Own a 71 1600 superbug, Was wondering how to replace the left and right hand side floor pans, Is it hard or should I repair the holes and rust in the old ones?

Depends

You can cut the old pan out while it is in the can - bugger of a job but was done in a day on one of my bugs.

Would be easier if you dropped the pan. It isnt THAT much of a job, but i wouldnt do it myself.

Yes you can patch - but i guess that is the least appealing quality wise.


If you do change the ban - braze the seat runners on again. The spot welds are crap on new pans.

You can also do a better job of POR15 (or similar) if you seperate

what he said... but if you have to ask, maybe you aren't ready to tackle this job... can you weld?

Have been welding for a few years, but have no MIG welder. Was thinking of taking the car to a shop.

If you could seperate your self and take the pan that would be the next best.

Guess it all depends on the old time Vs effort Vs $$$ scene

You can lift the body just a few inches and do it that way. You will need to undo:
All bolts down the sides of the floor pan. Bolts forward of front axle. Steering shaft. Front struts. Fuel line. Brake lines to/from reservoir to MC. Bolts under back seat. Bolts in inner rear mudguards. Remove pedal assembly, battery and brake line from floorpan.
Lift the body a couple of inches (get some mates to help) and prop it on milk crates etc and remove the rusted floorpan 'half'... cut and grind it down the central tunnel, plus along the front and rear 'outriggers'. Remove all traces of the old pan from the lip on teh centrel tunner using a grinder, chisels of whatever... Replace the floor half with a new one: use plug welds down the centre tunnel and re-install everything... easy! It's a good idea to use your car's old seat rails as the new ones are often shit quality compared to original. Reseal underside of floorpan. This will take a weekend... and you need a welder