Bad Floor Panel Rusting!

[Datsun-Fever]

Hey guys, i was just checking and chisling all of my underbody rust out, i checked everwhere and my passenger side floor panel busted open when i hit it! i can see the thing that goes below the carpet, the hole is about as big as a fist. I got all of the rust and weak areas out, so what do i do now? how should i fix it??

[gema]

New floorpans. Deluxe model from MSA. Don't buy the cheap-o ones.

[Datsun-Fever]

I cant weld them? MSA's are for 280zx i thought...

[gema]

That's just on the website. Get a catalog, I'd source you the part number but mine's in the garage.

[SuDZ]

http://www.datsunzparts.com/start.htm

They also sell the floor panels. Cheaper than MSA I think.

SuDZ

[St.stephen]

If the hole in your floor is only as big as a fist, weld a patch of 20 or 22 ga sheet metal over it, seal it and treat everything with POR 15 or whatever rust preventitive you prefer. Catch it now before you need to weld entirely new floors in.

shoot some pics so we can see how bad things are and give some more pinpointed advice.

[gramercyjam]

Keep looking. You haven't found it all yet.

[Datsun-Fever]

I just got back from my car so, heres what its like: The hole in the floor is actually a bit bigger than a fist, their is two holes, the other one is closer to the front and its alot smaller. The passenger side has no rust at all, and the floor pan is holding out very stong just in front of the rails and up a bit, their are two more small holes. I think i can get this all welded, but 1: i dont have a welder 2: i dont know how to weld. I can solve these problems. i also smashed all of the rusty areas out, and im going to cut more out with a torch in a bit. So what do you guys think?

[beandip]

Before you start cutting with a torch stop here . I just replaced the passinger foot well in my '73. What you need to do is evaluate the rest of the pan. Remember the flool pan is part of the frame , all is interconnected with a unabody construction. If the major portion of the pan is ok you can have patches tig welded in. If the rust has compromised the pan and it is thin and not sound , dont screw with it and replace it . Zedd Findings sells the best floor pans period . His are the ones on Motorspots . Charley Osborne is the owner of the co. and he is vary helpful. You don't want to cut away the sheet metal untill you have the replacement there so you know how much to cut. If you decide to go this route let me know and I will walk you through it . I have pictures I can send you of before during and after if needed. Do you have any help ? Another thing where are you ? I am in Oregon. Gary

[Go240Zags]

Hi everyone, All right, I have my new floorpans from Zedd Findings, actually ordered them about a year ago. I've taken out my seats and my floors are actually a lot worse than I thought. Here's my question. After I cut out the old pans, and have the new ones welded in what do I do for seat mounts? Cut out the old ones and weld them in? Or do most people fabricate something new (that is those with skill)? My old seat mounts look kind of bad after 34 years. Your opinions are much appreciated. Gary D.

[gramercyjam]

My seat mounts looked fine after some thorough sand blasting. I left them in. I drilled out the spot welds to the floor from under the car with a spot weld bit (looks like a little hole saw). I fabricated my floor pan (before ever cutting any of the old floor pan out - you can use the existing floor as a buck to shape the new pan if you don't cut it out before making a new pan) and installed it from underneath as well. I was able to sneak the flange of the new floor pan between the seat mount and the tranny tunnel and then weld the seam on both the inside and outside.

If your seat mounts can't be saved, find a donor car or fabricate them.

[Datsun-Fever]

Beandip, ill send a message shortly. What is the point of those little plastic caps under the body? those where the evil points! the rust started their.