1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

[John L.]

I am working on repairs to the transmission tunnel of my 1954 corvette where the original shifter was cut out for a manual shift. I have a replacement patch panel molded correctly for the shifter and the inset but I need to try and locate it correctly so the carpet will fit. Hopefully someone with 54 can help me out here. I have attached a photo with a chalk mark from the raised part on the floor pan at the leading edge at the driver seat to the center line of the shifter hole. any help on what this distance between would be? WP_000799.jpg Looking from above I wanted a check on the alignment of the flat portion where the shift plate is attached in relation to something....perhaps the 2 rivits in the floor? WP_000797.jpg Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!John

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

John - there is plenty of room in the carpet - the pocket for the shifter is pretty forgiving.
Also remember the shifter linkage is adjustable - so it doesnt have to in a "perfect" position
I have a couple empty bodies - I will try to get you a measurement

[John L.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

Thanks Chris, I know there is adjustment in the linkage rod but was not sure about the carpet set and how much leadway there was in the "pocket". Even a snapshot would help. Thank you for your reply. John

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

John
I measured two different cars
from the rise in the floor - the rise that goes across the floor - just in front of the driver seat
to the center of the shifter hole - 4.5 inches

[John L.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

Perfect! Thank you Chris for taking the time to check this out for me. A great help it getting this close to the correct position. Unfortunately now that the weather is turning cold here in Ohio I will probabaly be holding off on my first attemps at fiberglass repair but at least now I know where to spot it.
thnaks,
John Lanning

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

John
I will be sectioning in a trans tunnel this weekend
I will send you some photos.

[John L.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

Chris - that would be fantastic! I will be looking for some advice on how to cut this into the tunnel and patching the remaining holes. Also have a pretty big cut out in the firewall that will need a 9" x 9" patch. are you using epoxy resin? Thanks!!!!!!!! Cannot wait for warm weather to come my way so I can get started. John

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

John
first I take tape and square the tunnel - in order to cut out the damage
straight lines are easier to work with than damage.
Once I cut out the damage square - I lay my new piece over the top - take a sharpie and make my cut lines
I cut it oversize and sneak down on a fit.
once fit - clamp and screw it in place with paint paddles
then I V groove the cut lines - on the new and old glass
I use Glasin - It is a reinforced fiberglass bonding material - uses MEKP
after its set - sand it smooth with 80 grit - then I go over the seams with mat and resin to further reinforce the area
then finish the top and bottom with glass reinforced filler then regular filler -
Once you black out the tunnel...never know it was repaired....
I fixed a tunnel yesterday
I will post up photos

[John L.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

Chris I REALLY do appreciate the information and the step by step instructions - look forward to photos if you have the time. Question on this repair regarding the "v" goove of the cut lines - would this be done on the interior side which I assume or the underside of the car? I also have a large hole in the firewall that needs to be filled in and buit up so in that case as well i am assuming that I will taper the edges of the existing fiberglass on the inside, add a backer on the engine side to create a flat surface for the new glass and then follow the build up process from the inside. thanks for the "hand holding">>
John

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

IMG_0388.jpgIMG_0389.jpgIMG_0390.jpg Here it is in sequence - the floor was all broken and hacked up - someone had installed a 3 sp shifter

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

Once I have good clean straight cuts - I trim my new piece to fit - once fit - clamp and screw and support it - then I V groove the seam, old glass and new glass - I mix my glasin and spread it along the seam IMG_0391.jpgIMG_0392.jpgIMG_0393.jpg IMG_0395.jpg

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

Sometimes you have to do a little at a time - let one area or section or side dry - then the other - depends on how the new piece fits
IMG_0417.jpgIMG_0418.jpgIMG_0419.jpgIMG_0420.jpg

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

Once all in.....I smooth my v groove material - I then go over the seam with mat and resin or cloth and resin for strength
Then I v groove the seam on the bottom - spread Glasin over the groove.
Once dry - I smooth it then go over the seam with a fiber reinforce body filler - smooth that - 80, 180, then maybe a skim coat of regular filler. fill pin holes etc.....sand with 80, 180, 240, 320, get ready for primer - since the tunnel is a tight fit to the transmission - black out paint the tunnel....repair covered.....

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

I am doing several HUGE holes in the firewall - I will post up some photos.....

[John L.]

Re: 1954 Tunnel Repair for Floor Shifter

Chris,
The photos and explanation are certainly invaluable to a novice like myself so I appreciate the details.