Body General body information and techniques for restoration, repairs, and modifications.

Bad rust under floor pan?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 12:15 PM
  #1  
BigBadLou's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 9
Car: '91 Z28 convertible
Engine: TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 posi disc
Bad rust under floor pan?

I just got this pic (and more) of a vert I'm interested in. Is it just some kind of underbody cover that rusted through or is it something more important? Should I stay away from the car?

Thanks!
Lou
Attached Thumbnails Bad rust under floor pan?-dsc00142.jpg  
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 12:27 PM
  #2  
swerve-driver's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." -RIPHST
Car: 1991 RS
Engine: 383TBI Fastburns and 2"TB
Transmission: T56 held up by Spohnstuff
That IS the floor pan. Stay away. Far away. Unless you like to do resto work!
S-D
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 12:29 PM
  #3  
88firebird's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Welland Ontario
Car: 89 GTA (88 Firebird V6 to V8 conversion RIP)
Engine: 305
Transmission: 5 spd
Wow, and I thought the parts car I picked up had shot floors... looks like that would be quite the repair experience....
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 01:19 PM
  #4  
Petes 84Z28's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 3
From: out of my mind; be back in 5 minutes....
Car: 1989 Firebird Formula
Engine: Internal Combustion
Transmission: Completed
Axle/Gears: ones that turn.
And that's only one place
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 01:47 PM
  #5  
BigBadLou's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 9
Car: '91 Z28 convertible
Engine: TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 posi disc
I don't know what the underbody of an f-body looks like. Does it have just one layer the seats are mounted to? Wouldnt' that be kinda "ungood"?
I thought I saw some frame above the rusted metal, is that the actual frame that holds the seats? Is it just some sheet metal cover that rusted through on the bottom of the body?
Once again, I have no idea what the body looks like so please explain it to me like to a 4y/o.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 01:52 PM
  #6  
Mirage's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Car: 1991 Firebird GTA
Engine: 350 C.I
Transmission: Auto 700 R for now
that is not that bad, anyone here from canada. this is normal, mine was a hell of alot worse then that. It looks ugly, but this will definatly affect the price your going to pay, and give you something to do!. I would shave off 10 percent of the asking price on this one for ever spot like that or at least have the seller adjust the price appropriately, however, i don't mind re-working stuff like this, so it is only my opinion
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 01:56 PM
  #7  
Mirage's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Car: 1991 Firebird GTA
Engine: 350 C.I
Transmission: Auto 700 R for now
what you are seeing is a whole through the floor, the frame work you are seeing is the frame for the seat. the floor in an f-body is an our skin only with the inner frames for mounting the seats, and since they are unibody, the body is also the frame. The hole you are looking at is definatly repairable, take a look at some of my threads. It looks alot more scary than it is!. let us know if you buy, we can help you get it all together, easily and cheaply if necessary!
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 02:09 PM
  #8  
BigBadLou's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 9
Car: '91 Z28 convertible
Engine: TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 posi disc
This car has allegedly been in Florida all its life, mostly driven on the highway between two cities. How would that happen in Florida? Is ocean water on the beach strong enough to cause this?
So I see the F-body does have a floor frame coverd on the bottom and top. That's good. So that could be just damaged/eaten sheet metal on the bottom. I hope.
Actually, the owner claims he got some rain water in the vert and that's why the floor is rusted. And that could mean that the car was possibly not exposed to salt.
I'm having another fellow member (thanks Al!) go look at it this week. I won't fly over there until I know the condition of the whole car.
So if this thing is repairable, I am still interested in the vert.

BTW: it's a black '89 IROC with black leather seats and interior. The only things that need attention is the floor, the gauges (tach & speedo don't work) and the top (new needed). 110K miles. 305 TPI, freshly rebuilt from scratch. 5sp. New tires.
What's this baby worth, in y'all's opinion?

Sorry for the long post, it's just a hard decision to make.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 02:51 PM
  #9  
85berlinetta2.8's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Car: IROC Z
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: 700R4
see my thread for rust repair

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=246368
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 03:17 PM
  #10  
88firebird's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Welland Ontario
Car: 89 GTA (88 Firebird V6 to V8 conversion RIP)
Engine: 305
Transmission: 5 spd
Originally posted by Mirage
that is not that bad, anyone here from canada. this is normal, mine was a hell of alot worse then that. It looks ugly, but this will definatly affect the price your going to pay, and give you something to do!. I would shave off 10 percent of the asking price on this one for ever spot like that or at least have the seller adjust the price appropriately, however, i don't mind re-working stuff like this, so it is only my opinion

Hey, I'm Canadian too... I guess I'm just kinda lucky with my cars... my first car (88 Firebird) was a BC car and it never saw salt, so it was completely solid... my 89 GTA, the floor pans barely even have any surface rust of them! The floors only have a small hole where they meet the rockers... I guess I'm just lucky, cause the previous owner of my GTA did winter drive it a few years (thats crazy!)

But hey, I guess someone with a welder, some skill, and some patients can fix stuff like that!
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 04:54 PM
  #11  
DJP87Z28's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,771
Likes: 15
From: Florida
Car: 1987 Black IROC-Z (SOLD)
Just run away as fast as you can. If that is a Florida car he must have drove in salt water. If you buy that car, be like the Fintstones and use your feet.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 05:32 PM
  #12  
85berlinetta2.8's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Car: IROC Z
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: 700R4
any more pics of the car??
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 05:56 PM
  #13  
BigBadLou's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 9
Car: '91 Z28 convertible
Engine: TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 posi disc
More pics
Attached Thumbnails Bad rust under floor pan?-dsc00134.jpg  
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 05:57 PM
  #14  
BigBadLou's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 9
Car: '91 Z28 convertible
Engine: TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 posi disc
More
Attached Thumbnails Bad rust under floor pan?-dsc00141.jpg  
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 07:54 PM
  #15  
85berlinetta2.8's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Car: IROC Z
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: 700R4
i would check the engine comparment for rust, check how flimsy the front fenders are where the plastic clips on, pull the trunk carpet, check the rear quarters REALLY well and pull the carpet in tha passenger compartment. pull the carpet to show him why you want alot of money off the price. show him quotes of how much a floor pan costs.
that is if you still want the car
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 07:55 PM
  #16  
85berlinetta2.8's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Car: IROC Z
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: 700R4
oh and rocker panels too -the part under the door
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 08:13 PM
  #17  
Mirage's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Car: 1991 Firebird GTA
Engine: 350 C.I
Transmission: Auto 700 R for now
i think in the end it will come down to how much you want that specific car, and if you are willing to make the required repairs, however, i would work the price regardless
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 09:52 PM
  #18  
swerve-driver's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." -RIPHST
Car: 1991 RS
Engine: 383TBI Fastburns and 2"TB
Transmission: T56 held up by Spohnstuff
I don't know how much work you are willing to do or how much you are willing to pay, but remember there are a lot of Camaro's out there. If you are looking to get something just to drive, forget it- your butt will be on the pavement if that is not fixed. Though it is a nice looking car-
Best-
S-D
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2004 | 10:25 PM
  #19  
BigBadLou's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 9
Car: '91 Z28 convertible
Engine: TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 posi disc
Thanks for all the comments, guys.
I ended up turning it down. The car looks alright on the outside but as Al found out today, it has a lot of problems and would require great amount of work. I did not want a project car. I'm looking for something with a bug or two but not a "fleabag".
I'll keep looking, although it is hard to find the right car to satisfy all my demands.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2004 | 11:53 PM
  #20  
Cuno's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Stay away from that car! If you look at the rear trailing arms, they are most likely rusted really bad too right where they connect to the floor pan...I lost my car due to this! It ripped them completely from the floor pan and dropped the rear end!
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
69 Six Pack
Camaros for Sale
13
Oct 5, 2015 07:51 PM
3.8TransAM
Body
4
Sep 3, 2015 06:38 PM
Derick15
Members Camaros
10
Aug 20, 2015 10:19 AM
Amillionoh7
Body
2
Aug 7, 2015 01:24 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:07 PM.