Replacing Floor Pans [Archive] - Chevelle Tech

: Replacing Floor Pans


68Elkie
Mar 10th, 02, 9:08 PM
The floor of my '68 Elkie was 'repaired' at some point in time by covering it with fiberglass mat. It's not in real bad shape, but since I have the entire interior out, I'm considering replacing the pans.
Can anyone that's done this let me know how much trouble it is. Am I being overly optimistic assuming that I can just cut out the old, drop in the new and weld the seams? I have a cheap, no-gas wire feed welder - would this work for me? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Untamo
Mar 11th, 02, 12:24 AM
That's a great big can 'o worms you're openning up. I would at the very least, enlist in the help of a professional or a good friend that's done them before...

If you're wanting to tackle it yourself, it will be a long ordeal, BUT doable none-the-less.

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-Andrew
through.theloophole@gte.net

daveseitz
Mar 11th, 02, 5:14 AM
I needed new floors in my 65 and found out how bad it really was. Not the repairing as much as the (while I'm in here I might as well do) that opens up the can of worms. But you can do it just take time and measure twice cut once. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

WayneK
Mar 11th, 02, 8:10 AM
A number of questions pop to mind B-4 I can give an opinion.

Check from the bottom and make sure the body cross brace are not rusted out.

If there intact and it's just the floor pan rusted it's self. The yes, it's just a cut and weld in job.
BUT YOUR none gas (flux core) welder will be a problem on light gauge metal.
Most !!!!! welder's, you can get a gas conversion kit ( regulator/hose/ solenoid)
With a MIG conversion amnd new pans from your favorite supplier, you should be ready
to R&R .

smithyjc
Mar 11th, 02, 1:19 PM
Waynes, right check the the braces. You can get full or partial braces if they are bad. I replaced my braces with partials from the topside and welded in full length pans. I used a mig welder with gas. I finished the bottoms while the body was on a rotator. That may be more involved than what your planning. Go for it, if your up to it. My website link is below and has pictures of my floors being replaced.

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http://webpages.charter.net/65chevelle/

d1_bradley
Mar 11th, 02, 5:50 PM
Just welded in a new pan under the rear seat on my '69. Not bad, but I used gas instead of my MIG. I have never mastered sheetmetal with the MIG. Still practicing though. Wasn't bad with the torch but I had a good solid 1/2" around the edge plus the cross brace looked perfect, so its still there. With seam sealer, looks good from the top and bottom.

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Dave Bradley
www.corvetteforum.net/classics/d1_bradley (http://www.corvetteforum.net/classics/d1_bradley)
'69 SS396 ragtop
'33 3W Coupe
'65 Vette BB Roadster

68Elkie
Mar 12th, 02, 8:29 PM
Thanks for all the advice. I believe I'll leave them alone for now, as I'd hate to "open another can of worms." Believe it or not, the only reason I'm even looking at the floor pans is because my turn signals didn't work. I pulled the dash to check wiring, decided to restore the bezel, then I needed to paint the dash, and of course all the plastic trim, which necessitated new carpet, etc., so I wound up pulling the entire interior out to restore. The floor pans were the only thing left.
I need to get the car back on the road by Spring...will look at the floor boards next year.