Front X-member under radiator...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
Front X-member under radiator...
I bought a new front crossmember for my 68 (the one under the radiator) because mine had the bottom rusted out. This thing is built quite oddly; same as original, but it appears to be 2 pieces spot-welded together...that means that it is not exactly "sealed"....so water can get in it.....I suspect that how my old one rusted out. Anyway, I was thinking about drilling a couple of drain holes...that is after I coat the inside with paint; I took a flashlight and looked inside---it's bare metal.
Here's a picture:
Any ideas? Opinions?
Here's a picture:
Any ideas? Opinions?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
I thought about wire welding the 2 parts....
I'm not sure it's worth it....looking at my old rusty one, it doesn't seem to provide much structural support. That's why I thought drilling drain holes was a better idea. It's quite obvious that it's rusty inside...my old radiator leaked for years and I'm sure it got inside. Actually on the old one the rust appears to be causing the 2 spot welded parts to separate.
I can pour some primer and paint in through the tapped bracket holes....and then find the low point for a drain hole.
I guess I'll head that way (if I can quit being lazy and just go outside).
I can pour some primer and paint in through the tapped bracket holes....and then find the low point for a drain hole.
I guess I'll head that way (if I can quit being lazy and just go outside).
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
I would spray something like chain saw oil or Eastwood's rust inhibitor inside rather than primer and paint. Drain holes are a good idea. The factory never intended these cars to last for 30 or 40 years when they were built so they didn't bother with rust preventative measures.
I remember (dimly) that new cars in the 50's and 60's would start having rust-throughs on body panels after only 2 or 3 years.
Rick B.
I remember (dimly) that new cars in the 50's and 60's would start having rust-throughs on body panels after only 2 or 3 years.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
I was just going to install it...
...but I peeked inside and saw it was bare metal...it's just too easy to pour something in there; instead of knowing it's bare metal. And drilling the holes is easy too.
What's this rust inhibitor stuff?
I can't spray anything in there, I'm going to pour it in....that's why I was think primer and paint might be the easiest.
What's this rust inhibitor stuff?
I can't spray anything in there, I'm going to pour it in....that's why I was think primer and paint might be the easiest.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 224
Likes: 41
From: Catawba, N.C. USA
I am also doing my cross member and I scuffed it; used Eastwood Rust Inhibitor and painted it with Chassis Black. I figure I'll be long gone before it fails again. I just posted a question about my radiator surround. When I took off my cross member I saw rust on the surround and am going to replace it. Any problem with yours?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
why not use some great stuff foam filler in it to seal it up? it would just expand inside of it and come out the holes and then you can cut off the stuff that comes out when it dries. this stuff expands like crazy and im sure it would keep water out.
http://greatstuff.dow.com/
http://greatstuff.dow.com/
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
I pulled my radiator surround a couple of years ago...
..and it's in quite good shape. I cleaned it up and painted it. So that's all good.
So, now it's just a decision on what the heck to pour inside. They make that eastwood inhibitor in a brush-paintable/"pourable" liquid?
So, now it's just a decision on what the heck to pour inside. They make that eastwood inhibitor in a brush-paintable/"pourable" liquid?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 752
Likes: 31
From: Melbourne Australia
Old fashioned way...
I use fish oil in an aerosol can and spray it in. Try to tilt the cross-member around so that the fish oil runs into the seams.
This stuff is excellent...smells for a while but the odor goes away and it does work!!!!
Joe
This stuff is excellent...smells for a while but the odor goes away and it does work!!!!
Joe
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
You can find info on the Eastwood rust inhibitor on their website. It's made for inside areas that won't be painted. Supposed to adhere well to metal and remain flexible. Chain saw bar oil is very sticky because it has paraffin in it and can be bought cheaply at any home center or place that sells saws.
Rick B.
Rick B.