Boris3 Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Dug into this today and it looks like I need a bit more battery box work than I thought on the beater e30. Before I start a beater quality repair job (sheet metal and a rivet gun) I thought I'd ask if there is anyone in the SE Wisconsin area with some cutting and welding skills that has done this before and might be able to help out. I'n not looking for restoration quality. Just want to see if there is a reasonable cost option out there that makes more sense than what will be my DIY hack job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungCR Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Johnprusinski rebuilt his e30 battery box. Try sending him a PM, not sure how much he gets on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris3 Posted June 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Done. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMart Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris3 Posted June 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Will do. Front part of the box is solid, started digging into the rear pulling out loose paint and metal and the hole kept getting bigger. Joys of rust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnprusinski Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Here is what I came up with. I can weld, but they do not look pretty. They are strong though. I was standing on it the other day while I was taping my rear window. I can see if I still have the template and I can see if I can create something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris3 Posted June 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Wow. No doubt that you could stand on it. That is one serious box!My battery well has enough metal that I don't think I need the full box insert. I'm looking for more of a repair of the back end of the well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnprusinski Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Since I am not a professional I still like to take my time with things to make sure they are done half way decent. I'm assuming that you don't have a welder, and in order for me to fix the rust I will have to have the car at my house. That's where the problem is. I simpley don't have the room to keep another car at my place to work on. It's easier for me to just work on my bench with a new box insert and then take a day cut metal out and weld it in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris3 Posted June 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Understood. Yeah, welding has been on the learn to do list for a while and hasn't happened.I'll hold off on the full box option but appreciate the offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowleym Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Do you have an air compressor? I have a portable welding service if need be, but It would be interesting to do without my tools available. If possible, I could bend up the required section before I came, and then cut/weld to fit at your place. also, My tig is the only portable welder i have, unless you have 220v. I live in Princeton WI now. About 30 minutes west of fond du lac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris3 Posted June 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 I ended up going for the hack route. Did a bit more cutting, sprayed some rust reformer (yeah I know por-15 would have been better), cut and bent some sheet metal to fit, drilled for rivets, primed and an initial paint coat on the new piece.. Need to pick up some seam sealer. Should be able to finish up tomorrow. Install, rivet, seam seal, paint the inside, and undercoat the outside. We'll see how it turns out. Rowleym 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris3 Posted July 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Some progress. Need to wait 24hrs for the seam sealer to dry before painting the battery well and undercoating the outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris3 Posted July 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Done, now just need to let it all dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B C Posted July 3, 2015 Report Share Posted July 3, 2015 Form follows function. Looks good to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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