Welding Aluminum Z Plates

Stephen Hill · Nov 16, 2009

A previous owner of my 1968 Fastback drilled 3/8 inch diameter holes through the z plates so he could mount some ugly aftermarket passenger pegs. Now that I have replaced the ugly pegs with stock pegs in the correct holes, I need to deal with the extra holes. Early Z plates seem to be a little hard to find (they don't have a hole for the zener). I am thinking of tig welding up the holes and grinding them down, then polishing. Any comments on if this can be done and produce a nice match in colour, etc?? Any ideas on which aluminum filler rod to use?

Thanks,

Stephen Hill
1968 Fastback
1970 Mercury
1971 Roadster
1974 Interstate

montelatici · Nov 16, 2009

Hi, I was looking for a side stand spring and saw that someone was selling new Z plates on Ebay. You might want to have a look.

seaguy · Nov 16, 2009

I think I would cut off some filler plugs of 3/8" AL rod. Drive in 1/8" shy of plate thickness and fill it in. I tig welded my primary where they usually have a crack from falling on the left peg/brake lever and you can hardly see the difference.

swooshdave · Nov 16, 2009

Stephen Hill said:
A previous owner of my 1968 Fastback drilled 3/8 inch diameter holes through the z plates so he could mount some ugly aftermarket passenger pegs. Now that I have replaced the ugly pegs with stock pegs in the correct holes, I need to deal with the extra holes. Early Z plates seem to be a little hard to find (they don't have a hole for the zener). I am thinking of tig welding up the holes and grinding them down, then polishing. Any comments on if this can be done and produce a nice match in colour, etc?? Any ideas on which aluminum filler rod to use?

Thanks,

Stephen Hill
1968 Fastback
1970 Mercury
1971 Roadster
1974 Interstate

Would it be easier to get the later plates and just take care of the zener hole?

R Model Tony · Nov 16, 2009

Get an old plate, cut a plug and a few strips off of it, and use them for filler rod. $.02 Tony

Coco · Nov 17, 2009

swooshdave said:
Would it be easier to get the later plates and just take care of the zener hole?

My thoughts as well unless the hole left behind from the pegs will drive you nuts.

Welding Aluminum Z Plates

Stephen Hill

montelatici

seaguy

swooshdave

R Model Tony

Coco

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