Last days of chassis freedom

The last tasks prior to replacing the body have been completed. I installed the remaining shroud, the carb and the heater boxes. I redid some of the wiring: new spark cables, repaired back up lamp cable, and repaired the insulation on the battery to starter cable. Here's the finished engine from the back and from the side:

Very nice. You'll see the fuel filter is missing. I moved it to the the gas tank instead (to reduce risk of fire). I checked the grommets in the firewall and chassis; I replaced them as necessary (and as available). The best part was being able to put in the missing grommets on the accelerator cable shaft. That loose shaft had been bugging me for years! I used standard 1/2" hole plugs and cut the right size orifices in them. Worked like a charm. Here they are:

As an added bonus I just happened to find a replacement at the auto shop for the fan flap clippie thing that I had lost.

Next prep item was getting the body seal in place. I held it in place with glue and I out the body bolts through the seal to help keep it in place. A couple nails in the front where the pan curves were useful too. Where I cut the seal to turn corners, I used a bit of window ribbon sealer like so:

After I cleaned out all the threads for the body bolts we were ready to get the body back on.

I enlisted the help of Jenny, Nekarda, Anna, Hannon, and Alicia. We lowered the car down slowly; every several inches we re-tightened the straps holding it to the ceiling (if you don't know what I'm talking about look at this post). It all went as according to plan as it could. The body's now on the pan and all the (old) bolts are in. I still need to replace bolts, but this is how it will be for now.

All told I used my friends' help for just about an hour. Y'all MF'n rock! You're cheaper and more legal than hiring undocumented labor.

There she is all finished:

I've gotten so used to seeing the body hanging up high that it feels so short now. The garage also feels much more spacious.

The rear looks a bit odd without the apron:

Well that's it as far as restoring in San Diego goes. The project now moves to Corvallis, Oregon. To get the car ready, I'm reassembling a good part of it - fenders, running boards, bumper brackets, seats, steering column. Most of this will come right back off in Corvallis - bummer. I also acquired the rear apron at Interstate, so after a small break while I get installed in Corvallis and take a break from this project, I'll be ready to do body prep work. Damn it's gonna look good.

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Monday: 3 hrs, Wednesday: 7 hrs. Thursday: 4 hours (plus 5 volunteer person-hours). Moving-related tasks not counted