Replacing the Rusted Trunk Floor on a FLOODED 1965 Chevrolet Corvair! Can we save this one?

On today's video, we're taking the car out of commission for a bit. There is a bit of rust in the floor of the front trunk (or frunk) and it's high time to start cutting out the rusty bits. Of course, that means that we're BOUND to find more rust along the way.
Amazon affiliate links for products used in this video
Brake Hose:
25' 3/16 True Copper-Nickel Alloy Non-Magnetic Brake Line Replacement Tubing Coil and Fitting Kit, Inverted Flare
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Seam Sealer
Barrier Bond Brushable Seam Sealer - Quart Can with 30.4 Fluid Ounces - Automotive Brush on Body Seams, Joints, Floors, Trunks - Autobody Repair, Fast-Drying, Paintable
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Trunk floor (no affiliate link)
Clark’s Corvair 65-69 STEEL TRUNK BOTTOM-19-20 GA
ssl.corvair.com/user-cgi/sear...
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Sean, Christie, and the Auto Anatomy team.
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[@AutoAnatomy]

Today marks the beginning of some long-awaited (and needed) rust repair on the FLOODED Corvair. Am I crazy for not putting new fenders on, or starting with a less rusty foundation? Let me know below!

[@terryhansen5928]

Thank you again. Welding in a new trunk floor is what I have to do next. Awesome!!

[@AutoAnatomy]

Great timing! It's not a bad job and I'm so ready to have this all wrapped up. Ready to get to the next big project on the car.

[@terryhansen5928]

I Personally think repairing the present fenders is best. 😊

[@AutoAnatomy]

I always like to keep original parts whenever possible.

[@mkofftiger]

...exquisite work...glad to see you back on Corvair task...

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you!

[@NickJones-zp7sp]

Love the channel!! I have a 1963 Corvair that I inherited from my grandfather and your channel has been great.

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you so much! Enjoy your 63 and thanks again for watching!

[@denisgeffroy8516]

Thx from France. I have a 65 corsa convertible with the same problem, now it's will be easier to fix him after watching your video.

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you!

[@rbfara7320]

Great work. Looking forward to watching more especially the suspension rebuild.

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you!

[@rbfara7320]

You bet! You’ve already taught and encouraged me to do stuff on my ‘65 turbo. I appreciate your directness, succinct explanations (and your camera work and lighting!)

[@garycorbin2789]

Fascinating, keep on keeping with this little ripper! 👍👏👏👏

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you so much!

[@Friedbrain11]

To make a clock adjustment...pull out the knob and rotate the hands backwards 12 hours. That should help correct the speed of the clock. Gonna have fun with sheet metal today I see :) Those aren't original shocks though LOL I actually replaced the rubber section(fuel fill ) on a '65 and a '61 without dropping the fuel tanks. Not easy and best have someone to help but doable. I was so pleased you put seam sealer on both sides of the repair. So many people don't and then the problem comes back within a few years for no reason other than someone lazy. Putting complete fenders on a 'Vair is not an easy task.

[@AutoAnatomy]

It only makes sense to put seam sealer on both sides, and I certainly don't want to do this again in a few years.

[@vayabroder729]

Love it; huge respect for your great skills! Daytime work: dealing with humans. After hours and weekend work: dealing with cars. Gotta love that 😉👍

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you! It's rather cathartic to come home and bang on some metal or cut out rust.

[@isaaclavoie]

Nice work and really enjoying you explanations during the process. This thing must be very sweet to drive, cause you are putting in the time to make it nice!

[@AutoAnatomy]

It's fun to drive, and I guess I love a challenge!

[@ballyheather]

Great work Sean, I'm looking forward to the next video. The Corvair is getting better, step by step, you are bringing it back. Thank you for all the work, Ian.

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you!

[@robertlacob8831]

Great welding repair Shawn. Those fenders are really toast so interesting how they will come out after repairs!

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you, and the fenders need a little love. I'm ready to have it all solid again.

[@shanetesmer5198]

I’m so impressed with your skills

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you Shane!

[@juanmiguelcortarello6823]

Looking awesome! Very nice repair.

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you!

[@BFSilenceDogood]

Nice job. I love your vids and am chomping at the bit to get my project car. It looks like rewarding work!

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you, and best of luck on YOUR project!

[@tomhughes6486]

Another great video. Been there, done that. I would've put down weld-thru primer along the leading edge where it overlapped.

[@dalemettee1147]

Some say that there is an adjustment on the main spring near the main escapement. A lever that has an "S" at one end and a "F" at the other. A slight turn of the lever could make keep time better.

[@AutoAnatomy]

Hmm, I'll have to take a look when I get home. Thanks!

[@Daniel-lv8ze]

woof, nylon bushing time for that front steering arm.

[@AutoAnatomy]

Amen, it's getting some upgrades for sure.

[@jasonyoung5628]

It would be easy to put whole fenders on if they were made. I've seen guys in the forums cut off the whole front of a donor car to get a rust free set of fenders. About the only option for us corvair guys.

[@AutoAnatomy]

It would be nice if fenders were reproduced, but in the interim I guess I'll be patching the existing ones.

[@chevybeaglenox2402]

Nice work

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you!

[@tombob671]

😊

[@mikeconnelly7032]

NIce progress

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you!

[@MrTonyPiscatelle]

Nice work, question - should you prime bare metal before applying seam sealer. 40 years ago when I was a body man at the local Chevrolet garage we used seam sealer in the caulking gun and had to prime bare metal first .

[@AutoAnatomy]

Good question! I've never used seam sealer on primer metal, but I'll take a look at the can when I get home

[@volktales7005]

I have always wondered about that too. I like priming first for added protection. My vintage VWs used seam sealer directly over bare metal from the factory and it was not a good idea.

[@scottsullivan1464]

Doc, Would you ever consider getting one of those laser rust removers down the road when they become cheaper?

[@AutoAnatomy]

If those ever got "mainstream" cheap, I would LOVE to have one!

[@volktales7005]

I have the same rusty areas on my '65, so this is going to be good tips for me. I have a question for you. Did you see the hidden serial numbers on the body when you removed the front suspension? If so, were ANY portion of those numbers visible before you removed the suspension? Why I am asking is on my Canadian spec Corvairs, I have been unable to see any sign of those numbers. Some sources indicate Canadian Corvairs may not even have a hidden VIN stamping...

[@AutoAnatomy]

Honestly I haven't looked. I need to see where the hidden VIN is supposed to be on these cars.

[@volktales7005]

It is supposed to be stamped into the body structure above where the main suspension crossmember bolts to on the passenger side. Most pictures I have seen show at least some of the digits are visible sticking out from the crossmember when bolted in place. I could not find any sign of this on all three of my Corvairs. @@AutoAnatomy

[@AutoAnatomy]

I'll take a look and let you know what I find.

[@dalemettee1147]

Shawn, I noticed that in the bottom of the new floor, there is a stamped intent for a rather large plug for draining any water. The original floor had the hole but the plug was missing. Are you going to add the plug or just leave it closed off? I also noticed a dent in the left side panel near the headlight assembly. Should you do that now that everything is out of the way or wait till later?

[@AutoAnatomy]

For now I'll leave it solid, if it looks like the trunk leaks a bit I can always punch it out and put in a plug. Sharp eyes on the dent, and I'm actually pulling the dent with everything out of the way. It'll be in the next video.

[@dalemettee1147]

I do miss not having the chance to buy one when they were new. But, at the time, I was more conservative. A full sized car was in my sights. 196, I was 23 y/o and was a little adventurous. A friend of mine had a dark green one convertible. Had problems with oil leaks and keep the carburetors timed together, he was always fiddling with them.

[@AutoAnatomy]

They did require a bit more maintenance than a small block Chevrolet, but this one has been very reliable so far

[@shin-pad1052]

Great video Sean 👍🏼

[@AutoAnatomy]

Thank you!