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Topic: New Addition (Read 11127 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: New Addition

Reply #30
Finally back at it after things kind of slowed through the holidays.  Cleaned up some of the vert specific wiring - replaced basic crimp connectors with some nice heat shrink units with the built in solder.  Reinstalled the factory insulation/carpet padding.  Cleaned and painted the center console, you can see the fading and discoloration in the photo.

Re: New Addition

Reply #31
Got the new carpet trimmed up and test fit.  Still need to do some tpuppies on the sides but it's in place now along with the center console. 

Re: New Addition

Reply #32
Refreshed the passenger side seat - hit it with some SEM vinyl cleaner and then treated it with some protectant, came out nice ... the interior was in pretty good shape all things considered, just needs some cleaning and TLC.  I have a little work to do on the base of the driver's side seat since I am changing it over due to the consolette.

Gutted the passenger side rear window area ... here's a seldom seen shot on one of these cars.  Replacing the window weatherstripping (brittle/missing), window motor (both rear side windows need some maintenance), and the lift cylinders for the top (leaking).  Plenty to keep me busy for awhile ...ha!

Re: New Addition

Reply #33
Nice progress Matt! The carpeting/console combo looks fantastic.

Just FYI, I'm not positive but the rear power window motors might be clocked. I replaced one of mine a few years ago (and it turns out that it wasn't necessary, there was a power/wiring issue instead) and it hasn't been exactly right since. I have some adjustments to make right now (in/out), hopefully it doesn't require removing that motor again.

BTW, the new motor was brand new, not a reman, from O'Reillys and I believe it was listed under a 1984-ish Pontiac Bonneville 4-door. It's a little quieter, doesn't sound like C-3PO's body movements anymore*. I kinda miss that sound...but the other side is still the original mid-1980s motor so I've got that.  :toothless:

* Seriously, an old Cadillac window motor was the basis for the sounds of C-3PO's movements in the original Star Wars movie (A New Hope). Subsequent movies had different sounds for him, but The Last Jedi brought back the GM window motor sounds.

Re: New Addition

Reply #34
Nice progress Matt! The carpeting/console combo looks fantastic.

Just FYI, I'm not positive but the rear power window motors might be clocked. I replaced one of mine a few years ago (and it turns out that it wasn't necessary, there was a power/wiring issue instead) and it hasn't been exactly right since. I have some adjustments to make right now (in/out), hopefully it doesn't require removing that motor again.

BTW, the new motor was brand new, not a reman, from O'Reillys and I believe it was listed under a 1984-ish Pontiac Bonneville 4-door. It's a little quieter, doesn't sound like C-3PO's body movements anymore*. I kinda miss that sound...but the other side is still the original mid-1980s motor so I've got that.  :toothless:

* Seriously, an old Cadillac window motor was the basis for the sounds of C-3PO's movements in the original Star Wars movie (A New Hope). Subsequent movies had different sounds for him, but The Last Jedi brought back the GM window motor sounds.

Thanks!  As I mentioned before, I'm not a huge fan of red on red on red interior, so hopefully this will tone it down some.  Looks awfully dark right now with no seats ... probably not the best idea to go dark on a convertible interior either, but I think it should all tie together nicely in the end ... guess we'll see!

The rear windows both operated, but not smoothly by any means.  I pulled everything apart to inspect and grease things up.  The plastic roller bearing that rides in the track is practically square, I'm sure that's not exactly helping matters ... I'll have to address that.  I just bought replacement motors since I had it apart ... figured I'd rebuild it all while I was there.  I bought new AC Delco units similar to these: https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-12497971-Original-Equipment-Regulator/dp/B000C9F4VY/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=ac+delco+window+motor&qid=1578933430&sr=8-3.  I haven't reinstalled anything yet, so we'll see if they are clocked or not.  I also need to play with the limit switches ... I assume the bottom one is supposed to cut the power to the motor once the window hits a certain spot?

Love the Star Wars trivia ... hard to be a child of the 80's and not!

 

Re: New Addition

Reply #35
Ah okay, think that's the motor I got also. It's definitely smooth operating and quieter.

A square roller? Wow...guess I better check mine now too LOL.

I also need to play with the limit switches ... I assume the bottom one is supposed to cut the power to the motor once the window hits a certain spot?

Yes, exactly. Was yours not doing that?

Re: New Addition

Reply #36
Ah okay, think that's the motor I got also. It's definitely smooth operating and quieter.

A square roller? Wow...guess I better check mine now too LOL.

I also need to play with the limit switches ... I assume the bottom one is supposed to cut the power to the motor once the window hits a certain spot?

Yes, exactly. Was yours not doing that?

Yeah, the grease in the window track was so dried up and the roller was deformed.  Some of the grease was basically bonded to the roller and I had to break it off.

On the limit switch, I'll have to manually check its operation.  I don't think it is adjusted or aligned correctly as it wasn't being engaged at all ... looks like there had been attempts at adjustments to the rear windows over the years ... shims, washers, you can tell that the mounting brackets have been in different spots ... I'm sure there's plenty of time in my future trying to get these things aligned.

Re: New Addition

Reply #37
Sounds typical of the era, I noticed some of that myself but had always been able to get everything aligned well enough. Surprisingly, the switches have always behaved perfectly in my car...up until this moment when I mentioned them. Ah well, it was a good run...  :nonchalance:

If you need some reference pix just let me know.

Re: New Addition

Reply #38
Sounds typical of the era, I noticed some of that myself but had always been able to get everything aligned well enough. Surprisingly, the switches have always behaved perfectly in my car...up until this moment when I mentioned them. Ah well, it was a good run...  :nonchalance:

If you need some reference pix just let me know.

Thanks.  Yeah, anything you can pass along would be a great help I'm sure.  I left the driver side alone so I have something to reference while I work on the passenger side.  I have all the brackets and mounting plate/cover getting powder coated, hoping to start putting that side back together this weekend.

Re: New Addition

Reply #39
Took a little bit of a detour this weekend ... the hood release cable mount was broken, so decided to replace it before finishing up the carpet.  Pulled the fender and replaced the cable assembly.  Found a nice nest of cotton ... not surprised with the car having sat for close to 20 years.

Re: New Addition

Reply #40
"Finished" installing the carpet.  Trimmed everything up, installed the kick panels and sill plates, got all the holes cut/placed for the front and rear seat mounting locations.

Re: New Addition

Reply #41
For those who ever wondered what a Cougar convertible looks like with the whole top assembly removed ...

Cleaning the insides of the rear wheel wells, treating with some protective coating, and then she'll be going back together ... hopefully ...

Re: New Addition

Reply #42
Finally what "feels" like a little bit of tangible progress ...

-Got most of both doors wrapped up ... still need to add the the map pockets on
-Got the seat tracks on the passenger seat cleaned up and loosely installed the seat
-Have the rear wheel wheels all cleaned up and ready to start tackling the re-assembly of the quarter windows

I'm pretty happy with how the color combo has worked out thus far.

Re: New Addition

Reply #43
Its looking good
Mike

Re: New Addition

Reply #44
Now to the "fun" stuff ... these rear window assemblies are going to be a series of trial and error with lots of adjustments to get them "right".  Gotta try to line them up with the weatherstripping, gotta make sure they don't go too far up (or down), make sure they meet up and follow the arc of the front window, adjust limit switches ... and when they don't - take them back out, make adjustments, and try again ... good times!

Anyway, got the tracks cleaned up and loosely installed.  This weekend will probably be a time suck on trying to get these suckers all dialed in.  First photo is the assembly as it was removed from the car.  Also worked on installing Dynamat in the rear seat area.  The lift cylinders for the top both leaked all over and the fluid ended up getting partially soaked up by the factory lining which caused it to start deteriorating.