Condition of floor and what to do

[rjkoop]

I removed a lot of the tar from the front floor area. Most of it isn't too bad. I'm just wondering if I should just repair the floor by welding in steel sections or replace the whole floorpan(s).

Passenger front...


Passenger back (new passenger seat rail needed)...


Passenger front near tranmission hump


Passenger front near firewall (bondo used for fixing?)...


Passenger rear (worst area) where muffler is close to floor...


Driver's front...


Driver's back...


Driver's front near transmission hump...


I have a few questions.
1. Should I remove riveted sections (driver's front and rear) and replace with welded steel?
2. Looks like bondo was used in front passenger near firewall. Once again should I remove/cut out and replace with steel?
3. I did notice that the muffler pipe (just past the catalytic converter) was pretty much touching the floor where the worst rust was. Is this just coincidence or should the muffler pipe be lowered a bit once I fix the floor?
4. How do I remove 1/2 gone passenger right seat rail? Can I drill out welds and then I should be able to chisel or grind it out?

Next I'll tackle removing tar from rear but I think it's in much better shape.

[azruss]

the tranny tunnel looks very suspect. This is a strength piece, so i would look for a donor car with a good tunnel and replace. I would also replace the floor above the cat and would inspect the side tunnels for rotten metal like the tranny tunnel. these are very hard piece to replace so may want to just double up over the bad metal there. I would also look for donor seat rails and see if you can just replace them.

[124JOE]

kill all the rust with an inhibiter that converts the rust to primer
before covering any spot
also do the back side

[rjkoop]

Yep. Por 15 for sure. Realized piece near floor is heat shield for exhaust... Doh! Will cut out patches and replace with welded steel. Just have to figure out if gas lines need to be removed before floor redone. That seems necessary to replace drivers back area. I'll get a few quotes for welding once floor is 100 percent cleaned up.

[4uall]

I highly recommend these guys http://ferranteautobody.ca/ They did an incredible job when I had this to deal with this


http://forum.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtop ... 14&t=20816

[rjkoop]

4uall,
I'll contact them for sure. I'm looking for a mobile welding service since I'd rather not have to bring the car somewhere to get it done. Also I'm still considering doing it myself. I think with some practice I could do some flux core welding. I'm doing to drill out/remove the crappy patches that the PO did and then evaluate if I can tackle the job.

[4uall]

I too had called a couple of mobile services however, their prices were considerabally higher and I have a small garage etc I wish I had your skill & resources, good luck

[dom]

Haveyou checked the rockers, the rockers may be worse.

[rjkoop]

The rockers actually look pretty good.