Replacing front pan
 

I looked at a 78 SC this weekend, car was in pretty good shape but......

In the past battery had spilled, acid (and rust) has gone thru the front pan. Looked fairly bad from underneath.

I'm wondering what is it practicallity of replacing the front pan? Looks like the tank has to come out, how much of the structure is the pan? I've seen the front suspension diagram showing the structure, do the A arms bolt to the pan?

Has anyone done this, what is the recommendations?

The current owner has the pan but doesn't want to do the fix, if this is practical I may offer him substantially less than he's asking:)

Thanks

Jay

My car was undergoing some extensive work recently :-( and I saw a '76 with exactly the damage you described being repaired next to it. The tank, A arms (bolted on), etc. all come off, the old pan is cut away, and a replacement pan is welded in. I believe hearing it was $2-3K labor.

There are some good threads in the archives - here is one:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=146723&highlight=front+ and+suspension+and+pan+and+weld

Yes, there are many, many threads on this one. I've done it myself as have dozens here. I recollect that $1200 might do it at a shop. For an accomplished DIY'er, it's a one day (long) job. But, most end up doing other things while in there, oddly enough, called the "While You're in There Syndrome." ;)

Ah, thanks for the link, I did search on "Front Pan", didn't get that thread:). Hmmm I like the $1200 estimate better than the 2 to 3k one.

Thanks

Jay

Oh... now I see the "see more " or some such button on the search.

I remember when i took my car to (now my best freind's) shop, the whole front pan was rusted out and when I pulled on the tow hook it ripped the pan. I showed it to him and he said that's a $180 part no problem they all rust there and need replacing(on early cars). Checked rest of car and rust was minor(none in doors, none in rockers, floorboards solid, so I restored it. The last pan he replaced took him five hours. But he is a wiz welding and has done many. a ggod shop will have no problem.

Is the rot isolated to the pan or has it gone into the longitudinal sections also? Fabricating longitudinal patch pieces will increase the effort (bill) significantly.