It has finally happened. The battery tray in my car was repaired years ago - before I bought the car. The repair seemed solid enough to me, but it has failed and must be fixed. I will get the engine out of the car this week, and will remove gas lines and other items in the area. Is there anything specific that I need to be looking for? And, can this be repaired without collateral damage to the rest of the car?

I can't weld, so it'll need to go to a body shop, or I'll get a friend who can weld to do the repair. I think.

Al horror stories and advice are welcome.

I knew I was gonna hear that. Pics coming as soon as the engine is out.

Engine is out finally snapped a few pics. I'm thinking I clean up what is here, and tack or spot weld things back into place? I really know nothing about welding. But I have friends that do.

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If you pull off the passenger rear tire, you can see the metal behind the battery tray. Mine was eaten away including the metal behind the top tray. I cut out the rusty metal, used it as a template and welded in the shaped patch. I pulled out the tray from my 72, I had holes where I wanted to weld it to the car. Welding through the holes and grinding gave it a clean round weld. I’ll look for a pic.

The patch
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The rest of it.
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And that is how it's done

Often times it is more involved, hold your breath