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View Full Version : How to fix burned-through floorpan?


VetteMed
07-29-2009, 08:25 PM
Background: 91 ZR-1, headers, no cats, straight pipes from headers back to mufflers - no resonator.

As I was gutting the interior from my 91, I found that the passenger side corner, where the floorpan meets the trans tunnel as it widens for the bellhousing, was burned by the exhaust, in approximately a 1" diameter circle. It was not burned entirely through, but all that remained was fiber strands, no hard substance at all. The carpet padding overlying it was completely disintegrated. I never smelled anything burning, so this may have happened when the previous owner had the exhaust done, I have no way of knowing.

So, what to do? Obviously I need to patch the hole, but more importantly, I suppose I need to fabricate a heat shield? Or do I just have a muffler shop bend the pipe a little?

What should I use to patch the floor pan?

Thanks!
Andrew

Jagdpanzer
07-29-2009, 09:38 PM
Sorry about the bad luck.
Can you post some pics?

VetteMed
07-29-2009, 09:46 PM
http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv163/agchoset/IMG_1424.jpg

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv163/agchoset/IMG_1434.jpg

And in this one, you can see the offending pipe.

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv163/agchoset/IMG_1430.jpg

Jagdpanzer
07-29-2009, 10:03 PM
Pick up a fiberglass patch kit at your local auto or marine supply store, trim out the burned area and fix it like plugging a hole in a fiberglass boat hull.

secondchance
07-29-2009, 10:31 PM
Hole looks small enough (looks like about 1/2" hole?) where a temporary back up underneath with duct tape (attached to outside of car) and fill w/ epoxy mix. I think existing fiberglass strands would function to bridge the patch.
I would definitely rework the exhaust pipe to increase the distance to body. I have not looked carefully under this area while the car is on a lift so I am not sure. Does anyone know if there is a heat shield below?

Jagdpanzer
07-30-2009, 10:45 AM
The burned area is ajacent to the front exhaust spring hangers. There are no factory installed heat shields in this area as you find outboard the cats.
http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg333/pwasinger/081020015.jpg