DISASSEMBLY – Removing the floor pans

Today I started to cut out the pasenger-side floor pan. First, I made some measurements from the tunnel to the bolt holes alongside the outer edge of the pan, and from the support structures at either end of the pan to the first bolt holes on the side. This will hopefully allow me to double-check that the new pan is installed correctly, both front-to-back and from tunnel-to-side. If I cut the new pan, say, too short in the front, or if I install it too closely against the tunnel (or not close enough) then maybe I’ll have trouble lining up the bolt holes when I go to put the body back on. Or, the seats will not be in the right place, and might interfere with some other structure in the car. I think the pan would have to be off by more than an inch in either direction to cause problems, though, so some moderately accurate measurements should help me keep it close enough.

PARTS – Fasteners

New, stainless steel fasteners have arrived from England.

I wanted to upgrade the fasteners holding the chassis to the body, so I picked up a set from a gentleman on eBay (Member id: dcmotorsportuk). Some people sell these kits and include the rectangular mounting brackets, but I decided to keep my originals, and just clean them. The bolts could be cleaned too, I suppose, but some of the broke anyway when I was taking them out; I think the stainless will give me a longer-lasting, rust-resistant fastener.

Also, the engine tin bolts just seem to deform when you take them out. Straight-slot heads are tough when they get rusted. So I also picked up a set of engine tin fasteners from the same eBay seller.

DISASSEMBLY – Part 14

Finished removing all the bolts that hold the body to the chassis. First, I made sure I got the bolts and brackets alongside the car — there are nine on each side. There are four bolts and washers inside the car, underneath the back seat. Some websites show that these have a similar bracket as the fasteners underneath the side of the car; mine only had bolts and washers. Next, there are two on each side of the car near where the running board meets the front fender. Then, there is a bolt, washer, and bracket on the mounting post near the rear shock (one bolt on each side of the car). Finally, there are two bolts, brackets, and rubber mounts underneath the gas tank in the front.