Suspension pan - repair or replace? ('71 Targa)

[Bez]

Well, my first setback...found the dreaded 'top down' rust in the suspension pan today. During pre-purchase, I poked around there pretty good with the screwdriver, but that thick undercoating was surprisingly beefy and looked good too. Lesson learned.

Any rate, here's the deal and the pics...

- classic top down rust deterioration pattern
- erosion on driver side corner (see pic); passenger side seems to be absolutely fine (I think the car sat outside tilting to the driver side...water accumulated in front left corner)
- also erosion in the pan just below the center tank support bolt, about 2" wide (can also see in the pic)

I've read all the threads on front pan / tank support replacement and understand it's a fairly standard, but involved, procedure for early 911s.

My question is if there is another repair option aside from the full pan / tank support install? I ask because pass side, tank support, battery tray, etc. are all good...only major concern is the driver side front corner.

I want to do this 'right' and understand this is more than a cosmetic issue (tbar stability), but at the same time want to know all possible options for repair.

Thanks again!

[j911brick]

replace. probably won't be the end of the rust you find.

[Rich Lambert]

Replace it. From my experience, the rust you're seeing is a small percentage of the total.

[911scfanatic]

Replace. Definitely.

[advtracing]

mine had less rust than this and i have totally replaced it ... why take the chance

[Bez]

Yep, I pulled out the tank support and, suffice to say, the decision was made for me. New pan it is.

Restoration Score at the end of week 1: Scope creep 1, Wishful thinking, 0

[Dezzmo]

I also had less rust that yours and replaced the entire pan and tank support. Once you remove the tank support you may find more rust. This is usually the case.