I have a 72 Mach 1 I am restoring and have come accross one of my 1st problems that I don't know how to solve. The bar that runs accross the interior roof of the car which houses the dome light is bent. Problem- what is the part called, and is it possible to get it bent back. Looks like it is welded into its place on both sides of the car. I am worried that if I cut it out I will not find a replacement. Any Ideas or helpful advice?

 

I would try to reuse it. I have not seen it in the books as a repop. If its totally wasted, you may have to pull one out of a doner car. Otherwise, I would try to reshape the original.

 

Any ideas on how to reshape? It has one bend in it (drivers side of the dome light).

 

if there's any chance to pull that thing out, then I'd try that and bent it back

 

[&:]Ok, I will see if it will bend back.

I do have another ? what do you do when one of your old replacement seats has split metal? Do you bend that back and weld it?Will a weld be strong enough for a seat?I have not been able to find a reprofor this year of vehicle.

 

something to be very careful when bending back that brace is not to cause the roof skin to buckle up and have a mess up there! just take your time and go little by little, yep i would say that welding will be strong enough just dont make one big pass on what your welding to keep the heat down

 

Thank You for the advice, sounds like it would be better to take it out bend it and weld it back. Thank you for the advice about the seats also.

 

I would defiantly take the bar out to straighten it if you have aBADbend to protect your roof as mentioned above. If the bend is slight you can try it in the car, carefully.

On the seat, a weld will work but watch your settings, you can blow it out real easy.


Good luck.

 

I agree with taking it out, the bend is not slight[&o]. If the seats are a bit touchy would you recomend a professional do the weld?