Front turrets

[Mick6186]

Hi,
I've just acquired a 1973+2 130s/5 that has been dry store d for 21 years.
To prevent the front turrets from corroding can the interior not be cleaned thoroughly of any rust, treated with rust preventer and then filled with fibreglass resin to prevent any future ingress of crud. It just seems too simple!!

[rgh0]

I supect the problem would be that overtime with flexing and vibration the filler would separate from the steel and create cracks where moisture could get in. Welding a plate in to enclose the open tops like Spyder do is one solution. Just clearing them out regualarly is another

cheers
Rohan

[john.p.clegg]

On mine,I cleaned out the uprights, greased them and then filled them with expanding foam....no problems...years ago......but wear gloves,that expanding foam gets everywhere and is a bugger to get off skin.

John

[alan]

imho i would not fill them with foam or resin because moisture will enter be capillary action, like Rohan said.
I think its better to clean and spray inside the turret with NEW OIL. NOT OLD oil with acids from an engine oil change

[miked]

I drilled holes in front and back turrets and spayed waxoil underseal in with that special head thing that gets it everywhere. Then used blanking grommets in the holes. Cleaned and painted rest. Keep and eye on the front drain holes. With miles we do it is not a problem. Mike

[nebogipfel]

Hi,
I've just acquired a 1973+2 130s/5 that has been dry store d for 21 years.
To prevent the front turrets from corroding can the interior not be cleaned thoroughly of any rust, treated with rust preventer and then filled with fibreglass resin to prevent any future ingress of crud. It just seems too simple!!

Hello Mick, Welcome to the forum

Why would you want to NOT clean the turrets .... OK I admit it, that was a dig at yet another irritation. Why do people insist on saying can you NOT when they mean can you?

To answer your question I go with the previous answers. Unless you can get the inside of the turrets blasted back to clean steel all you will do is have corrosion festering away beneath whatever you apply, be it resin or paint.

Clean them out as well as you can, keep the drain holes clear and a good Waxoyl treatment has to be the way to go in my opinion. It's also worth mentioning that if you intend to use the car in all weathers Waxoyl does tend to wash off so it would be worth repeating the treatment.

[Mick6186]

Thanks for the replies. I think you're right and the flexing(no wonder they crack) could cause separation and real problems as the turrets would effectively be sealed. Looks like boxing in is a good option with the inner getting a good glug of waxoyl or similar.
Does gusseting the chassis to add rigidity at points around the turrets and yoke joins transfer stresses to other areas. I have seen various posts about mods that add plates etc, but there do not appear to be many comments about the state of these frames after a couple of years of British pot holes.

[kstrutt11]

Take a look at a type 26R chassis this will give you a good idea of how best to reinforce the elan chassis.

[alan]

if boxing or adding fillets ATTENTION PETROL VAPOUR chassis crossmember