So as if I don't have enough to do with the B20 engine build I decide to gut the interior and tackle the floors. "Somebody" offered to help out so hopefully the grunt work passes me by.
Also tore out the ugly A/C unit, the weird Blaupunkt stereo control head and the 140 sourced (I think, definitely doesn't work in a 122) finger pinching floor console. I knew from a quick peek under the rubber floor before that there was some rust and fortunately it's all just surface rust and no holes. The drivers floor is the worst with some crusty stuff, but it's all pretty hard.
Couple of trim removal questions, the hood release knob should just thread off? I tried holding the shaft with a pair of pliers but it's either really tight or not threaded? The rear seat 1/4 panels, other than the 2 obvious screws and the seat belt retractor bolt what holds these on? Must be some sort of lift up and off thing?? No obvious screws at the back but it's still attached.
Planning on POR-15'ing the floor, seems to be some conflict online about prepping. I was going to clean and degrease, then wire wheel the real crusty stuff on the drivers floor and hit the rest of the painted areas with a DA sander (say 80 grit) to scuff it up. Then another clean followed by the Metal Ready and then the POR-15. Sound like a plan?
Also, before I put it all back together Craig had noticed awhile back that whoever installed the iPd sway bars in the rear never put down the reinforcing plates on the back panel. I can't see paying $90 USD just for the rear bar install kit to get just those plates, any ideas on what material they are made out of and how big? I'm guessing it's fairly thin/soft as iPd's instructions talk about setting it in place and hammer forming it in to the position over the rear panel stamping.