Patching trans tunnel?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 201
Likes: 31
Patching trans tunnel?
What’s the best diy option to patch my trans tunnel from my t56 swap? I’ve never worked with fiberglass but I’ve read a fiberglass kit or smc kit should work? Or can I rivet a piece of sheet metal in place?
Drifting
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 701
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metro area
How big is the hole?
Is the hole shaped in a curve like the tunnel or is it flat?
Is the finished location going to be visible or covered?
I have done a lot of glassing of boat transoms and stringers with polyester resin and glass mat. Messy, but strong.
I like working with epoxy resin the most.
Is the hole shaped in a curve like the tunnel or is it flat?
Is the finished location going to be visible or covered?
I have done a lot of glassing of boat transoms and stringers with polyester resin and glass mat. Messy, but strong.
I like working with epoxy resin the most.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 201
Likes: 31
How big is the hole?
Is the hole shaped in a curve like the tunnel or is it flat?
Is the finished location going to be visible or covered?
I have done a lot of glassing of boat transoms and stringers with polyester resin and glass mat. Messy, but strong.
I like working with epoxy resin the most.
Is the hole shaped in a curve like the tunnel or is it flat?
Is the finished location going to be visible or covered?
I have done a lot of glassing of boat transoms and stringers with polyester resin and glass mat. Messy, but strong.
I like working with epoxy resin the most.
Dont have any pics but it’s pretty damn big. Lol it’ll be covered with the carpet but still it’s big enough that I’d like to fix it the correct way.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 201
Likes: 31
How big is the hole?
Is the hole shaped in a curve like the tunnel or is it flat?
Is the finished location going to be visible or covered?
I have done a lot of glassing of boat transoms and stringers with polyester resin and glass mat. Messy, but strong.
I like working with epoxy resin the most.
Is the hole shaped in a curve like the tunnel or is it flat?
Is the finished location going to be visible or covered?
I have done a lot of glassing of boat transoms and stringers with polyester resin and glass mat. Messy, but strong.
I like working with epoxy resin the most.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 201
Likes: 31
ok this sounds like the easiest approach-so no issues riveting metal into the surrounding fiberglass?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 201
Likes: 31
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,363
Likes: 2,734
can we see pics?
personally i would build a template shape from cardboard, then woukd use smc compatible resin to make the shape, and then smc panel bond to bond it to the tunnel. you can predrill holes for rivets but use smc compatible panel bond as the true fastner.
personally i would build a template shape from cardboard, then woukd use smc compatible resin to make the shape, and then smc panel bond to bond it to the tunnel. you can predrill holes for rivets but use smc compatible panel bond as the true fastner.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Saratoga Springs NY
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If you go with fiberglass, use West System epoxy resin. This will bite to almost anything, no fumes, and is not flammable. If you have access to both sides, use blue tape, cardboard, and wax paper to cover the hole from the underside in the shape you want (after of course prepping the inside for adhesion) lay up the glass 1 layer at a time until you get the thickness, and strength you want. From there undercoat the underside, and seal the inside if you want.
Drifting
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 701
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metro area
I have used epoxy and poly resin successfully in strength critical applications. Cost is the big factor. Epoxy is pricey, but really good. Since your job is not large, I would go with epoxy with a couple of layers of fiberglass mat where the strands are randomized. Like Foster said, epoxy has excellent adhesion. If you do it right, this would give you the most strength and durability. I would do it like Foster says.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 376
Likes: 102
Here are pictures of how I made the ZF Swap myself. I didn't want to use a sheet metal, I wanted to make it as original as possible.
From post 27
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ne-mods-2.html
From post 27
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ne-mods-2.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 201
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[QUOTE=VikingTrad3r;1605760746]fyi i saw on mirrock corvette today he sells this exact part of the tunnel for this swap. cheap too. id just buy it, and graft it in with smc panel bond adhesive and rivets.[/QUOTE
believe he has a zf6 tunnel on eBay right now-not sure how similar it would be
believe he has a zf6 tunnel on eBay right now-not sure how similar it would be
Pro
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