So I bought the car, and removed all the carpeting because it was dirty and I was going to change the color, and look what I found. I can't seem to find a trunk patch panel. Has anyone ever seen something like that, and what's the easiest way? pound it all as flat as possible, drop the tank, and weld a piece of sheetmetal to the bottom and just close it up? I mean, the carpet will cover it up, I am just wondering if somehow it's structural, or the best fix without costing tons of money.



And Finally;

If I remove this rusted as heck panel, are there gaskets, weatherstripping underneath I can replace/repair. Is this easy to do?

 

and i can't believe people here still consider this a "correct" way of changing a fuel pump. I seem to see more of these holes all hacked to hell like this, than ones done cleanly

for that matter, it doesnt even seem that the lines were cut and the pump changed? looks like the PO got this far, gave up trying to "save time" and did things the right way afterwards.


the 2 correct ways to fix it would be to reweld the section behind the seat up to the top of the hump, then fab a rear access door thats removable and sealed to the floor. or drop the tank, and reweld the whole area, paint and seam seal. The sheetmetal is pretty thin, so be gently with the welds, so it doesnt warp all to hell.

 

Looks like somebody really wanted to get at the fuel pump in a hurry. Looks liike your gonna need to drop the tank and mig weld that piece back in place. Looks like its mostly there....If you don't have a welder, then you'll need to trailer it, or tow it to a shop after you've removed the tank. Maybe they can make you a nice access door to the fuel pump for the future....our cars don't come with one, but other cars do and it's most handy......as for the rustred hatch panel, i know that peice comes off, but it maybe easier to find a used hatch.........

 

if the hole was just in the top of the hump, i would not be too concerned about structural issues, but because the hole continues down to the body seam behind the seats, there is a structural issue that needs fixing.

 

^^^AGREE 1000000000000000000000000000000000%

it should be fixed before you even consider start the engine lol

 

I know I have to be careful. I just figure that I need to do about a million spot welds then grind everything smooth. Actually, I don't own a welder, but I was planning on buying one, and what a better excuse than I need to fix the car, LOL.

 

Wow - I wouldn't consider a clean access hole to be a hack job, but that's the absolute worst job I've ever seen! I think they used the old Army issue can opener on that one!

 

just make sure its a gas mig.

i assume the car runs? the fuel pump was changed?

 

dnt dojust spot welds with that whole like that, make a straight cut and then cut a metal strap wide enough to overlap the panels and start welding, if you try to do it flush and dnt have welding experience ur gonna end up making wholes

 

oh, ive seen worse

maybe the same guys owned this car too

 

As for that rear piece on the hatch, that's super strange it is rusted but the hatch looks to be in good shape. You can remove and replace it no problem. Usually there's a black sealant on those hatches that looks sorta like tar. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but replacement of that piece should be fairly straightforward and far less expensive than the gas tank fix.

 

Yeah, car runs fine. The fuel gauge doesn't work, maybe they were trying to fix that?
I didn't mean spot welds, but I guess welding in maybe 1/2 to 1 inch welds. I know how to weld, don't do it often, but I have welded up exhausts, I know sheet metal is different, but I watch Musclecar, so I'm a professional.
Well, going to call up a body shop and see if they have that sealant stuff before I get to tearing up my hatch.
Thanks so far for the replies, love the combined knowledge of forums.