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Topic: The dash is out (Read 2524 times) previous topic - next topic

The dash is out

I actually found some free time this weekend to work on the Cougar so I decided to tackle a project that I have been dreading (more nervous really) for a while. Removing the dash and doing it without putting any cracks in it.

I took my time and when frustration set in, mostly from those darn locking tabbed electrical connectors, (I don’t think I have ever cussed at anything more in my life than when working with those) I took a breath, walked away for a few minutes and sipped on a cold beverage in the nice shade of the yard before heading backing in. My patience was eventually rewarded though as it came out crack free.  8)

1985 Mercury Cougar XR-7 - 5-speed 
One of 1,246 built


Re: The dash is out

Reply #2
Years ago, I was doing a pedal swap in my first Thunderbird. My dash was already cracked, so that wasn't my concern. I did, however, end up cracking my windshield. That wasn't a good day.
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: The dash is out

Reply #3
One day after I got my car all put together, I stopped by the car was in a hurry before work to just vacuum the car out. Had the windshield sper sitting in the front seat. When I got done vacuuming out the back seat, I went to push the seat back and somehow the sper flipped up into the windshield and spider webbed the whole windshield. I was so pissed.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Re: The dash is out

Reply #4
The big question is why did you take the dash out in the first place?
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Re: The dash is out

Reply #5
Glad it worked out...that is not a fun project. Imagine having to do that PLUS the 5-speed pedal swap.

Thanks Eric. I can see where doing the pedal swap would be a lot easier with the dash pulled out. 
1985 Mercury Cougar XR-7 - 5-speed 
One of 1,246 built

Re: The dash is out

Reply #6
The big question is why did you take the dash out in the first place?

One winter storage season I had a mouse make a home in the cowl and in the trunk. I found the one in the trunk but I didn’t find the mess in the cowl until much later and all of the droppings had turned to a hard tar like substance.
I cleaned it the best I could, and most of the time it's fine, but every once in a while, you get a whiff of it.
It has been a struggle to keep them out ever since. I’ve tried everything (except moth balls because I can’t stand that smell) but they keep coming back. It’s like the car is a magnet for them.
I spoke with an exterminator several years ago and he told me that mice are a territorial animal and if they catch another’s scent they will make a home there too.
So my thought is to do a full power-wash of the interior and cowl area and try and get every possible crevice cleaned out. It may be extreme, but after having to deal with this problem for 30+ years I’m willing to try anything at this point.
1985 Mercury Cougar XR-7 - 5-speed 
One of 1,246 built

Re: The dash is out

Reply #7
Memories....
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re: The dash is out

Reply #8
The big question is why did you take the dash out in the first place?

One winter storage season I had a mouse make a home in the cowl and in the trunk. I found the one in the trunk but I didn’t find the mess in the cowl until much later and all of the droppings had turned to a hard tar like substance.
I cleaned it the best I could, and most of the time it's fine, but every once in a while, you get a whiff of it.
It has been a struggle to keep them out ever since. I’ve tried everything (except moth balls because I can’t stand that smell) but they keep coming back. It’s like the car is a magnet for them.
I spoke with an exterminator several years ago and he told me that mice are a territorial animal and if they catch another’s scent they will make a home there too.
So my thought is to do a full power-wash of the interior and cowl area and try and get every possible crevice cleaned out. It may be extreme, but after having to deal with this problem for 30+ years I’m willing to try anything at this point.


Well that sounds like a not fun time. Good luck, and I hope cleaning solves the issue.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Re: The dash is out

Reply #9
The one thing that *seems* to work great (and you may not want to if your factory smell is still there and you worry about ruining it)....are the Black Ice scent Little Trees. 

All I know is where I am there are plenty of field mice, across the street my buddy and his dad share the same two-stall detached garage. Dad's '65 Falcon had like 3 or 4 of 'em in it, no mice. Friend's '90 Vette, no trees, they went right in there.
1987 20th Anniversary Cougar, 302 "5.0" GT-40 heads (F3ZE '93 Cobra) and TMoss Ported H.O. intake, H.O. camshaft
2.5" Duals, no cats, Flowmaster 40s, Richmond 3.73s w/ Trac-Lok, maxed out Baumann shift kit, 3000 RPM Dirty Dog non-lock TC
Aside from the Mustang crinkle headers, still looks like it's only 150 HP...
1988 Black XR7 Trick Flow top end, Tremec 3550
1988 Black XR7 Procharger P600B intercooled, Edelbrock Performer non-RPM heads, GT40 intake AOD, 13 PSI @5000 RPM. 93 octane

Re: The dash is out

Reply #10
The one thing that *seems* to work great (and you may not want to if your factory smell is still there and you worry about ruining it)....are the Black Ice scent Little Trees. 

All I know is where I am there are plenty of field mice, across the street my buddy and his dad share the same two-stall detached garage. Dad's '65 Falcon had like 3 or 4 of 'em in it, no mice. Friend's '90 Vette, no trees, they went right in there.

Factory smell is long gone.  :frown:  I've never smelled the Black Ice scent trees, but I'm not opposed to trying them if it deters the critters.

I can tell you the Bounce dryer sheet idea did not work. I spread several of those around the interior one year, but still found evidence of them so I went and used a whole box of Bounce. All it did was made it real easy to spot the droppings sitting on the white dryer sheets. 
1985 Mercury Cougar XR-7 - 5-speed 
One of 1,246 built

Re: The dash is out

Reply #11
How do they get in there?  Is there not a screen over the fresh air intake for the HVAC?  I would try to properly seal the cabin, wherever the "hole" is.

I hate mice, fortunately I haven't had any problems, but funny thing is, I use a lot of little tree freshners also.  Maybe he's on to something. LOL
Mike

Re: The dash is out

Reply #12
Black Ice is very strong....the smell is nice in small doses but it might offend. If you've ever smelt Axe deodorant it'll remind you of that  :rollin:  but I also tried dryer sheets and other home remedies that have been passed around...I think it's the chemicals and strong odor that keep them away.

Makes you wonder what impact those air fresheners have on *our* health  :dunno:
1987 20th Anniversary Cougar, 302 "5.0" GT-40 heads (F3ZE '93 Cobra) and TMoss Ported H.O. intake, H.O. camshaft
2.5" Duals, no cats, Flowmaster 40s, Richmond 3.73s w/ Trac-Lok, maxed out Baumann shift kit, 3000 RPM Dirty Dog non-lock TC
Aside from the Mustang crinkle headers, still looks like it's only 150 HP...
1988 Black XR7 Trick Flow top end, Tremec 3550
1988 Black XR7 Procharger P600B intercooled, Edelbrock Performer non-RPM heads, GT40 intake AOD, 13 PSI @5000 RPM. 93 octane