Jacked up the front end from under the k-member mount on the driver's side and heard this awful crunching sound. I wound up putting blocks under the center of the k-member to support the front of the car and as a result I could really see how the k-member is really only attached to the car by 3 bolts, not 4...
Jacked up and blocked...
Manifolds disconnected... didn't break anything!
Wiring harness action. Think this is the positive battery cable lead.
Shot of how the k-member is totally loose here, the part of the k-member bolted to the frame rail is totally rusted out. It's not nearly this bad on the other side, but I can tell the metal of the k-member is compromised. Need a new one or a donor.
Another ugly spot... where the front frame rail (driver's) meets the torsion bar crossmember. Problem: where do I support the car while I'm replacing this stuff? I suppose I can support from the frame rail while replacing the torsion crossmember and then support from the crossmember while doing the frame rail.
Here's the passenger side of the same connection... so that's how it's supposed to look!!!
So... phasing again. Most important is to get the body structurally solid, which means replacing the front frame rail, torsion bar mount and the rear frame rail all on the left side. To do that, I'll be pulling the engine and transmission... well, mostly everything to get the weight down. I'll leave the rear axle and all on while I'm working on the front, though. I think I'll shoot to do the torsion bar crossmember first and all of the supporting steel in the rocker area, then while the car is supported from there, I'll do the front frame rail. Nice project for the winter, right?
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