MK1 Escort Inner Wing

[Rodintee]

Morning all
First post !!
I wonder if any one can shed any light. I am in the process of fitting some full length inner wing repair panels from Expressed Panels to my Mk1. All the fold lines match up very well with the remaining part of the original panel apart from the main strut hole in the top. If I pull the panel back to line this up all the swage lines are out be about 4mm. Also the hole seems a bit on the small side. Has any one here ever fitted these? Is the strut hole a reference point or just there for opening up to match afterwards? Seems to me it would best if I welded in a 10mm wide donut then opened it out to match the tower afterwards.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Cheers
Russ

[rallyrob]

You shouldn't really move the strut top hole as this is a suspension reference point, so needs to be exactly symetrical to the other side...

As for the hole being on the small side you haven't got a small hole top plate by any chance have you? They come in large or small hole...

[Rodintee]

Hi Rob
I have the pre-existing tower in place, I am just replacing the top plate full length. The hole in the new plate from Expressed is only a few mm smaller diameter and interestingly the 3 x fixing holes are not present at all. For the life of me I can't line up the inner wing hole with the tower hole and keep the pressing lines smooth. I'll try to get a photo or two tonight and post them up.
Thanks for the advice.
Russ

[Rodintee]

I have managed to take the photo's below which sort of show the issue.

First looking at the pressing in the front part of the inner wing that extends round onto the top face. This is pretty much spot on. A little tweaking maybe to get it perfect but its within a mm or so.



Now this is how the strut hole lines up at the same time - a good 5mm or so out front to back. Left to right is pretty good. Any one every come across this?



Cheers

Russ

[mk2-mad-ad]

hi mate id be amazed if they fitted first time ive have been fitting panels to cars for years and it very rare they fit perfect and don't need a little work. id just scribe the new panel from underneath where it over laps and mark the fixing holes through the shocker tower from underneath. this will giving you a reference to cut it back to, a die grinder or belt sander would be ideal if you have one then drill the holes for your shocker then make a piece to weld on to the missing part grind back and no one will know hope that makes sense.