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Fender apron cancer

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Old 03-01-2010, 12:50 AM
  #1  
photocliff
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Default Fender apron cancer

I've started removing and replacing the cancer circles on the top on the fender apron. I don't think all mustangs had it but I have 4 spots on my 69 coupe. Two on each side.
The first was trial-error. I first had to cut out the corroded area and then replace it with a new patch. I had some salvaged sheet metal that I used for the replacement pieces. I found that the shock tower is made of thicker steel so I had to cut 3 squares just for that piece and then one more to make up the total thickness of the apron piece too. After spot welding the three pieces together I welded that onto the shock tower steel then the last piece on top of that with a couple of spot welds in the center area as well as all around the hole.
I haven't done any of the other three spots yet. I was hoping for some input from any of you folks. Is there an easier way. The aprons themselves are in pretty good shape and I really don't want to replace the whole panel pieces.

Here are some pics of what I have done, if that helps





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Old 03-01-2010, 11:13 AM
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2+2GT
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Originally Posted by photocliff
I've started removing and replacing the cancer circles on the top on the fender apron. I don't think all mustangs had it but I have 4 spots on my 69 coupe. Two on each side.
Ford used too much overlap on these panels, so this rust was standard equipment on all 67-70.
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Old 03-01-2010, 11:23 AM
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Jonk67
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I agree, pretty common, exactly the same on my '67, 2 on ea. side. There are ~5 spot welds in a circle and once water gets under the lip it ends up in the center of the weld circle and starts rusting. Nice job on the repair, I had to pay someone as I don't weld yet.




Take a close look at your battery apron, also common to be rusted/rotted from leaking battery acid.
Jon

Last edited by Jonk67; 03-01-2010 at 11:25 AM.
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Old 03-01-2010, 11:53 AM
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JHPSTANG
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I wondered if those circles of rust were abnormal. I have the same ones. Repair looks good!
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Old 03-01-2010, 11:59 AM
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photocliff
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Thanks Jon. I am welding with the shieded wire still so it takes longer to get a good looking weld. Some day I will buy the tank and shielding gas.
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Old 03-01-2010, 06:12 PM
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rtintwo
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Trust me, once you start using the gas you will never want to go back. Especially when you start doing any sort of bottom side welding.
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Old 03-01-2010, 09:26 PM
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BuckeyeDemon
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did you use weld thru primer?

what do you use to grind your welds?
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Old 03-02-2010, 12:09 AM
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photocliff
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No, I should have thought about that. I haven't gotten to the other 3 spots so I will pick some up tomorrow. Thanks for that. I am using a 4" grinder with a cutoff wheel. It gives a smoother looking grind.
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Old 03-02-2010, 06:27 AM
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BuckeyeDemon
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have you ever used a small roloc on a right angle air grinder? the smaller tool and discs make it easier for me to control and not turn the surrounding metal to the weld into paper.
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