[TR] captive nut replacement and underneath TR3 ?

[Paul Dorsey]

Many of you have told me you have successfully installed captive nuts,
however, without a workable welder, I have possibly found ANOTHER way to mount
body panels.  Using SS bolts (1/4-20) and these 'U nuts, I hope to mount many
of my remaining body panels.  These "Spring U-nuts" are an improvement on my
'crude captive nuts' (which did work on one fender thusfar, by the way!).
They allow for 3/4"-holes-from-the-edge and reach around and hold the nut
too!
http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0162854

Here's a question also, is it necessary to completely seal the front fender
'pocket' from underneath the car?  On my TR3, this area of fender normally is
completely enclosed by the A post, sealer plate, a top of the front fender,
and the bottom inner sill.  On my TR3,  about half of the metal which covers
the bottom inner sill seems missing  and allows for 1/2" gap.   This "cavity
or pocket" proably needs to be able to drain, but this "slit opening" between
the bottom fender and sill proably ought to be covered, right???

Thanks, Paul Dorsey