1978 rolling restoration

[DocGraphics]

I've been busy the last 2 days.

I got the interior all back together! Yea!

First I layed out the carpet face down & traced the patterns on the back using a silver sharpie, I have previously test fit the paper patterns & made just a couple adjustments.




Then I test fit all the pieces & trimmed where needed



After test fitting I used spray adhesive to glue on the outsides & interior sides & the front piece of the storage deck, then all the center pieces are are just set in snuggly in between, I'll glue them later if need be.




Heres after all the pieces are installed w/ consoles & seat belts,also the rear storage deck & speaker box installed.





Finally I got the seats back in! What a pain getting the rear nuts on the seat mounts w/ no adjustment to move the seats out of the way.



I think they look great & don't sit too high. The high backs don't stick up too high either.



& the final piece to top it all off.......Michigan Shorter Shifter (thanks mike)



All this just in time for my dead line of getting my license back TOMORROW!

I still have the consoles, dash & door panels to do to completely finish the interior but for now TIME TO DRIVE!

More to come...

[124JOE]

you may need an aviation license
for flying low

[DocGraphics]

Heres some pics of it all back together again ready for the road.





I think she sits a little high now after taking the bumpers off, so it will definately get lowered when I go thru the suspension.

Wish me luck on all my tests tomorrow, hope I havn't forgot how to drive...Ha Ha!

More to come...

[124JOE]

GOOD LUCK

[jimmycakes401]

I'm jealous. I have a LOOOOONG way to go.

[SanRafaelFaz]

Heres some pics of it all back together again ready for the road.

I think she sits a little high now after taking the bumpers off, so it will definately get lowered when I go thru the suspension.

Wish me luck on all my tests tomorrow, hope I havn't forgot how to drive...Ha Ha!

More to come...

Excellent work! Couple of questions. Are you going to use alternate bumpers? I love the look but I live in a big city where people drive like sh*t, and I need some protection! Also, I really like those seats you put in. May I ask where you got them, what brand, ball park cost, etc.? You mentioned that they were a bear to install because of the rear bolts and no way to move the seat out of the way. I haven't removed my seats yet so can you tell me if the problem reaching the bolt is due to your new seats or will I have that problem re-installing my stock seats?
Thanks and good luck with your great looking project!
P.S. I really like the rear storage deck idea, too. I may have to steal that one!

[WBPDX]

I think it is hilarious that we used the same seats, and my plan for the back seat all along has been exactly what you've done! Great minds!

Just noticed we also have almost identical wheels - I haven't seen many with that type of wheel - Mine are CCS brand?

[DocGraphics]

Sanraf, heres a link to the seats I ordered

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2x-CIVIC ... ccessories

Under $300 shipped & got here in like 4 days.
They have like 6 different styles in their store to choose from.

Removing the factory seats you can slide them forward & back to get at the screws easily.
The reason mine are hard to get to is they are direct mounted w/ no sliders & nuts need to screw on from bottom of studs I put in the seats (look back in this thread for the details)

To mount these seats w/ the sliders look at WBPDX's resto thread, he welded in cross bars lower to mount them w/ the sliders, I may go that route if my solid mounts become an issue. Great solution.
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... a&start=30

As far as bumpers I'm leaning toward the Abarth bumperettes but kinda spendy.

& the rear storage area design I got from foster48x's posts, search "rear seat storage area" by him for the design.


WBPDX, yep great minds....& we did it at them at the same time.
My wheels have KBA & BWA 203 cast into the outside but I don't know much more.
I think I mught be doing something real similar to what you did on your door panels too.

FYI...finally driving her & Iv'e put 150+ miles on my girl in the last 2 days & have to say this is the most fun & comfortable car to drive I have ever had...& is sounds sooooo cool!

[DocGraphics]

So I'm finally driving her & I REALLY love the way she drives, feels & sounds. I put on 200 miles in 3 days.
She runs up to 70mph without a second thought, tracks perfectly straight & handles great & stops great.

But...heres what I have to deal w/ next.
Front suspension bushings are SHOT on top & probably the bottom, both front tires lean in to the top.
Looks knock-kneed! (and yet it handles great)



Better pic of drivers side


Took off the wheel to look at the bushings & the top even looks obviously out of center. I can flex the upper arm forward & back like a 1/4" by hand (again it handles great)
On a good note it has new pads & rotors & the shock towers are perfect, Yea!



I will order new bushings this week & do both the uppers & the lowers.
Ball joints apear & feel good at this point but will inspect further once the suspension is apart.
I had planned on going thru the suspension eventually, guess I'm doing it now, and while I'm at it I will be cutting the springs a bit to at least compensate for removing the bumpers, probably 1 coil all the way around for now & see how it does.

So with what I found today with the suspension & I think it handles great now, whats it going to be like when it's right?

More to come...

[jimmycakes401]

I think I'm going to hit all my suspension rubber while my car is up. Glad you are digging you car.

[majicwrench]

Don,
The upper balljoints are a real problem on these cars. With the car on the ground, grab the top of the tire and see if you can move it in and out. If so, BJ likely bad, have someone look underneath while pushing/pulling. If you are checking BJ with car jacked up the BJ is loaded and you will not see play. Also, there are washers you can remove from the lower a-arm mounting to change camber.
My 72 looked about like yours till I did BJs.

Something about that pic of the upper a-arm and bolt does not look right. Methinks it's those spot welds. Might have to look again in the morn when the beer buzz is gone.

Might have to head your way. Still dreaming of a car with all four hubcaps...

[DocGraphics]

Majicwrench, I'll be ordering the bushings this week & then tear into it, I have checked the BJ's like that & seemed fine but I will check again HARDER before I order parts.
Looks like my trip over to see your part of the country is post poned a little till I get this fixed, Let me know if your planning to come over, I'm not commited to anything except the fair the last weekend of the month (24th-28th working Lions Club food booth) & should be available anytime on the weekends or after work. Looking forward to meeting you. Maybe I can get schnauser (jim) to come over at the same time too.

We took a scenic drive all the way around Hayden Lake this evening after going to a weekly car show/get together at our local drive in (my first time w/ or w/o a car), what a lovely evening.
The lake road doesn't have a straight away of more than 10 ft over 20+ miles, right-left-right-left-uphill-downhill-shift! fun drive! I can't imagine what this car will be like to drive with proper front suspension as I think it drives & handles great now.

Overlooking Hayden Lake

[DocGraphics]

Well I bit the bullett today & ordered a complete set of new a-arms.

Decided that the cost of all new pieces to fill my existing arms is only about $100 different than just buying new,
& my labor to swap it all out would out weigh that difference so just went for it!

Looks like I'll be very busy next weekend

[124JOE]

great decition i would have taken off those a arms also
the newones have ball joints and are factory straight
just remember were the shims go


i would do it all myself.and if it dont turn out right then alinement,save money.joe

[WBPDX]

FYI to anyone wanting those seats - They are also at O'Riley Auto Parts for *exactly* the same price as eBay (after shipping) and you get the instant gratification factor! You can also check them out before you buy!