Replacing Battery Shelf on my BE

[Jim_Gruber]

I stripped and cleaned up the battery shelf on Bugsy II my '59 BE. Surface is rough and two small pinholes. I could open up and treat the pinholes with Rust Converter and filler could be used to smooth out the surface. AS for the most part it is hidden under heater and battery debating how much work to put in it. The Battery Tray on Bugsy is Pop Riveted in place and plan was to weld it in place. But at this point I could have it removed in < and hour likely by drilling out all of the rivets. MOSS Catalog does not show a Battery tray for a BE. says '65 Sprite and up. What is the difference between BE Battery Tray and a later Battery Tray? Is it even available?

Someone else had some Stainless Battery Trays produced I saw a note on several weeks ago. I can't find the listing now. Not sure if this is just an overlay SS Panel I could paint or a complete Battery and Heater Tray.

Can SS be successfully welded with a MIG w Standard Gas Setup to Steel Body or would it need to be Pop Riveted in place. Typically Stainless is less strong than regular steel so guidance is appreciated.

So need a vote, Cosmetic Cleanup or Weld in a new Battery Tray and heater box assembly"

 

[JPSmit]

:computer:

 

[Jim_Gruber]

JP well that makes it simpler. I did find out the vB does sell it for $99.95. I can get the old one out by drilling out a half gazillion rivets in less than an hour. Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions.

 

[JPSmit]

 

[nomad]

I think that the only difference between the early and later heater/battery tray is the little bracket welded on the early one for the pull starter. Probably whey the 65 cutoff.

I slathered on JB weld and a hand full of pop rivets to put a patch over the battery perforation's on my midget. I use a marine battery box on it and my other spridget's to keep the acid from doing its work now!

Kurt.