Can't avoid fabbing sheet metal anymore

[BruteForce]

Exhaust was getting into the cockpit. So I had some leftover exhaust pipe, and extended them past the rear valence. But the hole in the tunnel I had to cut to get the tremec to fit is the new problem. I thought I could ignore it, but hot air, fumes, and noise come in, making driving any distance uncomfortable.

I have zero sheetmetal skilz, though, and this is a compound curve. Fortunately, my inevitable hack job will eventually get covered by the carpet. I plan to use sheet metal screws to hold it in place, as I have zero welding skilz.

[dutch]

copy the shape of the hole onto a piece of paper ( heavy gauge, but not real cardboard)  ,then copy it onto a piece of sheetmetal ,enlarging it about maybe an inch all around. Take your time to shape it as nice as you can and glue it in.   

[BruteForce]

Thanks, dutch, will give it a go.

[Edison1970]

Try to square up the hole a little.  Will make it easier to make the metal to cover it.  Put some seam sealer around it after you screw it in or rivit it.  If you were any where near me, I would make it for you.  I have a big piece of sheet metal and I will never use the whole thing.  Also, make sure you put a boot on that shifter handle or you are just patching one of your leaks.

[BruteForce]

Thank you, I appreciate the kind offer. I'm in Seattle, by the way. Sadly, I haven't been able to find any local folks into muscle cars. Even the local mopar club was more interested in eating pizza and reading the minutes of the last meeting than actually working on each others' cars.

I cut the hole by jacking up the transmission, noting where it touched, and cutting that bit out. Rinse repeat. The object was to cut as little has possible.

I ordered a sandbag and teardrop hammer, we'll see how well that goes. At last, I can realize my childhood dream and do a job with just a hammer 

I have the boot for the shifter, all the trim, and the center console. Though I doubt the center console will fit without trimming it, and I'm pretty reluctant to do that. I'll probably just leave it off.

[johannes]

................. The object was to cut as little has possible.

Make sure you remove enough to allow for the twisting of engine+gearbox at full power....
....just bend the metal upwards..... and allow for 1/2" movements towards passenger side....

[Katfish]

Glueing is an excellent option, the new epoxies are stronger than welds.

[wiging19]

Thank you, I appreciate the kind offer. I'm in Seattle, by the way. Sadly, I haven't been able to find any local folks into muscle cars. Even the local mopar club was more interested in eating pizza and reading the minutes of the last meeting than actually working on each others' cars.

Let me talk to a friend to get his permission to give you his number.  He used to be the president of that club in the 90's and is incredible with Ebody's.  I know he was working full time restoring all late 60's and 70 mopars to factor spec's.  He was good enough to redo an original hemi cuda, a couple of 440 six pack cars and went to Vegas for some car shows with the owners.  At his peak he owned six Ebody's and his son had another.  I thought he was fair in his pricing and could come up with parts most people could never find.  This was before everything was available in the after market.  Just knew people who had stashed things away and were willing to sell him things based on his knowledge/skills.  Let me know if your interested.  He lives by the new Lynnwood High School.

I know things got lean around 2008 for him when the prices for our cars dropped significantly.  So I'm not sure if he does this for a living any more but I can check if you like.