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FRAME REPAIR, Round Tube Under Bellhousing - FR-210-RT2
Photos and notes supplied by Del Rawlins in Anchorage, AK, USA

Frame welding repair Frame welding repair Frame welding repair
I needed to do something about the round tube that is the lowest point on the frame, because it was really horribly dented. I know that some people have had good success using air pressure and a torch, but I am kind of nonplussed by the safety aspects of that, and I doubt if it would have worked well on a tube this badly bent anyhow. -- Another picture of the damage. -- I decided that the easiest thing to do would be to just replace the tube, or at least as much as possible. I cut out the area between the inner floorboard rails, and then I took a large punch with one rounded end, plus an acetylene torch, and started working the dents out.

Frame welding repair Frame welding repair Frame welding repair
Another shot of the repaired tubing ends. They still have a little bit of a "golf ball" surface to them, but I don't think it is going to get any better. -- The removed piece next to the raised dented areas, showing clearly how badly it was bent. -- The new tube welded in.

Frame welding repair Welds smoothed. All things considered, I am very happy with how this turned out.


An additional note from Randy Brown in Highlands Ranch, CO, USA:
"I had no issues with the rear tubes near the battery rusting out on any of the cars I have done. The front lower tube is another matter. I have replaced it on 3 of my restorations very much like you did. I used thick walled exhaust tubing bent as needed on the exhaust pipe bender. I have also used exhaust tubing to replace the round part on the front frame extension. An experienced exhaust fabricator can bend tube to fit/replace any of the round frame parts quite accurately and inexpensively".

On 7/3/2021, John Hopwood wrote:
"I have read in several places that the round cross tubes in the MGA frame are 2” OD 14G (2mm) tube. I have just cut out a section of my front cross tube, and the tube which looks to be original and not rusted is 2” od 16G (1.6mm). The bends are exactly 30°. I found here in UK a company doing stock bends in exactly the right tube, perfect match. https://tube-bender.co.uk. Tthey have an Ebay store, sensible price and fast service".

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