TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Apr 22, 2009 1:06 pm

Thanks to years of storage my 50 deluxe is suprisingly rust free, but she still needs new heater channels

I refuse to use poor quality repro, but what options do I have?

I hear rumor that wolfparts and gerson are looking to make repro's but does anyone know how far along they are and what they are likely to charge?

Hookys panels shop, here in the UK make the bottoms and his panels are supurb, but hes not planning on doing the rest :cry:

Any other ideas or hints would be welcome, I'm really stuck for what to do. I'm even toying with fabing my own from small custom made sections, good repro 60's middle sections and bits cut off my channels

Help

Seb

Wed Apr 22, 2009 1:14 pm

I need channels for my '51 also, and am not sure exactly what to do. My plan at this point is to use oval channels and modify them where needed to make them exactly like split channels.

I have been able to find some good, dry used oval heater channels.

Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:25 am

Just a quick update for anyone interested

Wolf - will be doing them one day, but that day is a long way off

Gerson - as yet unknown

BBT are doing some repros but I am as yet to see some or find someone who has seen them. I'm normally very impressed with bobs stuff though so will probably risk it

I can get some used oval channels over here but they are expensive and I worry about how good they will really be when I open them up. They always rust inside out.

Seb

Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:22 am

I'm planning to make the split heater channels by myself for my split. It is needed some sheet metal skills and machines. I have practiced to make sheet metal panels, it's not so difficult.

Here an example, a shelf for split engine room.

Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:40 am

:shock: You got some skills!

I wish I could do that but sadly I'm not so talented

Simple bits I can do but thats some skill you have

Seb

Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:22 am

Nice work Mika!!

Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:32 am

Looks like it's Autocraft to the rescue.
They are working on tools and should have parts available by mid-year.

They have a NOS panel they are using as a pattern.
Give Carl a call, the more people who need them the quicker he will bring them to the market place !

Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:17 pm

Autocraft are a way off yet

Bob at BBT has some, so its bob to the rescue.....

Seb

Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:48 pm

who are the BBT distributors in the USA? There was a short time when it was possible to order stuff from their web site but last I checked it just directed you to the "distributors", I would buy from the web site if I could, still need pre '55: floor pans, heater channels and rear cross members, I know Wolf is close to production on the latter

Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:10 pm

virtanen wrote:

Is that galvanized sheet?

Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:01 am

Why not send them an email, they speak great english and will tell you the best place to get their bits

I'm looking forward to seeing wolfs x member, but I only really need the very end so may make one. Andy parrot (advertises in the classifieds) makes great rear x member support sections as well as really good rear 1/4 panel repair sections. Top notch, and hes a nice guy!

Hookys panel shop here in the UK now make early heater channel bottoms and you'd be hard pressed to find better

Seb

Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:19 am

www.Veteranen-Service.de sells pre-55 heaterchannels. The quality on them is not 100% but they should work. I can't yet say how well they fit though as I have not yet fitted mine.

I can take some photos of them this weekend.

A friend of mine fitted a pair of them and he said they needed some tweaking and the pressings were not 100% clean either.

Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:49 am

Bruce wrote: virtanen wrote:

Is that galvanized sheet?

No, normal unplated 1.0 mm steel.

Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:33 am

Has anyone on here used the channels from bob at bbt before. They reckon the pressings are clean and good, only the metal is a touch thinner.

I can get them in the UK special order but I can't see them first so would welcome any feedback. I'm usualy impressed at bobs stuff but its better safe than sorry.

Also what is the difference with the pre53 and post 53 bottom pressings? I always thought they where the same but BBT say there is a difference?

Cheers

Seb