Shock tower, replace or weld it up?

[Sodaholic]

Well, i bearly notice that i have a crack in my shock tower.. it looks pretty large and im not sure weather i can just weld it up. either way the work will be done be me.

here are some pictures.. if more are needed let me know..

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/9674/10029797tx.jpg
http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/9881/10029782qz.jpg
http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/9012/10029767xr.jpg
http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/7889/10029751qt.jpg

a new shock tower would be 115 from NPD i guess. but they are only half hour away so i dont have to worry about shipping.

i have access to frame pulling equipment and such if i could just pull it into possition and weld it up to repair it.. maybe look into some sort of support kit if one exists..

 

[65ShelbyClone]

The popular concensus around here is to replace the tower. I, however, welded mine and put a band of 16ga steel on over that. I forget who sells them, but there are in fact bigblock/Boss reinforcing kits.

 

[Sodaholic]

hmm.. do you have a pic of what your shock tower looks like after the 16ga? maybe i can welt it to the back side so that it isnt as noticeable, just to keep it looking somewhat decent.

 

[Sodaholic]

i did find this... http://www.drgas.com/store/product.php?productid=108&cat=22&page=1
but i dont really think i need that much reinforcement.. maybe i could buy some sheets of steel and try to form up my own..

 

[lauras70mach1]

I would replace a shock tower that looked like that.

 

[Applejack]

That one is in BAD shape. I would replace it.

 

[Jester67]

I would replace a shock tower that looked like that.

Agreed it will be less work, look better, and give you and overall better repair IMHO

 

[spirockp]

replace.

 

[krash kendall]

I wouldn't even drive it.

 

[Sodaholic]

bummer.. its my only car.. haha.. woo hoo for daily driver restorations...

tomarrow morning after work im going to the body shop i intern at and im going to weld it up and brace it till i can get the time and a place to do it.. was gonna pull the engine tomarrow and get it towed out to my class so i can cut it out and replace it, but my uncle decided he doesnt wanna help me pull it(since i never have).. i guess that will have to wait

 

[krash kendall]

There is no magic to pulling a motor out of an old car.

 

[mustangdave]

That thing needs to go on a frame machine and the have the tower replaced. One of the worst I've ever seen.