Hi all!
Happy spring ;D
I have a question. I have gotten to the bulkhead in the rear where the wheel well panels begin to have triangular corners missing. My insulation involves three layers and is airtight and condensation proof. The old fiberglass came out of there with the corners (obviously) black. As I am not planning on doing this again for another 44 years, I want it tight. So, can someone explain why I shouldn't close them off as I insulate the floor?
Thoughts? as usual, very much appreciated.
Are you talking the aluminum panels aft of the actual aft rear wheel well closure panels? On my 5B, I had some aluminum panels forward of the lower bulkhead, but aft of the actual wheel wells that a few had cut corners (for wiring, I assumed) and after doing my work, I replaced them with stainless sheet and did NOT cut the triangles back nor did I replace the plywood triangles beneath them. I sealed it up tight structurally and with a good urethane sealant between panels and over all seams and rivets.
I also replaced all the aluminum wheel well closure panels with stainless and used stainless rivets to eliminate galvanic corrosion. It is the aluminum panels that corroded that allowed rain and road water to soak up into insulation and fill the gaps beneath the floor with silt and water, which in turn spread to framing and the like. Aluminum doesn't mix well with other metals unless isolated to prevent galvanic corrosion. I caution you to not make the same mistake MCI made in mixing aluminum with stainless unless well thought out.
Yep...those are the panels I'm referencing. I should have done a better job...I'm sorry.
I understand the corrosion issue, but for whatever reason, my panels are still perfect, as is the framing they are connected to. They were installed with a very thick asphalt-like tape that is still in place.
I'm giving the interior framing a coat of rusty metal primer anyway, but I will make sure the wells are stainless (I prefer it over fiberglass that's in the front).
I just don't understand the purpose of the triangle missing corners. Thanks for confirming my thought that I can seal them up.
Oh, and I am giving myself 2 electrical and one plumbing rough-in to the curbside access door. Actually, thinking about it, the trailing well is there...under the strange panels...I think :)
Yep, I sealed mine up on both my buses. Sprayed foamed them too. Nothing to worry about there
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Thanks guys! ;D