e-brake hot to the touch, what's wrong?

[badassery]

Hello all,
I have a quirky 1984 2wd 5 door. After running around town for a bit I have noticed the floor between the front seats gets unusually hot. The e-brake handle is almost too hot to touch. The heat seems to only be located on the floor in that area up to the stick shift. What should I check or get looked at? Is this something awful?

[Neu]

that is really weird, sounds like a driveline rubbing issue, maybe exhaust?

[Mattel]

exhaust system - is that where the catalityc converter is located? (we never had them in aus)

[ARCHINSTL]

Welcome to the Club!
Since you have a 2WD (5-door sedan ?), the drive train is moot.
As Mattel mentions, it must be the exhaust system and probably the cat - it is located in that area. After the next drive, take a look. But DO NOT park over grass or other vegetation - or in an area where there may be fuel fumes. Overheated cats CAN cause fires - or melt the undercoating, also causing a fire.
Tom M.
P.S. Most of our little cars are quirky; you are not alone.

[toughtercel]

I would agree other saying CATALITYC because they all have heating sheild and most of the toyota get rusted and fall apart , have to make heating sheild to install it , second inside the CATALITYC made of look like honey comb ,it get plug up over the years and cause flow resistance , exhaust flums have hard time passing through.

[keith]

I think I disagree on the cat. On the 4wd, its further forward and I think its about in the same place on the 2wd. It could well be an exhaust leak right about this point though, that would make this area right toasty.

[Petros]

It sounds like an exhaust leak, or a faulty heat shield. But just to make sure, you might top up your trans fluid while you are at it.

Good luck.

[Mattel]

where is the fuel line on those 2wds?

[toughtercel]

the fuel line is at the opposite side of 4WD ( 2WD fuel line on driver side , 4WD is at passager side ) the cat are slight forward from emergency brake handle , best wait motor is cold , jack the car up , start the car and put you hand on every exhaust connection and if you feel draft blowing

[ARCHINSTL]

the fuel line is at the opposite side of 4WD ( 2WD fuel line on driver side , 4WD is at passager side )

Yes - and partially yes.
FU-33 *
Tom M.
* FUel system, pg.33 of the FSM.

[badassery]

Thank you all for the input, diagnoses, and warm welcome. It makes sense that its exhaust related especially with the location.

best wait motor is cold , jack the car up , start the car and put you hand on every exhaust connection and if you feel draft blowing

Thank's toughtercel I will give this a try.

[hberdan]

I'd say take advantage of the situation put a billy in that location, you can brew up and drive at the same time, like in a British tank.
Just kidding, but it's not a bad idea to work out.

[takza]

Like mentioned above...it could be low oil...had a similar thing with a 4x4 truck...transfer case was low and things got hot.