Removing Front Apron Panels

[TriniGT]

Has anyone here ever attempted this as a DIYer. I want to remove both front apron panels and also the nose clip on my project. Reason for it is that the last person that attached the nose cut somehow attached it too short and the combination of that and having rust in other places from poor garages. I am picking up a good front half with all the aprons in tack so I am going to drill out all the welds and transfer the aprons and the nose clip over. It is a big job but every shop I have been to wants to cut and replce not drill it out and put back on with overlap and weld it in proper after checking fitment. I am thinking once I can remove the front clip apron and the one on the car I can have someone come and wld it in no problem once everything has been aligned properly with fenders attached. Can someone give me some pointers, I have been told to get drill bits and have the tip ground down a bit flatter and use that to drill out the spot welds but not piercing the metal to be reused.

If I can get somone to do the job I don't mind paying but I don't have an idea of the cost but I want a neat job of replacing it.

[TriniGT]

Found this as well for reference,
http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/mum ... to_01.html

[Midnight_Demon]

call blood @ 643-9374 .... ask him if he can do it.

[Sanctifier]

...I have been told to get drill bits and have the tip ground down a bit flatter and use that to drill out the spot welds but not piercing the metal to be reused... I want a neat job of replacing it.

I want a neat job... Then you have to DIY I'm afraid... and IMHO using home-grown, hand-ground drill bits may not be good enough. This is the bit-profile that you will need...

Here is an alternative... btw they are available in different sizes... 3/8"... 5/8"... etc.
...Retail: $9.69 US
Link--> Astro Spot weld Cutter - 722

This leaves a hole in the "discarded" panel and a small "plug" on the "good" panel for you to grind off, before spot welding the replacement panel into place.

Here's the Rolls Royce version... Link--> Blair Spotweld Cutters.
For other (cheaper) alternatives just "search" spot-weld drill-bits... or spot-weld cutters.

My $0.02¢

[TriniGT]

Anywhere locally I can get this i.e.Bhagwansingh or som'n.

[Sanctifier]

Hardly likely... Do you know any bodyshop locally that does that quality of work?
Then there is no need for the Tool Stores to stock that kind of thing.

Anyway some US jobbers with eStores accept credit cards and also deliver via FedEx etc.
Should be delivered in 7-10 days via Express mail.

[EVOlved]

I use Blair Spotweld cutters, similar to the 2nd pic in sanctifier's post...the pilot pin controls cut depth....very inexpensive and can be purchase online, ebay et al..various sizes available..good luck

[TriniGT]

Gonna be ordering this kit today so when the front half comes I can practice on it and get ready for the car itself.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Blair-Ho ... veQ5fTools
I am thinking to remove from just before the shock area in between the shock mount and the firewall as the is some rust at the top of the shock mount and then cut straight across the bottom and remove the rest of the metal on the car. Obviously I will need to drill out everything proper on the front half and transfer it. I am also going to be removing the top area where the fenders bolt to as the top is battered from when the car got in the accident, even though it is an area where it is hidden under the fenders I know it's there and it bugs me, hence the reason I want to get the entire front half and transfer as much as I can to make the car look like it came so.

I will do all the drilling and removing and then get someone to mig the entire front shock and apron setup for me by first bolting on all the fenders and front to ensure everything lines up and then tack weld the front apron on and remove everytihng and have it welded in securely and at the same time have the rest of the car tack welded. From there I can prime and get the car ready to paint. It is a long road but I cannot handle seeing a car looking good on the outside but horrible when it comes to the details.