z driver 88t

I'm in the process of swapping in late-model seats to my '84 and noticed on the driver's side the "hard rubber-like coating" on the floor panel beneath the seat has crumbled and lifted in a small patch (maybe 7-inches X 6 inches). The rest of it seems to be solidly adhered to the floor with no evidence of crumbling ot lifting.

Any opinion whether I should coat this area with anything (undercoating? metal conditioner/preservative? some other type of brush on coating?) or just leave it? I'm guessing it was intended to provide sound insulation but not sure.

Guy

Floor insulation typically cracks where the floor is dented from a misplaced jack or lift etc. I left mine as it was as I don't think there is a suitable replacement that will look the part

Billu

merchauser

More important is the function of this material, rather than any appearance. Nobody is going to be
looking under your seats and carpets

I have always had good results with Dynamat products for sound deadening and heat resistance.

http://www.dynamat.com/

z driver 88t

That seems to be exactly what happened at some point in the car's history. The floor was slightly elevated at this location. I was able to flatten it with a rubber mallet. I'll research some of the items posted above and report back results.

Thanks.

upstate bob

The gold standard in the old days was POR, single stage, brush on, usually advertised in Hemmings. Excellent product. I recently tried a two can combo from VHT,
first a clear rust converter followed by black epoxy. I like it a lot. That said, there are a lot of new products being offered now that could be as good or better.
I'll go with VHT again on the underparts of a late model car. Stay away from rubberized products/bedliner goop. They hold in moisture once the barrier is breeched.

AG81

^
This is important. Something that is vapor permeable is always best.

auzivision

Hans recommended this to me years ago and it made a huge difference... of course, I did all the floors, firewall (as best I could), B pillar, and hatch area.

http://www.raamaudio.com/

I doubled down on the torque tube hump not only hushed noise but also reduced heat influx significantly.