Front end patching

Little this and that has been done to finish the engine bay and front end of the vehicle. The right hand side front fender apron behind the battery tray was replaced. The new replacement panel is made in Taiwan , which I usually try to avoid, but was at hand for delivery so I had it quickly. The good thing about the Taiwanese is that it has the fender mounting holes already punched in the upper edge whereas the Canadian part do not. The Canadian made sheet metal feels a lot stiffer than the Taiwanese product.

Front supported by the tube

Parts being compared

Clecos at work

I also made a couple of smaller patches in the left hand side front apron. I would have been easier to replace that panel too, in regard of easier done and smoother finish. But I did not want to loose my VIN number so the patching was chosen.

To make the aprons more solid with the cowl I welded in the fender apron brackets. To preserve originality I re-used the old one on the left. On the right side it was so rusted out that I had to use a new one.

Driver side apron bracket

Passenger side got a new bracket

Some more grinding and patching and pin hole welding and detailing needed in the engine bay, but now it is solid and I can more further.