I recently acquired a 71 SS El Camino. The floorpans in the cab need a few patches, but the floorpans under the pickup bed are badly rusted through. I cannot find any type of replacement panel for this area. Does anyone make one? It almost looks like the footwell area in a sedan from underneath the car.

If I have to fabricate a replacement, what is the best way to do it? Since the area is basically unviewable and unuseable, I don't suppose it needs to be pretty, just functional, so no exhaust leaks can enter the cab. Any advice, or shared experience would be appreciated.

Once it is repaired, what is the best way to seal up the access panel Chevrolet so brilliantly designed into the bed floor? This is not a job I would want to repeat.

Originally posted by Frank A:
It almost looks like the footwell area in a sedan from underneath the car......Once it is repaired, what is the best way to seal up the access panel Chevrolet so brilliantly designed into the bed floor? This is not a job I would want to repeat. Close. It's actually the footwell area of a station wagon. smile.gif

I sealed mine with butyl tape sealant normally used on metal roofing panels. Then I caulked the joint with commercial grade sealant. Finally applied black Herculiner coating to the entire bed (since mine is a driver) and it's never leaked again.

Can't help you with any advice on patching.

I think that your seeing the rear floor pans of a station wagon. El Cams and wagons are like cousins. They share front fenders and floor pans if I'm not mistaken. There is a panel on the rear of the El Cam bed that I believe covers the 9 passenger foot well of a station wagon. You could cut the rear floor pans out of a wagon for patch panels. Somebody set me straight if I'm wrong here.
Roger

Frank,

I have one that I cut out of a donor car several years ago for a project. One side, passenger I think, is solid. The other side has some rust through. You may have it if you can pick it up. Let me know by email as I can take detailed digital pictures if you're interested.

AF

Something like this? http://members.aol.com/smartasreality/page06.html

It is a station wagon pan.Most chevelle parts places have them reasonable.After you weld them in use fast set automotive seam sealer, then I use POR 15. HTH

Thanks for all the information, a few more minutes of crawling around under the car, and I should be able to verify what I need. Hopefully, I can find a reproduction station wagon rear pan!

See below... smile.gif

Originally posted by FIG:
Something like this? http://members.aol.com/smartasreality/page06.html I don't think that's it...I think this (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/ecfootwellbottom.jpg) is it, which would be the underseat/footwell on a station wagon. This view is from the bottom.

I would be very interested in a source for new sheetmetal on this piece.

I don't think that's it :( .Doesn't look like the one in my elky,close tho...

graemlins/waving.gif
Rick

OOPS,I didn't realize the pic was from the bottom graemlins/clonk.gif Does look close now!!I don't think anyone makes this piece tho,darn it.

graemlins/waving.gif
Rick