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Selene/Fred is a San Jose built 1965 Mustang

"abrahamfh" said:
Here is the only damage in the engine compartment so far, what do you all think? I really would like to avoid having to cut out the whole front PS apron to repair this but I will if it's the only real correct way to repair this.
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That's the same area where Gertrude has damage, except Gert's is a little larger. At one point the battery acid ate through it (not rust), then through the bracket under that. I bought a new apron but I'm like you and I don't want to have to remove the whole thing, so I was thinking of cutting out the bad area and cutting the new apron to match what I cut out and see about getting it welded in.
 
"silverblueBP" said:
Stupid question, but are doing all this work with *gasp* hand tools?
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I have air tools, and except for grinding work, I always use hand tools.
 
Marks like the guy in the burger king commercial, Huge ears, freakishly small hands, hard to do anything with hand tools....
 
I use the air tools when taking shart apart, especially when it's been on for 40 years. Dang gov workers...no concept of time/value.
 
"silverblueBP" said:
Stupid question, but are doing all this work with *gasp* hand tools?
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LoL! Still on the look out for a good affordable air compressor. Sorry Mark, for now hand tools is the only way to go for me.

"Kats66Pny" said:
That's the same area where Gertrude has damage, except Gert's is a little larger. At one point the battery acid ate through it (not rust), then through the bracket under that. I bought a new apron but I'm like you and I don't want to have to remove the whole thing, so I was thinking of cutting out the bad area and cutting the new apron to match what I cut out and see about getting it welded in.
Click to expand...

I would really like to just patch it, and until an argument ensues that explains why this route would not be the best course to take I will plan on that. Fred is still a bit away from that step though. I think.
 
Abe:

Nice to see progress on Fred. As to your questions, the apron under the battery tray can be patched. Depending upon your metal fabrication skills, you might want to buy a new front apron panel (repro) and cut out a patch that can be welded into place once the damaged section has been completely removed. Before you get too much farther along, I suggest you do some careful measuring of the unibody to see where things are dimensionally. IIRC when we pulled the engine, the driver side rocker panel looked like it took a considerable hit at some point and the repair seems less than ideal. Since the driver side floor panels are welded to the inner rocker panel, it makes sense to true up the rocker before cutting and welding any floor patch panels on that side of the car. After you remove the bondo in that rocker you may find that it may be easier to replace rather than try and repair the outer rocker panel as well. If you are going to blast the car, I suggest doing so before you start putting new parts on as the blast media will get everywhere and you dontp[ want to be doing the same job twice!!
 
"JeffTepper" said:
Abe:

Nice to see progress on Fred. As to your questions, the apron under the battery tray can be patched. Depending upon your metal fabrication skills, you might want to buy a new front apron panel (repro) and cut out a patch that can be welded into place once the damaged section has been completely removed. Before you get too much farther along, I suggest you do some careful measuring of the unibody to see where things are dimensionally. IIRC when we pulled the engine, the driver side rocker panel looked like it took a considerable hit at some point and the repair seems less than ideal. Since the driver side floor panels are welded to the inner rocker panel, it makes sense to true up the rocker before cutting and welding any floor patch panels on that side of the car. After you remove the bondo in that rocker you may find that it may be easier to replace rather than try and repair the outer rocker panel as well. If you are going to blast the car, I suggest doing so before you start putting new parts on as the blast media will get everywhere and you dontp[ want to be doing the same job twice!!
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I had totally forgoten about that, thanks Jeff. Yesterday I found the following information online.

<img src="http://www.stangfix.com/testforum/gallery/6/243_28_09_10_12_58_20_0.JPG" />

Can anyone verify that the following measurement is correct for me? I would really appreciate it.

I am definitely planning on having Fred media blasted, just waiting on the funds to do so but trying to do what I can for right now until I get to that point.

Should I not mess with the suspension until I have Fed media blasted?
 
Yes, do the suspension work after media blasting. You really want sand inside your ball and tie-rod joints?
 
After a few recommendations from the Nor-CAL fixers I contacted Tony at Restoration Parts Source http://restorationpartssource.com/store/. Lucky for me Tony's shop isn't more than two miles away, so I swung by and we processed my order for a full length PS floor pan, PS floor extension, front DS floor pan and a front PS fender apron. I wish I would have known what was awaiting me when I got home after that because my order would have included a rocker panel. :roulette :hide :hide The only part he had in stock at his warehouse at that moment was the PS floor extension, so everything else comes in on Friday.

0b988ab4.jpg



I was looking at Fred's DS rocker panel thanks to Jeff's reminder and noticed a lot of brush like in-prints along the length of it. I noticed a bit of a crack so I tapped it lightly with a hammer and a 2 inch by 2 inch piece chipped right off. I was curious and wanted to proceed, carefully of course. This is what reveled itself.

bb4ee52d.jpg


11f81b30.jpg


<img src="http://www.stangfix.com/testforum/gallery/6/243_06_10_10_11_03_53_1.JPG" />

<img src="http://www.stangfix.com/testforum/gallery/6/243_06_10_10_11_03_51_0.JPG" />

To say the least, I am super pissed off at myself for not having done more research and learning what to look for when purchasing a vintage Mustang. Trying not to get discouraged, so I spent the day looking at welders on craigslist and in person at harbor freight. I figured I better start learning how to weld, because I see a lot of it in the near future.
 
holy hell abraham, the whole rocker was bondo, Someone spent alot of time & money on forming that, my advice is to buy a hobart or another brand name welder. I bought a harbor freight one and its only good on heavier metals and will burn through on thinner metal. Since youd be welding to body panels id spend the money on a good welder.
 
Abe,
I'm currently residing at Stanford's emergency clinic after seeing those pics you texted me. I started throwing up, lost control of the car and went off the bridge. Doctor says I'll be released once they extract the bay crabs out of my pants.


Hope you have such tools as a right angle grinder, chop saw, etc. You are going to become an expert after work on Fred.
 
&quot;cmayna&quot; said:
Doctor says I'll be released once they extract the bay crabs out of my pants.
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Always thought bay area girls were a little cleaner than that. Sorry to hear about the crabs. LoL


&quot;cmayna&quot; said:
Hope you have such tools as a right angle grinder, chop saw, etc. You are going to become an expert after work on Fred.
Click to expand...

The arsenal that I hope can get the job done.

d6a22302.jpg
 
WOWA, that looks bad but couple hundred dollars and some elbow grease you'll get it., at first i was worried to wreck anything on my car and was crushed when i would find new rust, but you can pretty much build a mustang around a door handle out of a parts magazine, dont let it bother you the end result will be worth it!
 
Pffft! A little bondo and that rocker panel will be as good as new!
 
Holy $hit!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :ep

Whoever did that rocker panel "repair" must have been a cake decorator as the bondo was slathered on thicker than frosting on a cake!!!!
 
Daaaaamn :ep That's why I'm scared to work on Gertrude too much. Lord only knows what/how much bondo is under her paint.
 
Bondo and screen wire mesh, you can rebuild anything! :eek

Abe,
Dude, that's a mess! But like they said, it can be fixed. Definitely spend your money on a good welder (once). You don't want it crapping out when your in the middle of surgery!!! "tools make the job" then all your friends will come over to use it too!
 
Holy bejeebers :ep


You'd be money well off if you fly Jeremy out there for some welding lessons...just say'n.
 
Abe your rock man! I remember stripping my car to the bare shell but I wasn't facing anything like that, in fact I kind of wish I didn't have my car blasted. Get that car blasted!!
 
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