She's finally purple again! FC7 70 Shaker Cuda340

[njsteve]

I also decided to give another try at getting that repro sail panel material onto the original fiber-board molded sail panels. The key was borrowing one of my lady coworkers portable steamers (for getting wrinkles out of clothing). It worked great! It is designed to be used while it is pointed downwards, so it was a bit hard to use on the actual headliner to get rid of the folding indents that wouldn't initially "pull out". So a lot of flipping and tilting got those pesky last creases out of the actual headliner.

As for the sail panels, I ended up steaming the heck out of the material and then using a lot of the heavy duty clips to temporarily hold the two opposing sides (top and bottom) that are actually glued to the board. After clamping them, I carefully removed each clamp one at a time and applied some adhesive to the board and the overlapping edge and stuck them together and reclamped them. The front edge glues onto the quarter window frame while the back edge tacks onto the spikes around the back window frame. After several hours of massaging the sail panels while watching the Goodwood Festival on TV, I had the sail panels ready for installation.

I test fitted the rear side panels which also served to position the lower edge of the sail panels as well.

It came out pretty well. Now hopefully I can cancel the order for that extra material that they haven't shipped yet.

And while I was at it, I installed the set of vintage 6x9 Kraco speakers I have (to go with the 1970 FM converter that's destined for the car). I tested them beforehand by hooking them to my Grandmother's car (1975 Firebird 455) rear speaker with a couple jumper wires. They worked fine!

BTW, does the black cardboard or the jute insulation side of the bulkhead barrier face the interior or the trunk?

[njsteve]

I also spent some time razor-blading all the old sealant off the back window. I ordered two rolls of 5/16 butyl tape and butyl primer so I can install the back window once I get the headliner all done. After scraping with a dozen razor blades there was still some residue under the areas that the stainless trim covered. So I used a wet Mr. Clean magic eraser and some powdered water spot remover and that got rid of most of the scaly residue.

Here's the back window after cleaning. I also got a good photo of the date code.

And yes, Grampa's 1971 Lincoln sure comes in handy...along with my daughter's papasan chair cushion, for working on the glass.

[6bblgt]

looking good!! 

the trunk divider on a '70 e-body never had the jute insulation

[njsteve]

So if I flip it to other way, it will look correct (black side) from the trunk view.

[6bblgt]

So if I flip it to other way, it will look correct (black side) from the trunk view.

YES

[anlauto]

Sail panels are looking good Steve 

[njsteve]

Moving along with the interior. I was able to get the correct interior pant from Herb's Parts for the trim and resprayed all the surround moldings with the right 1970 white interior color.

I gotta say that the reproduction door and rear panels are EXACT fit to the original pieces. I got them from Roseville Moparts. Who'dathunkit possible that you could install a repro interior panel and have the screw holes match perfectly with the existing holes in the door frame and inner bulkhead? Inconceivable!  The only modification you have to do is drill the holes for the 'cuda emblem and the remote mirror stalk. But the spots are premarked on the back side of the panels so it was really easy.

I also started cleaning up the seat belts and shoulder harnesses by soaking them in evaporust overnight. It did work great. All the grunge came out and the date labels are a little easier to see thought still rather yellowed with half a century of age. But they'll do.

[anlauto]

Window cranks are in the wrong position, but otherwise.....

[njsteve]

LOL. Is there actually a factory set position on the assembly line? And which way: windows up or down?

[anlauto]

YES...Windows up...they should be at 9 o'clock....there's a factory document on this website somewhere...hold tight...

[anlauto]

Here...

https://www.e-bodies.org/Resources/Engineering_Illustrations/Window_Regulator_Positioning.pdf

[njsteve]

Here...

https://www.e-bodies.org/Resources/Engineering_Illustrations/Window_Regulator_Positioning.pdf

9:00 ? What about daylight savings time? Do I have to wait til November 1st to change my cranks back one hour?

[6bblgt]

passenger side 9:00
driver's side 3:00

[anlauto]

passenger side 9:00
driver's side 3:00

valid point, never thought of that....I guess a clock comparison wasn't my best idea

[njsteve]

That's why I averaged the two times and picked 6:00.