Headliner/Winsheild Questions

[krash kendall]

Canadian Mustang Phoned Me Today,

My new headliner is in so now I can put in my new windshield at the same time as my old one is shattered.

Two questions:

1. Are there any difficulties in installing the headliner?

2. What is the best type of sealant to use on the winsheild and rear window? This whole "cold rain water on my crotch thing" is getting a little old. I recently heard asphalt based sealant works pretty good.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks, Krash.


P.S. How much extra horsepower do you think this will give me?

 

[ozstang65]

1. Are there any difficulties in installing the headliner?

Haven't done it, but i'm told you start at the rear bow and work your way forward.

2. What is the best type of sealant to use on the winsheild and rear window?

Sikaflex make a specailist windscreen adhesive, probably a sealer as well.

How much extra horsepower do you think this will give me?

Heaps

 

[Route666]

Krash, my car has the same basic windscreen retention method, and it has plenty of tar around it, doesn't leak, so works well for me. The only bad thing is it doesn't seem like it's ever going to dry, there's a bit that's a little visible and when I wash it it can smear a little, only like 1/4" because it is so viscous. Small blobs and smears rub off paint easily enough though.

Oh we used to use the same stuff on our roof. My dad built the first house I lived in, with a corrugated tin roof, and we used to get up there nearly every year to splodge tar on all the nails and gaps. Worked well in that application too, but I think the wind moved the sheets, and the sun dried it out a lot, so it needed re-doing every year. It shouldn't be a concern with a car.

And I do believe, if my calculations are correct, ah muhay, you will appropriate approximately one hundred THOUSAND horsepower, with the tails and the manes, and the biting teeth and kicking legs wuhay.

 

[65 fastback]

My advice speaking from experience is get a FORD windshield gasket, a reproduction gasket WILL leak.

Tim

 

[krash kendall]

Okay, I did get my new headliner and windshield installed last friday - Finally! It took about three weeks for the headliner to come in as Canadian Mustang has to order them in lots of ten to get the price break (final cost to me was about 35 bucks), but they phoned me as soon as they had it. Service is always good there.

The windsheild and rear window were a breeze. I used 3m windshield sealer which appears to be asphalt based and cleans up easily with paint thinner. Seven bucks for one tube and I used maybe 2/3's of it.

As for the headliner - I've done almost every task on a car imaginable, from upholstering the seats, to engines, trannies, painting, blah, blah ,blah....you get it. The headliner has to be the most difficult, frustrating, uncomfortable, unrewarding job I've ever done! I spent six and a half hours squatting in that tiny passenger compartment (I'm six foot four) only to get what I would call mediocre results. This is one thing I will consider having done professionally next time. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret trying it myself. I just have a new found respect for the quality work that goes unnoticed on many cars.

 

[1979 Camaro]

Head liner

I have done two cars. 72 Firebird and a 67 Nova. In about 6 months Ib will try a 66 fastback.

I am not an expert but the previous cars turned out well.

Positioning of the bows is important. If they are removed make sure they are marked for position.

Hang the head liner on the bows. I've found the sewed sleeves the bows slide into are too long and need to trimmed so the headliner doesn't bunch up over the doors.

Start at the back window. Stretch and smooth the material around the back window.

Then do the front the same way.

Then do both sides.

Work slowly and use a hair dryer to remove wrinkles. Carefull with the hair dryer, it can get too hot.

Is there a dome light and visors to deal with? To make the screw holes easy to find, install the screws so you can find them after the headliner is installed.

If you mess it up the first time, it's only $35 for a new one!

My two cents worth.