Replace or patch???

KrivoK · 12-18-2003, 02:52 PM

I am getting ready to replace/patch the panel the battery sits on in a 66 stang. The question is, would it be easier to cut and patch just part of the new panel or to replace the whole thing. I have attached a photo of the area in question.

Any helpful hints in doing either one of these options would be awesome.

orlowted · 12-18-2003, 06:55 PM

If I am thinking about the same thing...the battery tray - just replace the entire thing. You can probably get one for $10.00 and I believe they bolt in (at least mine did)
TJ

KrivoK · 12-19-2003, 07:15 AM

Not just the battery tray. The whole panel that the battery tray bolts to. The battery has leaked and eaten a hole in the inner front fender apron.

induction · 12-19-2003, 07:24 AM

Cut it out and weld in a new one. then replace the old tray with a new one.

KrivoK · 12-19-2003, 07:31 AM

Cut what out? The whole panel or just enough to get into good metal? I can drill out the spot welds or I can just cut the metal.

induction · 12-19-2003, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KrivoK
Cut what out? The whole panel or just enough to get into good metal? I can drill out the spot welds or I can just cut the metal.

The spot welds can be cut out using a special tool to make it easier ( found at most mustang shops ect. ).Depending on how much damage and where it is will determin how much you will need to cut out . Can you post a better pic of the damaged area? is it into the frame?, the grill support, or the inner fender well? Will you be doing the welding/ fiting /repair work ?

induction · 12-19-2003, 09:19 AM

Maby it's me or just a strange angle on your first pic. but it looks as if alot of work has ALREADY been done on that 1/4 of the car.

so a 'cut & paste' might not be too bad of a deal is the outter finder already gone? sorry but its a lil hard to see.

KrivoK · 12-19-2003, 09:34 AM

I am going to do all the cutting and welding myself, (hopefully and probably with a little help). I am attaching another picture and maybe you can see a little bit better. I think the rad Support is just fine and the frame rail I think I can save. I really think it is just where the battery sat in the corner.

induction · 12-19-2003, 10:23 AM

Oh ok sorry , now I see it . Yes I would just "cut it to the white meat" and weld in a new pice , it should do just fine as no one would be able to see it anyhow. As for the battery tray I would get a new one and attach it during the fabercation if the new fender panal, that way trying to fit it in after the repair work is done could be a bit of a pain.

Kisner · 12-19-2003, 11:30 AM

Had to do the same thing on my 68 stang. I bought the entire replacement panel from National Parts Depot (about $25 I think) and took it to a top-notch welder. Mine was eaten away under the area where the battery tray sat, so the welder cut out the bad area and cut out a patch from the same area on the new panel. After he welded it in, grinded it down, and I painted it and installed the new battery tray, virtually all evidence of the patch is covered up. Since the majority of the original panel was good, the welder said it would be faster and easier to patch it than remove the entire panel.

KrivoK · 12-22-2003, 08:18 AM

Sounds like the patch is the way to go. This will be my first welding in quite a few years. Hopefully it's like riding a bike!

Thanks.

induction · 12-23-2003, 07:04 PM

Cool just remember if ya fall off get back on!

12-18-2003, 06:55 PM	#2
orlowted Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Fleetwood, PA Posts: 177	Replace If I am thinking about the same thing...the battery tray - just replace the entire thing. You can probably get one for $10.00 and I believe they bolt in (at least mine did) TJ

12-19-2003, 07:15 AM	#3
KrivoK Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 41	Not just the battery tray. The whole panel that the battery tray bolts to. The battery has leaked and eaten a hole in the inner front fender apron. __________________ 66 Coupe Project, 289-C4

12-19-2003, 07:24 AM	#4
induction The Brit! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Across the Pond! Posts: 694	Cut it out and weld in a new one. then replace the old tray with a new one. __________________ *Restored 1965 Coupe* *April Mare of the Month* RiceHatersClub Member #27

12-19-2003, 07:31 AM	#5
KrivoK Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 41	Cut what out? The whole panel or just enough to get into good metal? I can drill out the spot welds or I can just cut the metal. __________________ 66 Coupe Project, 289-C4

12-19-2003, 09:19 AM	#7
induction The Brit! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Across the Pond! Posts: 694	Maby it's me or just a strange angle on your first pic. but it looks as if alot of work has ALREADY been done on that 1/4 of the car. so a 'cut & paste' might not be too bad of a deal is the outter finder already gone? sorry but its a lil hard to see. __________________ *Restored 1965 Coupe* *April Mare of the Month* RiceHatersClub Member #27

12-19-2003, 10:23 AM	#9
induction The Brit! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Across the Pond! Posts: 694	Oh ok sorry , now I see it . Yes I would just "cut it to the white meat" and weld in a new pice , it should do just fine as no one would be able to see it anyhow. As for the battery tray I would get a new one and attach it during the fabercation if the new fender panal, that way trying to fit it in after the repair work is done could be a bit of a pain. __________________ *Restored 1965 Coupe* *April Mare of the Month* RiceHatersClub Member #27

12-19-2003, 11:30 AM	#10
Kisner Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 290	Had to do the same thing on my 68 stang. I bought the entire replacement panel from National Parts Depot (about $25 I think) and took it to a top-notch welder. Mine was eaten away under the area where the battery tray sat, so the welder cut out the bad area and cut out a patch from the same area on the new panel. After he welded it in, grinded it down, and I painted it and installed the new battery tray, virtually all evidence of the patch is covered up. Since the majority of the original panel was good, the welder said it would be faster and easier to patch it than remove the entire panel.

12-22-2003, 08:18 AM	#11
KrivoK Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 41	Sounds like the patch is the way to go. This will be my first welding in quite a few years. Hopefully it's like riding a bike! Thanks. __________________ 66 Coupe Project, 289-C4

12-23-2003, 07:04 PM	#12
induction The Brit! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Across the Pond! Posts: 694	Cool just remember if ya fall off get back on! __________________ *Restored 1965 Coupe* *April Mare of the Month* RiceHatersClub Member #27

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