Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Topic: Repairing my Bucket of rust. (Read 2559 times) previous topic - next topic

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

May 06, 2009, 03:34:45 AM

Hey every one, I was looking for advise/help on repairing the rust on my car on an other forum and daminc suggested I hang out here as well.

All though its not a Fox, its a 91 tbird. The floor boards need to be replaced and the outer rockers also. I think I have a good grasp on what I need to do but this will be my first major project like this with me doing most of the work alone. So I would love to hear any advise or wisdom you guys have.

I took 13 new photo's tonight from under the car, the Main rails I think are OK, the rear of the car might need some more work were the IRS is attached to. But that will give me a reason to beef that up anyway. Has any one taking the dash out of these cars? I can not get those vents that go under the seats removed with out the dash out. I have removed 4 (2 8mm and 2 10mm) on the top of the dash from behind trim panels, then 2 on each side near the doors (10mm i think) then two 8mm from the center on the tunnel. The only thing I have not done yet is disconnect the steering shaft because I need a longer extension. Could this be why? The dash is loose but I feel like there is something else in the middle still connected.

Here are the photo's as of date. I'll try to keep this updated with my progress.
http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii18/agutsechicken/?albumview=slideshow&newest=1

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #1 – May 06, 2009, 03:46:08 AM

So how long was it parked waist deep in a lake? :D

Stuff like this makes me incredibly glad I live in a rustless state.

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #2 – May 06, 2009, 04:16:25 AM

HAHA.... for about 3 years its been under water :) no actually its just been on the side of two different house's for the past 3 years. I lived in an apartment for 4 years so I couldn't do any work on it so it sat at my dad's until last year when I bought a house.

I have a 5.0 that actually came out of a 86 cougar that I will be putting in the 91 also. I really miss that cougar

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #3 – May 06, 2009, 05:52:17 AM

Quote from: NoReflection;270843

So I would love to hear any advise or wisdom you guys have.

Get a Fox...:D

Good luck with the repairs. I am interested to see how it all goes. Parts shouldnt be too hard to find for you which should help. Hope it all goes well.

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #4 – May 06, 2009, 07:57:40 AM

yep, that looks familiar.
welcome aboard. we'll help you get things running smooth. Whether it's panel fixin of motor swapping, someone here will probably know the answer.
there's a bunch of ways to do sub frame connectors, which you may consider first as long as the floor is that bad.

Next I would see what parts you would need as far as replacements. You can go here and find out where you can locate some panels. just be sure to call before you go on your journey. sometimes the database doesn't get updated.
http://car-part.com/

If that doesn't pan out, post an add in the parts needed section. a lot of us go to the yards for fox parts. and the newer cars are there as well.

There's also a place in Canada near Toronto, that I wanted to check out. there supposed to have all kinds of cougar parts from 67 and up.

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #5 – May 06, 2009, 08:15:15 AM

here's another one
http://www.automotix.net/partshotline-ford-thunderbird-quarter_panel-requests.html
or try to find one that was front ended

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #6 – May 06, 2009, 09:49:56 AM

Welcome to the site dude. That right there is midwest rust, thank god mine isn't that bad. I wish you luck.

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #7 – May 06, 2009, 12:15:01 PM

thanks guys I'll keep you posted

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #8 – May 06, 2009, 12:46:07 PM

Thanks I'll Keep it updated. What are you meaning when you say sub frame connectors? I have a few Ideas but want to make sure we are talking about the same thing.

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #9 – May 06, 2009, 01:11:13 PM

When they talk about subframe connectors they mean something that ties the front subframe to the rear subframe to solidify the entire car. This will improve its stiffness and remove the flex.

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #10 – May 06, 2009, 02:01:18 PM

I was so worried about the strength of the car being compromised by rust and replacement panels, that I decided to install these after making them. I may have gone a little overboard, but no one will say that the frame gave out after repairing the rest. LOL

and as you can see in my sig. it works very well to support the weight of the car with out bending or flexing.

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #11 – May 06, 2009, 04:07:47 PM

I see. And you just welded that in place all down the line then?

what I circled from your pic, on mine it has rusted out and only the top floor board remains now.

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #12 – May 06, 2009, 04:26:04 PM

if you look on my thread, You'll see that I replaced that too. Mine was gone also.

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #13 – May 06, 2009, 04:27:55 PM

I was trying to look threw it. I know I saw where you installed those...after almost 200 pages it gets time consuming lol.

Repairing my Bucket of rust.

Reply #14 – May 06, 2009, 04:35:47 PM

Here, this might be easier.There's more organization this way.
And there's also sub directories.
http://s233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/