Some rust related questions

[cudadave72]

Winter is coming and I'm planning to knock out a couple of issues that have been bothering me and wanted some input. Here are the problems I'd like to fix:

1) Rust bubbles around the hood hinges. What is the best way to fix this without tearing the car apart. I'm pulling the engine to freshen it up and want to repaint the engine bay while I have it out but have no intentions of taking the fenders off. If I go there I'll end up taking the entire car apart.

2) I also have rust issues on the radiator support on the inner panels near the top on both sides of the radiator. The areas are small and look like it was cause by water trapped between the gap between the top of the support and panel. Has anyone else had this problem. Are there any kind of patch panels for this.

3) The trunk panel is weak. Has anyone here replace the trunk pan in a car that is all together? I know I'll have to cut it in sections to get it in. Just curious who has done it.

The reason that I want to just fix these problem is that the car is in great driver condition and I'd like to get by for another 3 or 4 year before I complete go throught the car. Plus at least these concerns will be fixed already. Oh and lastly I have twins on the way so if the car gets torn apart I have a feeling it will be years before it will go back together. Thanks in advanced.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

3) The trunk panel is weak. Has anyone here replace the trunk pan in a car that is all together? I know I'll have to cut it in sections to get it in. Just curious who has done it.

The reason that I want to just fix these problem is that the car is in great driver condition and I'd like to get by for another 3 or 4 year before I complete go throught the car. Plus at least these concerns will be fixed already. Oh and lastly I have twins on the way so if the car gets torn apart I have a feeling it will be years before it will go back together. Thanks in advanced.

I did a post on this awhile back. titled something like   -no junk in the trunk- It may answer lota your questions!

[cudadave72]

Thanks Bigs I found it but all your pictures are not coming up. Do you still have them??

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I should have yet, the probly got cruched here in the last server malfuction!
I rarely delete any project pics, I can send them if you like, BTW, got the floor from mopardave.. 

[cudadave72]

Thanks, I'd love pics. I've heard to buy a one piece and cut it down. I've heard the two pieces arent as good?

[BIGSHCLUNK]

IMO- go single piece and trim it to fit!  Email me, then I'll look for the pics and reply back at you.

[70burntorangeT/A]

I had some pretty bad rust around my hood hinges and we took a small torch and a small punch and knocked and burned out all of the rust and then filled in the area with good ol fiberglass and it has held up great. Mine wasnt rusted all the way thru though, im not sure how well it would hold up if yours is rusted all the way through.

[dutch]

If you have or have access to a welder, I suggest you patch those spots.  I had rust in the same spots and they are an easy repair.  You wont have to pull the fenders, although it makes work easier.  On the outside of the inner fenders there is a steel plate,( where the hinge bolt goes in ) held in place by some bent clips. Take it out and start cutting the bad material. There are 2 layers of sheetmetal there. In my case the part holding the plate wasn`t gone, so I just had to fix the part in the enginebay. Piece of cake, but its a bit more work if you have to patch the outside with the clips.  Either way, take measurements of the location of the hole before cutting.
Same story at the rad support. I just had to repair the layer inside the enginebay... I did blast the area underneath before welding it up again though.

[cudadave72]

Thanks for the info guys! Any more input is appreciated! Bigs my email is dynamicauto@bellsouth.net Thank again!