Topic: Hole-y Rusted Floor Pan
in Forum: C3 Interior
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Gold MemberScotch Plains, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/11/2006
Posts: 241
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Coupe, Stock, Black on Black,
4 Spd
I found rust and a couple of pin holes while wire brushing the passenger side floor pan.
Any ideas for a fix?
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First thought is so what it's on the pass side
ebo
I'm not sure if they make a replacement piece that you can spot weld in or rivet in. If not I'd get some of that rust converter that Eastwood sells, treat it with that and then get some fiberglass matting and cover the area with that for some watertight reinforcement. I don't like hearing that you found that on a 80's car
Let us know what you find.
ebo
ebo
Zip has floor pans in their catalog on page 89,I think the other company's would have them also.
Rick
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I did both floor pans on my 80. It is not an easy job. You have to cut out the old ones then fit and trim the new ones and then weld them in. You will need a lot of patience to get it done.
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The pans are available, as has been noted. It isn't an easy fix, either, but it is the best, and safest fix. A couple of pin-holes could prolly be repaired with welding, or some form of welding, but a larger hole will only get larger. That's some pretty thin metal there to start with...
Joel Adams
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Lifetime MemberSHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
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Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto
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wow... floor plans available... geesh, wish that was an option 20 years ago. I had to replace dad's floors on his 76, fortunately they are still holding up, however, don't any of you guys get the notion to look underneath, not the prettiest work i've done, but it works. I had to cut out nearly all the foot area of the floor, from the firewall, to about 6-8 inches in front of the seat, few inches from the door sill to the start of the tranny tunnel, then took wire mesh(about 3/4-1 inch square mesh(rabbit wire)) rivited into the good metal down there, then laid fiberglass mat with fiberglass jelly, then came back on top with fiberglass cloth and painted in the liquid resin to get it somewhat smooth... luckily, carpet covers up a lot :)
StingrayJim 
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Gold MemberScotch Plains, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/11/2006
Posts: 241
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Coupe, Stock, Black on Black,
4 Spd
Thanks everyone for all the info. I spoke with a mechanic-welder today & he'll look at it tomorrow.
I'm hoping it'll only need a small weld patch. Fiberglass is an option too. I'm guessing the cloth is on the outside ?
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
Another option is the POR 15 system that stops the rust, and includes an epoxy putty to fill the holes. It is pretty hard to see after the fix, and lasts for years.
Larry
Larry
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Canada
Joined: 12/18/2008
Posts: 88
Vette(s): 1976 Stingray matching numbers. Stock 350 rebuilt, comp cam, roller rockers, push rods, 2.02 valves, +.30 flat tops, frontend & suspension rebuilt Dec 08. Interior from firewall 90% July. New exhaust, Collector plates, Paint will have to wait...& wait.
I had two small holes in my floor pan on the passenger side as well, considered all the options above and went with cleaning existing pan and POR 15, then a two part fiberglass compound (comes in tubes, real easy to use) and small piece or fiberglass mesh. Sanded up inside and underside, reapplied POR 15 and you can hardly see the difference. Worked great for me. Have pictures if you wish. Good luck. Eric...
Gold MemberScotch Plains, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/11/2006
Posts: 241
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Coupe, Stock, Black on Black,
4 Spd
I've seen POR work. I've even used it on the bottom of electrical switchgear.
I'll look into that system. Like on Larry & Eric cars, the pin hole rust through area is small.
There's a POR sales office a few miles from my office too. Yahoo.
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