Sills
- Thread starter rmg1rmg
- Start date
Fabrication, unfortunately. It's not too involved a job though, only sheet metal* at the end of the day, it shouldn't be prohibitively expensive. Here's mine being sorted a couple of years ago. https://forums.ukcougar.club/threads/25064-Sill-welding
*Fibreglass has been suggested in the past but is definitely not recommended....
*Fibreglass has been suggested in the past but is definitely not recommended....
Uneducated/ignorant garage mechs have been taught to assume Ford cougars are a nightmare to work on, but will willingly accept identical work on the mondeo.
It would help here if you could describe the severity of the damage, even a few photo's?
It would help here if you could describe the severity of the damage, even a few photo's?
I'm surprised by the fact nobody will do it, even I'll do a "plate and gob" job for somebody who's in desperate need for the MOT.
There is no horror story on these, it's not a twenty-section weirdy-beardy jobbie, it's a hack out and replace job.
Shame you're not local, I've got 2 square-meters of panel steel sitting in the workshop.
There is no horror story on these, it's not a twenty-section weirdy-beardy jobbie, it's a hack out and replace job.
Shame you're not local, I've got 2 square-meters of panel steel sitting in the workshop.
Ah, a hole that big may be scaring people.
Often you'll need to double the size of the visible hole to get something worth welding on to! Not saying it can't be done at all, but if you're taking it "down the docks" for a plate they might be a bit apprehensive.
Have you tried a local welder type rather than a garage?
Often you'll need to double the size of the visible hole to get something worth welding on to! Not saying it can't be done at all, but if you're taking it "down the docks" for a plate they might be a bit apprehensive.
Have you tried a local welder type rather than a garage?
Oh hell. That's been welded up before and not correctly treated (last two pics).
I won't lie to you - that's in a very bad state. I'm not a welder myself but I've watched them work - on my own car too, no less - and what you can actually see is not what the actual rot really is.
I love Cougars, I really do. Possibly to the point where it's unhealthy. But I am going say right here and now that unless you have an emotional connection to that vehicle and want to shell out at least £600, part it out and scrap the shell. It's beyond economical repair in my opinion. The nearside damage is simply catastrophic, which is largely what's driving my response.
I'm very sorry.
I won't lie to you - that's in a very bad state. I'm not a welder myself but I've watched them work - on my own car too, no less - and what you can actually see is not what the actual rot really is.
I love Cougars, I really do. Possibly to the point where it's unhealthy. But I am going say right here and now that unless you have an emotional connection to that vehicle and want to shell out at least £600, part it out and scrap the shell. It's beyond economical repair in my opinion. The nearside damage is simply catastrophic, which is largely what's driving my response.
I'm very sorry.
Don't be sorry it's only a car after all, that's why i'm trying to get peoples opinions, I know even if both sides are cut out and replaced she is also going to need paint work plus other work to go through mot. I could be tempted to buy another MK1 Focus.
Thats bad.
I agree with Chris, it'll cost more than the car is worth to put that right. I certainly wouldn't fancy a go at that and i enjoy a challenge.
sorry :-(
I agree with Chris, it'll cost more than the car is worth to put that right. I certainly wouldn't fancy a go at that and i enjoy a challenge.
sorry :-(
Seeing the pictures, I have to agree. Anything is fixable with enough time, money and work, but you'd be most of the way to a replacement Cougar in reasonable condition for what this would cost to sort. I hate to see Cougars die, but you'd have to be seriously attached to this one to bring it back to health.
This is one of those times where I really, really hate being right (and validated by someone who actually knows what they're talking about).
I don't think it's a case that it can't be fixed. I'ts just that you'd be on a hiding to nothing. It's sad, but... best to be realistic I suppose.
That's doable but you need somewhere that specialises in classic car restoration.
As above though, there's a lot of work in that and you will need both sides of the car resprayed so it will cost a lot of money to do to any presentable standard that would last any length of time.
As above though, there's a lot of work in that and you will need both sides of the car resprayed so it will cost a lot of money to do to any presentable standard that would last any length of time.
Oh that is bad. From the first images, my guess is that the original damage was under estimated. Since we had the work done on DG by the lads of UKCo, i've always stressed how important it is to pull the rear door cards out and delve down into those rear quarter sections where the condensation gets trapped.
Have a look HERE and can i ask you to also add a post showing this corrosion. We need to know where our cars are prone to infection from the rust worm.
Have a look HERE and can i ask you to also add a post showing this corrosion. We need to know where our cars are prone to infection from the rust worm.