modifying rear compartment
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Visalia CA
modifying rear compartment
I purchased a taylor aluminum battery box, it's 11 1/4" x 9 1/2". I planned to install it where the jack used to be (in the rear compartment) versus the original battery location as there is more room. However, upon test fitting, i found out there isn't enough room due to a small round portion towards the front of the box on the right side of the car. I think that cutting it out and re-fiberglassing will give me the room i need. What am i getting myself into before i start cutting holes in my car?
This would be a realtively small hole, however, i've never fiberglassed before and i'm not sure of the difficulty. Any tips would be great. Thanks guys.
This would be a realtively small hole, however, i've never fiberglassed before and i'm not sure of the difficulty. Any tips would be great. Thanks guys.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
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From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Just my 2 cents.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Visalia CA
yeah, i know about the value thing, but i don't plan on using it as an investment per se which is why i'm torn on this sort of mod.
i had hoped it would fit and knew it would be tight but I could'nt be for sure until i actually tried to fit it physically as the compartment has such an odd shape. I didn't intend to go this route orignally as I would like to stay from serious body mods but i really want a sealed battery box. Sounds dumb....i know, but its of those things i've always looked at in the summit catalog and thought it would be cool to have. just never had a car worth putting one in.
the area i'm looking at dosn't look like it would cause any clearance issues if i bumped it out, makes me curious as to why they didn't make it larger anyways, as if i'm overlooking something. i would greatly appreciate any feedback on the actual fiberglassing aspect of it. If it's easy to screw up i may have it done at a local shop as it's not a huge job from what i can tell. thanks.
i had hoped it would fit and knew it would be tight but I could'nt be for sure until i actually tried to fit it physically as the compartment has such an odd shape. I didn't intend to go this route orignally as I would like to stay from serious body mods but i really want a sealed battery box. Sounds dumb....i know, but its of those things i've always looked at in the summit catalog and thought it would be cool to have. just never had a car worth putting one in.
the area i'm looking at dosn't look like it would cause any clearance issues if i bumped it out, makes me curious as to why they didn't make it larger anyways, as if i'm overlooking something. i would greatly appreciate any feedback on the actual fiberglassing aspect of it. If it's easy to screw up i may have it done at a local shop as it's not a huge job from what i can tell. thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Fiberglassing is not difficult, just very messy. Once the glassing is done, the grinding and sanding follow. If this is what you want to do, pick up a book on the subject.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,092
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From: walpole ma
fiberglassing just involves getting a package of mat and some resin. after you cut your hole,and have the work area sanded down to the bare glass wih a rough sandpaper, cut a piece of mat the shape you need ,mix up hardener with your resin,wet the mat with the resin and place on the area you are trying to cover .you probably have to put more than one layer for desired thickness.wait until it is dry ,sand smooth and final shape with some body filler if needed. thats the basics of it.
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Burning Brakes
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From: AL
of course it can be done, but that is a difficult area to fiberglass. a die grinder or dremel tool with carbide cutters will be required to get the final shape. cut the hole, use something like tape to make the shape on the bottom side then glass the top side. pull the tape off, grind and sand the bottom, then glass the bottom. grind and sand to smooth, upside down, etc. use masks and long sleeves. try not to get in eyes.
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From: Bloomington MN
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Visalia CA
of course it can be done, but that is a difficult area to fiberglass. a die grinder or dremel tool with carbide cutters will be required to get the final shape. cut the hole, use something like tape to make the shape on the bottom side then glass the top side. pull the tape off, grind and sand the bottom, then glass the bottom. grind and sand to smooth, upside down, etc. use masks and long sleeves. try not to get in eyes.
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From: Hudson WI
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