67-76 floor into a 65...
- Thread starter Cuda416
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Cuda416
Well-Known Member
Havn
Not yet, we've only just done a test fit. Lots going on around here keeping me off the project but we'll get there
Not yet, we've only just done a test fit. Lots going on around here keeping me off the project but we'll get there
Cuda416
Well-Known Member
Got some more work done on the floor. Drivers side is the worst, lots of banging and smashing. Tried some "metal shaping" techniques I've read about or watched. Turns out at this point I'm not shaping it so much as abusing it. Still, it fits better than it did so that's a win. Passenger side, not nearly as difficult, will get tackled today.
I was originally thinking of continuing the surface of the tunnel in a "straight" plane extending from the new tunnel up to meet the firewall but that would put tunnel about three or 4 inches higher than it is now. My next option is to just make a simple extension to the existing firewall using a "level" plane from the edge of the new tunnel straight forward to the firewall and just trimming what overlaps the extension. I figure that might work since the transmission bell already fits so I'm not sure i need to increase it too much if any.
Hopefully my description isn't too vague, its early and we were up partying until 2am. Lol
Thoughts?
I was originally thinking of continuing the surface of the tunnel in a "straight" plane extending from the new tunnel up to meet the firewall but that would put tunnel about three or 4 inches higher than it is now. My next option is to just make a simple extension to the existing firewall using a "level" plane from the edge of the new tunnel straight forward to the firewall and just trimming what overlaps the extension. I figure that might work since the transmission bell already fits so I'm not sure i need to increase it too much if any.
Hopefully my description isn't too vague, its early and we were up partying until 2am. Lol
Thoughts?
abdywgn
dismantler
pictures would help...
if the floor pan is higher than original, it would be easier to tuck exhaust under the car if it is lowered.
if the floor pan is higher than original, it would be easier to tuck exhaust under the car if it is lowered.
Cuda416
Well-Known Member
Yeah I'll get some pictures later on. The floor isn't higher as a whole, just the tunnel because the later ones could accommodate a 727.
Took some pictures, but forgot to move them from my phone. I Went ahead and started with a cardboard template, which was used to cut some 20# sheet, then starting abusing it until it looks sort of like a tunnel extension.
Pic on the way
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abdywgn
dismantler
It looks good! I've seen and done worse...and that was when I was cutting a piece of metal...
Do you (or anyone following this thread) know how wide the 67-later floor pan is? Reason I ask is carpet related. I am using an A500 in my 65 with a larger, fabricated tunnel to accommodate the trans. I ordered carpet for the early A knowing that the edges need to be trimmed as needed, but thinking it still might fit without trimming the edges. So The early A carpet fits the taller tunnel but is short on the sides - not a lot but still short. So i am thinking with the wider 67-later floorpan and bigger tunnel and thus wider carpet, it just mightbe a drop-in for my application. Thoughts?
Cuda416
Well-Known Member
I ended up cutting a bit less than 1/2 inches off each side in front at a slight angle. The rear seems to fit perfectly.
Cuda416
Well-Known Member
Keep in mind, there is a lot of flattening happening at the front sides so the edge sits flat on the edge. Might not be strictly required but it seems to to me.
Cuda416
Well-Known Member
Made some progress on the floor since I last posted.
I decided not to use the part I fabbed up. Too many things I didn't take into consideration but a good learning experience so onward and upward. What I did do, was go to the boneyard and cut the part of a firewall from a wrecked 74 dart out that I needed.
The initial fit was great.
The I noticed where it is supposed to meet the firewall is a little farther back than expected. Seems the floor seem up front is not the same as the 64. To be expected I s'spose..
After 'mocking it up' I started cutting.. let me just say "pucker factor".....
and
To compensate for the gap, I would have had to "shrink" a lit of metal and I'm just not that good (yet) and so I cheated by cutting relief's and slightly overlapping everything to make it curve towards the firewall.
here is where I am at now. The "fingers" are formed and tacked and the "fit" is acceptable (to me) so far. Still need to retack the edge, remove the oroiginal tacks, cut the gaps to make the figers fit together, then finish the seems. I'll trim and form an "edge" for spot welds as well.
Once I have that weld edge/lip, I'll do a final trim of the opening I made and weld it in.
So to recap briefly.
The front half of the floor fit "OK" but the sides needed trimming and the corners need some reforming. The drivers side of the front lip has slightly different angles which are also slightly "off" from the older floor and need to be "moved" to match the lower edge of the firewall. Easy enough with some 2x4's as backing and a BFH. Some mild massaging also helped.
The tunnel opening obviously does NOT match the older firewall. Firstly and obviously, the new one is larger to accommodate the 727. Unexpectedly (to me) was the fact that the firewall on the newer cars appears to be moved back about 2 inches. Did not expect that at all (although I probably should have)... Learning all the time.
Something that just occurred to me is the possibility the heater box might have fitment issues now... huh... again, learning all the time. I'll need to check it when I get home.
Hope this helps someone. For someone with experience, this is not a big deal. Just a couple of surprises but nothing unmanageable so far.
-=C
I decided not to use the part I fabbed up. Too many things I didn't take into consideration but a good learning experience so onward and upward. What I did do, was go to the boneyard and cut the part of a firewall from a wrecked 74 dart out that I needed.
The initial fit was great.
The I noticed where it is supposed to meet the firewall is a little farther back than expected. Seems the floor seem up front is not the same as the 64. To be expected I s'spose..
After 'mocking it up' I started cutting.. let me just say "pucker factor".....
and
To compensate for the gap, I would have had to "shrink" a lit of metal and I'm just not that good (yet) and so I cheated by cutting relief's and slightly overlapping everything to make it curve towards the firewall.
here is where I am at now. The "fingers" are formed and tacked and the "fit" is acceptable (to me) so far. Still need to retack the edge, remove the oroiginal tacks, cut the gaps to make the figers fit together, then finish the seems. I'll trim and form an "edge" for spot welds as well.
Once I have that weld edge/lip, I'll do a final trim of the opening I made and weld it in.
So to recap briefly.
The front half of the floor fit "OK" but the sides needed trimming and the corners need some reforming. The drivers side of the front lip has slightly different angles which are also slightly "off" from the older floor and need to be "moved" to match the lower edge of the firewall. Easy enough with some 2x4's as backing and a BFH. Some mild massaging also helped.
The tunnel opening obviously does NOT match the older firewall. Firstly and obviously, the new one is larger to accommodate the 727. Unexpectedly (to me) was the fact that the firewall on the newer cars appears to be moved back about 2 inches. Did not expect that at all (although I probably should have)... Learning all the time.
Something that just occurred to me is the possibility the heater box might have fitment issues now... huh... again, learning all the time. I'll need to check it when I get home.
Hope this helps someone. For someone with experience, this is not a big deal. Just a couple of surprises but nothing unmanageable so far.
-=C
JDMopar
Well-Known Member
You're doing an awesome job in my opinion! When you go to welding up the splits between the fingers, take a piece of copper water pipe and beat it flat. Hold that on the backside of the split you are tacking to keep it from blowing thru so easy. The welds won't stick to the copper. Keep up the good work!
Cuda416
Well-Known Member
You're doing an awesome job in my opinion! When you go to welding up the splits between the fingers, take a piece of copper water pipe and beat it flat. Hold that on the backside of the split you are tacking to keep it from blowing thru so easy. The welds won't stick to the copper. Keep up the good work!
Crap, I hadn't thought if that! Thanks!
66Dvert
Working on my custom car parts again!
I put a later model in my 66 the front seat mounting and the tunnel in that area were bigger. (I sectioned it to fit) then discovered the floor well in the front was weaker than I had thought. the rear fit well and even the spot welds lined back up , the front seat (for buckets anyways was wrong on the later model floor pan so I cut it out to match the flat part of the 66 floor pan. the front section is about 1/2"- 3/4" wider per side depending on how you round the hump to the crossmember. the tighter it get to the original cross member the wider the pan is. you can see the holes cut out for the front bucket seats that I have to put in again. the rear section has different beading and the 2 large holes(closer to the back of the car) are in a different location than the original and I had to "trim the holes to make them round again. But the spot welds are in the same place ohhh seat belt holes on the side of the rocker are different too .
Cuda416
Well-Known Member
Haven't posted an update so I thought I'd put somethin' up. We got the tunnel section beat into oblivion and welded in place. Hopefully hit the frame connectors, front floor section and the tunnel with some epoxy sealer this weekend. Not much to say, it looks like hell warmed over but it'll keep the road and fumes where they belong.
Oh, haven't done anything with the cross member but we're still planning on it. Just "later".
Oh, haven't done anything with the cross member but we're still planning on it. Just "later".
kmoore
Well-Known Member
for what its worth I put a full floor '67 '68 '69 cuda in a '62 2 door post Valiant I simply rolled the the floor up as much as needed and put straps around it removed the passenger door slid the floor in took off the straps and bingo bango its in. width was maybe 1/2 to 3/4 wider but had already trimmed to fit had to do some notching and folding around rear of tunnel and front requires a good bit of massaging but if this redneck hillbilly can do anybody with some skill can get'er done.
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