Under Battery Tray Sections Reproduction

[heyitsrama]

Howdy,

 

I was able to pickup a replacement panel for my battery tray section, ( my current battery tray is fine, its the metal underneath thats is rusted through). I thought of a couple ways to replicate this piece by hand before i got the replacement section, but now that I have this template i might be able to whip up a replacement panel for others, anyone interested in something like this? I figure its worth making rather than salvaging more Z's for, maybe we can save a few from the crusher this way.

 

I called around Arizona Z Car looking for this piece, and they wanted something like 600 w/ firewall for a replacement     So glad i did not end up buying that panel  ::

 

Now the fun part begins.... i need to get my motorcycle project out of the garage so i can start working on the Z...

 

 

[siteunseen]

I'm interested in seeing what you have.  Put up a picture or 2 if you can.

 

Thanks!

[Mark Maras]

I'd like to see what you have. My 260 project is still in need of that part including the battery tray.

[heyitsrama]

I'm interested in seeing what you have.  Put up a picture or 2 if you can.

 

Thanks!

Ill try to get a picture up as soon as i can, have some exams this week but hopefully ill be able to get started by this weekend.

 

I'd like to see what you have. My 260 project is still in need of that part including the battery tray.

Can you post some pictures of how extensive you panel is damaged?

Im not sure if ill be able to get the tray itself because of the complexity, but I'm going to give it a shot, but first ill attempt a panel for the under section. 

[Mark Maras]

First things first. I need to patch the battery size hole in the f. well before the b. tray goes in anyway. The damage is quite easy to imagine. Picture a hole below the battery that is about battery size & extends to about three inches from the frame rail. I can repair or replace the decrepit remains of the tray itself.

[heyitsrama]

 

First things first. I need to patch the battery size hole in the f. well before the b. tray goes in anyway. The damage is quite easy to imagine. Picture a hole below the battery that is about battery size & extends to about three inches from the frame rail. I can repair or replace the decrepit remains of the tray itself.

Yeah mine is in a similar state. I decided to take summer courses at my college, they should wrap up in aug. ill try to get a prototype finished. Was the firewall panel also affected? Mine was under all the undercoating. Im glad the undercoating was there now that i think about it. It probably saved the car from being a COMPLETE pile of rust.     

I think it has to be done in 2 parts. one the firewall part, and the other the under section....

 

[NVZEE]

Is there any kind of protective coating that works below the battery to prevent corrosion in the first place? Seems like excessive washing would distribute more water and acid in a vulnerable area.

[grannyknot]

yeah, the battery tray. Only that little drain hole plugs up easily or the drain hose falls off and acid drips right on to the metal underneath.

Is there any kind of protective coating that works below the battery to prevent corrosion in the first place? Seems like excessive washing would distribute more water and acid in a vulnerable area.

[Namerow]

Motorsport Auto sells a product called 'Battery Mat'.  It's an acid-resistant, absorptive sheet that fits inside the plastic battery tray.  Under $10, IIRC.  Can't vouch for its long-term effectiveness -- probably good for one or two incidents.  Way better than the alternative, though.

[Patcon]

Be careful welding on the firewall. It is easy to get it hot and catch stuff on fire on the inside of the car. Ask me how I know...

[73str86]

Is there any kind of protective coating that works below the battery to prevent corrosion in the first place? Seems like excessive washing would distribute more water and acid in a vulnerable area.

 

After I removed the rust and patched a hole under my battery tray I primed the metal, then used Duplicolor (IIRC) Bed Armor bedliner. Then I painted over it with silver. These photos are from my build thread. It may not be the prettiest, but I believe it's effective. And it's all invisible under the battery tray as well.

 

 

 

[siteunseen]

That looks great. Congratulations.