I worked for a guy in Syracuse NY who bought old buick station wagons that were all rusted out when he bought them and he'd run them forever... his trick was wad up that mornings paper after reading it and shove it down the holes. Road salt papercrete.

If you want to learn then get a cheap wire feed and watch some videos or take a class. Guys here will make you glad you tried.

They'll also tell you the originals weren't perfect fits either... Fight on an original or a repo what's the difference?

Its just going to be a driver so do whats comfortable for your skills. And have fun.

Give me ambiguity
or give me something else