Floorpan patch up
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Floorpan patch up
I've got two fist sized holes in my floor pan. One on each side. I am wanting to know what gauge of sheet metal to get as a temporary patch solution as I save up for the pan. Thanks !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
No, NO, No! It must be repaired using a "borrowed" Stop sign or some corrugated roofing tin or a recycled Dodge pickup truck tailgate! How are you gonna tell a hairraising story about how you procured some "body panel adhesive"???? Adventure awaits... go out and liberate some sort of 14 gauge or thicker sheet metal from somewhere, pop rivet it in and come tell us all about it.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
Take a pattern and go down to your local sheet metal shop along with a sample of the existing material to match it up. They can even cut the metal for you.
I had the same problem as 'ironwills76corvette'. Driverside was 'thin', the passenger side was good. I got a doner pan out of a salvage Corvette, copied the spots welds, lapped welded at the tunnel and rivited the metal pan to the fire wall as per factory specs'.
A fair bit of work but nothing that I will have to do again any time soon.
I had the same problem as 'ironwills76corvette'. Driverside was 'thin', the passenger side was good. I got a doner pan out of a salvage Corvette, copied the spots welds, lapped welded at the tunnel and rivited the metal pan to the fire wall as per factory specs'.
A fair bit of work but nothing that I will have to do again any time soon.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 713
From: Lafayette Louisiana
I only had 1 fist sized hole.
I only had 1 fist sized hole on the driver side floor pan on the 76. I just cleaned all the remaining metal good, painted with rust reformer, and fiberglassed over the whole pan including bridging the hole. I thought this was a good repair and way cheaper than buying a new metal pan for $200 and then welding it in. My area was good though for the seat belt anchor bolt and seat bolts. I suppose if your bolt connections are suspect, then maybe do something different. Pre 76 floor pans were all fiberglass anyway with I think a metal reinforcing backer plate to bolt to.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Atta boy Ironwills! That's what I'm talking about; good old Yankee thrift and ingenuity. And installed in a very neat workmanlike manner. Solid, permanent and virtually undetectable with the carpets installed. And the materials were FREE!!!!!
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I've got a welder, gonna go measure the floorpan, get 14 gauge sheetmetal and will go that route
Will update with photos.
Drivers side
Passenger side
Will update with photos.
Drivers side
Passenger side
Last edited by czardali; Apr 18, 2013 at 11:37 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Boston... my comments were made with tongue firmly in cheek... my bad if they were taken seriously.Although Ironwills repair is good.
Last edited by markids77; Apr 19, 2013 at 09:14 AM. Reason: added a sentence
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Mountains of Maine
I personally like to butt weld as mentioned by AirborneSilva, to avoid an overlap where moisture can start rust. Other than the front, as mentioned also is riveted to the fiber glass.
The old wood furnace lives, albeit in hiding. Our little secret......
