After a winter of learning about stick
welding on sheet metal as I replaced the
rusted sheet metal that holds the
captive nuts for the lower rear front
fender mounts I finally got the new left
fender on and the car off of the jack
stands. It was driving me crazy seeing
all of the convertibles running around
Portland, and mine on jack stands.
I still need to replace the rusty metal
on the right side and install that new
fender, but the welding method will be
gas and the time required should be a
lot less if I don't have to chase the
holes the 1/16" arc rods have a tendency
to blow into the thin sheet metal, even
at around 30 amps of current.
I filled all cavities with WaxOil while
had access to them and coated the new
metal with POR Patch, which is a metal
filler that is rust killing and supposed
to be stronger than metal itself. Then
I cleaned the undercoating and dirt off
of the inner fender and painted
everything with POR-15. With WaxOil
inside of everything, and POR outside,
rust in this area should not be a
problem for a long time.
Because the new flared fenders were
modified for racing I still have to put
an antenna hole in the fender for the
radio antenna and transfer the headlight
bucket and parking light, but at least
the roadster is alive and well again.
I spotted a light colored low windshield
1600 on going North on Macadam near
John's Landing on Sunday evening.
Anyone on the List?
Tom
69 2000 "Mr. Hyde"
Portland, Oregon
http://www.acmehomesales.com/datsun
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