Middle Rail Cut-Out Position. Early Slider

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Robsey
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Middle Rail Cut-Out Position. Early Slider

Post by Robsey »

Hi all, a very simple question.

I have been finally sorting the van's body work after procrastinating for about ten years.

I have separated what was left of the rail from the van.
The whole rail was a mass of shonky rust.

Image

Image

I have kept, and bead blasted the end plate.

Image

The only option is to make a new rail as manufacturers have long since ceased to put the early runners on the van skin repair panels.

I have measured the rusty remnants, and come up with an 'ish' drawing.
There is meant to be a cut-out on the underside of the middle-runner rail, to allow the sliding door to be disengaged and re-engaged with the middle rail.

Does anyone have any dimensions for how high it goes, how wide, and how far from the front bracket.

Here is my quick sketch... it is not to scale, just my interpretation...

Image
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished

Rosie n' Jim
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Re: Middle Rail Cut-Out Position. Early Slider

Post by Rosie n' Jim »

I need to Greece mine tonight, I'll take a photo and post it.
1982 Holdsworth poptop. 2L CU Aircooled.
1982 Danbury tintop Caravelle. 2L CU Aircooled.

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Robsey
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Re: Middle Rail Cut-Out Position. Early Slider

Post by Robsey »

Chears, that would be great.

It is very much appreciated :)
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished

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ZsZ
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Re: Middle Rail Cut-Out Position. Early Slider

Post by ZsZ »

In the late rail the "cut-out" dent diameter is about 5mm larger than the middle roller bearing.
I assume the early was the same.

I hope somewhat helps.
Zoltan
1986 Multivan ex-Caravelle. Van since 2006, running mTDi 1Z since 2008 with Fiat Croma 1.9 TDid pump 2008-2019, custom pump since 2019
5spd custom box 4.57 diff + 0.74 5th

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Robsey
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Re: Middle Rail Cut-Out Position. Early Slider

Post by Robsey »

Cheers for the reply.
All information is useful and gratefully received. :ok

The body repair manual and Bentley do not mention anything about the middle rail.
I am sure that I can make some educated guesses about the location and dimensions of the cut-out, but, seeing an example to replicate the panel would greatly reduce the chances of me making a dogs dinner of it.
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished

Rosie n' Jim
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Re: Middle Rail Cut-Out Position. Early Slider

Post by Rosie n' Jim »

Measured from the leading face of the stop plate.Image 
1982 Holdsworth poptop. 2L CU Aircooled.
1982 Danbury tintop Caravelle. 2L CU Aircooled.

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Robsey
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Re: Middle Rail Cut-Out Position. Early Slider

Post by Robsey »

That is excellent...
Looking at that, I can guess-timate the following dimensions.

Cut-out / rebate height = approx 5mm
(1/2 the height of the rail.

Start of rebate = 555mm from the front plate.
Rear of rebate = 580mm from the front plate.

Hopefully that will help other repairers or restorers too.

For info....
Updated Slider-rail sketch.

Image
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished

Plasticman
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Re: Middle Rail Cut-Out Position. Early Slider

Post by Plasticman »

I just made a new runner to go with the backing panal i make .i try find the picks
mm

Stesaw
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Re: Middle Rail Cut-Out Position. Early Slider

Post by Stesaw »

Ive got a rail sitting on a body cut.... if you need one. not sure if its late or early though. Id assume Late as its from a D reg van.
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project

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