Floor~Pan

[tin_soldier]

Good Day all,

I am a novice when it comes to any type of body work.  But after much reading and seeing other hack jobs I figure I can do better. (at least I think so)

Any way I started to replace my driver's side Floor pan which is coming along well.  I am at the phase where I am about ready to weld it in.  But before I do that, i wanted to get some thoughts. 



1 - Do I clean up the frame rails that are the inside where the Floor Pan will cover??  (Sand Blast/POR15)
2 - Do I leave the lip bare metal where I am to weld??
3 - Any other thoughts that experience has taught you and you are willing and kind enough to share.

[bordin34]

Anything that you will not be able to get to later and will be welded needs weld-thru primer.

[The70RT]

I would clean inside the rails as much as possible. I used eastwoods rust encapulator inside mine. Like bordin34 said - weld thru primer on the conection joints.

[K9COP]

hey hey, I'm about to do the same thing, I'm posting a continuing story in General Q and A... any more pics, and where did you choose to get the floors from?

Paul

[GTX]

I'm all over this since I have my new floors, have most of the old stuff cleared out and plan to get to the job soon here.  Any ideas and hints are greatly appreciated.

[tin_soldier]

Thanks for the tips guys.  I did not know of a weld through primer.  Great tip.   

I got my Floor Pans at Autobodyspeicalties.  It is local to me @ 20 min away saved on shipping.  So far a great fit.  I plan to do the Trunk pan next, but that will not be until late summer.

Any helpful tps?? well this is what I was told:

Find the Factory welds ( you can basicaly see them and or feel them)  use a drill gun with a 5/16 or a little bit small drill bit to bore out the weld to the frame, but DO NOT GO THROUGH THE FRAME.  Unless you mean to.  After a slight bore I use a Hammer and a Chisle and pounded it up.  Next I used a Grinding wheel to soomth out the left over so the new pan will sit nice like. 

I opted to go from the firewall seem back for half the pan just becuase of ease to get the pan out.  I remove the drivers side fender and the seem is right there.  I drill that right through both the firewall seem and the floor pan seem.  So now when I but the new Floor Pan in the Firewall seem can weld to the new Floor pan.  See Pic.  Not the best shot but it is all I have right now.  I did not go all the way on that seem due to the fact the pan was okay there plus looks like a pain to go any father with the engine in as I do.

Again thanks for the thoughts I would welcome any other comments or ideas.

THX

[The70RT]

I think most use a spot weld cutter. I found the Napa ones are just as good as any. It it easier to weld at the factory seems but I would try to retain as much of the original as you can ....but butt welding is time consuming and will look sloppy unless you are a good welder. Butt welding also leads to a lot seam grinding. If your floor is really rusted bad then full pans would be best. Regardless it takes a lot of time to do a good job but us poor boys don't want to spend 500 or more for someone else to do it.