BrickBoard Archives
The files contained in this listing have been automatically archived from the active forums. Because the vast majority of posts are now in one place, this archive is considered legacy. You should use the SEARCH feature OR choose your topic and select date tabs within the forum you choose.
Flood damage questions (interior)[200/1981] posted by Stephen Buckley on
Tuesday, 26 June 2001, at 11:36 p.m.
Hello,
I have a 1981 245 that took on a little water in the recent Houston flood. No engine or electrical damage, just smelly carpet! Here's my question:
I just so happen to have access to a dead 1983 (also a 245) parts car.... the carpet in it is in very good shape. Is there any reason that I can't swap the carpets? How difficult is it to install the carpet?
And another question, although not related to flood damage: The driver's seat in my 1981 is quite worn out and uncomfortable, as is the driver's seat in the 1983; the *passenger* seat in the '83, however, is in very nice shape. Is there any reason that I can't put a passenger seat on the driver's side, other than making the access to the seat tilt knob rather inconvenient? I mean, supposing I'm willing to deal with that, will it fit? Any safety issues?
Thanks,
Stephen Buckley
Re: Seat removal tutorial Q and D version[200/1981] posted by BC on
Wednesday, 27 June 2001, at 5:37 p.m.
Stephen -
The rear seat does not need to be removed. The fronts are pretty easy. If you have seat heaters, move the seat fully forward and disconnect the wires. Adjust the tilt of the seat back 5 to 7 turns forward.
The attachment behind the seat needs a 13mm socket on a long extension (well, that's easier than some other 13mm that you may have). You'll see the one by the center console. The other one is behind a plastic trim piece. Use a small flat-tip screwdriver to pop out the round pieces on the sides of the cover. Loosen the bolts, but leave'em in place.
Move the seat fully rearward. There are 13mm nuts down in the front part of the two runners. Use the same socket set up as in the rear. Put the nuts and the clips up of the dash top. Then move the seat fully rearward, reach in and maneuver the seat out. Set it down, crank the seat back back to normal. Later on you can turn the seat upside down, headrest on ground and bottom on a fender, and inspect it's condition. there is a re-hab system using old lo-level carpet pieces.
With both front seats out, you will need to take out the two screws at the bottom of the control panel, below the lower radio mount box, and the plastic housing around the gear shift. BTW, with both fronts out, you can remove the center console cover and recover all those old french fries and quarters and stuff that fell in there since 1981.!!
Then pull up the black trim piece at the bottom of each door. Watch the clips, any that stick on the door edge you can put back inside the trim piece. You will also need to remove the nut and spacer that holds the seat belt at the bottom. It's a 17 mm, I think.
The front carpet can be worked out from under the outside kick panels, and then pretty much removed. Take out the padding, too, hang it on a fence to drain - it will. The rear carpet is easy.
Dry out the foot wells. Get under the removable metal piece that's along the outside edge. You will see some plastic covers along the inside of the outer rail. Remove them and look inside the rocker panel. Blow air thru on to dry out whatever is in there. Watch out for creatures that may have floated in there and set up housekeeping. Remember the guy who was reaching under the front seat of a Lincoln for flood repair and a copperhead got him.
The front seats sit on a panel that is above the floorboard. YOu will want to get water out of that area, too - smells, right?
The carpets can be taken to a DIY car wash and given the high pressure soap wash and rinse treatment. I've gotten chassis grease out that way.
Sorry for a long post - lucky for you this is the Reader's Digest version!!
Good Luck,
Bob (Houston, near Cypress)
:>)