[lussier12]

Ive got a 65 coupe im restoring. ive rain into a few problems but the guy i bought it from replaced some of the floor pans, the drive shaft, the rear axle, the rear suspension and springs, and the frame rails. now im working on the front and the front frame rails have some bad rust. one part theres 2 4' x 2' holes and on another part theres a patch welded on that was done half assed and its rotting away too. im only 14 so i dont have a job so im limited on money. should i just save up and pay for them to be replaced or should me and my dad just weld in new patches ourselves. i dont have any pictures. i will soon. The bad patch repair is in the middle of the lower section, and the holes are on the front section where the side frame attatches to sideways peice holding the left and right rails together. im going to be pulling the engine to replace the oil pan, check the compression, and clean it up. im wondering if i should pay for them to be fixed, patch them with my dad, or just leave them until later on. thanks to anyone with anything they have to say
Matt

[Icerat]

This sounds like quite a bit of work, both time and money will be flying out the window very quickly. Not that it can't be done but you have to look at you and your dad as far as ability, time available, place to work, tools you have etc. You can't drive for two years so there is no rush and if your dad has plenty of time to help you, I would say it's a good learning experience as well as time with your dad. I remember some really great times working on cars over the years with my dad when I was younger.

The flip side of that is you will sink a lot of time and money in a badly rusted car and it will always need more work than you think as you get farther in. Many of us here have replaced almost a full cars worth of sheet metal and have no problem doing it and some will only buy an already restored car just to enjoy driving it. Personal ability and preference really make a big difference.

A piece of personal advice, this should be fun for you or a learning experience or something to do with your dad or hopefully all of the above. Make sure that it is before taking on a project this big.

We are all looking forward to pics too I am sure once you get them up so we can better see what you are working with.

As far as the poll, I always vote for doing it yourself.

[Kona Blue Pony]

^I pretty much was going to say the same thing

My best memories of my dad are when he and I worked on my C10 (had it almost 17 years now) and our other junk together. I moved 700 miles away 13 years ago and I miss him being right there to help out. We still talk a lot, send text pics of what we're working on, but it's not the same. Have fun with it.

[lussier12]

well we have all the tools except a welder, which we are buying soon anyways, and my dads best friend is a licensed mechanic, and we have it in our own workshop that is heated and has plenty of space, im just not sure if we should take it on and my real question is should i replace them or should i just patch them?

[Icerat]

Then absolutely take it on. Patches have an advantage over full replacement many times due to leaving as much original metal and as many factory welds in place as possible. Sometimes replacing a full piece is faster and easier and almost everything is made for these cars so it's a case by case.

Those pictures would really help anyone offering their opinion

[geicoman58]

sweet !! we love pictures !!! Sounds like this car could be hitting the road by the time your a junior at madison high. go for it, there are so many great threads on the mustang forums showing people working thru projects just like you describe. you dont have to spend a fortune to patch it all back up safely and get it looking/running good. well, not a huge fortune good luck!