Hi, I have a '71 Skylark convert...I'm about to order a set of core support patch kits. Wonder if this is a project I can do on my own (I've been looking for a reason to buy a wirefeed welder anyway!!)? I'd love to hear from any of you that have taken this on. Also, the very front edge of my driver's side inner fender is rusted around one of the bolts where the core support is attached. Have any of you seen patch kits for this? What are my options here?? Thanks all! Jay :TU:
Take your time and measure everything twice before making your cuts. You will need a die grinder to make the cuts. www.thepartsplaceinc.com sells the fenderwell patch panel for $69. You will also need a welding helmet and a good quality 4" grinder to grind the welds smooth. Then need to use some body filler and paint! It is not difficult but very very time consuming. If you don't know how to weld, now is not the time to practice. If you want to weld, get some scrap an practice. If you are only going to use the welder for this, you may be better off and cheaper to pay a welder to do the job.
ou: like George said, very very time consuming. You have to cut out the rust, drill out a bunch of the factory spot welds and then weld in the patch. I ended up making a bigass c-clamp to hold stuff in place when I welded it back together. I also refused to use bondo and I didn't want to see welds so that added a lot of time. The patch I had didn't exactly fit right either so that added more time. Then there was sandblasting, priming and paint. Somewhere on here there's a guy that does this work for money. If I had to do it again I'd pay him. I can't remember the name?
It is a lot of fun. There is a sence of accomplismnent. I've done the rad core support thing and used it as an excuse to buy a welder. As posted above there is a $ cost associated with the equipment and a learning curve. If using a MIG welder, you also have to think about flux core wire or welding with shielding gas. If using the gas like me you need a tank and regulator as well. Practice and patience. But isnt that all the fun of this hobby. Good Luck, Be safe! (Don't weld galvanized material w/o proper resp equip) Chad
As posted above, it is time consuming. I did mine in the 68. I had practiced welding with the mig doing the floors, that way I could hide my early mistakes :laugh: Just take your time, check the measurements twice, and go slow. Don't try to rush through it. Dan :3gears:
