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I worked on interior tasks today. I figured the floor access panel had never been removed before so the clutch head screws would fight me the whole way. I gave them a couple shots of penetrating oil leading up to removal so that helped. There were only 2 that were a bit troublesome but they gave in with some hammer persuasion. I wish I had the forethought to have ordered a new gasket for between the panel and floor ahead of time. LMC has them, but I’ll try my local NAPA tomorrow and see if they can bring one in this week.

Using the magic marker lines scribbled around the shifter box from underneath, I drilled some starter holes on the corners and saber sawed the opening for the shifter. Then wire brushed the panel and put down some paint, and did a test fit after it had dried enough to handle and it looks good.

Also test fit the shifter handle and worked the gears a little. Maybe I should have gone with a straight shifter handle, we’ll see if the bend at the top will send the knob into the bench seat. It feels nice and precise, and will probably improve with ATF in it and some miles.

It’s back to work tomorrow so progress will take a breather, more to come though.