restoring?, more like preserving, actually... Options

[rjames]

After reading so many of the restoration threads on here I finally decided to try and save my own underpowered go-kart from completely rusting away.

So far I've removed 90% of the tar from the interior. Things look better then I thought they would in some areas, and worse in others.

Excuse the bad quality pics, they're taken with my cell phone.

[McMark]

1. There's no good way to remove the seam sealer. Heat, wire wheels, etc. It's all a PITA.

2. The wiring harness comes out as one big piece. Which means everything electrical must be disconnected. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif) You can push it out of the way.

3. To remove the pedal cluster, pull the accelerator pedal at the top towards the back of the car. It will pop off the rod. Undo the two bolts at the base (probably VERY VERY rusty). Undo the two nuts at the base of the pedal cluster itself. The brake master cylinder will remain intact (no bleeding) but the brake MC pushrod will come out along with the cluster. Unhook the clutch and accelerator cables.

4. The cables all run through tubes in the center tunnel. They are not removable.

The hole next to the pedal cluster was because the clutch cable tube is welded there and often breaks away. Someone cut open the tunnel to fix it (they didn't need to be this drastic to fix that problem, FYI).

Be aware that POR-15 does not kill rust. It just stops it from forming. Make sure to properly neutralize rust with Metal Ready (from the POR-15 people). IMHO, POR-15 itself is unnecessary, but it can't hurt.