Edited on 2012-06-21 21:08:14

Edited on 2012-06-21 13:55:03

Greetings!

I've been stripping my Mk II in advance of some major bodywork. I've got most of the chrome trim off, but stuck in a few spots. Wondering if anyone can shed some light on any of these areas...

1) Chrome trim, the short pieces between the front and back door. I can't get to them from behind. Other chrome pieces were just pried off - do the same?

2) The small, triangular, clear plastic turn signal indicators at the top, front edge of the fenders.

3) Window crank and door handle.

4) Some of the metal pieces that attach the trim to the body either twist off or are attached via nut and bolt; others appear to be pop-riveted in. Do I just drill out the latter?

Unrelated, I have two more questions:

A) The air vent lever that (I believe) allows the vent at the base of the windshield, just behind the wipers, is jammed. Which way are you supposed to pull or push to get the outside vent to pop up?

B) Could someone point me to a photo of the fuse box cover? Mine's missing, and I would like to know what to look for when ordering another.

Much appreciated. Cheers!

Submitted by woebegone@mind… on Mon, 07/16/2012 - 13:04

You have to have the vent open to remove it.
You have to be able to remove the screen retaining screws, drop the screen, then access the cover nuts (if I remember).
Had mine off once or twice.

Submitted by NE48-48878 on Mon, 07/16/2012 - 12:27

Thanks to your tips, I've got the middle bits of chrome out, along with the clear turn signal indicators.

The vent cover is proving to be more stubborn, but there's definitely more play in it now. Has anyone removed it altogether? I'm just wondering if it should be out when the car finally gets repainted....

Cheers!

Submitted by NE48-48878 on Wed, 06/20/2012 - 14:08

Thanks, Michael and Dave. It'll be a few days before I get to work on the car again. Sounds like I have a plan for the chrome strips and vent :-)

Submitted by MikeEck@optonl… on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 20:05

The lower chrome bead is held on with a nut. I believe when you remove the large chrome channel on the BC pillar the removal of the adjacent top chrome bead will be more obvious.

Submitted by woebegone@mind… on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 19:56

The vent. If it hasn't opened in decades, it's a problem.
Mine had A/C installed in the 70's in Singapore, they put the radio in the parcel shelf (leather covered wood mounted it, covering the knob).

I worked and worked at it.
I prised up the lip of the vent, sprayed ZEP45 and PBBlaster from the front down both sides, worked the lever (towards you is open), had a small wood hammer handle stuck under the vent, after a couple of hours off and on playing with it, it was time to go to bed.
So, I grabbed the lip and pulled.
Wend "pop", and has worked fine and smooth since.

I was not aware of multiple fuse covers...I only have ever seen one. Big square box, open in the front to cover the regulator terminals, knurled knob in the centre holds it to a threaded rod.

If you drop the instrument panel down (careful of the panel across the bottom), you should be able to see where the hinge area for the vent is....not directly, but close. An extension in the spray nozzle of your penetrant should be able to reach it (I did that, too).
Dave

Submitted by NE48-48878 on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 17:15

About the chrome strip between the doors - there are two on EACH side. One entire strip runs along at the same height as the door handles; the other runs flat at the base of the side windows. I suspect the instructions above only apply to one of those two.

Submitted by MikeEck@optonl… on Mon, 06/18/2012 - 19:40

"Does that procedure apply to both strips?"
Yes, the strip on the left side of the car is the same as the strip on the right side of the car. The BC pillar chrome cover is attached with screws from the front and rear, hidden by the weatherstripping.

One SHOULD be able to open the vent with the inside handle. Since yours appears to be rusted solid, you probably won't have any luck prying it from the outside either. Instead, drop down the center instrument panel (2 thumb nuts at top left and right) which will reveal much of the vent mechanism.

As for the fuse cover, it's quite a simple design but difficult to fabricate unless you have a good shear and a finger brake. The part is available from SNGBarrattusa.com for less than I could make it for.

Good luck!

Submitted by NE48-48878 on Mon, 06/18/2012 - 12:16

Thanks, Michael.

Re: the chrome strip. Does that procedure apply to both strips?

About the vent cover, I can't lift it up at all, seems to be jammed or blocked. Should one be able to lift it by hand from the outside? If so, I'll have to snoop a bit harder to see what's going on.

As for the fuse box cover, 'fits' works for me, as I'm not wanting to afford an absolutely correct restoration.

Submitted by MikeEck@optonl… on Sat, 06/16/2012 - 20:27

Hi Rick,

The little chrome strip between the front and rear doors has a threaded rod on the back of it that passes through the body and is attached with a nut from inside. You need to remove the interior trim on the B-C pillar to get at it. Pry off the lower vinyl-covered cardboard trim strip which takes the square wooden piece with it. Then slide the long wooden piece down to disengage it from the body.

The scuttle vent handle works backwards, so when you pull on it the vent pops up. The vent cover can be removed by unscrewing the three screws that hold the screen on and then undoing the two nuts that hold on the cover.

I am told that there were at least 3 different fuse box covers on various years of MK2's. If you want something that fits that's one thing, but if you want it to be absolutely correct then that's another.

Submitted by NE48-48878 on Sat, 06/16/2012 - 15:52

Thanks, Dave. Here's what I've found:

2) I think I see what you mean, but my long-nosed pliers aren't long and thin enough; will have to pick up a better pair.
3) Handles are out, 1 of 2 pins MIA :-/
4) Makes sense.

Submitted by woebegone@mind… on Sat, 06/16/2012 - 12:39

1) haven't had mine off, so don't know
2) Forked clips slip in usually from the front.....remove screw, pull out park lamp, grab downturned end of clip, pull out.
3) Press centre of escutcheon plate in, locate hole in handle hidden by ring, pres pin out (and don't lose it)
4) drill them out.

Dave