Well, I started the body work on the 48 this afternoon. I started on the RH front corner. I cut out the rusty parts, thinking I had all of the parts I needed to repair it.
IMG_1835 by
Robert Moorman, on Flickr
The rust that is left is just dust and the metal is solid.
From the inside.
IMG_1836 by
Robert Moorman, on Flickr
Then I was test fitting the lower cowl repair panel.
IMG_1837 by
Robert Moorman, on Flickr
The gap is less than a nickel, so I think it will weld up pretty well.
I tried to order the lower front pillar patch, as I've had to cut out the lower portion to get rid of rust. I'm not sure the order went through until I contact them tomorrow to find out.
I test fit all the other patches, and as soon as I have the pillar patch, I can start welding on this corner.
This is the worst of it on the 48. The 54 is a different story! I've got it up where I can send it out for media blast and prime. Then I can see how bad it really is. However, with Christmas coming, family time will once again eat into shop time. Oh well, lucky I like Christmas and most of my family.