Hi guys,
I took my car for the first drive a few days ago after I finally got it to run and stop. It was driving fine and then I decided I'll just punch it and see how she does. So I nail the pedal, car takes off and the passenger seat (with my friend sitting in it) drops 2". He starts freaking out so we pull over and take a peak underneath. The passenger floor pan split at the seat brace. We also found pin holes everywhere, but not a spec of rust on the sub-frame. I only paid $400 so I'm not really surprised. So with new full length floor pans and some huge subframe connectors will the car be safe for semi-rough street use and the occasional burnout?

I'd have to do the body work but I'm an excellent welder so I think that I could do it. But I do have one Q on this. I can get a 100 amp stick welder for nothing, could I get away with it? Or should I cough up $150 for a cheapo flux core mig? I know with only 100amps I'll have to run it at/near max. I know with a stick welder there would be huge distortion, so I guess I'm asking if I'd just burn through the metal cause of the heat.
Thanks Guys
Alex

 

Hi, I have been in the paint and body business for 25 years and you will have better results if you use a wire fed mig welder.

 

A stick welder is out of the question, even a flux core will burn to hot for what you are trying to do. Get yourself a mig and some .023 wire

 

Thanks for the info guys. Would flux-core really be too hot even if I only welded in 2"-3" increments with 0.03" wire? We're talkin a $150 price difference here. I'm only 16 so my paychecks are only 400 ish before rent and other crap, hence my cheapness.

 

If you want to do it right I would try to get my hands on a mig welder. Try to see if you can rent one in your area. It would be alot cheaper then to buy one since you only need it to weld in a floor pan.I would get it all ready so you would only have to have it for one day. Mig welds are alot stronger and the floor pans is part of the structure of our cars. Since I am in the business I would not use anything else to weld sheetmetal. Hope this helps you some.

 

Thanks for the info, if a mig is what I really need than that's what I'll use. One more question though. My car has t-tops, when I replace the pans I plan on doing one side at a time. Do I need to brace anything and where should I brace it, I plan have the doors off if that makes a difference.
Thank You
Alex

 

I did right and left floor pans on my 78 Trans Am at the same time at the shop. I didnt do any bracing because it was on a level floor on its wheels. I think it will be fine if you do the same and dont raise the car up at all and you shouldnt have to as long you do your welding from the top but if you do raise it up you will have to do some temperary bracing to be on the safe side.

 

Thanks for the repeated help. I'm gonna get started this week. I'll post some pics soon
Alex

 

alot of places that rent out items arent open on sunday. at least around here. so if you rent saturday you wont have to return till mon morning. also your paying rent at 16??

 

I live in the Dallas Ft Worth area and the major rental stores are open on Sunday, how small is the town you live in?