Home Stretch....Questions

[Tommy F.]

Doing final underhood detailing / mechanicals before installing the engine in my '75 coupe, and have a few, varied questions...

What is the best "tar" product to reapply to the firewall to mimic the factory sealing?

Would the factory have sprayed this sealant on the main bulkhead wiring connector on the firewall? Is it OK to recoat the bulkhead connector?

While scrubbing the engine compartment this morning, I managed to break a connection for the alarm switch....but it appeared to be connected to the area beneath the switch....not connected to the switch itself.....I do not have an AIM for this car, so I am wondering exactly what I broke?

Finally, brake and fuel lines have been capped, but before final reassembly, I was going to blow everything out with nitrogen to make sure that there were no 33 year old surprises in them.....any reason not to use nitrogen?

Thanks to all in advance,

Tommy

[Stuart F.]

Re: Home Stretch....Questions

Tommy;

I'm a C-2 owner, so can't offer much help. But I'll get you back on page one in the "Q" and I might suggest you change your title in order to get some responses - specific to your year.

Stu Fox

[Harmon C.]

Re: Home Stretch....Questions

The sealant is tar like and I would brush it on to seal where cables go through rubber grommets and not very much. I think spray undercoat may look good if brushed on but I never tried it.
If that alarm switch has the round bottom a thin metal strip on the end of each wire inserted up through the bottom and you may have broken it off.
You must be in A/C repair if you want to blow the lines with nitrogen but I don't know if it is ok.

[Jean C.]

Re: Home Stretch....Questions

I forget what you are attempting to remove from the brake lines,however, the telephone guys use nitrogen to remove moisture (H2O) from lines and equipment so I reckon it would work for a brake system for the same purpose. They can also use it at the range to "unload" a muzzle loader that has been loaded with ball but no powder. Don't ask how I know, its embarassing . Just be sure to keep the muzzle pointed at the ground when he uncorks the nitrogen otherwise you have a .58 cal air rifle that is like a Daisy on steroids. Go Red Ryder!
Cheers

[Terry M.]

Re: Home Stretch....Questions

Jeepers Charlie, you sure are a man of many talents.

I would think the Nitrogen should work fine. It is DRY, which is the most important thing. I used shop air years ago when I fixed my calipers and changed the system to DOT5. No issues now some 20 years later. I suspect Nitrogen might be a little overkill, but when it comes to brakes it is hard to call overkill for anything anyone wants to do.

[Tommy F.]

Re: Home Stretch....Questions

Thanks to all...
I'm in A/C Distribution, so we sell a lot of nitrogen....great stuff for purging lines of debris and oil...I just wasn't 100% sure that I wouldn't have a bad reaction to the brake fluid.
I found the alarm switch at Paragon...."theft prevention switch"....seems to be identical to a headlight end switch....

Little paint in the engine compartment this weekend, bolt up the suspension, drop in the engine & trans....
It seems like just last year when I started this particular project!

Appreciate the input!

[Harmon C.]

Re: Home Stretch....Questions

I don't think an alarm switch used for the hood is anything like a headlight switch you may want to check your order. The alarm switch like the headlights was used with the key alarm switch in the left front fender to sound the alarm if the lock was tampered with..

[Tommy F.]

Re: Home Stretch....Questions

Lyle,
That is the one....I didn't realize it was even there, but I understand the reasoning now...just to keep someone from "punching in" the key switch I guess.

Thanks,

Tommy

[Sandra H.]

Re: Home Stretch....Questions

I forget what you are attempting to remove from the brake lines,however, the telephone guys use nitrogen to remove moisture (H2O) from lines and equipment so I reckon it would work for a brake system for the same purpose. They can also use it at the range to "unload" a muzzle loader that has been loaded with ball but no powder. Don't ask how I know, its embarassing . Just be sure to keep the muzzle pointed at the ground when he uncorks the nitrogen otherwise you have a .58 cal air rifle that is like a Daisy on steroids. Go Red Ryder!
Cheers

Hey Charlie,
Even I know how to unload a muzzleloader that way......I thought everyone did.
Best, Sandy Haynes

[Steven B.]

Re: Home Stretch....Questions

I just checked my '77 that I ordered and saw come off the truck------it looks like the sealant was brushed on with a broom. The streaks are very course and far apart. The sealant must have been very thick when applied.

[Tommy F.]

Re: Home Stretch....Questions

Thanks to all....
Tommy