TedH

I installed the 700R4 back into my '80 on Saturday. Had a little trouble on the passenger side that I didn't discover until the damage was done. The right front of the trans housing where it bolts to the lower two bolts on the block had snagged the floorboard where the fiberglass/sheetmetal meet and form a lip at the front of the trans tunnel. I think it pulled 4-5 of those rivets clean out of the floorboard. Now I have a 15" 'rip' in the floor where the rivets let go (and where water and heat can easily enter). I'm thinking I should take it to a body shop and have some LARGE rivets installed OR try using metal screws (I'd hate to do more damage with screws that may break the fiberglass). I'm thinking rivets...

Oh, and I heard the sound of the ripping rivets AFTER realizing that I had caught the trans on the floorboards. DARN!!! :cuss :cry :cuss :cry

Suggestions? :seeya

Twin_Turbo

Why not just put some new sealer on and pop a few rivets, can't be that hard

TedH

The problem I have now is the trans is back in and I don't have anything with enough force to make the floor joints stay together while I rivet them. Am thinking that a heavy duty rivet gun (body shop) with sufficient leverage applied would be the answer.

The gap between the two pieces of material is about 1"-2" and I am unable to coaxe it back together long enough to draw a bead with my wimpy el-cheapo rivet gun.

I'll try to snap a picture of the damaged area... :seeya


[Modified by TedH, 1:33 PM 1/13/2003]

Fevre

Might try some of that expanding foam, they make it in version that does not expand much so it may not force it apart or bulge into the passenger compartment. Would be a temp fix till you can get to it.

TedH

That's a great idea! I could spray the sealing foam into the crevace from underneath so that it seals (from the outside going in). Then, I'll take it to the body shop in next 1-2 months and have the pros take a look at it and recommend a course of action. I suspect they will drill some new holes, press the parts together and insert new heavy duty rivets/washers, etc. I'll also see if they can add some 'sealant' between the two pieces also.

Thanks to all for the input! :seeya

Twin_Turbo

Why not get a smalldiameter but long bolt (or bolts). Use them to pull the 2 pieces together, then rivet the remaining holes, remove the bolts and rivet up the last ones.

..oh it might help if you remove the seat.

Marck


[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 1:54 PM 1/13/2003]

TedH

That may also be an option. Will have to see what is required for that. (including carpet/seat removal).

Stoge

The foam idea is cool for a temp fix, but be careful with that stuff. It isn't always easy to remove.