Fender support rust question and pics

[69rangerman]

After knocking away what looked like dirt I realized I was looking at some pretty good rust. Not sure what this area is called (fender support/mounting point). The yellow arrow shows hole through this area. It is a mounting point under the battery, next to the bottom of the radiator. Question #1 What is the fix here?
Question #2 Is there a way to slow it down for 6 months while I save up for rust repairs and paint?

Thanks,
Tom

[jor]

There are a million of our old trucks driving around that look just like that. I wouldn't worry about any temporary fix. Just fix it right when you can afford it. If I were you, I'd be looking for a good used radiator support. I picked one up for another member (swissranger) last year for $125 or so. Matter of fact, I need one myself. Good luck.
jor

[69rangerman]

Thanks for the heads up. Just to clarify-I have to have the mounting area where the bolt is cut out? The frame rail still looks fine. Or (gulp) does the frame rail have to be cut out also? Can I ease the hit to my wallet by removing fenders etc. when the time comes or can this repair be done with the vehicle as is.?

Since the engine bugaboos have been dealt with I was thinking about doing rust repair then a repaint in 6 mos. or so. Would any body shop be able to handle this repair? I've commited to the cause by selling my modern wheels and want to get my old/new friend as solid as possible for many years of dependability.

Thanks for the continued support.
Tom

[Sharkdance]

69rangerman.

You can probably get away with just cutting the bolt off just above the nut from the bottom. Then smack it a few times from underneath the frame rail with a hammer and (if it breaks loose) pull the cut off bolt out from the top. That way you dont need a torch. Its just faster with a torch is all.

No you DO NOT have to cut the frame rail. But you dont wanna cut that bolt off till your ready to replace the core support with a new/used one. And dont forget new core support bushings too.

jor is right about lots and lots of trucks runnin around that look just like that. Like I said its a common problem.
Its not something you have to deal with right away to get your truck painted. But I would still recomend some kind of rust converter or some POR15 on it till you did get to it.
You dont HAVE to remove the fenders to replace the core support, but thier not that hard to remove anyway and it gets em out of the way.
Plus, since you already have them off, "you may as well" spruce up the engine bay.
But dont say I didnt warn ya. Once you start you become yet another victim of the "As long as your at it, you may as well" syndrome.

[wt4speed#2]

My
When you get to that point a core support off of the 73-?? generation works well and there is a tech page to support this . Althought mine is all but ready to install I followed the tech page , and have found only one glitch in the area of the front parking/turn signals on the 73-?? core support the space for the wiring to the turn/marker assy, is very minimal . Also I have found an alternate to purchasing the reproduced core support bushing , that from what I've read have to be altered to work, and as soon as I can figure out the actual application I'll pass it on (picked up several radiator mounting bushing from a big truck wrecking yard and found what I think will work)

Tony B

[flyboy2610]

LMC has a support for '67-72's listed in their current catalog.
http://www.lmctruck.com/

[jzjames]

Since you have gone in there and cleaned out the rust and dirt pretty well, I dont think its going anywhere. (It almost looks like you could save that one). Put some preparation on the exposed rust and keep an eye on it until you get a perfect one.

[69rangerman]

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll be treating it with por 15 in the near future. Related question: Would it be advisable to stick a sand blasting gun down in there to try to remove all possible flaking before treating it? Or just do my best to jam a brass or steel brush down in there.

Thanks again.
Tom

[jck_in_nc]

Core supports have a weird (could say bad) design. They have places water can enter the channels and collect at the bottom. Seems like that rust you have inevitable. If you replace the core, consider sealing those gaps.
jck

[Big D's 69]

I would try to break the rust up with if you can a sand blaster and then por15 it. That will treat and kill the rust till you can properly fix it.