Saving Granddad's Falcon

[dhbfaster]

Mine is similar to the first picture...except the spring steel piece that goes to the transmission seems to be longer than that one in the picture. (AND, mine is now nicely restored...)

[Luva65wagon]

All the original Falcon cars until about '66 (don't quote me) used the cantilever springs. The first image (the ebay part) doesn't have the correct spring. It looks like a piece of hot-rolled flat steel. The spring for it is supposed to be similar to the V8 part you pictured, but without the extra support "S" piece. I think the 6'r uses only two leafs, and not 3, but this is only from what I've personally seen and that isn't exhaustive or conclusive. All my cars have had 6'rs with double leaf supports.

And I have too many of these parts piling up at home - not sure how or why I came upon them - but every time I go and open a bin, there's a greasy tranny mount.

They all take the same rubber bits, but mounting bolts may differ.

I recently finally learned enough about these and had [what I thought to be] an epiphany about why my wagon, since day one of me owning it (3 different transmissions, half-dozen differnt clutches, new driveline, new rear-end, new shocks, crank/bearing swap, new motor mounts) chatters when I try to back up against a load. Drives me crazy! So I bought all new tranny mount parts and rebuilt it like new. No change at all. This alone has prompted me to put the thing up-for-sale because I can't allow myself to invest in the change it to a V8 or newer 6. I've pretty much concluded the car is simply too heavy for a 8.5" clutch. I'd have to change engines to a later 200 to get around that and keep it a 6.

OK... Back to your regularly scheduled program...

[dhbfaster]

Got a quote for time to install the headliner...8 hrs to install the headliner and wind lace? Does that sound right to you guys?

[BadBird]

It all depends on what the installer is going to do. Are the rear window and windshield still in the car. Is he going to remove/reinstall those. If those are not in the car now, then I would say 8 hours for a professional is quite a bit more than needed.

After I did mine myself (a bit difficult the first time) I found a friend who had his Chevy Nova done for $145 and it was a great job. But he didn't have to remove glass.

More info needed to make a good response. But, check around.

[Luva65wagon]

8 hours for a DIY'er maybe, but not for a professional and with the glass out as yours is. Or maybe if he was making it from scratch too.

But it should take about 20 minutes to insert the bows and get them into place. Maybe another 20 to glue the rear section into the back, then another 20 for the front (we've spent an hour so far). The sides and the windless another hour, maybe. A little steaming and heating to take out the wrinkles... sounds like $145-$200 to me as well.

[dhbfaster]

Right...as you can see the car has the windows out already, and someone else would put them back in. The headliner is made for the falcon- one of the standard ones that Jake sells from original falcon interiors.

[Luva65wagon]

I saw on an episode of some TV show recently where a guy was installing the headliner in a Chev Wagon and was lamenting that it took him 3 days to get it in and all the wrinkles out. Show car though and custom all the way. So would not use this as a comparison, but this might be the mind-set of this guy.

[Jeff W]

This is from my Build Thread on the Wagon:

"It took us about five hours including prep, looking for missing parts, lunch and breaks for fresh air and to check up on Brian's engine install (two houses away).

No reservations, just go for it. A large heated garage would have cut the time down to three hours. A Ranchero would take about 15 minutes. I don't know who started the "hire a professional" rumor... probably the professionals"

More here:
http://www.rainierfalcons.com/forums...?t=1470&page=3


Also the wind lace was a fast job, maybe 20 minutes including figuring out how it goes on. Double that since you have 4 doors.

[doghows]

WAY out of control! My upholstery guy custom made my headliner and installed it in about five hours. He had my old one for a pattern but still!?!
You have a pre-made ready to install one, no glass and no interior. Should be about a two hour job max if the guy knows what he is doing.
Jeff get over there and handle that for him!

[dhbfaster]

Yea...some decisions to make.
Remember the car is in Spokane, I have to tow it back home at some point which I had planned to do on the $50 open trailer rental. I had certainly hoped to do that with the headliner and the front and rear windows installed....otherwise I'll need an enclosed trailer because I don't think any plastic taped in those big holes will stay for six hours on i90. Feeling a bit stuck...Tech day at Phil's place?
Unfortunately I'm about to be out on work or vacation for like the next 7 weekends.

[Jeff W]

Phil, you are a talented and patient guy. You will be awesome!

[dhbfaster]

Agree! And....after reading your thread about the seats again Jeff, it's given me more confidence on finishing the seats myself too.
Just dropped a bunch of stuff off with Phil. This falcon is going to be awesome.

[dhbfaster]

Kenny...found the perfect accessory...even the wheels match!

http://m.ebay.com/itm/like/161091667...ectorid=229466

[Jeff W]

Agree! And....after reading your thread about the seats again Jeff, it's given me more confidence on finishing the seats myself too.
Just dropped a bunch of stuff off with Phil. This falcon is going to be awesome.

Don, I really enjoyed trimming the foam and recovering the seats.

It is one of the fun jobs that you can do in the comfort of the living room and not make a mess. It's more of a craft project and extremely rewarding. I know your kids are older than mine, but I had them sitting on the floor, pulling, stretching, holding and generally getting in the way. It was a blast!