Trunk Floor Repair, Installing an RD floor above the transmission mounts.. Options

[OllieG]

Hi all, I haven't posted much on 914World so 'greetings from the UK'!

I'm converting a '74 to a 6cyl. Right now I'm replacing the rear trunk floor with an RD floor replacement and was hoping some of you guys could give some advice on how best to install it..

The previous owner did a heinous job in trying to repair the original floor with a flat sheet. I've cut and ground that out now. I still have some of the original floor edges to remove but am nearly ready to install the replacement floor.

I'm wondering what's the best way to deal with the area across and over the transmission mounts?..this will be where the original floor will be cut and the new floor will be welded in.

There is an additional reinforcing piece right above the transmission mounts which I feel will need to be removed as there are clear signs of rust beneath it, which needs sorting - see pic.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1235.photobucket.com-13282-1332966650.1.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1235.photobucket.com-13282-1332966650.2.jpg)

Obviously once this piece is removed the strength of the 'beam' will be compromised. The RD panel has section pressed into it at this point to add stiffness(see pic)..but is it enough alone?

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1235.photobucket.com-13282-1332966650.3.jpg)

Has anyone else done this job?..and should I be worried about the strength of the floor above the transmission mounts with just the single layer of the RD floor? Hope this makes sense!!

Thanks for any tips...

Ollie.

[OllieG]

I've cut out all of the original floor now (horrible job, especially in the tight corners beneath the lights) - drilled out spot welds and ground away the metal I couldn't reach with the drill.

I've also, very carefully and slowly(!) cut and fitted the floor - a 'mm' at a time it seemed, but the floor fits beautifully now (if I do say so myself) so it 'should' weld in neatly.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1235.photobucket.com-13282-1333140208.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1235.photobucket.com-13282-1333140208.2.jpg)

I cleaned out the bottom section of the 'tranny' support beam and epoxied the inside of it before it's all sealed-up when the floor pan is welded in.

There's virtually no rust proofing in this cavity from the factory..I cleaned off the dirt and grease and there was a fair amount of bare untreated metal. I guess it was all the dirt that had been 'rustproofing' it all these years. It's better rustproofed now with the epoxy than when it left the factory!

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1235.photobucket.com-13282-1333140208.3.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1235.photobucket.com-13282-1333140208.4.jpg)

Hope this is of interest, but I haven't found any threads of this job so thought it might be useful! Anyway, aiming to get it all done next week..will post pics of the finished job.

Ollie.