Replacing Floor Pans, ...here we go! Options

[CptTripps]

Ok, so I've decided to just replace the entire floor, and KNOW that it's done right. I have a couple of questions. I couldn't find a thread that specificly addressed this. Tried a few searches, and got an IIS error. (I'd be happy to park the site on one of my Unix servers for free.) Anywho...

#1 - Anyone done this and had success? I've read the article on the Bird site, but I need pictures. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

#2 - Should I get the Front-Back or Left-Right type? I plan on doing the whole thing, but I don't have a rotisserie, and need to keep the car on the jack-stands. (I may have to take it higher to get under it.)

#3 - How much 'lip' did you leave to spot to? Or, should I put it in from the top, or from the bottom?

You guys in Cali get all the breaks...you have tons of people close by that can come 'help' AND you get to drive these year-round.

Any advise/help is ALWAYS appreciated!

[IronHillRestorations]

What we do here is use a roloc scotchbrite disc along the seam to bring out the location of the spot welds, and then we use either a round carbide burr or a cut off wheel and grind the spot welds. If you are saving the piece that's getting cut off, then you need to be more "surgical" about removing it, but if it's getting totally replaced, I think grinding them out is easier. I've done it both ways though, and there's no magic easy way to do it. I'd guess there's probably a minimum of 500 spot welds that you'll have to deal with to replace the pan.

If I didn't have the car on a lift or a rotisserie, and the pan was really solid under the center tunnel, I'd consider doing a seam at the flange between the floor and center tunnel. Not my first choice, but you could still make a very acceptable repair that way, and save some time and trouble.


And, "picking up new welder" = PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE Before you start welding on your car. Since the seats attach to the pan, you want to make sure you've got really good welds with proper penetration. Make sure everything is melting together!