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My 1979 C3 has a drivers side floor rotting issue, what is the best way to approach the repair? Is it possible to section the floor pan in or will i have to replace the entire floor pan? The entire floor is not rotted just the part just under the drivers right heel.
My 1979 C3 has a drivers side floor rotting issue, what is the best way to approach the repair? Is it possible to section the floor pan in or will i have to replace the entire floor pan? The entire floor is not rotted just the part just under the drivers right heel.
I suppose it's possible to cut out the rot under the driver heel and weld in a patch, but the larger question is why your floor rusted out in the first place.
I had to do this job on my '77. Both floorpans were rotten, and way too far gone to just need patching. I had to replace both floorpans, and then address the root cause of the problem: water leaks under the dash. In the process i had to fix birdcage rust too.
My guess is that you have much more rust than you expect. Check the usual C3 leak suspects - #2 body mounts, windshield frame corners, etc. Searching the forum for water leaks will turn up a vast number of threads.
I suppose it's possible to cut out the rot under the driver heel and weld in a patch, but the larger question is why your floor rusted out in the first place.
I had to do this job on my '77. Both floorpans were rotten, and way too far gone to just need patching. I had to replace both floorpans, and then address the root cause of the problem: water leaks under the dash. In the process i had to fix birdcage rust too.
My guess is that you have much more rust than you expect. Check the usual C3 leak suspects - #2 body mounts, windshield frame corners, etc. Searching the forum for water leaks will turn up a vast number of threads.
Wishing you good luck!
Thanks i was thinking that however, the car has been sitting in a field for the last 2 years, up to its rockers in mud exposed to the elements. not saying its not leaking in the normal spots. but i was hoping it was just been neglected.
Thanks i was thinking that however, the car has been sitting in a field for the last 2 years, UP TO THE ROCKERS IN MUD EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. not saying its not leaking in the normal spots. but i was hoping it was just been neglected.
if the mud was that high you need to check the frame (chassis) out as well ,even the front suspension too.
I would not worry about the leaks as the larger problem they are usually pretty easy to repair , the big problem is there to much rust to make fixing the car worth it .If the frame is bad I would look for another car . Just my opinion
I would not worry about the leaks as the larger problem they are usually pretty easy to repair , the big problem is there to much rust to make fixing the car worth it .If the frame is bad I would look for another car . Just my opinion
I hope that i can work with this car, i cant take another project this one is sweet and unmolested. i can post photos if the rust i removed the carpet, insulation etc.
you need to do a complete inspection of your frame.
by someone who knows what they are looking at on a C3.
before you do any further work.
if your floor rotted out, sitting in a field you would will be extremely lucky,
if you do not have frame rot.
you need to do a complete inspection of your frame.
by someone who knows what they are looking at on a C3.
before you do any further work.
if your floor rotted out, sitting in a field you would will be extremely lucky,
if you do not have frame rot.
I get that, what i dont understand is why no signs of rot on the passenger side floor. but the drivers side is completely rotted away. i see other signs of leaking in the interior. i will find someone who can examine the frame soon before going any further.
I get that, what i dont understand is why no signs of rot on the passenger side floor. but the drivers side is completely rotted away. i see other signs of leaking in the interior. i will find someone who can examine the frame soon before going any further.
Typically this is due to either a weatherstrip leaking or a windshield frame issue.
Water will enter the cars floor board and just sit there. We just finished doing this same job on a 1976 car. Once the water gets into the floor area it just sits there with the jute padding or in your case the insulation holding the water against the metal....
I may have a set of used floor pans that are in good shape too, I'd have to check that tomorrow.
Another theory if there is no leak source ,drivers side window more likely to be left open during a rain storm than the passengers side. Over the years it adds up!! Ike
[QUOTE=general ike;1597347255]Another theory if there is no leak source ,drivers side window more likely to be left open during a rain storm than the passengers side. Over the years it adds up!! Ike[/QUOTE ]Thats really what i was hoping.
[QUOTE=Willcox Corvette;1597343661]Typically this is due to either a weatherstrip leaking or a windshield frame issue.
Water will enter the cars floor board and just sit there. We just finished doing this same job on a 1976 car. Once the water gets into the floor area it just sits there with the jute padding or in your case the insulation holding the water against the metal....
I may have a set of used floor pans that are in good shape too, I'd have to check that tomorrow.
Willcox[/Q I wish i would have asked first i ordered a left side from Corvette Connection yesterday, also ordered carpet and insulation. i did however, use your wiring diagram to trace a electrical problem with the power windows now i have to trace the door locks as well.
Another theory if there is no leak source ,drivers side window more likely to be left open during a rain storm than the passengers side. Over the years it adds up!! Ike
Typically this is due to either a weatherstrip leaking or a windshield frame issue.
Water will enter the cars floor board and just sit there. We just finished doing this same job on a 1976 car. Once the water gets into the floor area it just sits there with the jute padding or in your case the insulation holding the water against the metal....
I may have a set of used floor pans that are in good shape too, I'd have to check that tomorrow.
Willcox[/Q I wish i would have asked first i ordered a left side from Corvette Connection yesterday, also ordered carpet and insulation. i did however, use your wiring diagram to trace a electrical problem with the power windows now i have to trace the door locks as well.
Yeah... that's okay... but I do have an original set here for sale.... just wasn't sure what year they were from.
You can just replace the area that is rusted. Generally the reproduction floor boards are either US made or imported, there are two different ones on the market right now. The imported ones are a bit harder to install but do-able. On the imported boards, the sides seem to be a bit wider than the stock pans but if you cut them at the turn up in the rear corners you can tweak them.
When we do a partial installation we'll typically cut the rusted area out and then sit the pan inside the car and mark it from the bottom, then we cut it on the line with the plasma cutter. This allows us a good butt welding area for the new panel. Once welded we treat it with a anti rust paint/primer, then paint both sides.
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jun 6, 2018 at 11:44 AM.
Yeah... that's okay... but I do have an original set here for sale.... just wasn't sure what year they were from.
You can just replace the area that is rusted. Generally the reproduction floor boards are either US made or imported, there are two different ones on the market right now. The imported ones are a bit harder to install but do-able. On the imported boards, the sides seem to be a bit wider than the stock pans but if you cut them at the turn up in the rear corners you can tweak them.
When we do a partial installation we'll typically cut the rusted area out and then sit the pan inside the car and mark it from the bottom, then we cut it on the line with the plasma cutter. This allows us a good butt welding area for the new panel. Once welded we treat it with a anti rust paint/primer, then paint both sides.
C3 rotted out floor
if the mud was that high you need to check the frame (chassis) out as well ,even the front suspension too.
