Not much progress to show in the way of big ticket items, but plodding along on a bunch of smaller items. Hopefully I'll have some bigger things checked off the list in the next couple weeks. Dash cluster is getting close to completed, just need to finalize fitment on a couple things and decided to order a tic-toc-tach, so final assembly will wait for a bit. The grille is close to reassembly. The plastic parts are completed, grille frame is painted, i just need to sandblast and paint some of the bracketry for the light actuators. I am waiting on vacuum hoses and want to build the front wiring harness before I put it all together.
With the engine out, getting the last sections of the floor removed was a lot easier. I spent quite a bit of time cleaning inside the frame rails and trans crossmember and the inner rockers. They're not as clean as I might like them to be, but the worst of the dirt is out. I keep telling myself that whatever I do is better than nothing. I will sand/scuff what I can reach in prep for por-15 or chassis saver. The enclosed parts of the frame rails will get Eastwood internal frame coating.
I noticed water seeping past the windshield, so I decided to bite the bullet and remove it. I'll do the removal myself but get a pro to install it with a new rubber seal. Seems like cheap insurance. With the windshield out I'll remove and repaint the dash frame and re-glue the upper dash pad.
Trim removal went fairly well. I had a feeling the low-buck paint job was going to be a bit delicate around the trim since it was resprayed with the trim in place. Despite masking and cutting around the trim with a razor, I still had a couple small chips along the upper leading edge. Should be easy enough to touch up. The lower window channel looks really good without any visible rust. I guess I won't know for sure until I get the windshield out, but it looks promising so far.
Plan for the next couple weeks in no particular order:
- Remove windshield
- Remove dash frame
- Clean firewall, remove insulation
- Test-fit 1-piece floor pan, locate and drill holes for plug welding.
- Prep and paint inside of frame rails and along the rockers (por-15 or chassis saver)
- Prep and paint inside of quarters (probably spray chassis enamel, either Eastwood or Summit brand) in preparation for reinstalling quarter windows.
- Spray internal frame coating in the front frame rails and inner rockers
- Install new 3/8" fuel line and 1/4" return