welded my floorpan

361 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by nrkrell, Nov 14, 2004

das280zx

Discussion Starter · Nov 14, 2004

Well I had the genius idea that I would finally fix a big rust hole that was in the driver's side of my zx, last weekend. Well of course it turned into a much bigger job than I thought it would. I don't have an arc-type welder, so I got the bright idea that I would just teach myself how to weld with my gas torch. Well I was able to do it, but it was a major pita. I cut out 2 holes in my floor, both about 17x17 mm. One was about a third up the firewall. I used some 22 ga. sheet metal from the hardware store. Man it must have taken me about 8 hours, just for the welding. very tedious process. It looks like **** too, but nobody is gonna see it. I had to braze a few spots, because welding them was just too awkward. I found that you can use some wire as filler metal. I used some rebar wire and it worked pretty good. But I wouldn't do it again! Someday I will get one of those 120v mig welders. Those are supposed to be great for using on cars. Well just thougth I would share my story!

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SurfColorado

· #2 · Nov 14, 2004

today we had a option saturday school. 6am-11am. Sounds horrible huh, then you find you can work on your car for that time... dam i wish it ran, i could have brought it in and fix my rust.

Post Edited (Nov 13, 4:10pm)

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adventuresome63

· #3 · Nov 14, 2004

Yes, I got a cheap 120v Campbell-Hausfeld 105 Mig setup at the pawn shop fer' 50-bucks to weld on my resto-job n' it does a fine job. However, you must clean ALL rust from your area to weld or you'll have lots of blow-out holes when you try to weld over rust. My 260 is a MAJOR CANCER survivor, Finally gettin' time to finish the body n' then I'll try n' figure out how to drop a SB Ford in her ... MayBe A Hemi, Dare to be different ...

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earlyzman

· #4 · Nov 14, 2004

I had great luck brazing that gauge metal on my floor pans with a cheap map gas torch and relatively fine brazing wire. It looks just like your basic propane type torch (Bernzomatic) but uses a map gas cylinder (yellow). Most harware stores carry them. My experience with MIG welders and sheet metal is not good.

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das280zx

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 14, 2004

Brazing was actually pretty easy. Welding wasn't bad, but the location made in necessary to be in a cramped position, which was not fun at all, so I switched to brazing for part of it. I had some of that brazing rod with the flux right on it, and that worked really well. As far as welding to rusted areas, I was able to do it with the gas torch, but only so well. If you get it really hot, and are careful, eventually the rusted metal will flow into the filler metal. I wasn't sure if this would work, but it seems to work pretty good. You can blast a hole right through it if you are not careful. I am glad I did this project myself, as it was a good learning experience. Especially the part where I burned my wiring harness, but that is another story. Remember to watch where you are pointing your torch!

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nrkrell

· #6 · Nov 14, 2004

Don't feel bad DAS but when I was trimming my NEW CARPET JOB I accidently cut right through the Alpine CD cable. And I couldn't slice that puppy, either! Norm K.

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