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The further adventures of #2613
#2613's engine replacement thread started getting way off track so I decided to start another thread devoted to the other repairs/modifications I've made to the car. I'll start with the interior lighting.
Using the same dome lights that John Dore used in his DMC-24, I cut 2" holes in the headliner, one just behind the stock dome light and one above the parcel shelf. #2613 still has the original cardboard headliners and the cloth is not in great shape, so the idea was that if I didn't like it, I could go back to stock when I upgrade to fiberglass headliners.
I got really tired of the old plunger switches so I replaced them with magnetic reed switches. They're activated by a magnet glued to the inner surface of each door's trim.
The result:
Attachment 59502
As you can see, moving the dome light rearward slightly also improves visibility in the footwells. However, I will probably add footwell lighting at some point in the future.
Hella "Supertone" horn upgrade & relocation
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Working on the trunk area
Today's work:
- replaced hood release cable with a new stainless steel cable from DMC Texas
- replaced hood release spring with a new stronger spring from DMC Texas
- replaced hood release cable bracket with a new stainless steel bracket from DPI
- replaced hood intrusion brackets with new stainless brackets from DPI
- replaced hood strut mount brackets with new stainless brackets from DPI
Attachment 59568
Attachment 59569
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFctPA15vWs
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Stainless stuff & work in the trunk area
I decided to tackle the rusty hardware in the trunk. The hood stops threw me a loop: when I removed them, the tops came apart.
Attachment 59581
I improvised a solution with 1/2" black nylon nut covers. They don't look half bad:
Attachment 59582
New stainless hood intrusion brackets from DPI. Of course I installed them with stainless hardware:
Attachment 59583
Stainless trunk strut brackets from DPI. Yes, all of the hardware in this photo is also stainless: the screws are black anodized. I could have gone with plain stainless, but I like the look of the original black screws so I decided to replicate it. However, instead of split washers I used Belleville washers. Belleville washers are conical so they have a smaller outer diameter than a flat washer. That's why they just barely peek out from under the screw heads.
Attachment 59584
More uses for black anodized stainless steel 13mm hex nuts:
Attachment 59585
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Attachment 59587
I just love little details like that.
The trunk area still needs some TLC: The seal is cracked and falling off, and the carpet pieces are also beginning to let go. I could also paint the area, perhaps, but I don't mind certain parts of the car showing its age, and the inside of the trunk is hardly ever seen, anyway. I will replace the seal, though. Also, the masonite backing for the lower carpet piece is warped, either through heavy cargo or through moisture intrusion over the years. I will make a waterproof replacement.