Hole in the inside fender wall

671 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by johnpro, Jun 22, 2002

GTRTurrrbo

Discussion Starter · Jun 21, 2002

When I was replacing the battery on our 66 Coupe. I noticed that the battery acid must have eat through the battery tray and the inside fender wall. I could see my front tire.
The hole is about 6 inches in diameter, or 6 inch in square shape. What is the best way to repare it? Will I be able to do it myself? (Never done major body works)

I was thinking of finding a way to patch it and put a new battery tray on to cover it up. Should I worry about the water splashing from the tire coming inside the engine comparment or on the battery?

Or should I spend the money and have a body shop weld in a piece of metal over the area?

Thanks for your help
Amir

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goatholes

· #2 · Jun 21, 2002

My project had the same thing, and the PO welded a patch panel over the hole. It basically was a short term fix as the rust had traveled beyond most of the patch by the time I got it. It wasnt too bad of a job to drill out the apron and put in a repo....

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GypsyR

· #3 · Jun 22, 2002

New repro parts are cheap and worth using. A patch isn't permanent. As "cut and replace" jobs go, replacing the front inner fender and battery tray is one of the easiest ones. It is kind of involved. You'll need to pull the fender, cut out the rotten piece, and weld in new pieces. If this is more than you want to get into, check out a catalog like NPD's. They have good illustrations of the parts you'll need (and prices). Take the car (and catalog if necessary) around to some shops and get some estimates of what the labor charge is to replace to parts versus a patch repair. Go with what you prefer or can afford. A 6 inch hole in the car is NOT good.

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GTRTurrrbo

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 22, 2002

Thanks,
I took Midlife's advise and ordered a NPD catalog and it said to wait 3 to 4 weeks until it gets here. If they sell the whole piece, I'll buy it. As long as it doesn't require welding, I should be able to do it and if I hit a snag, I will take it to a body shop....

Most likely I have a shop do it because I don't want to take a chance of screwing it up.

Thanks
Amir

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GypsyR

· #5 · Jun 22, 2002

Most definitely requires welding. Although I have many skills, I'm a newbie to welding. I managed to get mine replaced well enough to be proud of the job. Welding stuff is neat, but it can be pretty awful if you don't know what you're doing. Luckily I had a coach to help me get started. Many welds later (torque box and floor pans) my weld beads still aren't half as nice as my teacher's. Paying a pro is a good choice, I just like do it yourself stuff.

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johnpro

· #6 · Jun 22, 2002

*LOL*. I have to laugh, becuase it sounds just like me. I SUCK when it comes to welding. I agree, though, that the inner fender apron is one of the easier pieces to weld in. I didd the one on my son's '65 and it came out very good for a rookie welder like myself ... in fact it was the first thing I ever welded in my life.

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