The Ford Barn

terabytemc · 08-09-2022, 03:05 PM

Has anyone used the fender patch for the light bar mount to the front fenders to keep fender from cracking at bolt holes?

Oldbluoval · 08-09-2022, 05:08 PM

Which year?
Usually don’t use them to prevent cracks but use them when cracked out and/or broken out
If it isn’t already cracked why would u do that?

terabytemc · 08-09-2022, 06:37 PM

1930- there is some cracking starting around the bolt holes, someone mentioned there was a support to strengthen the fender. There is a reinforcing plate for the tail light, so I thought there was one for the light bar. I did not realized the patch was a repair for broken or rusted out fender.

Oldbluoval · 08-09-2022, 07:07 PM

If there’s just cracking I’d weld it up and move on.
The patches are generally to replace an ugly area and not just overlay/underlay

Synchro909 · 08-09-2022, 08:06 PM

If the patch is used as an under or over lay, the gap between the two pieces of metal would be an excellent place for rust to hide.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Kevin in NJ · 08-10-2022, 08:38 AM

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The correct fix is to get the fender brackets properly shaped along with the headlamp bar.

You can do this cold by putting all the parts together and moving them until the bar has an even arch and the bolts go in easy to the brackets.

I originally tried doing this by all sorts of measurements. In the end I got the brackets back to factory shape just by making everything fit right and look right. Later I got NOS brackets and built a jig to check other brackets. To my surprise the brackets I made right by the above work were almost dead on to NOS.

rotorwrench · 08-10-2022, 03:33 PM

The fenders took all sorts of grief back in th day. One side would get bent up and it would bend down the other side. A person can take the supports off and compair them for profile. If one side is too high then the other side will be low with the headlight bar on. A person has to tweak on them till the headlights are both the same distance out from the frame or radiator cowl as long as the radiator cowl is square with the frame.

The fenders have to fit the frame running boards and the headlight bar supports so it all has to be fit together. Many a fender has been cracked or broken around the support arms. They like to rust there too. The weld in patch would replace the profile pressed into that spot on the fender. I've seen them welded and brazed plus other bondo fixes. Weld a new piece in if it can't be welded up or otherwise repaired. I just butt weld this kind of stuff.

08-09-2022, 03:05 PM	#1
terabytemc Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Northern California Posts: 13	Fender patch for light bar Has anyone used the fender patch for the light bar mount to the front fenders to keep fender from cracking at bolt holes?

08-09-2022, 05:08 PM	#2
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,371	Re: Fender patch for light bar Which year? Usually don’t use them to prevent cracks but use them when cracked out and/or broken out If it isn’t already cracked why would u do that?

08-09-2022, 06:37 PM	#3
terabytemc Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Northern California Posts: 13	Re: Fender patch for light bar 1930- there is some cracking starting around the bolt holes, someone mentioned there was a support to strengthen the fender. There is a reinforcing plate for the tail light, so I thought there was one for the light bar. I did not realized the patch was a repair for broken or rusted out fender.

08-09-2022, 07:07 PM	#4
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,371	Re: Fender patch for light bar If there’s just cracking I’d weld it up and move on. The patches are generally to replace an ugly area and not just overlay/underlay Last edited by Oldbluoval; 08-09-2022 at 10:23 PM.

08-09-2022, 08:06 PM	#5
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Fender patch for light bar If the patch is used as an under or over lay, the gap between the two pieces of metal would be an excellent place for rust to hide. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

08-10-2022, 08:38 AM	#6
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Fender patch for light bar Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The correct fix is to get the fender brackets properly shaped along with the headlamp bar. You can do this cold by putting all the parts together and moving them until the bar has an even arch and the bolts go in easy to the brackets. I originally tried doing this by all sorts of measurements. In the end I got the brackets back to factory shape just by making everything fit right and look right. Later I got NOS brackets and built a jig to check other brackets. To my surprise the brackets I made right by the above work were almost dead on to NOS.

08-10-2022, 03:33 PM	#7
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Fender patch for light bar The fenders took all sorts of grief back in th day. One side would get bent up and it would bend down the other side. A person can take the supports off and compair them for profile. If one side is too high then the other side will be low with the headlight bar on. A person has to tweak on them till the headlights are both the same distance out from the frame or radiator cowl as long as the radiator cowl is square with the frame. The fenders have to fit the frame running boards and the headlight bar supports so it all has to be fit together. Many a fender has been cracked or broken around the support arms. They like to rust there too. The weld in patch would replace the profile pressed into that spot on the fender. I've seen them welded and brazed plus other bondo fixes. Weld a new piece in if it can't be welded up or otherwise repaired. I just butt weld this kind of stuff. Last edited by rotorwrench; 08-10-2022 at 08:11 PM.