Help!!!!! floor board rust
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Help!!!!! floor board rust
I have a 1976 vett and the floorboards are a mess... it has already had patch work done with fiberglass it is however starting to come up on the sides and there is rust everywhere (lucky me) I have no idea where to begin with this mess. i have no idea how to attach a pic. I am looking for a longer term fix not just cover it up and hope for the best. (should have never pulled up the carpet
I have never taken this project on so looking for some help... thank you
I have never taken this project on so looking for some help... thank you
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,640
Likes: 3,103
From: Shamong, NJ
The correct way to fix them, is to remove all of the rusted metal, and replace it. Covering it with fiberglass, or bondo, doesn't fix the problem. The floors will continue to deteriorate.
As opposed to cutting out the rusted areas, and welding in patch panels, you can also buy new floors. Complete new floors run about $300 a side, and most Corvette vendors carry them.
Besides fixing the floors, you need to find out, where the water was coming from, that caused them to rust out. Rusted floors are often the result of water getting in the top of the windshield frame, and running down the pillars. If this has happened, you should take a good look at the windshield frame, especially where the pillars meet the cowl, and make sure that the windshield frame isn't rusting out.
As opposed to cutting out the rusted areas, and welding in patch panels, you can also buy new floors. Complete new floors run about $300 a side, and most Corvette vendors carry them.
Besides fixing the floors, you need to find out, where the water was coming from, that caused them to rust out. Rusted floors are often the result of water getting in the top of the windshield frame, and running down the pillars. If this has happened, you should take a good look at the windshield frame, especially where the pillars meet the cowl, and make sure that the windshield frame isn't rusting out.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Complete floor panels are available and will make the job easier.
I've done this job within the last year. You'll need to remove all the old rusted metal (in some cases you will see cars rusted up higher than the reproduction floor board will cover too.. but making a small patch can be done with ease if you have fabrication skills.
The panels weld in place and are riveted to the firewall with some good seam sealer between the two lips.
Gb is 100 percent correct in that you need to find the source of the water leak too... no sense in doing this job only to have it start rusting away again... The most common culprit, as mentioned by GB is the windshield frame.
You should post some pictures of this... I'm sure there are plenty of experienced people here on the forum to guide you as you install them.
Willcox
You'll find the pans at the links below.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=26730
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=26731
I've done this job within the last year. You'll need to remove all the old rusted metal (in some cases you will see cars rusted up higher than the reproduction floor board will cover too.. but making a small patch can be done with ease if you have fabrication skills.
The panels weld in place and are riveted to the firewall with some good seam sealer between the two lips.
Gb is 100 percent correct in that you need to find the source of the water leak too... no sense in doing this job only to have it start rusting away again... The most common culprit, as mentioned by GB is the windshield frame.
You should post some pictures of this... I'm sure there are plenty of experienced people here on the forum to guide you as you install them.
Willcox
You'll find the pans at the links below.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=26730
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=26731
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Floor panels sounds like the way to go. Sometimes all it takes is an outside look to see the answer. Looking at the mess all I could see is a lot of patch work and removing fiberglass. The vett is a full project car garage kept and little by litte it will all be replaced. The t-tops were leaking among other things I was told by the guy I bought it from but not to worried about rain for a year or two. Thank you both for your responce I'm sure I will be back from time to time with more messes. 
and I have no idea how to get pictures on here or I would definitely share . Thanks again
and I have no idea how to get pictures on here or I would definitely share . Thanks again
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
you put the picture on a web site.. then right click on the pic.. Copy the ULR link. Then above the box where you type is a yellow box... Click on it.. remove the pre-filled stuff and paste the picture ulr in the box. Hit done.. and post.. picture will appear.
