An easy way to make a template once you cut out the rotted sections is to use card stock (5x7 cards or even old manila file folders you may find laying around). You can lay the card stock over the section you cut out and use your fingernails to etch the outline of the piece you need to cut into the stock. Then you can cut the template out of the card stock, and scribe the shape onto your sheet metal stock.
I'm a big fan of the manilla file folder method. Relatively flexible, easy to cut, easy to mark, and holds a shape/curve well.
In other news, the box of goodies I ordered Monday from VP arrived today.
Got a full engine gasket set, 'D' cam and lifters, aluminum timing gear set, a clip for the seat support strap, and a fuel level sender (figured it was worth the $53 price tag for a working gas gauge) and gasket.
Not sure when I'll blow it apart and get it done. I paid for the HiPerfAuto cam gear puller tool rental today, so hopefully, that'll be here next week and I can get it running on all 4 again.
A good friend's dad (from high school) bought a 1978 MG Midget with 30k original miles last October from a customer of the shop I was at. I had done extensive work on the car, however, it suffered from severe carbon buildup in the valve guides/valves due to not getting hot when it ran. Current owner (Paul) and his buddy pulled the head to replace an externally leaking head gasket. That was 3 months ago. My friend and I are going to try and slam it together this weekend so they can drive it this summer. Mark did a ****ty job installing an electric fuel pump, so I'm sure I'll have to un-**** his ****ery.
So basically, not working on the B20 this weekend
Might try and grab a divorced intake/exhaust manifold off a 69 144 up at an old school wrecking yard with the HS6's (to sell) and use the manifold to delete the ugly/complicated flap setup.