Cost for front pan replacements?

euro911sc · euro911sc's Garage

I am looking at getting into a heavy restoration project on an early car (pre-galvanized). I've been scouting several candidates and they all need front pan work and usually pedal box work. Now, I can weld... but for this project I will be farming out the welding work as I need this to be good

What are others experiences on the cost to replace the front pan and, separately, the pedal box?

I have also considered doing my own fitment and calling in a traveling welder to do the welding, but where the suspension is concerned I'm thinking I want that to be spot on to reduce any probable handling issues.

Thanks,

-Michael

burgermeister · burgermeister's Garage

I did mine and I could not weld at all - the miracle of Mig got me through, and I'm decent now.

Excluding the welder and the "while you're in there" front suspension refurbishing, it cost me around $850 ($500 for 2 pans - I had fitment issues with one of them) and $350 for assorted spot weld drills, sawblades, grinder accessories, paint, undercoat, POR15, a cylinder of C25 gas, etc.

euro911sc · euro911sc's Garage

Some friends of mine are beginning to convince me that no one in this area would do half the job I would, being the owner and all... they are obviously being over kind, but I am beginning to think I may do it my self. I have a MIG already, but it is loaded with flux core at the moment so I'd have to get a gas tank. No big deal. Its a really small machine and does light Gage metals fairly well. I'm just concerned about the alignment stuff and not warping the whole car. I guess if I weld in a strut tower brace with front trunk cross bracing (removable so I can get the tank in and out) that would hold the shell in place...

Still, I'd like to know pricing before I do the local call around to the regional P-Car shops.

-Michael

Jim Horton · 04-16-2009, 08:27 PM

I was horrified when I priced it out here in PDX recently: $3500-$7000!

burgermeister · burgermeister's Garage

You won't warp the car. The flat pan doesn't contribute much structure to the body (otherwise you wouldn't get driving cars with esentially no front pan left)

Use the front LCA's as alignment aids - bolt them up before you weld.

The pan only fits in one way. You can't adjust it laterally at all unless you purposely bend or replace parts of the longitudinals, and fore-aft adjustment is also minimal. Only the height of the front LCA mount could be off a bit, and if you measure carefully (or mark a story stick) you'll get it within a mm or two. The steering rack crossmember mounting point is the important one, and you're not affecting it with a front pan replacement.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 04-17-2009, 03:00 AM

Michael, you can do it yourself.

If you are looking for a car, you can have my 72 Targa tub roller for the price of the oil tank/system.

rothaus · 04-17-2009, 03:32 AM

Michael, if you can weld and have the tools, you can do it. I did my 71. Replaced the complete floor pan, suspension pan, plus some other pieces around it, rocker panel, etc.

Look at this, no comments needed

More pictures on my website

Good luck !

LakeCleElum · 04-17-2009, 04:45 AM

Been 20 years ago for my 912, but:

I paid about $195 for the pan. A friend owns a body shop. They towed it there after I removed the front suspension, welded in the pan and towed it back to my house for $165.

sballard · 04-17-2009, 05:51 AM

You can certainly do the welding yourself. I was a novice and while it wasn't necessarily pretty, my job was OK. The good thing is that it doesn't show. Careful alignment of the pan with the suspension a-arms before welding it in is critical. I bought the Restoration Design pan kit. What you probably don't know yet is that you will likely need the longitudinal sheetmetal sections too and they can outprice the pan. Check prices of the pan and longitudinals on Stoddard's website. Actually I fabricated the rusted parts of the longitudinals out of sheetmetal to save money. I spent quite a bit of time doing it and it was kind of fun as it was my first effort.

You might as well weld up the pan yourself as you will also also need the R&R skills to repair the rusty rockers and windshield corners. Voice of experience speaking....