Shock tower rust. Dangerous??

[Briman2021]

I need a quick answer, as I plan on buying this car about this time tomorrow. It looks really good except for this little bit of rust that has me worried.

Could this cause any safety problems, or should it be fine. I plan on patching it up by getting rid of the rust and welding on a piece of sheet metal, but should I steer clear of this car b/c of this rust, or will it be ok??

Thanks!!

[carguyinok]

The photo you have posted did not come in here. So I dont know what it looks like and am unable to say one way or another. One thing I will say ( Being I grew up in MN. ) Look around!!!!!! OUT OF STATE!!!!!!!!! :finger: Like down south. You should know you live in one of the worst states for rust. Most all the datsun 240Zs I have ever seen from there even 10 years ago where way past help of any kind. If you are seeing rust that high in the car the chance of there being more(and much worse lower) are huge. :sleepy: IMO you would be far beter off just going for a look with no money in hand. The car you are going to look over is far from the only chance. Dont get caught up in the "Ahhh I can fix or patch that rust" for a 240Z NOW. That will bite you in the AZZ faster then well you know. KEEP UP THE SEARCH.

[Briman2021]

Actually the car is from texas, i will try to get the pic up, it is almost rust free, just a little bit of surface rust, and a little on the floorboard. But my concern was the rus ton the shock tower. It looks to be a patch about the size of a playing card, not a hole, but definately rust. I was just wondering if and how this rust could effect the structural integrity. I have given up on local cars tho, you are right, they are either to far gone, or they are completed restorations, neither of which I am interested in.

[2ManyZs]

Not sure without a pic, but it sounds like you are talking about the bottom of the front strut tower where it ends at the bottom, right? Just below the engine compartment ID tag? This is a common area for rust. The water enters the strut tower and then goes to the bottom where there is no escape. Not a hard place to fix.

But, beware if it has gotten down near the area where the inner fender welds to the frame rail at the flange (when looking from outside the engine compartment behind the tire), if it is that far down, the frame rail is more than likely affected. I had one car that looked to have a small area, but after a little poking and prodding, I could put my hand all the way into the engine compartment through the frame rail.:disappoin

If you have rust in that area, be sure to check the frame rails, under the battery, rockers, and the dog leg where the rocker ends at the rear wheel well.

[carguyinok]

Good to hear the car is from TX. The only thing I would say is with the money you are looking to spend. you should be more then able to find a nice car (out of state). I know of what your talking about and cant agree or STRESS enough as 2many said

If you have rust in that area, be sure to check the frame rails, under the battery, rockers, and the dog leg where the rocker ends at the rear wheel well.

Where you live you almost need rust free from the start. Small rust spots will blow up in your face. It's some thing about the weather up there that just eats at um.:sleepy: Yes even in storage for the winter. (unless its heated )

It's a shame because the roads up north are just so much fun in the summer. The deep woods twisting roads.

:love:

[Mr Camouflage]

The image he posted was:

right click on broken link > properties> look at the url and take out the extra http://

cant really see much in the photo though

this is a better pic

doesnt look dangerous at all.

other pics of the car are at

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/<01 to 20>.jpg

ie 01.jpg to 20.jpg.

[Gav240z]

I think that rust on the strut tower looks ok seems that it's a bit beat up around there which is unusual so try find out why and see from the other side if anything looks bent.

It looks like it could possibly be hiding a bit of rust check under battery tray , under spare tyre, behind sills , you should really have a good look under the car.

The front valance looks a bit beat up as if the car hit something it would be advisable to check under the front chassis rails for signs of damage this is not an easy are to fix.

The sunroof is also a bit of a concern as the unibody structure of the car means the whole car makes the chassis. So another words the roof is a vital part of the cars structure. Removing this is expensive and hard to weld properly.

How much is this car and what are your intentions with it?

BTW THE LINKS FOR PHOTO'S ARE.

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/01.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/02.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/03.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/04.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/05.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/06.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/07.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/08.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/09.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/10.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/11.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/12.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/13.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/14.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/15.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/16.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/17.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/18.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/19.jpg

http://www.originalautobuyers.com/361/20.jpg

for those still having trouble

[Briman2021]

well, this car is now out of my price range, as I was outbid numerous times, so I guess I will have to wait for another z to pop up on ebay.

My intentions for the z I hope to get are to restore it, but not necessarily to factory specs, but to build it to my liking. If the seats are bad, I will replace them, but with fabric I like, that kind of thing. Eventually, I plan to do some performance stuff to it, like header, and exhaust, and maybe a set of panasport wheels if I can find them for the right price at the right time.

This is basically a way for me and my dad to spend time together, as we do not share any hobbies, I am a car nut, and he is interested in cars, but now is the first time we have had the time and money to get into a project like this.