The serious overhaul begins...

[woodman]

OK guys. Its time for me to show you mine. I took the plunge and dropped the drivetrain, to give it a once over and deal with the engine bay. This is my first time posting pictures, so hope it works ok.

I first plan on putting on new gaskets and seals all around to stop leakage. The engine ran ok before, but leaked liked a mother. M & T mounts are shot of course. I'll also put in steel fuel lines, new throttle and clutch cables. I've posted before about the tunnel rust, which isn't cronic yet, but does need treatment.

I have dealt with the rear shift linkage, that was shot.

The firewall isn't rusty, what you see is just adhesive from the sound pad. I figure I'll repaint and put an aftermarket sound pad or something on.

Any comments or tips welcomed. Hope not to just lurk from now on.

Thanks for all the help thus far.
Steve

[Zeke]

Is your firewall OK? That is an unusual shadow on the driver's side.

[woodman]

It's fine I think. It just isn't flat from side to side. As though it is contoured for the seats or something. The cars never been wrecked or anything like that.

[John2kx]

Steve,

From the pics it looks like you have a excellent platform to work with. Actually, one of the best I've seen in the past year or so that I've been on this board.

Looks like it has been repainted according to the tunnel pic and difference in colors seen in this area. I may be wrong but my car does not have paint on two metal lines under brake line..........but my car is black, so what do I know.

I'd take the time to get rid of that "canister" in battery location, treat rust around rear trunk hinge(s) and do this right while the drive train is removed. I'd also leave the firewall naked and paint original color to show off level of detail you put into restoration...............well, you asked.

John

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The cannister is the charcoal cannister. It was attached to the battery tray in the late-74+ cars.

--DD

[John2kx]

Dave,

I'm not familar with this model year. Where did the battery go? Does not look like enough room for canister and battery on same mount.

John

[woodman]

The battery has been removed and the cannister was simply resting on the tray. The cannister is suspended by a band that wraps around its width and held by the bolt that secures the battery clamp. Its a real clumsy set up, don't know how to modify it. But if it aint broke...

I can post a pic if you want.

[3D914]

woodman,

Is that a rusted battery tray hiding under the charcoal cannister? If so, you'll definately want to address that.

Also I can think of some other things to look for.

• Check each corner of the engine bay to be sure drain holes are not plugged by debri or some PO.
• Check the condition of the trunk hinge plates (semi-circuar plate welded to the side wall of the engine bay) to see if there is any fatique.
• Check the condition of the rubber seals along the front and sides of the engine bay. If they're deteriorated or torn up, replacements are inexpensive.
• If you've had any oil seapage, you'll want to clean any that was sprayed under the trunk and rear of engine bay. I suggest something simple like - Easy Off oven spray. Great for getting off that baked on oil. Just spray on, let soak, and rinse off.
• This is also a good time to check/clean all your ground connections. The one under the rear trunk, and especially the one right behind the drivers seat under the circuit board.

Enjoy!

[74914]

Good time to bleed the prop valve if your pedal feels spongy? I've wondered how this is done.
Ed

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Just to be clear on this:
The charcoal cannister hangs off of the battery tray on the later cars. The battery still goes on the tray, but the cannister is attached to the tray. In the pic, as was noted, the cannister has been unbolted and put on the tray just to keep it out of the way.

On my old 74 1.8 (weird mix of early-74 and late-74 feratures, BTW) the cannister was on the rear bulkhead of the engine bay, not the battery tray. Not sure if it was factory.

--DD

[woodman]

Here's a few more pics. The rust is suprisingly not too bad (at pedal cluster). Overall, the worst rust is at the battery tray, the trunk hinge points where some welding had been done and at the brake line brakets (mounted to the body). Oh, and of course, the brake rotors and calipers need turning and rebuilding due to alot of rust.

What do you guys think of the tranny? Does it look like the rear cover is leaking? Is it worth putting new gaskets on or just leave it alone?

Of course I could continue down the long "to do" list, but I think everyone has virtually the same one memorized

[Zeke]

Reminds me of about a year ago when I brought mine home. Would I do it again? Prolly not. At least not all by myself like this one.

[woodman]

Milt, an extra hand is always welcome.

It could be alot worse. I just want to have a fun and safe car to cruise in. We'll see how it goes. Maybe when the smog requirements are lifted, I can goose it up a bit.