarding the battery boot jobby. Did you just use a standard jump lead cable and attach some terminals to it ? Think i may have to do the same as that E30 one does'nt really bend into places very well

[murran]

yeah i used a heavy duty long set of jump leads and some m8 crimpable terminals from halfords.

[DrGonzoPOW]

Tried my hand at welding today and think i may just attempt the patch myself. Still working out the best power settings and wire speed but getting some half decent welds on some scrap i pinched. May possibly have a go tomora if im feeling confident, think im just gonna use some 1mm steel like the bits ive been practicing on to bodge a patch. Really fed up with everything being on hold because of this hole!
On another topic i bought some proper 143 Kashmir metallic paint......but the colour is way off so pretty gutted about that as it was 30 quid! Also bought a half decent gravity feed gun but seem to have glogged it all up already and it needs taking apart and properly cleaning. Painted all the headlight fittings, servo and sunroof patches up though so all was not lost today. May attempt to put the sunroof back together again soon but i need to figure out how to lower it slightly as it scratched the sh*% out of it when opening it before.
I also managed to get a snapped stud out of my cylinder head which id just about given up on, so pretty chuffed about that.

[e21-Mark]

Good work. I say go for it with the patch. What's the worst that can happen? You grind it out and try again!

[DrGonzoPOW]

Update one the welding......
This has been cleaned up alot but happy with the results


Might fill it a bit to smooth things up a tad. Anyway the swap is officially back on track
Next step is engine in!

[e21-Mark]

Jobs a good'un!

[DrGonzoPOW]

Drain hole she wee painted

New seal on panel

Dropped a bollock with that part. Got a bit messy with the tiger seal so i cleaned it up with some cellulose thinners which also took off some of the felt on the rubber
I hope that felt layer is just for asthetics and wont effect the seal !!??

[murran]

the important bit is the drains working. the weather seal is not as important.
patch looks good to me!

need a hand putting the engine in? i might be free sometime over the next couple of weekends. give me a day and i'll try to get authorisation from our lass..... sort of a day release from family life if you will......... let me know dude! more notice the better!