Engine cradle repair

[2ML67]

Being almost impossible to find a good cradle I gave up looking and decided to work with the rotted ones I have. Three out of four were rotted on the pass side and one on the drivers side, so I did some measuring, cutting and welding two halves back together using the car as a jig to line every thing up. Welded the two parts then wrapped and welded 1/8" steel 3" long over the weld and welded it to the cradle as well. Did some measuring compared to the cradle in my Fiero and every thing matched Can any one see a problem with my creation, can't see the welds breaking and its going to be holding an Eco-tech not a 3800SC. I guess the real test will be in getting a good alignment done. Dan

[dguy]

I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Using a (presumably straight ) car as a jig should position everything well within the rear camber/toe adjustment range.

[aaron88]

we should get together and make a fixture for cradles.

aaron

.

[PBJ]

I know that if you were to take a short trip over the border into PA where they have not used salt on the roads for decades, you will find many fieros in the U pull it and other wrecking yards for next to nothing.  If you bring back 2 cradles it would easily pay for your trip including a nice hotel stay if you wanted to make a weekend out of it.  Imagine bringing back 5 cradles.  IMO I would not mess around with welding two cradles together. I would be embaresed to sell it or tell anyone I did it.  It would be diffenent if we were talking about some rare 50 year old car. So no, I would not want a welded cradle.

Just my opinion.

Pete