Long overdue update:
I put up a bunch of T8 fluorescent lights in the garage so I could see what I was doing.
I discovered why I lost my clutch! This is the $400+ ACT unit that I installed with the matching 6puck sintered clutch. less than 10K on it and NO racing.
I figured It was a good opportunity to clean this guy up, and…
paint it to match the engine
Next up I decided it was time to open up the grille a little so that I could sneak the oil cooler in behind it.
Step1: drill a bunch of tiny holes.
Step2 cut between with a tiny cutoff wheel and X-acto as needed.
Step 3: File like mad, and then sand
The finished product. I think it will look pretty stock once I dye it black again, and it is mounted.
Time for this beast to come back out.
Off the mounts and on the ground. Ready to jack the car and slide it out.
Out of the way for now.
A lot of work remains.
Good thing I have my little helper.
And a new bigger helper
Powersteering bracket deleted
Battery tray deleted. Note the big rust hole to repair
Progress albeit small
Coolant reservoir bracket deleted
Time to attack the interior
Almost all of the rust is surface. I have only found one spot where it rotted through the floorboard, and there was a big rust through in the firewall above, so no surprise.
A couple of bags full of our worst fears. I have carefully labeled everything. As part of this I am going to tuck the wires as much as possible, and I anticipate that I will be pretty much rebuilding this whole rat's nest.