Yet another rust thread

[t_andrews]

So I have some rust on the forward hood ledge and reinforcing piece from the hood mounting brackets back to about 7in past the front cross member.

Has anyone had any experience with repairing rust in this area? from what I know it does not seem a common (although not impossible) area to have rot in it and I'm trying to get some ideas what it is going to take to repair it.

Pretty much the entire area enclosed by the hood ledge reinforcing piece from the hood brackets to the cross member is paper thin and rusted through both pieces from the inside (drain was probably plugged).

In the last attachment I have drawn the outline (in red) of the extent of the rust on the reinforcing piece that appears to be spot welded to the inner hood ledge which is rusted through in the area outlined in blue.

I'm a little concerned that there could be structural issues here but I'm not sure.

The passenger's side has the same issue but isn't past the front cross member (yet)

Any knowledge is much appreciated

-A

[Nissanman]

That is a fairly typical result when that stupid engine bay drain and box drain get clogged up:eek:

The panel is reasonably important so the rustout will need to be cutout and new metal welded in.

Your surgery lines are good.

Try not to disturb those captive nuts if possible.

I would slice the spot welded channel off the flat panel leaving the captive nuts in place.

Repair the flat panel from the wheel well side with patches cut to size.

Then fold up a new channel, may need to be done in 2 or 3 sections, and weld it to the flat panel and to each section.

The flange can be welded either with new spot welds or plug welds if using oxy/acet.

It will all be hidden under the guard skin so don't be too concerned with final appearances.

Here is you chance to make that wuzzy little drain hole something more useful:)

Don't forget to give the inside of the channel a good dose of Fish Oil to protect it from Deje Vu.

[beandip]

t_andrews, If you can find a donor car in your area this would be much easier to replace. Every early Z that I have checked the drain was plugged with a bead of sealer from he factory. You might have some luck with Zedd Findings. Those parts wouldn't be too costly to ship if he has them. Any thing can be rebuilt or repaired especially if you are living in an area where you have no alternative. Since you are here in the US this might be the best alternative. Since so much hangs onto this part of the car for support this is a must repair to do right. I would be surprised if someone here in the club didn't have a donor .

Gary

[t_andrews]

Thanks for the information nissanman and beandip, I'm not setup to do any welding so I would have to have someone else do that part.

As for the channel piece does it have a common name? I was looking on Zedd's page and I didn't see anything that sounded like what this is.

I think it might be easier as beandip suggested to replace the piece as a whole since I think the rust has gotten wedged in between the two pieces and I don't think I can save the captive nuts for the hood bracket since rust has gotten in behind them.

Looks like this would involve removing the spot welds and removing the channel piece so I can get to the inner flat piece behind it and cut and patch the rest of the rot there and put in a new channel piece on top. The other method would be less expensive if I could fab the parts myself but I don't have the workspace/experience required.

[beandip]

Contact Charley Osborne at Zedd and ask him. He may be able to come up with what you need. Since you cannot weld your self , I recommend that you don't cut away the bad stuff until you have the replacement pieces in hand. This way you can fit accordingly. Take the Z to a good shop and have it welded in place. Measure how much you think that you will need to remove and see what Charley , or any member can supply. Any one with a parts car out hear in the west should be able to supply what you need, I have front fenders but no inner panels. Gary

[Diseazd]

Zedd doesn't have it. Try Jeff at Z Car Source of Arizona or Roger at The Z Barn. I got mine from Z Barn for $85.00 plus $35.00 shipping. He cut the whole piece out for me. That's the cheap part. Having someone cut out the spot welds and welding the new piece in is " gonna cost you". Guy

[beandip]

Just go to the local parts store . They should have a spot weld cutter. Eastmans has them as well. Kragen , Shucks , Nappa. Just takes a electric drill . Gary