Floor Pan Repair Questions

[NJSPEEDER]

i have to replace a section of the driver side floor pan that has some rot in it. i was looking for alternative methods to hold it in place properly while i tack it in since there isn't any way to clamp it where it belongs.
one option i was thinkingof is some rare earth magnets that i found. they are really strong and i have about a dozen of them. any other suggestionsto make sure the replacement panel stays centered while i install it?
i was also wonder if anybody had a suggestion of what brand of primer to shoot on there to protect until the car goes for paint? i have some rattle cans here fo various brands, will that be good enough to last until i take it in for final paint in a year or so?

TIA for your help.

[WildBillyT]

If your gaps are good, Cleko fasteners are perfect. The internal springs in those things aren't strong enough to pull together large gaps.

Or you can po boy it and use sheet metal screws.

Either way, you just lightly plug weld or putty the holes shut when you are done.

Clekos are the copper pins in this pic:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...6/136ec40b.jpg

As for a primer, I have just been using Rustoleum's Professional clean metal primer for most of the pan and Bloxide weld thru primer for the edges near the welds.

[bad64chevelle]

I have never used the fasteners that billy is talking about but we always have used sheet metal screws and so far that method has worked out well.

[BonzoHansen]

Would these help? Harbor Frieght carries them way cheaper then eastwood.



http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

[HardcoreZ28]

Cleko's are great if you can make the investment. If not sheet metal screws will work or you can just get a buddy to hold the panel for you while you tack it in place.

[bad64chevelle]

oh crap, I totally forgot about those! yeah I have used those things, they work great. We did a panel on my buddies Nova with them.

[jims69camaro]

any of the aforementioned fasteners will work, if you can avoid putting a hole in it. the thing is, a hole will never seal up correctly, whether you weld it or epoxy it. putting a hole in sheetmetal should be a last resort. with stud welders' price where it is now, especially.

getting someone to hold it for you while you tack is the cheapest way out. you only need two or three tacks and it won't move anymore.