FLUSH MOUNTED SKIRTS -HOW'S IT DONE?

I would like to "flush mount" the stock skirts on my 51 Merc.Can't afford to make a mistake. How the heck is this done. Any "how to" info much appreciated. thanx

 

There may be a different way but I made a set for a Merc. I bent a length of sheet in a break to form a long angle then worked it in the shrinker/strecher till it fit perfect in the wheel opening. Then trim the skirt down close to the opening & welded it to the angle piece I made earlier. Added two tabs at the bottom to bolt to the lower quarters & a pin at the top of the skirt to fit in a small hole at the top of the opening to keep it in place.

Sorry I don't have any pics, we did this a few years ago.

Billy

 

Did a set of these on a really nice Merc, a long time ago. I don't remember ALL of the details. What I did was measure the skirt opening. Then found a set of skirts, with a bottom 'lip' (like 51 Merc skirts) that were a bit larger than the opening. Placed them over the wheel opening, and traced the backside of the opening on the skirt. Then cut off the excess, do this slowly, leaving extra at first, then 'sneaking up' on the actual cut line, until you get it just right.
Now cut a piece, or pieces of steel to form the edge that finishes off the skirt. Make it follow the contour of the wheel opeing precisely. I used a bunch of 1/8" pieces of steel as 'spacers' and clamped the edge into the wheel opening. Later, this gap will be filled with your fender skirt rubber, so you don't chip the paint. Place the skirt back into position, and tack it to the edges you formed. If it looks good, finish welding it up. Very little bondo will be needed around the skirt, if you're careful welding.
This method works very well, as even if the donor skirt you use is not the correct shape. By cutting off the original edges, it can be bent to follow the Merc's curved quarters. The fabricated edge will keep it in that shape.
If you're a good fabricator, and have a shrinker-stretcher, you can hammer the edge out of the excess around the larger skirt. Then use the shrinker-stretcher to form the skirt into the correct contour to fit the Merc. A lot more time, and work, though!
If you cannot use the original hold-on clamp on the skirt, you can attach it differently. Drill a few 1/4" holes in the middle of the new edge , right through into the wheel opening. Weld 1/4" round stock to the skirt, as locator pins. (You will have to slot some of the openings so you can install the skirt. You'll see where, when you actually do it) Then weld a tab on the front and rear bottom edge of the skirt, and use a small bolt, or welded stud to secure the tab of the skirt to the body. Mount it as far back as you can, so you don't see it easily. Use a wingnut for easy access to the wheels, if you like.

 

Don't know if it helps but here is an article from a Tex Smith book.
If these are not big enough I can email them to you.