Floors are all cleaned up behind the firewall and things are starting to go back together now. I mounted the original tank but knowing that the car's getting a concourse exhaust system with resonators and chrome tailpipes, the dented old tank is really made for a bit of an opposite detraction so I've opted to set it aside and store it for future consideration. Also decided to blow in some black paint on the diff as I was struggling with the look when I finished cleaning it up. There were a number of bare spots exposed and I needed to cover those up. I shot both tubes with a single coat of black and it is what it is.
Another concern was stripping the black paint at the bottom of the firewall where the lower floor seam meets up. All along the bottom of the toe boards and the areas around the tunnel had to a lot of gray primer being exposed after cleaning. And I would say it's plenty more than what would be considered normal or acceptable. I'm thinking the shop that reinstalled the motor, washed it down with thinners before they shot the black in for the former owner's brother. In any case, I wasn't digging all the gray so I fogged in the areas where the straight primer was exposed and blended it in so it looks better. I'm happy with the results of those decisions and it's looking miles ahead of the mess that the previous owner created.
Here are a few shots of the floors and the rear end now that the diff and the new tank are under the body. Once I'm finished upfront and the motor and transmission are reinstalled, the Gardner exhaust will be hung and I'm sure it will balance the old and the new. Not quite as I had planned for with a total dial back to original, but a compromise that I am totally OK with. Still, a lot of work to be completed on the front half of the car so I will see how that unfolds as I start cleaning the front clip this weekend. Fingers crossed on any more surprises upfront, but ready to deal with those in any case.
Floors are nicely cleaned up with all of the factory finish now exposed and intact.
Here's a view looking down the tunnel after all the black spray paint was removed.
Another shot of the back with the differential back under the car and the broken leaf repaired.
And finally, a view from the back. Yeah, I know...new tank but it will match the new Gardner exhaust that's going around it soon.