So I have an '88 e250 that, for it's age and location, is very clean and free from rust. Free from from rust in northern Indiana means that there is some, but that it is mostly surface and not wide spread. To control the rust prior to permanent body work being done the surface rust places have been sand blasted and sealed with Rustoleum. There is one spot behind the barn doors that was showing some bad rust. Cleaning up the rust with a the sandblaster and grinder revieled that it was completely rusted through and decent sized. Since I plan on driving the van for another 200k miles and I won't have the $$ for body work until next year I had to do something to keep the cancer in check. First I cut and blasted out all the rust that I could. Then I sealed it up with this. After working on it some more I will need to clean it up and put a few more coats on:
After that I used a sheet of weldable steel to form a patch. Nice to put my old sheet metal tools to use:
I went ahead and used this to punch the holes in the patch as well as flange the hole:
Then I secured it with these:
Fit pretty well:
I will seal things up with seam sealer and replace the body plug. I will also paint the patch panel I made to match the rest. I could have a buddy of mine weld it in, but since it is temporary I am thinking no. I am also debating replacing the screws with rivets for the time being.
I will update and post more pics as I finish up the temporary patch. Overall I an happy with the progress. Thinking it should look decent and keep the rust/cancer from growing too fast over the next year until I have the $$ for proper body work to be done.
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After that I used a sheet of weldable steel to form a patch. Nice to put my old sheet metal tools to use:
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
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I went ahead and used this to punch the holes in the patch as well as flange the hole:
You must be registered for see images attach
Then I secured it with these:
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Fit pretty well:
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
I will seal things up with seam sealer and replace the body plug. I will also paint the patch panel I made to match the rest. I could have a buddy of mine weld it in, but since it is temporary I am thinking no. I am also debating replacing the screws with rivets for the time being.
I will update and post more pics as I finish up the temporary patch. Overall I an happy with the progress. Thinking it should look decent and keep the rust/cancer from growing too fast over the next year until I have the $$ for proper body work to be done.