What did all of us do way back when when confronted with rusty floors? We cut, formed and riveted in patches, then painted and sealed them up with undercoating. I could be wrong, correct me if that's so, but I can't see a 15 year old having the budget to buy new pans, braces and the like, let alone be able to fit and mig them in. I'd say cut away the worst and just patch er' up. Are you in the GTA Jonathan?
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
Work Party.......do you have a garage? Mark has the right idea that's what I'd do. Heck I might even suggest some POR 15 too to coat the remaining rusty bu solid parts. Could I be so bold as to mention fibre glass cloth and resin to add strength too?
yea i dont have a garage and i think fibergalss might be a good idea because all i want from this car is a good car that runs and drives and looks good for the ladies lol
Bad time of year to be working outside. There are several of us in Toronto and Durham if you need a hand say so. At least we can probably come out and provide some consulting advice. Don't start using fibre glass over that rusty crap, it won't work. You need to metal patch first.
Reminds me of my Dad! I watched him install new steel floors, in our 61 Strato and our 52 Pontiac .. He would cut, and "fit" with a dolly hammer, and "pop rivet" the new steel, and sealed it with tar... It would be nice to see him (Jonathan) with a safe floor "got now" I would "donate some cash for the steel....
For now I think I'd just stick with some simple exploratory work. Tap around with a small hammer, see what you've got (don't pound too hard!). Remove all the loose rust you can, wire brush and vaccume it all clean.
One important question Jonathan, what condition is your frame in? To be realistic, and I'm not at all meaning to discourage you, all the work you do to make the floors safe could be wasted if the frame is too soft to safety.
No need to worry about the sheetmetal Carl.
Jonathan, if you have someone that will be passing through Burlington soon. I can get you all the sheetmetal you'll ever need to do the repairs for free. And in the thickness and hardness that will be easiest for you to work with.
-- Edited by cdnpont on Thursday 5th of November 2009 05:48:15 PM
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
my frame is in bad repair but i have a awsome shop teacher that is gonna take a look at the frame and he is a master welder but there is a problem i only have 1 hour a day to work on it and it can only be at my school for 2 weeks
even if this cars frame is to far gone ill get a new frame ive been saving for this car since i was 13 so im not gonna give up if yea know what i mean i love this car
my frame is in bad repair but i have a awsome shop teacher that is gonna take a look at the frame and he is a master welder but there is a problem i only have 1 hour a day to work on it and it can only be at my school for 2 weeks
We all like to fix them up , but IF he can patch it up(frame) ,and you get the floors fixed, it will make a great "first car"
One thing I would suggest, and not all the guys may agree but if you are using flat tin to repair, don't try to do too large a chunk at a time. Much easier to work with smaller pieces, simpler to shape and fit them.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
One thing I would suggest, and not all the guys may agree but if you are using flat tin to repair, don't try to do too large a chunk at a time. Much easier to work with smaller pieces, simpler to shape and fit them.
I say seal the patch with bondo rather than fiberglass its more flexible. Fiberglass (stuff it) if you trying to fill additional holes around the patch
Way back in 1990, I had a beater 1975 Firebird Esprit 350, I patched my floors with tin and pop rivets and bolted on 1/4 " steel to my rusted out rear frames, the holes were so big in all floor corners that I could have used the car to go ice fishing on the Quinte bay LOL!, I was in CFB Trenton at the time, I'm in the airforce too. Nice to see a young man like you in the old car hobby, my son is 18 and doesn't do that sort of stuff, I wish he did ...
I watched him install new steel floors, in our 61 Strato and our 52 Pontiac .. He would cut, and "fit" with a dolly hammer, and "pop rivet" the new steel, and sealed it with tar... It would be nice to see him (Jonathan) with a safe floor "got now" I would "donate some cash for the steel....
hes correct as usual.. 