How bad is this rust?

[geostang351]

I am helping restore my brothers 66 coup. Right now I'm fully into the cowl repair with both hats removed, with new sheet metal cut to size. I will be welding it in shortly.

In looking over the engine compartment, I found at the base of both shock towers some rust that has occured. Can you guys look this over and tell me how bad of a situation this is. Is it a big strctural thing at this point? What is the fix.

Thanks for you input!

 

[10secgoal]

Time for a MII front end ? Doesn't look real bad. Looks pretty local. Just grind it all out until there isn't anymore and replace with steel plating.

 

[geostang351]

What type of steel plating? Are you saying there is a replacement panel for this area or do I have to fab something? What guage steel? IT seems pretty thick here.

I don't think he is prepared to go with the M II fix at this point.

 

[hungrymonkey]

looks like a previously botched repair on the passenger side.

Is the driver side shock tower rusted through on the bottom?

 

[NasaGT]

Are you saying there is a replacement panel for this area or do I have to fab something?

You can get replacement shock towers from almost ever vendor for $110-$130.
I have to replace one of mine thanks to a butcher repair job. Worst work I've ever seen.

 

[BB1966]

I have a pair of nice used ones I could sawsall out if you need em. Fair price + shipping.

 

[geostang351]

I don't want to replace the whole shock tower. Is that what you're saying I need to do? The driver side IS rusted through. Can I just take a thick steel bar stock and fit and weld to place or is this really a big issue to have the entire tower replaced?

 

[hungrymonkey]

you will probably have to replace at least one inch higher than the current rust (my guestimate). You wont know what is hiding under the paint until you strip it.

Personally I would replace the shock tower. Trying to fab something to go around the curves would be a bit of a pita (for me at least). IMO The amount of time spent getting the patch to look decent would surpass the value of a replacement.

I feel the same about the passengers side as well.

 

[hungrymonkey]

forgot to add that is what my impression is from the two photographs.

 

[pabear89]

I don't want to replace the whole shock tower. Is that what you're saying I need to do? The driver side IS rusted through. Can I just take a thick steel bar stock and fit and weld to place or is this really a big issue to have the entire tower replaced?

Mmmm. Shock towers hold front suspension in place,
I don't wish to ride in it.

From the pic's......And your saying the drivers rusted thru,
It would be your cheapest route to go with the MII conversion.
You have already gone from 6 to 8 and are working on Hp.
Your going to have to hack off the front anyway, so make it better suited for what your after. Do it once and forget it.

My half cent.

PB

 

[danny clemens]

That's definately an area that does need attention before driving. What about your frame rails? Is that just surface rust or does it go deeper. I'd make sure that they were healthy too.

 

[geostang351]

I'll take a pic fo the frame rails today to give you an idea on that.

 

[strange65]

There are some on ebay now for 85.00 apiece plus 18.00 shipping.

 

[geostang351]

I'm not worreid about purchasing the parts, I'm concerned about HOW to do it. Do you or anyone one else know how to do this?

 

[strange65]

http://www.mustangandfords.com/howto/19998/
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_9901_must/index2.html
Hope this helps.

 

[70vert]

Try the Pro Motorsports Reinforcement kit

Geo, try this:

https://www.pro-motorsports.com/store/shock-tower-kit.asp

I haven't seen a pic of these installed and can't figure out from the pic what gets installed where, but those Tower Base Gussets certainly could help you out if you have enough metal in there. You might just install these reinforcements for now then go back and fill in the original metal later.

The damage seems pretty localized to the bottom. I think this kit would strengthen it for now then you could come in from underneath and fill in with some good thick frame rail style metal later on.

 

[geostang351]

Great! Thanks for all your help.

Geoff