79 Automatic Interior

[FiatBen]

So I bought this thing a couple of years ago and it has issues. Am in the process of replacing the horrible '79 carb/manifold with a '78. The thread is under engines. While waiting for stuff to arrive to finish that, I decided to start on the interior. That begins with stripping it out to some extent. Have not decided how far down to go, but already I have found things that bring questions to mind and I want to document this adventure in the hopes that it helps others.

The dash is cracked. It's really not bad considering it's 35 years old.




So I went out to the barn to see what was hiding there. Actually I was looking for a new lower console but more on that later. I found two complete dashes and one cap.



Mind you, I've had these awhile. Couldn't really tell you when I bought them or any details, but it is obvious they are different years. The center bracing is different. Rather than go take some of my cars apart, I thought I'd ask if anyone can ID the years these belong to. I'm not even sure Dash #1 is for a Spider when I notice it being shorter than the other. Or possibly the early spiders had narrower dashes. I have lots of parts accumulated for the two '69s. And Dash #2 is apparently for the 6-gauge panels. As I look, now I'm really wondering what Dash #1 is out of.

So, anyone know the answer?

EDIT: Went back out and looked again. The dashes are both the same size. Don't know why it looks smaller in the pic.

[btoran]

not sure it helps with your 1979, but my 1975 has dash #2.

[FiatBen]

Actually, that helps a lot. I think the other one is earlier simply due to the fact that I was trying to stockpile things for my '69s.

I also have a dash cap, but have heard mixed reviews on how those look.

Now I am wondering if the 3 wooden inserts were the same size over all those years. Anyone know?

[Ptoneill]

My 79 matched the top one.

[FiatBen]

Had the seats out and was just going to cut some new carpet and move on. Instead, got to thinking and ended up pulling the pads. I knew the previous owner had done some welding repairs. Turns out to have been a patch job instead of really dealing with the rust.
Passenger side: (as far as I can tell it is all surface rust)


Driver side: (not as much surface rust, but several rusted through spots)
[URL=http://s822.photobucket.
com/user/FiatBen/media/wfloorpanDS.jpg.html][/URL]

Driver side close-ups:





And, can someone explain to me what the purpose was in these little divots the manufacturer put in the floor:

[4uall]

to answer the last part, they are drain holes

http://wwwe.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopi ... lit=+drain

[FiatBen]

to answer the last part, they are drain holes

http://wwwe.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopi ... lit=+drain

Seems a little counterproductive as mine open up to the great outdoors underneath the car. Could see it making sense if they were over the channel underneath, but they're not.

[FiatBen]

I've gotten up most of the old tar and removed most of the loose rust in the floor pans. And I've spent literally hours and hours reading threads, vendor information, youtube, Google, etc. in trying to come up with the best approach to fixing this. Seems like I have more questions now than answers. And it looks like there are about as many approaches to floor pan rust as there are owners.

So, in spite of having educated myself so much, I am looking for quidance. Right now the floors are pretty much bare. Most of the rust seems to be either along the tranny tunnel or under the pedals. The previous owner took care of the problems in the back half of the pans (for the most part) with welded in panels. I have some ideas on where I want to take this project. This is not a restore, just a rejuvenation to make it a reliable, fun little driver.

Question one: (in no particular order) I have most of the old tar scraped up. There are some places where a thin layer remains, but these are over solid metal. Do I need to completely remove every last vestige of the black plague?

Question two: I'm thinking about spraying them down with rust converter just to stop what is going on. Is that going to create problems when (if) I try to weld in patches? Or should I find weld-thru primer? Or get my butt in gear, practice my welding and just get it all patched?

Question three: None of these holes are very big, but most of them are in what appears to me to be pretty vulnerable spots for the integrity of the car. How small a patch is practical? How would you go about sealing the old metal (like with a rust converter) and then applying a bigger welded patch over it (versus butt-welded)?

I've got lots more, but lets start there.

Oh, and then there is the bottom of the driver's seat. Think I'll start a new thread on that one.

The '79 is starting to suffer from serious project creep!

[fredguaz]

I've gotten up most of the old tar and removed most of the loose rust in the floor pans. And I've spent literally hours and hours reading threads, vendor information, youtube, Google, etc. in trying to come up with the best approach to fixing this. Seems like I have more questions now than answers. And it looks like there are about as many approaches to floor pan rust as there are owners.

So, in spite of having educated myself so much, I am looking for quidance. Right now the floors are pretty much bare. Most of the rust seems to be either along the tranny tunnel or under the pedals. The previous owner took care of the problems in the back half of the pans (for the most part) with welded in panels. I have some ideas on where I want to take this project. This is not a restore, just a rejuvenation to make it a reliable, fun little driver.

Question one: (in no particular order) I have most of the old tar scraped up. There are some places where a thin layer remains, but these are over solid metal. Do I need to completely remove every last vestige of the black plague?

I would for sure. Do it right while it's opened up. You'd be surprised what lurks beneath.

Question two: I'm thinking about spraying them down with rust converter just to stop what is going on. Is that going to create problems when (if) I try to weld in patches? Or should I find weld-thru primer? Or get my butt in gear, practice my welding and just get it all patched?

As long as the "wet stuff" (carpet, rubber soundproofing, etc) is removed I would not spray anything until it's patched up. I recently purchased a mig welder and currently welding patches. I have por 15 (and the prep stuff) ready to go on.

Question three: None of these holes are very big, but most of them are in what appears to me to be pretty vulnerable spots for the integrity of the car. How small a patch is practical? How would you go about sealing the old metal (like with a rust converter) and then applying a bigger welded patch over it (versus butt-welded)?

I welded a patch right up against the tunnel similar to yours. My floors are in slightly worse shape than yours. Had to purchase 1 seat rail and repair another as well as part of floor crossmember. I try to butt weld whenever possible. Overlap will invite more corrosion issues IMHO. Also, IMHO structurally, you are fine.

I've got lots more, but lets start there.

Oh, and then there is the bottom of the driver's seat. Think I'll start a new thread on that one.

The '79 is starting to suffer from serious project creep!

Yes. But the process is all part of the fun!

Another issue to consider is whether to plug up all hole/vents in the floor or leave vents/rubber plugs for drainage/venting. I'm still contemplating this.
I'm also intrigued by the use of bed liner for the floor, although I already purchased por15.

[FiatBen]

At the bottom of each door is some kind of gasket that I can't find with the vendors. On the driver's side it is mostly gone. It is very soft material, almost like someone squeezed out some stuff and shaped it. Haven't looked at the other cars in the yard to see if they have something similar, but my question is where do I get replacements?

This is the passenger side:


and this is the driver's side, which is almost gone: