To plate or not to plate???

64GOAT · 04-05-2008, 08:03 PM

I was just getting ready to reinstall my new front end on my 64 and was cleaning and painting the frame and cross member when I found a crack by the lower drivers side a-arm mount.

I ground out and chased the cracks to the end of them and then drilled holes to stop them from spreading. Then I ground out the cracks becuase they were rusted through and tapered the edges and welded them up...It is now ready either to grind and paint or put a plate over the crack and weld it in. Some say weld the plate horizontally only and others say all the way around.

After reading much debate on wether to plate it or not I was looking for some feed back on this procedure. I have read that if the crack weld is done correctly it is not needed to plate as it has the potential to rust inbetween the frame and the plate. But I also read that this was needed to stop the crack from coming back.

Any opinion on which way to go ?? I seem to be second guessing myself and only want to do this once and do it right the first time..Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.....this site is GREAT so glad I joined....

NJSierra · 04-05-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 64GOAT

I was just getting ready to reinstall my new front end on my 64 goat and was cleaning and painting the frame and cross member when I found a crack by the lower drivers side a-arm mount.

I ground out and chased the cracks to the end of them and then drilled holes to stop them from spreading. Then I ground out the cracks becuase they were rusted through and tapered the edges and welded the up , came out great..if I do say so myself....It is now ready either to grind and paint or put a plate over the crack and weld it in. Some say weld horizontally only and others say all the way around.

After reading much debate on wether to plate it or not I was looking for some feed back on this procedure. I have read that if done correctly it is not needed to plate as it has the potential to rust in between the frame and the plate. But I also read that this was needed to stop the crack from coming back.

Any opinion on which way to go ?? I would like to finish this weekend so any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.....this site is GREAT so glad I joined....

PS...how the he** to you insert smiley's on this site...guess I'm a computer dummy becuase this and adding pic's get me every time...

Well, I can answer the "insert the smiley question, but not the other. You see the box to the right of your reply post with all the smileys

, click on one and it appears were your cursor is on the page in which you are typing.

The actual face wont show until you submit reply.

Good Luck