The Party's Over!

[wetminkey]

I certainly do,...a pair that house my 6" two way speakers! But I think I've covered all the accesses from the exterior, so that they would not be a point of entry. But, do you know of a way that mice might access those holes that I have not already addressed? I'll pull my Kenwoods and work on those holes too, if you do.
Thanks, Todd.

[wetminkey]

81SPIDERMATT hypothesized about a "moat", and the information presented at this link is somewhat similar. I have bookmarked it in my Fiat file, and may add this too my Spider's mouseproofing as extra insurance, thanks!
Todd.

[wetminkey]

Quick question that I had not anticipated,...on convertible top re-installation, how do you properly readjust the main bow attachment (two countersunk screws on each side) to the body,...does anybody know?
I loosened mine to work behind the rear window pockets, and on re-installation, installed as per previous marks. Everything seems to be in correct alignment/fit, but I never trust just "eyeballing" things, it's always good to set it up by the book. And my shop manual does not cover anything like that (of course!).
Todd.

[bradartigue]

If it is any consolation the guy who originally assembled the thing likely eyeballed it.

[wetminkey]

Ha! Then mine should be perfect!
I spent a lot of time being sure it all lined up and looked good! But that's just me,...
Thanks, Todd.

[wetminkey]

Back down off jacks after re-adjusting the ebrake and tightening auto tranny pan bolts. Most of the carpet is back in, but I've got a couple of things I'm waiting on to dry,...trim on the auto shift bezel and rust stabilizer on the lower rear seat back attachments. I've found new, shiny hardware for any that was missing/broken/wrong and I need to come up with a full set for the stainless steel carpet trim at the door sills. Hope to do that tomorrow,...and to complete re-installation of the rest of the parts. Pics ASAP.
Todd.

[wetminkey]

Everything is re-installed other than the passenger's seat,...it will require one bolt for the seat-to-track that I'll have to get tomorrow. Shoulda bought two when I got one for the driver's side that was damaged/nearly sheared. Had to substitute an Allen wrench bolt for the large Phillips bolt due to availability. The seats and tracks work like new, now. Too bad I can't afford to reupholster at the moment,...
Even soaked and scrubbed the truck latch mechanism so it is ready for re-installation, along with it's original lock. It wasn't working well, and need only to be cleaned thoroughly. I had a new key tooled for it yesterday from a Bayless blank I bought years ago.
Spidey will need a pressure washing, including under the hood, before I can provide pics, but they're coming soon. I've had to deal with a lot of hardware issues to get this car re-assembled properly,...
Todd.

[wetminkey]

OOPS! Dead coil,...
Pics ASAP, but delayed until after pressure washing the exterior.
Damn thing is mouseproof though!!
Just won't run,...
Todd.

[wetminkey]

Wow! With some ignition changes, the car has been running fine since the last post.
But, more importantly, it's been mouse-proof (despite being parked in "mouse country") for over a year! And with only the changes I've made here.
Guess I'd better pound on my forehead (knock on wood)! Who knows, this could all change at a moment's notice,...damn rodents!
The little rats are certainly around, but have not found a way into the car so far.
I've not been using poison in, or near, the car this last year.
BTW,...there is no effective repellent for mice, if you were wondering. They must be unable to enter the car. I feel that I can give this advice pretty much as an "expert" by now,...
I hope this helps someone at some point. And I remain available via Private Messaging here to answer any questions, if necessary.
Good luck, all. See ya on the forum.
Todd.

[wetminkey]

Wow,...that was 2015.
It's February 2017 now and the Spider remains mouse-free, despite being stored in mouse country. I believe that my anti-mouse measures have worked well.
Lately I've been re-working some driver's rear fender bodywork that was done very poorly. I took down 3/8" of bondo in some areas before reworking the underlying crumpled metal. It is finishing out nicely now.
So much to do,...
Todd.

[wetminkey]

The Spider has been mouse free for quite awhile now. After removing, washing, and reinstalling the carpet and rear seat and pressure washing the floor and rear metal, the car does not have the smell that was left by mice. Sure took a lot of cleaning and time, though.

Unfortunately, it has some greater concerns. It was hit, front and rear, in a parking lot yesterday. Pass. fender took a head-on hit, front edge of hood is ugly, and rear panel is hit at both license plate light housings. Seems the new vehicles it got pinched between have higher bumpers, missing the Spider's low-slung bumpers.
Re-workable, but the pass. headlight outline is a squashed mess, and will take some real work to restore.
Pics soon. Busy with assessment/disassembly right now,...
Todd.

[nelsonj]

I hope you are okay. Sorry to hear about the car. Get well.

Peace.
Out.

[wetminkey]

Wow! Thank you so much for the kind words! Actually, only the car was hurt, but injured pretty badly at the front of the pass. fender,...it caught it straight on, just below the headlight rim. Didn't even break the headlight,...but shoved the area under it back several inches. Left it about 45 degrees down from straight ahead!
I'm hoping the fender can be pulled out, but the 'horn' of the fender (at hood hinges), adjacent to the headlight, looks like a knot so I suspect that it would have to be cut away, and a new one fabricated.
Front edge of the hood is ugly, and not just a simple crush/dent,...I may try for a new/used one. Shipping can be painful, though,...
Rear panel should be an easy pull in the two spots where the license plate lights attach,...I can even do that myself.
I'll have a lot of questions of y'all once I finish disassembly and get some pictures posted. I'll need some experienced advice!
Thanks again, nelsonJ.
Great folks on this forum!!
Todd.