Day 13,14, 15

 Next, I pulled the distributor so I could send it out for rebuild.  It was completely stuck to it's sleeve inside the engine block.  I can't imagine the last time the timing was adjusted since it was currently impossible to do so.  After a few curses, a couple of soakings with PB Blaster , and some not-so-gentle whacks with a rubber hammer, it moved a tiny bit.  Once it moved a little, it was just about ten minutes of back and forth and it came out. So, I boxed it up and dropped it in the mail, along with the wires, plugs, etc.

The next day Drew and I started to replace the clutch flexible line at the slave cylinder attached to the side of the bell housing.  There is very little room to get to the connection from the hard line to the flexible line.  Since the distributor was already out of the way, we just removed the starter, which made the job MUCH simpler.

Starter connections

Starter with clutch slave and hose behind

Once the clutch hose was installed, we put the starter back in- no problems with two people.

Next, we removed the rusty parking brake cable from under the car and frozen handbrake from the cockpit.
I have a new cable, but haven't installed it yet.  No problems with the removal- just nuts and bolts.  Considering the condition of this car, both Drew and I are surprised how well the fasteners come off (knocking wood).

parking brake adjuster (this the the bottom of the handbrake pull between the seats)

parking brake cable bracket- the rear hard brake lines are above it

pivot arm for parking brake mounted to differential

Next, Drew pulled the inoperable seat belts while I changed the oil and filter.  No big deal with either one, aside from the old oil filter being so stuck that it had to be destroyed.to get it off.  I ended up shoving a big screwdriver through it to get some leverage. I also removed the valve cover in prep for a valve adjust soon.

valve cover attachment bolt

valves cover removed- new black oil filer in bottom left

Valves, and a missing head nut- that's weird

Next up, I started removing the center console and all old carpeting (what there is of it).  I pulled out about a bucket of more acorn shells from behind the radio console.  What a mess!  A large family of chipmunks must not be happy about me buying this car.  Once all of the carpets were gone, I ran a wire brush over the entire floor to clean up the surface for paint/sealing.  I found one (only) rust hole about 3"x1/2" where the floor meets the transmission tunnel.

Acorn shells!

Behind radio console

Consoles are both out

Pedal area- the tube thing is a drain for the aftermarket a/c system

garbage tunnel carpet, sill covers, center colsole

looking better- this photo reminds me that I need a steering wheel cover

All of the parts we removed were brought into the house for some warm work.  First, I rebuilt the original clutch master cylinder with all new seals- seems like it worked but I will find out once i install it. The handbrake handle was completely frozen.  I just took it apart, cleaned up the mechanism, greased it up and put it back together.  But, that did not work.  It turned out that the plastic push-button on the end of the handbrake was somehow too big to fit loosely in the handle.  I had to mount it in my drill so I could sand down the width so it would fit.  After that, it now works fine.  I also cleaned up and lubricated the seatbelt mechanisms and now they work.  I cleaned up both consoles as well.

Clutch master cylinder

Handbrake lever

Radio console cleaned

various parts ready for install

The last job for this entry was replacing one corner of brakes- it's all the time I had.  No problems- just your basic drum brake system.  The old brake parts didn't actually look bad, but I replaced them anyway of course.

Old brake stuff

Cleaned backing plate

All new parts

So, next up I hope to finish the other three corners of brakes, install the pedal box and bleed both hydraulic systems.  I still need to adjust the valves, install the rebuilt distributor, time the engine and get her running again.