Cracked Windshield Pillars

[LONN17]

As the title states, both of my windshield pillars are cracked at the top where it meets the roof. The driver side is in worse condition than the passenger. I was told a few years back there is a factory weld there that cracks but don't know if that is true or not. I am planning a repaint in the next couple of months and need to know the best way to repair these.

Also, when these cracks first started to appear I added subframe connectors which stopped it from getting any worse.

Thanks,
Trevor

 

[mr-fixit]

The roof is spot welded to the pillars in that area, it is usually the factory lead filler that cracks there from years of stress. Some guys will just heat up and reflow the lead, but I would remove the lead filler, and weld the area solid where the factory spot welds are, then reapply the filler. Remember, the car is a unibody, and it is important the entire structure is solid. This means floors, frame rails, etc. Subframe connectors are great if installed correctly, and to a solid (not rusted)unibody.

 

[bnickel]

common problem on 65-66 and 67 cars without torque boxes, in fact that is the exact reason ford added torque boxes to the later cars. SFC's will help but ultimately you need something to keep the torsional flexing of the chassis at bay. torque boxes or one of the Mustangs + kits would be your best bet but even a set of jacking rails for your SFC'c will help

 

[LONN17]

Sounds easy enough. I'll weld them up nice and solid when I have it stripped for paint. Other than Repro fenders and a poorly repaired driver door the car is solid. It has new, rockers, pans, quarters, etc. I bought the car fully restored (by an amateur) when I was a freshman in HS close to 15 years ago and some of the items of lesser quality are starting to show their faces.

Would it be best/poosible to weld the pillars and grind to try and avoid filler up there altogether?

bnickel - what are jacking rails? I have the bolt-in CE SFCs and plan to weld the fronts to the frame rail when I am doing the work.

mr-fixit - I used to work in Malvern when I lived in Philly

Thanks for the input.
Trevor

 

[mr-fixit]

Would it be best/poosible to weld the pillars and grind to try and avoid filler up there altogether?

mr-fixit - I used to work in Malvern when I lived in Philly

Thanks for the input.
Trevor

It is possible to weld and fill the pillars, first remove the lead, then decide, It varies from car to car, but it can be a large area to fill
So you worked in Malvern huh? Not much has changed, still only one traffic light in town. Malvern is probably best known for Grumpy Jenkins.

 

[chromedog]

you say the car has had the rockers, floors, and quarters replaced, maybe the repair technique is allowing the car to flex more than it should... technically, a plug weld is only 70% as strong as a spot weld, so if you have 7 spot welds when you remove a panel, you need to have 10 plug welds to equal the strength. just something to think about...

 

[LONN17]

I'll be sure to check out all the welds when I have the carpet out of the car and everything else stripped down. Thanks for the input guys.

Trevor