opening-bottom of smugglers box

[inaminit]

Well- I am going to have to sit in the front of the class and pay attention for a change. I was probing around in my new to me 76-cleaning and fixing a lot of little things as I went along. But I noticed that a droplight on the floor under the car was shining inside the smugglers box. So I raised the car and took the plate off, and sure enough-there is a big opening where the steering column passes through. There is no cover or gasket shown in PET, and there are no mounting points for a plate. Is this the way the factory intended it to be? Thanks for your answers.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by inaminit

Is this the way the factory intended it to be? Thanks for your answers.

Unfortunately no. The only holes in the smuggler's box is a quarter-sized drain hole in the bottom. Then there should be a triangular shaped hole into the cabin under the passengers foot board (note: many dealers cut these holes in odd shapes) and lastly there is a circular hole at the top for the blower to the vents.

Here's the only pictures I have (not my car):

From the passenger compartment


Looking from the top of Smuggler's Box (with condenser)

[dshepp806]

How about some pics from you, inaminit?

BEST!

Doyle

[MikeD]

There is a large opening where the steering column passes thru to the rack below. There was a foam seal originally in my 74 but it disintegrated. I find that mice like to get in thru there so I have the openings stuffed and taped closed.

[inaminit]

These are looking at the steering shaft passing down through the smugglers box.


Perfect for mouse nesting, or maybe a bee nest which was the case on this car.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by MikeD

There is a large opening where the steering column passes thru to the rack below. There was a foam seal originally in my 74 but it disintegrated. ...

I can't find a foam seal in the PET diagram (for 1973) -- any ideas on a part no.?

[inaminit]

Foam would work to keep drafts and dirt from entering, but would need a mouse proof outer cover. In the Tidybouy photos there seems to be no gap, but the angle of the photo makes it hard to be sure. I most definitely do not want to leave the gap open on this car, since it will be stored during the winter.

[tharbert]

I just pulled the front suspension off my 72 and there was no foam. #29 (sealing bellows) press fit into the top of the rack and displaced the majority of the opening into the smuggler's hatch, sealed at the top by the rubber mounting under the universal joint.