I took last week off because it was too darned hot. I mean, like HOT X(
When it is hot you make mistakes. I am at a point right now where any mistakes I make will and can be devastating. Well, if I weld it down before checking it.
I did finally get on the lift. It really helps with the body mounting. My back still hurts from trying to shove and align the tub. I also had to help Dad get his TR back into the garage. He had started it (hard to get going) and backed it out so we could push mine around and onto the lift. It's facing the wrong way, but I don't care. His didn't want to start back up again later (he thinks the plugs are toast) so we had to push it back in, and now it sits where mine used to.
The PO, or maybe the PPO, or a combination of the two, filled in the front bolt holes on the original floor pan. There was braze in there as well as bondo. Got rid of the bondo, might have to live with the braze (its a very tiny amount next to my newly made bolt hole).
I am re-reading the above and cross-post on the other sight to make sure I have my ducks in a row. My kick panel area is nearly perfectly aligned and gets better if I clamp it down. I am planning on putting a few sheet metal screws to keep it aligned on the sill, spot weld, then grind off the heads/points after. The sill is new, but the kick panel isn't and the edge of it has gotten a little bunged up. We test fit the rockers and used a large furniture clamp to pull the rear tub forward and close up some gapping there. It's all clamped down waiting for me to get my confidence up to weld it. I do know a guy who could probably come over and do it for me if I chicken out. But I won't.
John, followed your directions to the letter, and even "dry fitted" the rocker panels. I'm rather excited to jump in and tack it in place, but won't. I want to double and triple check my measurements. I did reinstall the PS door to check my gaps. That was the last thing that I did today. I didn't even put the striker plate in though, just looking at what I have to deal with.
SP, thanks for your input. As for taking the tub back off, I thought that I would have better access to things internally with the car. The way our shop is set up, it would be quite easy to lift the tub off the frame (assuming it was all square and tight) and park it near the ceiling. If my frame, or running gear was in need of any work, I would be more inclined to do it without the body in the way. With the car on the lift today I could see how much work the PO (God rest his soul) did on it. Everything under there is clean and nice and rebuilt. Frame is shiny black and brake lines, are new. I forgot to look for the fuel line but can check again on Tuesday. Even the hubs and brakes are shiny and new (looking). We don't have an engine hoist unfortunately so the thought of installing it on the frame first has it's appeal. As far as paint is concerned, it will happen eventually, fairly soon at the rate I can go once this hurdle is crossed. Since there is little if any coating on the bottom of the tub, it's pretty important that I get to it pretty soon. Virginia has a huge amount of humidity and my new rocker panels already have some oxidization on them.
I'll get some pics up here Tuesday evening.
When it is hot you make mistakes. I am at a point right now where any mistakes I make will and can be devastating. Well, if I weld it down before checking it.
I did finally get on the lift. It really helps with the body mounting. My back still hurts from trying to shove and align the tub. I also had to help Dad get his TR back into the garage. He had started it (hard to get going) and backed it out so we could push mine around and onto the lift. It's facing the wrong way, but I don't care. His didn't want to start back up again later (he thinks the plugs are toast) so we had to push it back in, and now it sits where mine used to.
The PO, or maybe the PPO, or a combination of the two, filled in the front bolt holes on the original floor pan. There was braze in there as well as bondo. Got rid of the bondo, might have to live with the braze (its a very tiny amount next to my newly made bolt hole).
I am re-reading the above and cross-post on the other sight to make sure I have my ducks in a row. My kick panel area is nearly perfectly aligned and gets better if I clamp it down. I am planning on putting a few sheet metal screws to keep it aligned on the sill, spot weld, then grind off the heads/points after. The sill is new, but the kick panel isn't and the edge of it has gotten a little bunged up. We test fit the rockers and used a large furniture clamp to pull the rear tub forward and close up some gapping there. It's all clamped down waiting for me to get my confidence up to weld it. I do know a guy who could probably come over and do it for me if I chicken out. But I won't.
John, followed your directions to the letter, and even "dry fitted" the rocker panels. I'm rather excited to jump in and tack it in place, but won't. I want to double and triple check my measurements. I did reinstall the PS door to check my gaps. That was the last thing that I did today. I didn't even put the striker plate in though, just looking at what I have to deal with.
SP, thanks for your input. As for taking the tub back off, I thought that I would have better access to things internally with the car. The way our shop is set up, it would be quite easy to lift the tub off the frame (assuming it was all square and tight) and park it near the ceiling. If my frame, or running gear was in need of any work, I would be more inclined to do it without the body in the way. With the car on the lift today I could see how much work the PO (God rest his soul) did on it. Everything under there is clean and nice and rebuilt. Frame is shiny black and brake lines, are new. I forgot to look for the fuel line but can check again on Tuesday. Even the hubs and brakes are shiny and new (looking). We don't have an engine hoist unfortunately so the thought of installing it on the frame first has it's appeal. As far as paint is concerned, it will happen eventually, fairly soon at the rate I can go once this hurdle is crossed. Since there is little if any coating on the bottom of the tub, it's pretty important that I get to it pretty soon. Virginia has a huge amount of humidity and my new rocker panels already have some oxidization on them.
I'll get some pics up here Tuesday evening.