Welding Help...... Floor Pan Replacement ? Experts Welcome !

[stanhope55]

I am about to replace my floorpans to a one piece ( 65 Satellite) before I finish cutting out the remaining floor what are some good tips for securing the car from twisting ?

Some say that as long as the car is on wheels under it's own suspension load that I should not have any worries. Basically, I can take out the old floor and then measure fit and weld in the new one piece.

Is this reality ?

I am just doing it my garage, I have no special gear, other than floor jacks, jack stands etc...

Need some ideas thanks

 

[Donny]

Twisting? Are you doing this on a slope of say 10 degrees? If I was doing it the way and with what you describe (I'm no expert), I'd unload the front and rear suspension, put the car on 4 jackstands under the rocker panels, take the wheels off, and find all the spot welds, un-weld them with a spot weld drill bit and a 7/64 bit, (get about 15 GOOD drill bits) the spot weld drill bit from Harbor Freight works well, also, get some cutting fluid and use on EACH cut; the small pilot hole and the spot weld cut. Don't get Harbor Freight 7/64 bits, you will be changing them out for every cut. I hate crappy drill bits. Good luck!

 

[stanhope55]

I have all the floor pan spot welds located and ready to take out, as for slope no slope garage floor, i just hear and read stories of car sinking or whatever with the floor out..... i guess this is not reality....

Jackstands, to release suspension... anyone else agree ?

Why would the tires need to come off ?

 

[Donny]

You should not wholly base your movements on whether people 'agree' with your proposed course of action. I only base my words from my experience(s). Should you unload the suspension? Can it hurt not to? Always look at the end state -- your minds eye must see it before anything can happen.

For example, should I have used 3/16 thickness steel square tube for my rotisserie? It was far more expensive, but, the piece of mind knowing it will NOT fail; priceless. Again, good luck.

 

[63RedFury]

I removed and replaced a complete floor with all four tires on the ground.I had no problems.Just make sure you have two good rockers and a good roof LOL

 

[detmatt1]

I think, unless the car is ready to fall apart when you open both doors at once, you have nothing to worry about. Once you have the old out and the new one sitting in place, use sheet metal screws to secure it before you weld and then check the gaps around both doors to make sure nothing has changed.

 

[stanhope55]

If I was to use jackstands to take the weight off the car where would I place them ?

Any pictures of this setup ?