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So I started trying to get the interior put back together. I bought some foil backed underlayment and new footwell carpet for the driver and passenger sides. But first, you have to get the seat belts in. And I realized I did a pretty big screw up. There are 3 seat belt reinforcement plates on each seat in 68. The inner, center and outer reinforcement plates. When I had the body off, I replaced the inner and center plates. But for whatever reason I missed the outer plate on both sides. And of course, it’s pinned between the body and frame rail. I was initially going to shove some grade 8 bolts through the rusted plates, but having gone this far, that felt too cheap and like too much of a shortcut. So I will now have to take the body bolts out and unhook whatever things are needed so I can lift the body with a jack and get the seat belt plates out. Just when I was starting to think there was a light at the end of the tunnel…. Stupid move on my part to forget to replace these when I had the body off the frame for a freakin year. Look at those rusted sheets of metal flaking off that plate. I can’t let that stay…
Short story: I lifted the body off the frame 6" to replace the mounts.
Knowing I would need to replace the fuel line sooner or later I added 1/2" to the pucks/spacers to add clearance between the body and frame.
Reading this thread I realize I didn't reinstall the underbody reinforcement plates either.
I"m hoping I can reinstall the outer reinforcement plates because of the extra gap I provided I will check tomorrow and let you know how much (or little) lift you will need...rather than raising the body a foot or two.
(P.M. me if you need the info, as I get dyslexified easily))
So why would any of this be easy? I got all of the rear bumper braces off, the center seat belt safety cable out, plus all of the body bolts out of the car. Boy, do those come out easy when they are brand new! But that was the only easy part. When I try to jack the body up from the frame, the body lifts about 2-3 inches, then I think the weight pivots and the frame starts lifting with the body. Of freakin course it does. Why would it be easy to jack the body off the frame? You can see the gap between the jack stand and the frame. Guess I’ll have to attack this some other way. At least the new seat belt backing plates are ordered and have arrived. I just can’t install them yet!
Ok, so I had to put the tires back on it and drop the car off the jack stands. Then I was able to get the passenger side body lifted. Once the car wasn’t supported so far behind the front wheels, the body lifted pretty easy. And of course, I was so excited that I got it lifted, and could weasel in the new one, I didn’t take any pictures. Maybe when I do the drivers side. So here’s the old right next to the new left. This wasn’t necessary, was it? Even though this is a real pain to do, I just couldn’t half *** it.
So one side down, one to go. Yeah, I just pop riveted it in place. There’s another point off…
Ok so this was a real pain. I pretty much had to remove the rear bumpers, drop that antenna ground, and remove the other 4 body bolts (which again was easy with new bolts).But I got the drivers side jacked into the air and was able to remove the drivers side outer seat belt backing plate. This one was in much worse condition than the passenger side. Not much left of the metal. Lifting the body off the frame (again)
And then I was able to get that backing plate out from under the car. The new one is riveted in place and looks much better than the 55 year old original one.
So new seat backing plate and seat belt backing plate. Along with that new stainless brake line. I’m much happier that this plate got replaced too.
Now I get to re-install the rear bumpers tomorrow and then I can get back to where I was, putting the interior back together before I got side stepped to replace something I should have done when the body was off the car.
Another good milestone. The barrel shroud has been custom fitted and is now in place. The upper radiator support bracket had to be welded and repositioned to fit. But the radiator is back in. So there isn’t much holding me back from starting the engine now. Hopefully in a few weeks.
I also finally got the steering box back from the rebuilder too. That took longer than it should have, but that’s a long story. Regardless, it is done and fully rebuilt. I didn’t really have issues with my original steering box, but it was yet another of those “I’ll fix it as long as I have it out already”. Now I have to deal with rebuilding the rag joint. That is proving to be fun. Drilling and punching rivets out.
I’m not sure why, but this feels like a big deal getting the radiator in. Things are getting close. I mostly need to finish getting the interior done and it will be just about ready to go.
So todays task was finishing up the steering column. It is now all done. New rag joint and rebuilt steering gear. Next time, do NOT try to alight the steering wheel with the front wheels while the car is on the ground. My “guess” was way off. Being able to turn the column and the wheels to make the car go forward works much better when the front wheels are in the air. I’m putting off the interior for some reason. I know it will be a pain, but it has to be done.
So big day. First start of the car in over 3 years. Only a couple f*ck ups. First, the distributor hold down was loose. And the big one. After starting it, we noticed a big oil puddle on the floor. I panicked. What the F? I didn’t even touch the freakin’ engine! Why was it leaking oil? Finally realized I forgot to put the pressure gauge line back on. Of course it was removed with the body. So I panicked for nothing. Quick tighten with the line wrench and back to starting it. Other than that, surprisingly easy considering I replaced both engine bay wiring harnesses. Literally started first time cranking it over. So now the only thing left is the interior. Gotta do the center console and seats. Then of course it needs to go to the alignment shop. But I can almost smell the end. It’s been 3 long years, but this was huge starting the engine today.
So big day. First start of the car in over 3 years. Only a couple f*ck ups. First, the distributor hold down was loose. And the big one. After starting it, we noticed a big oil puddle on the floor. I panicked. What the F? I didn’t even touch the freakin’ engine! Why was it leaking oil? Finally realized I forgot to put the pressure gauge line back on. Of course it was removed with the body. So I panicked for nothing. Quick tighten with the line wrench and back to starting it. Other than that, surprisingly easy considering I replaced both engine bay wiring harnesses. Literally started first time cranking it over. So now the only thing left is the interior. Gotta do the center console and seats. Then of course it needs to go to the alignment shop. But I can almost smell the end. It’s been 3 long years, but this was huge starting the engine today.
This is great news! Happy for you after three years of hard work. From an ex- "neighbor in Parma". Lou.
Thanks Lou. You had a big hand in pointing me in the direction of getting the 69 frame horns, radiator core and various other front end parts to fit this car. Hope you’re enjoying your time in the Carolina’s.
Progress is slowing down and the end is in sight. Getting the interior done. New footwell carpet, got the center console in place, the kick panel and the rocker panel on the drivers side. Just about the only thing left is the passenger interior stuff and the seats. I could have this done today, but of course, it’s raining here. Maybe the rain will hold off tomorrow and I can go for the maiden voyage. A slow trip around the block. But I can smell the end. Almost there!
Looking great.
Nice work!
It was 106, dry and no breeze here today.
101 in the garage and 96 while I was mowing the yard.
I would have welcomed a bit of rain.
Well there it is. After 3 long years, my car is finally back on the road. The alignment of course is very questionable, but aligning it with a tape measure, it didn’t track too poorly. Unfortunately, I broke one of the exhaust manifold gaskets getting the exhaust manifold moved to accommodate installation of the exhaust pipe on the passenger side. So it is a little loud. But that’s an easy fix. There are some electrical gremlins to work out (left parking light doesn’t work), but all in all, I consider this a successful first run. And look, even the reverse lights still work! I had help from my neighbor and a good friend of mine, so although I did a lot of the work myself, I could not have done it alone. As is usually the case with a job like this. So a hearty thanks to Erik and Bryan for all of the time spent in my garage. Now on to fix all of the details that are still lingering. So driving does not mean done! But it sure as hell felt good to get it on the road, even if it was just around the block.
I will check tomorrow and let you know how much (or little) lift you will need...rather than raising the body a foot or two.
