Hi, Mark -
My BJ8 tunnel cover has the rubber grommets for the screw holes. I'm not
sure of their function, but perhaps to help prevent crunching the fiberglass
with the screws. Mine were missing, but I replaced them when I installed a
new interior. For insulation on the tunnel cover, I used 1/4" thick double
mylar-faced "bubble wrap" that I got at my local home improvement store. I
covered the transmission side, gluing the insulation on with contact cement,
and adding a washer and rivet or two here and there for insurance that it
won't come off. I found that the new carpet fit better on the tunnel cover
if I also used the insulation on the cockpit side. It went a long way
toward making my BJ8 cockpit as cool and comfortable in the summertime as
any other convertible without air conditioning.
I don't know what the correct screws are that hold the cover down. I used
screws with a head large enough to press down on the rubber grommets without
pushing them through the holes.
There is a rubber U-shaped seal that fits over the body flange on each side
of the gearbox opening in the floor. The tunnel cover sits on these seals.
Yes, you can only remove the water temp/oil pressure gauge by unscrewing
that nut at the end of the sensor line. The line is not filled with water,
but a magic "ether" so be careful not to damage the line and let the ether
out or you will have to have the gauge rebuilt professionally.
The light at the end of the tunnel is the oncoming train....... ;^)
Good luck!
Steve Byers
HBJ8L/36666
BJ8 Registry
Havelock, NC USA
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-healeys@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-healeys@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Bugtop
Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2006 12:11 AM
To: healeys@autox.team.net
Subject: Transmission tunnel questions
Howdy folks,
First of all, just 3 weeks ago I took the BJ8 out for its first run
in 18 months! This after a front end rebuild, brake caliper rebuild,
New rebuilt shocks and springs all around. Felt really fine, but my
son and I had to wear ear plugs since I had the tunnel off. My
questions are as follows:
1)The Tunnel had rubber grommets in the four screw holes, (on each
side) which mount the tunnel to the floor. The holes are about 3/8"
wide with the grommet out. I haven't seen rubber grommets in any
parts pictures. Are these grommets correct? What are the correct
screws that hold the tunnel down?
2)I have a tunnel seal kit from the Nocks, and the bottom seal, which
is a U shaped seal, does this fit over the raised metal lip on the
body, and the inside tunnel lip then press seals on that?
3) I'm planning on installing Dynamat Extreme on the tunnel to cut
down on heat and noise, anyone have any experience in this? It's
about 1/2 inch thick, so I guess I'd have to mount the carpet snaps
on top of it. Anyone mount stuff like this on the inside of the
tunnel? Sounds like a recipe for disaster if the stuff starts to
come off.
4) Last question, can you only remove the oil/water gauge by
disconnecting the water line from the engine? I'm scared cause the
PO used Vice Grips on the temp sending nut on the engine, and it has
no resemblance of a nut anymore. If this has to be removed, I guess
I'm gonna use a vice grip and pray it comes out.
Thanks for your help, I'm starting to see the light at the end of the
tunnel...
Mark Buggy
|