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Topic: Shock Tower patching (Read 851 times) previous topic - next topic

Shock Tower patching

After pressure washing the engine bay last night I start tapping at some rust spots along the frame rail and shock tower.  Most sounded good, just surface scale.  But a couple had that dead "thud" when hit with a small ballpeen hammer so I just wacked it and punched through.  There are only three or four small holes...less than 1.5"across....and all on flat surfaces.  One is on the tower above the frame rail and two are in the rail below where the tower meets it.

I'd like to clean out of the rust before closing it up.  The problem is that there is no way of cleaning out the rust inside the rail before welding in a patch....and I'd really like to clean that out!

How would you attack it?  I'm very handy with a cutting wheel and welder.

Thanks!
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.
 

Shock Tower patching

Reply #1 –
I would do a thorough scan through daminc's "Project Evolution".  Very awesome, great pictures of the whole restoration of the "trouble spots" that plague these cars.  His work shows me 2 things.  1: my car still has a lot of potential 2: anything is possible with the right tools, materials and some know how!  Good luck with your restoration!