Opinions on metal replacement (long) [Archive] - Chevelle Tech

: Opinions on metal replacement (long)


Malibu65
Oct 10th, 04, 1:33 PM
Started checking my trunk floor a little closer today. I scraped, poked, and sanded several areas and see only 3 spots where the floor is rotted through. They are about the six of a pencil eraser. The floor itself is pitted any where from 20-30%, but not through. Pits are deep enough that I can't sand out.

So, what's your opinion? Replace entire floor pan, or just patch and POR 15 the whole thing?

I will most likely have to replace the left rear quarter. In addition, I have found that the rear wheel well inner housing has some rot too. Should be able to just patch since the floor pan adjacent to it is fine.
The rear sheet metal that houses the brake lights are shot. Especially where they meet the trunk floor. I don't think they are reproduced so I'll have to find a decent original piece. I know, good luck.

So for the long post. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

Malibu65
Oct 10th, 04, 1:35 PM
"Size of a pencil eraser"

bhawk
Oct 10th, 04, 9:54 PM
I am restoring a 65 also. I replaced most of my trunk.
In your case, I would look closely from the underside at the rear body mount braces. They weld to the trunk floor. How are they? They are usually rotted out. If you need to replace both trunk floor body mount braces, you might as well replace those outer trunk panels. In my case the center of my trunk was solid, so I installed both outside trunk pieces, of the 3 piece trunk kit.
I have used the POR products. They are good. POR will do fine to fix rust. The POR expoxy putty works well as does the fiberglass cloth patch.
Maybe remove your gas tank for a final decision on the trunk floor.

Malibu65
Oct 12th, 04, 5:36 PM
The braces are fine along with the center section. Just pitted. The sides aren't too bad either, just a couple small holes and getting thin. The weird part is that the inner wheel well rotted through in a couple of spots, but the trunk pan looks fine at these areas. I can just patch the wheel well.
My left trunk brace has rot, but the floor where the brace was originally welded to looks good. Very weird. Again, I'll have to patch the brace and reweld to the floor.
I really wish I had bought those 4 door rear quarters at Hershey several years ago. Guy wanted to dump a pair of NOS quarters for something like $75 each. I was going to buy just to use the tail light section but didn't have the heart to cannibalize a NOS pair.
Anyone have a parts car that they are parting?
Thanks for the reply.

New68SS
Oct 13th, 04, 3:58 PM
I would look into the POR Putty.

snowtrav
Oct 13th, 04, 9:00 PM
they do make a rear lamp panel,look in ground ups catalogue they have them.

Malibu65
Oct 14th, 04, 4:35 PM
snowtrav,
For a '65? I don't see a listing at Ground Up and never heard of it being reproduced.
Are you sure?