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Ford Model A Pickup Restoration December 2006

In December I could finish the basic sheet metal work on my front fenders.

Restoration December 2006

This is how they look like now, just the final welding is not done yet.

Restoration December 2006

The new fender wells for the spare tire is approximately 8 mm wider than the old one and since it was a little bit narrow for my tires, I decided to enlarge it and move the right angle profile 8 mm to the right.

Restoration December 2006

These are the cuts I've made with a air saw.

Restoration December 2006

Now I could move the edge below the rest of the sheet metal. To hold it in position, I fixed it with some welding spots.

Restoration December 2006

Then I've made a cut through bought sheet metals. In the upper part of the picture it is already done and fixed too.

Restoration December 2006

My newly made part is cut to the right size but does still overlapping the other sheet metal by 1 - 1.5 cm.

Restoration December 2006

Then I've fixed it to the right position and made spot welds from inside the fender.

Restoration December 2006

Now I'm working the same way as before. First cut both sheet metals by a length of about 5 - 10 cm and then fix it by 2 or 3 spot welds.

Restoration December 2006

Just step by step until you have reached the end of the fender.

Restoration December 2006

As you can see from underneath, the bar is still in its position and will be removed at last in order to prevent any distortion.

Restoration December 2006

Finally the bar is removed and the sheet metal is bent to the final position.

Restoration December 2006

Here you can see the difference, on the left hand side the old pattern work and on the right my new work.

Restoration December 2006

The metal at the edge was too much rusty and had also some holes in it. I have used here also 1 mm sheet metal for the repair.

Restoration December 2006

First you have to bend a angle profile. You can do this kind of work with a vice if you don't have special tools. Take care that you place a piece of wood between the hammer and the sheet metal.

Restoration December 2006

The angle profile is finished.

Restoration December 2006

The next step is to stretch the metal so it will fit to the fender.

Restoration December 2006

To stretch sheet metal is the easier job, it is much more difficult to shrink it. Therefore I have bent the angle in a 3 cm interval and got these waves.

Restoration December 2006

The the difficult job is now to remove these waves with a hammer but the metal mustn't get enlarged again to the original shape, it must be shrunken. I did it with a anvil. Just give enough pressure with your left hand and straighten the sheet metal with a hammer. Probably you have to repeat this procedure until you get the desired shape but it works well.

Restoration December 2006

The new part is finished now.

Restoration December 2006

Now I could remove the old part and get the new one fitted to the fender.

Restoration December 2006

I have fixed everything with spot welds.

Restoration December 2006

The fender wells will be added later.

Restoration December 2006

The right fender has also rust holes which have to be repaired.

Restoration December 2006

The marked section will be removed and replaced.

Restoration December 2006

This is an easier job compared with the left fender.

Restoration December 2006

I do normally use these kind of magnets to hold the parts in position.

Restoration December 2006

Some welding spots and the new sheet metal is in its place.

Restoration December 2006

The new angle profile is replaced.

Restoration December 2006

Now all rusty parts on my two front fenders are replaced. What I have to do is is the final welding of both fenders.