Sheet metal specification for 740 floors
 

Dieselers,

This is more of a Volvo 740 question, not really diesel specific: what gauge sheet metal should I use to replace areas of a floor with rust damage? I plan to purchase some sheet metal to form, trim, and weld into the sections that I cut out. I have seen mention of 18-gauge on various car forums, but nothing Volvo-specific. Any input on this topic would be very helpful.

Thanks,

i would say 1.5 mm is good.
1 mm is thin.

if you heat up and bend a thin sheet you will have no more a 18 gauge but thinner on the bent parts.

michaelovitch,

1.5mm looks to be approximately 16-gauge metal (1.52mm), whereas 18-gauge is 1.21mm; all according to Wikipedia. I suppose I could visit a wrecking yard and measure a panel's thickness just to be sure.

Rust? What is rust??

(Ha, ha, greetings from the salt-free West Coast..... :p)

Measuring at a wrecking yard is not a bad idea.

Are you working on a sedan or a wagon? I have a 740 wagon parts car that I will be pulling the motor from, and then scrapping, within the next month. If the section of floorpan you need to replace is not large, I could almost even cut it out of the bottom of my non-rusty wagon and send it to you. I do not know whether it is usually considered easier to weld in a section of used body or to just start over with fresh sheetmetal instead... but if you would like, as long as it is not huge and I can find the appropriate tool, whatever pieces you may need are yours for the cost of shipping. Hate to junk something that someone might be able to use.

Don't forget there is 2 billion coats of paint !

v8volvo,

I have a sedan. The section(s) that need replacement are located in the passenger side (left hand drive) wheel well. Where the wheel well is a vertical sheet of metal making up part of the firewall / door post. I hope I am explaining this clear enough. I need a section starting at this vertical piece and ending where it curves down under to form part of the floor pan. I'll try and get a few pictures tomorrow for a reference. My though if going used was to borrow a cordless Saw Zall and cut the piece out of a junkyard car and have a buddy help me weld it in.