Question on original rubber matting

[Daves1940Buick56S]

I think I know the answer here but I am looking for a sanity check:

When I got my 1940 last summer it was obvious that the carpeting was rotten so I just pulled it out. What was underneath was the original rubber floor matting but in very bad shape - cracked and split. I am doing this car as a driver so I just figured I would have the matting removed and a new carpet and pad put down later this coming summer after I completed the mechanical work.

So now I want to pull the inspection cover off of the floor hump so I can take a peek at the transmission internals. I was just going to cut a "flap" in the matting and then tape it back down when done, but then I started thinking (always a bad sign) that maybe I should just go ahead and rip out the matting and padding material now. Any disadvantage to doing this or should I wait on this until I am ready to do the carpet at the same time? Is it a nasty job?

Cheers, Dave

[FLYER15015]

Dave,

To answer your last question first, yes it is a nasty job.

So if the car is a "DRIVER" why not consider pulling the front seat out (not a big deal), taking the floor pan down to bare metal, and insulating it with the new stick on foam/foil that's available. Then use fiber matting per your upholsterer's recommendation.

You already know that the screws that hold the TX inspection plate are going to be rusted in place, so whip out the PB Blaster and soak'em good top and bottom. You will break half of them off anyway, since they have not been touched in 70 years.

When you have the carpet made, make the TX hump part as a separate piece, or as a liftable flap. Don't forget to stitch in the rubber heal guard under the gas, brake/clutch area. I used a piece of door mat.

Just my $ .02.........and worth every penny........

Mike in Colorado

[Guest Grant Magrath]

Yep! Those transmission cover screws are tricky! I found a butane torch to heat them up first worked best for me.

I don't know if there's any real benefit in visually inspecting the internals. Any issues would have made themselves known via feel or sound by now.

Cheers

Grant

[Daves1940Buick56S]

Gents - thanks for the replies. I love the idea of a flap and will incorporate that. So I think I will just cut away over the hump for now and then take the seat out this summer for the remainder. I assume the padding is glued down so the nasty part will be getting it off.

The reason I want to take a look inside the tranny is that I have a grinding noise in first. I want to see if there is any obvious damage and the "state" of the interior in terms of garm, etc, before I go ahead and commit to a trans pull and o-haul (I will pay for this task - did it once before when I was 19 and that's enough!)

Cheers, Dave

[Dave_B]

I don't know if it will fit your car but there is a 38 engine, trans, rear and front end on craigslist DC right now. It is located in Kent Island.

Bet ya can't guess what happened to that car.

Dave

[Daves1940Buick56S]

Sounds like another rod job. Sigh. My engine is solid, only question mark right now is the trans. Most of my front end is near new from what I can see.

Cheers, Dave

[Guest Grant Magrath]

Dave, see if you can find my Trans rebuild thread. I know you're not too keen to tackle it yourself, but if you do decide to give it a crack, these guys reman synchros, sell NOS stuff, and can supply bushings, bearings, etc.

Northwest Transmission Parts

I've gotten pretty good at taking gearboxes out! Putting them back, however.....PITA!!!

Cheers

Grant

[Guest BigDogDaddy]

Don't you also have the access panel for the brake master cylinder on the driver's floor ? You will need to make a flap for that too.

[Daves1940Buick56S]

No, I have a Series 50, I can get to the master cylinder from under the hood.

Cheers, Dave

[FLYER15015]

No, I have a Series 50, I can get to the master cylinder from under the hood.

Cheers, Dave

Lucky you !!!!

When I did my brake job last fall, I discovered the master cylinder fill cap was about 2" behind the little round acess hole in the floor. Had to open it up a bit and make a new sheet metal lid in the floor. Not a big deal though.

Mike in Colorado