I’m on to the soldered joints on the driver’s side. The A pillar to the roof and the A pillar to the cowl will need to be welded after removing the solder. I will fill the top joint with weld. But, after welding the bottom there still be large a depression. I’m not sure what to finish filling the joint with. What have you all done to fix this joint?
The joint was already welded at the factory (a lapped joint held with spot welds), so unless you're seeing it broken loose, you don't need to weld anything. If you want to remove the lead, do that and use body filler on the joint. I left the lead in place on mine and did what little touch up that was necessary with body filler. Be sure you have the lead clean before applying anything over it, including primer or filler.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
I welded in a sheet metal patch in there to fill that deep depression and ground it smooth. Very little body filler was needed. I was not comfortable with using a big honking chunk of Bondo in that cavernous crater, given the small fortune to be paid to my painter.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
I welded in a sheet metal patch in there to fill that deep depression and ground it smooth. Very little body filler was needed. I was not comfortable with using a big honking chunk of Bondo in that cavernous crater, given the small fortune to be paid to my painter.
That's another option. Lots of guys seem to think leaving the lead in place is bad, but it has lasted over 70 years so far.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.