Now where was I...oh yes, foetal position, sobbing...
so out with the whizzy wheel and let see how deep this rabbit hole goes
It appears that there's....no inner sill, no left floor, no right floor, no floor bung and not a huge amount over the chassis rail. So that's gone terribly well.
Now for my second disclaimer. I am not a body repair or metal work expert. This is more than likely NOT to way to attempt to repair such a catastrophic mess. DO NOT use this as a rebuild guide. It isn't. Seek professional assistance from someone who knows how to actually repair things properly. Because that is what they are for.
Right, on with the show...and pretty welding can wait. This needs 20cc of steel plate STAT! Scalpel! Patient status RED. With flashing lights.
In all seriousness, there really really isn't a whole lot hanging this together and I just need steel in it sharpish. What follows is going to look like Frankensteins monster. Never fear (spoilers!) I put a lovely new one piece plate on and a new chassis extension afterwards (you'll see that in several episodes time probably, unless I get bored of showing strangers on the internet my year long decent into madness) but for now...the horror show.
First job is to finish off the lower part of the inner wing. It looks like all the floor and sill close onto this panel (which is missing) so for all the bits to join into 1 big bit I need this first.
There. Something to work to.
Now, emergency surgery time. Got to start sticking the good stuff to each other to hold it all in shape. First, good floor, to the inner sill flanges (still in place thankfully) to meet at the inner wing.
That's pulled the corner back together. The sill is now strong, attached to the inner wing and has some connection to the floor. Patients condition is now a lovely shade of crimson. And it may not instantly drop in 2.
Next, heavy plate over the chassis rail to join the floor above the hole to the floor below and get it strong again on the main load bearing structure. Patient condition improved to scarlet.
Then the small holes to the right of it (bell housing side that I can only assume rusted from the water getting in. I can't see it rusting the other side with all the oil mist and what not from the old pinto)
And then fill in the gopping great floor hole to make the corner strong enough for the further operation ahead (that screen will need to come out) welding onto the thick chassis cover plate so the new strong metal is going right into the chassis to hold everything as strong as it can be.
Patient off the critical list. This corner (whilst hideous and a patchwork quilt) is capable of holding me inside. Which is a start. Its actually very solid at this point, the heavy chassis plate into the chassis leg and the floor onto that has worked wonders for its "likely to snap in 2" levels Condition a dusky pink at this stage.
Now we can join the rest of the inner sill to the rest of the floor, some of the inner sill was nibbled but the floor happily was fine. Bizarre how tin worm works.
And that's it strong enough to risk lifting it. So that's a relief. Patient is feeling much better (for this corner at least) and condition is now rose pink. This is by far and away far worse than anything I've ever had to assault with a welder. Realistically it was a massive basket case fit for the breakers. But lockdown gave a bored man too much free time that could be usefully applied.
And I think that's far enough for this gripping installment. Do tune in next time for more journeys into insanity in the next episode of "Lost Laser"