Floor pans or sheet metal?

[ADaughen]

Well, I tore into my '78 today, litterally. The carpet is now gone on the driver's side. Everything in front of the seat mounts needs replaced. Trans tunnel is fine. Firewall is clean. So it is pretty much one big square that needs replaced. I can order a floor pan for ~$115+ shipping or get a piece of sheet metal for ~$15.

Any benefit going with a pre-fit floor pan, which I would have to cut, anyways?

[Timido]

Pre fit floor should fit right. If you cut a piece of sheet find a bead roller so the pannel doesnt Make tin can noises

[ADaughen]

I don't know if the MustangII floor pans are an exact fit or not. Those would be the closest I found. :/

What gauge should I look for the floor pan? And who has a bead roller I can use?

Do I need a bead roller if the size is ~20" x ~24" and has the frame rail running right below it?

[Timido]

I dont know alot about how big a pannel you would need a bead rolled in. I think 18guage is normal for floors. Here is a good read I book markerd for my Comets future repairs.

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=9887&highlight=autobody

[ADaughen]

Thanks.

I found a photo of a "good" floor pan:

http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=9328.0;attach=1691 4;image

The far left is the front two seat mounting points. The drilled/cut out areas are where the frame rail runs. And the seam in the front is where the firewall comes down to meet the floor pan.

So it looks like a few bead rolls on the top side might be suggested. :/



ETA: Thanks for the thread, that'll help a little. ;)

[ADaughen]

Ugh... harbor freight wants $150 for a bead roller.

Anyone willing to let me use theirs for ~30 minutes? I'll cough up some cash, but I don't want to spend $150 on one or two small parts.