New 87 GN (Topic merged with "It's On!" post)

[SuperSix]

Got some work done yesterday - PITA stuff, but I need to do it.

Removed brake booster and master cylinder.
I have a new booster/MC assembly I will put back on once I finish painting the engine compartment.

I worked on the wiring harness, wrapped, and covered in loom. Still a lot of work to do, i need to order some replacement connectors - temp sensor, MAF connector, etc. Prior owner wasn't too keen on being careful with the weatherpak connectors.

Sanded, and cleaned up the wiper arms - taped them off, painted the rest of the back firewall, i need to put 1-2 more coats on it.

Goddamn garage cam lens didn't open all the way again. Fuck, I need to remember to check that.

Disassembled, sanded, and painted firewall:






Completed HVAC blower and airbox. I used clear engine enamel on it, and semi gloss on the blower - of course, some loom and zip ties added:




Wiring:




Previous owner drilled a bunch of holes for gauge wires, boost/vacuum line, etc. I need to clean this up. I don't have a welder, or know how to weld, so I and thinking of JB Welding a small patch panel over these holes, and drilling one proper, grommeted hole for all wires/lines/etc. (Boost, oil pressure gauge, etc)


Any suggestions on how to repair this, short of welding in a patch panel?

[$1987 GN$]

Since you do not have a welder then another way is need.

Ok; so what you need to do is clean the metal up, make your patch panel to cover that area to your liking.

Then go and get some panel adhesive and fasten it. You can put some seam sealer around the edges if you did not make a nice job with the adhesive.

Then prep for paint and carry on.

AJ___

[Scoobum]

Wait till ya' blow a head gasket(s)...and all your work will go for not. Looks real purdy to this point tho.

[Scoobum]

I'd dimple those holes in a good 1/4"...and then fill 'em...but not quite flush with premixed fiberglass...s hort strand. Use bondo to fill the last 1/16". Paint it...and you'll never know they were there.

[SuperSix]

Wait till ya' blow a head gasket(s)...and all your work will go for not. Looks real purdy to this point tho.

I understand that - but this thing really needed to be cleaned. There's this fine SE USA red/brown duct on EVERYTHING. The car spent almost all of it's time in TX / AZ / etc..

I have never had a TR so apart, so I like cleaning, prepping and painting various surfaces. Sure - some will get nicked, etc if/when I pop a head gasket - but until then, it will look great.

I'd dimple those holes in a good 1/4"...and then fill 'em...but not quite flush with premixed fiberglass...s hort strand. Use bondo to fill the last 1/16". Paint it...and you'll never know they were there.

Good idea - I didn't even think of using fiberglass and Bondo. 

Thanks!

[SuperSix]

I also want to reseal the factory grommets for the speedo cable, throttle cable, parking brake cable etc..

I guess I should have done that before I painted around them, I assume that whatever sealant i use would be better on an unpainted surface.

Can I just use silicone? Or should I use panel adhesive/seam sealer?

[SuperSix]

Oh, and I tore the shit out of the booster > firewall gasket. i assume I can piece it together if need be - are these still available to buy new?

[Scoobum]

I've never looked close enuf to see if the grommets have sealer around 'em. I'd think they'd fit in snugly and wouldn't need any. Not sure if you can get the gasket or not. Mite check with GBODY or Glen at Highway Stars. Could you not use the old gasket as a template to make a new one?

[SuperSix]

I've never looked close enuf to see if the grommets have sealer around 'em. I'd think they'd fit in snugly and wouldn't need any. Not sure if you can get the gasket or not. Mite check with GBODY or Glen at Highway Stars. Could you not use the old gasket as a template to make a new one?

Yea - they do have some sort of mastic - it's white.

Thanks

[$1987 GN$]

I also want to reseal the factory grommets for the speedo cable, throttle cable, parking brake cable etc..

I guess I should have done that before I painted around them, I assume that whatever sealant i use would be better on an unpainted surface.

Can I just use silicone? Or should I use panel adhesive/seam sealer?

Silicone should not be used on metal connections as it is corrosive, RTV as most call it uses acetic acid which will eat metals, now having said that I know we use some types to seal mains intake valley's etc but you should be using the correct RTV for that job. The engine has enough pores in the castings to have a film of oil there at all times and reduces the acid action.

On the fire wall, it will eat it away, 

Urethane is good  and cheap; plus you can warm it up in the tube to be able to make a fine bead out the end of the tube. You do need to prep the metal when using urethane.

Panel adhesive is superior and stronger and non corrosive, would be my first choice. If I did not have a welder.

The best thing to use to seal around the grommets is butyl rubber you can buy it at any auto supply store. Messy to work with but made for metal contact sealing, but remains ply-able over the years. You could use urethane to seal around the grommets, just make super sure they are where you want them and only use as much as need to create a film there.


AJ___

[daveismissing]

RTV is Radio-TV silicone which is supposed to be non corrosive to electronics.
The non RTV Silicones you need to watch out for.
Neutral-Cure is best.

[$1987 GN$]

RTV is Radio-TV silicone which is supposed to be non corrosive to electronics.
The non RTV Silicones you need to watch out for.
Neutral-Cure is best.

RTV = room temperature vulcanization

RTV-2 is different stuff again most people have never heard of it and it is a potting etc material.

I am not a chemist and she is busy from what I hear. So anything more than the what the stuff does and is used  for is all I know.

Just trying to help out, back to mu hole. 

AJ___

[daveismissing]

You are correct.  RTV-2 is the friendly closer to neutral cure stuff.
I musta pulled that radio-tv urban legend outa my azzz...

[SuperSix]

Still chipping away at it - decided to stop being so anal about everything and just get it back together.

I had pulled out the wiper motor to paint behind it, today I got it ready to reinstall. One of the screws holding the black cover on was broken (of course), and it was on near the connector, close to two spring steel tangs that pass a signal from the wiper motor body to the cover, so I had no choice but to drill it out and replace the screw with a nut and bolt. The washer motor was locked up, so I took it apart, fixed it, and put it back together again. Prepped and painted it - it looks great now.

I painted the wiper arm, prepped and painted the replacement brake booster, and bench bled the master cylinder. The booster and M/C should be back in tomorrow.

I installed a new high-pressure power steering line from NOS4GN - great part.

Prepped and painted the radiator hold down - it's ready to go, installed the cruise servo, and power steering reservoir and bracket, and put most of the heater box brackets/parts back in. (All were pulled for paint long ago)

Feels good to be working on her - I plan to keep plugging away!

[Charlief1]

Glad to see it Mark. I got my car up off the ground in preperation of changing the frame. I've been dreading that part.