spot welder

[white87306]

Does anybody have a hand held spot welder I could use?

[Otis!]

What do you need welded, foo?

[white87306]

I was looking at the leaking cowl issue on the Fairlane and it looks like I should be able to cut a section out in the front of the cowl / under the hood. Part of it is two pieces of sheet metal spot welded together in the underhood area I thought I could drill out those existing spot welds to take it apart then spot weld it back together after the repair. I guess it coud be mig'd just as easily. Maybe you could look at it with me when you come by to check out the new shortblock if I ever get back from the machine shop.

[FE_rex]

Ya need one of these
http://www.blairequipment.com/Spotweld_Cutters/Spotweld_Cutters.html

I would remove the whole cowl if you are going to that trouble. What year is it?

[white87306]

thanks for the link Ken. It's a 65, do you have a link to any articles on repairing the "pockets" inside the cowl? Mine are rusted out.

[FE_rex]

There is a lot of info for 60's Mustangs. Can't believe the procedures would be too different. From all I've heard it is a real PITA.

[maveRick]

The Mavericks are known for rusting out in the cowl area also.

A few guys take the easy way out and POR-15 the area and fiberglass the holes over instead of replacing the cowl patch panels.

Here's a little article on the Mustangs (shouldn't be much different on your car - finding the cowl patches for your car might be tough).

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/75438/

This looks like an inexpensive fix (instead of completely replacing the entire cowl patch panel): http://www.cal-mustang.com/showdetl-7-2916-19-0.html and here: http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=CPK1&gift=False&HSLB=False&mscssid=83446839F235476195E4F6567EEE66DF

From what I understand, you have to take both fenders and the hood off to just to get to the spot welds.

I think I'll just sell my car when mine get too bad. :darkbeer:

Good luck

[white87306]

Thanks for the link Rick. I read the step by step and all I can say is :eek:

[white87306]

Good news/bad news

After reading the article Rick linked I checked my car last night and found that a previous owner had already removed the hats and installed sheet metal over the openings. I put a water hose in the cowl and looked under the dash, only to find it leaking in other spots. I guess my cowl is rusted bad enough that the whole thing needs to be replaced. I'll probably band aid it as well as I can and not drive it in the rain. Thanks for the help guys.

On a side note: I picked up my short block from the machine shop :thumbsup:

[maveRick]

Sorry to hear the news. Good luck with the bandaging.