MY 1968 GT RESTORATION

[CobraJoe]

Thanks Hugh.

Well, it's been a productive couple of days;  I managed to get the dash back together, but not without several issues.

First off, I got all the AC ducting done with the exception of the center two vents.

All the original dash vents are rectangular, but the two end vents have rectangular to round plastic boxes from the factory as seen below:







The center vents utilize this plastic box that connects directly to the Original Heater/AC box, it's the one circled in this pic:







Unable to buy anything that would fit and connect to the round ducting, I ended up cutting the original into three pieces:







I then cut a block off plate out of the excess and panel bonded it to the end:







I also removed the bellows and rotated the vent attachment 180* for clearance under the dash and panel bonded it also:







It's a little tight, but it works:

[CobraJoe]

Okay, so now that that's done, it's just a matter of installing the glove box and putting the dash pad back on, right?

Well, even though the new AC/Heater is smaller than the original, apparently the mounting bracket hits the glove box liner and won't allow it to go in all the way. 

So..., I marked where it was hitting:



....and cut the piece out:



I then cut the corners so I could fold it over backwards:



...and then riveted back on the box:





...and finally was able to install it!

[CobraJoe]

Alright, now just put the dash pad in place, but first I need to bolt in the speaker...
Guess what, that hits the clock! WTF???

I ended up taking the clock apart and it's basically its just a big box around a small digital board about an 1.5" square.
I cut the corner of the housing out and was going to hot glue a piece in place, but realized it was far from air tight so I just used Gorilla tape to close the opening. I also forgot to take pics of it apart, apparently old age really does suck!

Anyways, it gave me enough clearance to mount the speakers:

[CobraJoe]

In the end, I was finally able to get it installed and got everything working:



...even the factory blue control lights:



I'm very pleased with the results:

[RICH MUISE]

That WAS a good day's work. Good job.

[mustang6984]

You SHOULD be pleased! And they wonder why guys start balding on the crown of their head! All that scratching over confounding things...LOL!!! 

[CobraJoe]

Thanks guys!

Brought the headliner down the other day and unfolded it on the heated floor so I could start the installation it this weekend.

This morning I started by cleaning up the OG bows up with the "Old Cheek Poker" to quote Mr. Derek Bieri
 




Also cleaned up the windshield headliner retainer and coated both sides with contact adhesive

 

After I got all the bows snapped in, I centered it and tried to pull it taught and then clipped it to the door pinch weld:



I then clipped the headliner to the retainer over the windshield



I didn't have the bow retainers for the Torino, but I had some for a '68 Mustang, but they were too short"



Found these online, actually the only Fairlane/Torino ones I could find, but I wasn't paying $50 + shipping,



So, I just made a pair out of SS Tig wire using the measurement in the photo, they worked out fine as they held tight when I pulled it forward.

After I pulled it taught, I removed the windshield clips and sprayglued the headliner to the previously coated windshield strip.

Then I installed the plastic trim to hold it to the windshield  pinch weld before pulling it tight in the rear



I don't know if all the wrinkles will come out, as the date on it was 2018, that's a long time to be folded up!



I'm sure some will come out after the shoulder harness's, dome light and sun visors are installed. Maybe I can steam some out, we'll see how it goes.

Anyways, I guess I'm one more step closer....

[mustang6984]

Looks pretty good for 7+ years folded up.
Would a simple hair dryer on a medium setting provide enough heat to maybe work out the wrinkles? Just thinking...and that hurts gotta tell you. But hey..what's a little pain to maybe have a siolution right? < Now...where is that bottle of Bayer? >

[RICH MUISE]

If I recall correctly, heat applied to vinyl will make it stretch, not shrink. I think nylon will shrink with heat, and cotton will shrink with water/steam. Things to consider when choosing a fabric type for a headliner, if that is a build option. My headliner is a synthetic material, so no shrinking, had to do it the hard way.

[mustang6984]

If I recall correctly, heat applied to vinyl will make it stretch, not shrink. I think nylon will shrink with heat, and cotton will shrink with water/steam. Things to consider when choosing a fabric type for a headliner, if that is a build option. My headliner is a synthetic material, so no shrinking, had to do it the hard way.

Yea...heat is not a friend of vinyl. Didn't say...is it vinyl Joe?

[CobraJoe]

It appears to be, but not sure of the exact composition, it came with the car, the only thing marked on the backside with marker, was the application model and date.

[CobraJoe]

Okay, so I spent some time with the heat gun and managed to get some of the wrinkles out by undoing the sides and front and pulling it again (I really didn't have much choice as the heat softened the glue).



The creases really haven't changed much, but I'll try pulling the rear sides a little more when my fabric comes in for my sail panels.

Also, I may be able to work the crease behind the dome light when I install it, currently still waiting for it to arrive.





I also think that when I put the windlace over the pinch weld, it will tighten it up some more, anyways....
....I think it's definitely better than it was:

[RICH MUISE]

OH YEAH!! looking good. I'm curious if that car has the two wires from the last bow to over the back window (like the '57's)

[CobraJoe]

Thanks Rich, and , yes they do. You can see them in post # 411, they are the ones I had to make as I didn't want to spend $$$$$

[mustang6984]

Looks infinitely better! Most of the wrinkle now looks to be by the back of the car near the window...right of center. But sure got a lot out.