Cobra Completion Fundraiser for 767Jockey

[FatBoy]

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

You think THAT'S cunning? Hah, you haven't seen anything. You should see the secret 767 initiation and handshake........it's amazing!

I'm obviously not inside the circle.

[767Jockey]

Not really an update of what's been done, but rather a request for info and an update of sorts on what's coming up. I have all the parts I need now to install the Fluidyne radiator in a proper laid back position in the car. However, installing this will cause attachment of the body to the frame. I've decided that the body needs to come off one more time to more easily accomplish some of what needs to be done.

Right now, the body is only held onto the chassis with four finger tight bolts. For those of you who are not familiar with the Contemporary, it's a one piece molded body and tub. When I remove those four bolts, with one guy at each wheel well the body and interior lifts of in one piece and onto the floor next to the chassis in about one minute. The only issue is having enough guys on hand to lift it.

Once I have the body off, I need to get the work done quickly and get the body back on, as the car is in Bill's shop/garage. Taking up one space is greatly appreciated, taking up two (chassis in one space, body next to it in another) is really pushing the limits of good behavior. What I would like to do with the body off is:

Resolve the E-Brake situation once and for all
Re-do the rear brake caliper lines, if necessary
Run the hard fuel line
Remount (properly) the sway bar mounts
Run the main battery cables

Most of this work is self explanatory, however I have a few questions for you guys with regard to the sway bar mounts. Right now, the mounts are screwed into the round tube frame. I drilled and tapped the holes, and bolted it on. As I sat and gave this thought countless times over the past years, I believe that given the relatively thin wall nature of the frame tubing, this isn't enough meat for the bolt to hold on to. They tightened up fine and all, but I'm worried about them holding up under the stress of use. The way the body fits, I will not be able to remove these bolts with the body on, so I want to get this right.

I'm wanting to put some sort of threaded insert into the frame. I have seen kits that look like big pop rivets with threads on the inside, you drill an oversized hole, the insert is collared at the top to keep it on top of the material, and the end that you insert into the hole gets expanded with the dedicated insert tool, locking the insert into the hole. My question is, what is this type of insert called? If there is more than one, which is best for this application, and where do I get them? Do I rent the install tool or buy it? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Doug