Fitting front inner wing

[hugh]

Does anyone know how the front inner wings are attached to the inner face of the outer wings during manufacture (apologies for all the inners and outers..)? Are they spot or seam welded, and to where (to the wheel arch 'lip' or just above)?
I'm struggling with an HF Lusso, but I imagine all Fulvias are the same.
Any advice on this much appreciated, Hugh

[lancialulu]

On the HF the inner arch is set into the folded back edge of the flared outer arch. Looking back at my notes from Bill Lewis he said to use mastic and no weld in this, just fold the back edge up to clamp the inner. Obviously this is not how non HF wings works with a standard flange on the outer matching a flange on the inner.
Hope that helps

[AndyT72]

Hugh, to add to what Tim said, i had a trawl through pics of my car during restoration...I believe this is original but couldn't swear. Looks like it's been brazed only (we didn't pull apart so unsure if additional mastic holding it all together).

[hugh]

Thanks Tim and Andy - rapid and authoritative as always! I think the front wings on my previous HF were simply sealed with mastic; however, my current car had one wing tacked to the wheel arch and the other floating in Halford's Finest filler!  Hugh

[davidwheeler]

You are lucky.  My series 2 1600 Sport has all inner wings free floating with, originally, rubber "seals"     I am working on the car now and am tempted to try to do as yours but I think it will be too difficult and shall go with mastic tape.

[lancialulu]

You are lucky.  My series 2 1600 Sport has all inner wings free floating with, originally, rubber "seals"     I am working on the car now and am tempted to try to do as yours but I think it will be too difficult and shall go with mastic tape.

A Sport is transformed by seam welding the inners to the outer. Stiffens it up. Can only really be done with new inner and outer wing steel.

[Murphs1600hf]

Hugh,
I am in the process of recommencing the rebuild of my Series 2 1600HF, which I have owned since 1978.
Family, work and overseas commitments have resulted in a long drawn out rebuild. Now in retirement, I can crack on with it, house rebuild, grandkids etc permitting. Ha.
I had previously installed RH, drivers side front, wheel arch replacement from Omicron (I think). This is now firmly in place. Trouble is, I need to replace inner wing, which is missing as I had removed the rusty remains.
I guess I should have replaced the front inner wing whilst installing the front outer wing.
Can you advise where you obtained your inner wing, or have you replaced it by fabricating from scratch. Any tips on fitting and how easy or difficult it was, would be gratefully received. 

[hugh]

Murph,
Good luck with your retirement project (!); I retired some time ago now but have only recently got around to the HF - all usual excuses apply...
I think Omicron may do front inner wheelarchs in two parts (they certainly do rear inners). You may find that one of the continental parts people can help.
Fortunately my offside (mine is a RHD car) inner wheelarch was OK.  On the nearside there was enough good metal still attached to the 'car-side' seam for me to fabricate an arch in 2 parts and weld it to what remained of the arch. There were some awkward curves and I was stupid enough to try and include the strengthening grooves that run across it, but it's in now and I have taken a 'tag and mastic' approach to attaching it to the outer wing. My welding isn't very good and any attempt by me to seam weld it would probably distort the arch.
You should be able to fit the inner arch with the outer wing in place - although I would do this after you have done any surgery necessary to the back of the arch and the very rust-prone subframe support 'box' lurking behind it. 
Hugh

[Murphs1600hf]

Thanks for reply Hugh,
I will check out Omicron etc as well as continental suppliers as well. I have done subframe box etc whilst  half the wing was cut off, as well as the areas around the bulkhead etc. All is now pretty solid except the inner wing. Just overhauling my Carbs at the moment taking into account all the fantastic advise on this and other forums. Biggest problem now in getting started is unearthing the car and clearing out the garage! A decade of Karting with my son has resulted in a number of Karts and spares needing to be cleared. My car is in reasonable shape still, but I need to crack on before I get too old to do it.
Cheers, Dave




73 - 1600 HF Lusso  - Previously Beta HPE and 1600 Beta Coupe

[davidwheeler]

Do not despair, I am not yet too old!