20-04-2020, 12:18 PM
Notching the rod shank is a horribly misguided practice and this needs saying more often so more people hear it!!
A simple paint mark will suffice, or at least 'dot' it somewhere less critical.
The car will run around for some time in that state, but the notch is a stress raiser and ultimately fatigue cracks will start at the notches and the cracks will grow and then...bang.
I'm not sure there's enough meat on A7 rods to tolerate grinding the notches out; for my money I'd find another set.
I suppose the 'hole' is a white-metalling defect, which calls into question the quality of the white metalling generally. It would probably run OK in a 'pub runs' car but...
As for bodywork Phil, I know how you feel - I'm supposed to start on my Nippy this summer. I can only suggest taking it slowly and cultivating helpful contacts - there are loads of people out there able and willing to help. There is no job that can't be done, the question is just how much money and time you are happy to throw at it. Many of us start with lofty aspirations but have to settle for what we can manage. Proceed slowly and carefully and document everything. I have zero panel beating skills but I did buy myself a small MIG welder while working up to this and in the space of a year or so reckon I learned enough to take the job on.
A simple paint mark will suffice, or at least 'dot' it somewhere less critical.
The car will run around for some time in that state, but the notch is a stress raiser and ultimately fatigue cracks will start at the notches and the cracks will grow and then...bang.
I'm not sure there's enough meat on A7 rods to tolerate grinding the notches out; for my money I'd find another set.
I suppose the 'hole' is a white-metalling defect, which calls into question the quality of the white metalling generally. It would probably run OK in a 'pub runs' car but...
As for bodywork Phil, I know how you feel - I'm supposed to start on my Nippy this summer. I can only suggest taking it slowly and cultivating helpful contacts - there are loads of people out there able and willing to help. There is no job that can't be done, the question is just how much money and time you are happy to throw at it. Many of us start with lofty aspirations but have to settle for what we can manage. Proceed slowly and carefully and document everything. I have zero panel beating skills but I did buy myself a small MIG welder while working up to this and in the space of a year or so reckon I learned enough to take the job on.