FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

I thought these images might be of interest to those wanting to understand how a fairly common rust repair is undertaken on the A pillar/sill junction of a FC Holden

Image 1: Termite Activity

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/fc_58-59/FC%20Resto/P1020762.jpg)

Image 2: Fabricated replacement steel patch.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/fc_58-59/FC%20Resto/P1020763.jpg)

Image 3: Inside of A pillar / sill junction

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/fc_58-59/FC%20Resto/P1020771.jpg)

Image 4: Cleaned and rustproofed

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/fc_58-59/FC%20Resto/P1020773.jpg)

Image 5: Dzzt, dzzzt, dzzzt (sound of a mig welder)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/fc_58-59/FC%20Resto/P1020777.jpg)

Image 6: After grinding

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/fc_58-59/FC%20Resto/P1020779.jpg)

Image 7: Under primer

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/fc_58-59/FC%20Resto/P1020782.jpg)

Image 8: India Ivory!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/fc_58-59/FC%20Resto/ivory.jpg)

Now ya just gotta fix the dents in the roof  ;D ;D
Good work Eddie, thanks for the shots it'll help in my future projects.

We were worried about that too...... but came up with a "Most Useful Device"

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/fc_58-59/FC%20Resto/rotis.jpg)

Geez,

Poor old Sarge laid on the floor for hours to do "Hilda"!

I hope he doesn't see these pics, he'll be wanting me to up his rate to - 2 beers and 4 cups of coffee a day!  ;D

Excellent stuff Eddie. Very exciting to see. Keep them pics coming

Emu

Emu,

Thanks. I was inspired by the work being done on Hilda.

This started out as a quick respray....however Adam (my version of Sarge) wasn't happy with my amateurish rust repairs, so things got a little out of hand.

I've got a full CD of photos of the work to date. It just takes so long to upload them.

Regards

Edward

could you post some more pictures off your rotisere some front and back shots would be great as im just about to start on the underneath of my panelvan

cheers fatboy

You have a seriously cool shed and toys Ed.

Cheers

Ed

Edward,

Is this the wagon from Canberra?

Looks like you're making great progress!!!

Cheers,

Craig.

Yes, it is the wagon I purchased in Canberra.

I've started another post called "The Long Road to Jindabyne" which shall document the project from the initial purchase, to date, and all things going to plan, right through to the completion ready for the Nationals next year.

Regards

Edward

Good morning all,

Great photos on this repair, i assume it is one of the most popular during an FC resto!

Being that my fabrication skills are, lets say, non existant, does anyone have any tips on getting this job done OR perhaps sourcing pre-fab sections that can be welded straight in??

Great Job Fast_Eddie nice neat work ...in preference to rust guard I use weld through primer which does not burn away as much in the welding process thus giving a bit more protection to inaccessible areas ....Can't wait to see it all finished .....FC427......

Crikey, this thread is ancient, the last post from Fast Eddie was in November 2004.

When I say ancient it is relative I suppose, look at old our cars are. ;)


Cheers  M

And we still haven't finished the car!!!

The bloody thing will need another A pillar repair before it hits the road  ;D

Steady on. All I am waiting for is a set of parking light looms. Some bloke was going to make them up. Once upon a time...

Yep, the older he gets the faster he was - and thats just Craig... ;D

Its not so bad Mikey, I have a mate who was supposed to finish his car when my daughter was 14 months old, she's now 17 and a half and its not only not finished he has to do most of it again :P

Cheers
John

Yeah I hear ya,
                        I have had mine in the shed for waaaay longer than I care to remember.   


Hmmm, where did I leave that angle grinder?


Cheers  M

Thats why I'll be driving to Orange in a wagon with more rust in it than it had at Mt Gambier.
I'm scared if it ever comes off the road for repairs it might never get driven ever again

 8) 8) 8)

390g
 
 Had a couple of  members interested  in the weld through primer so I thought I would give better description of it  .......FC427........
 

Weld Through Primer is a ready to use primer to aid in MIG / TIG welding. Weld Through Primer offers high resistance to salt and water, providing excellent corrosion protection to the weld area. It is quick drying and water resistant after 15 minutes. It provides superior conductivity for welding applications and has minimal spatter during welding.

 
 
 

Haha love the banter guys but does anyone have any input on the fabrication of the patches for the A pillar??

MICK

Mick,

A couple of years ago there was a guy selling a heap of NOS parts. Included were complete A pillars.

If you got one I guess you could cut the bottom off. Seems a waste however I don't know too many people who require the complete A pillar!

I have no idea if he still has any, however his name is Mick and the number is 0419 252 533.

Ed

Ed,

As you correctly assumed I ONLY need the bottom part........its just the fabrication of that small part/patch, that you appeared to fabricate quite masterfully, that I need........metal work skills are something an electrical engineer dosent have to deal with often!

Thanks for the input guys will try the bloke with the NOS parts, but as you said, seems a shame

Just use cardboard to make templetes for the pieces you need to replace.

Then replicate the templates in metal, weld them in, and your done.

Sound easy hey  ;D

can someone describe in a little detail as to how to make the patch for the lower "A" pillar, what material, what technique was used etc etc etc

cheers FC P/Van

OH yes it is OH SO EASY!

Make in cardboard, wave wand, replicate in metal, and weld! hahahahahaahahahaha

My problem is getting from cardboard to metal!

Mickus-how about make in many small pieces, weld together then weld to vehicle. Worked for me!

Just a quick question re A pillar repairs -
I have rusted lowers - same as nearly every one else, but they are pretty bad, I have a donor shell with perfect A pillars  is it better to cut them out of a good car or fabricate them from scratch??
Matt

A lot quicker to cut them out if they are perfect and the shape will be spot on and you can use as much as you need of the inner as well a win win I would say .........FC427........

A shell with good A pillars sounds too good to cut up, how bads the rest?
It can all be made up from scratch, just a PITA fiddly!
Good luck whichever way you go.
Regards
Alex

Hi CustomFC,
yes indeed I have been trying to work out if the shell should be used as a donor, the shell was originally bought as a donor, but I have been trying to work out if it is too good to cut up (EK ute with almost all the dealer fitted NASCO options, including commercial EK Flashline kit)
from the rear window forward it is perfect, but the rear chassis sections are all rusted out and the spring hangars are rusted through the rails etc  so I figure that short of a complete cut and shut rear end it is a donor car

Sounds to good to cut up  :o  it's worth saving they are running out quick so it should be saved ........FC427......

Hi Matt, please let me know if you want to sell the Ute?

Thank you,

Steve