But first...
2 out of the 5 shop/office dogs watching me work. Not mine but they are all awesome.
Another update Guys!
I solved the weird cut out issue!
New headliner installed!
Column shifter is in and the floor shifter is OUT!
WHICH MEANS I CAN PUT IN BENCH SEATS AND NEW CARPET!
I'm excited. It will be nice to get the interior all purdy like. Kay - on to the update.
CUT OUT ISSUE:
Remember when I was saying the car would just die for a second - it happened about 3-4 times?yeah, that was me completely forgetting to tighten down the negative terminal when I rewired the gas tank stuff. It's tightened down and I'm back to 14v too. *sigh*
NEW HEADLINER.
My wife informed me that she was tired of parts of the headliner flapping down and slapping her in the face while we drive. Yeah, I guess that is a bit much - it was time to get that fixed before Summer hit.I snagged an already stitched kit from eBay, specifically made for the LTD. Same color, matching fabric, etc. Boom.
It was time to take it to Troy, of Aces Upholstery. What I didn't have were replacement sails for the rear sides. But Troy said he would figure something out.
Time for some before pics:
Rear sails are thrashed. Check out the Frankenstein's monster stitching up top.
Trim is gone so there is a fat gap between them and the frame too.
And of course, the headliner is just drooping down. My wife said she was afraid a spider was going to drop down on her. I reassured it that it would be dead at least.
Yeah - it is time. Off to see the wizard.
Check out that rear sail too! No gap either.
Time to go enjoy and -
Then it snowed. #SPRINGINRENO
Moving on.
COLUMN SHIFTER TIME
The below pic is from some time ago; but on the right side, there is the floor shifter. It is also my anti-theft device! Because no one else except for me knows how to properly shift it out of park. Why? Because it takes the exact right of finesse, patience and force. Also, apparently it was completely disconnected from the frame; it was only carpet and shift cable that was holding it down. So there is that...
When I got the new steering column from a dude on the east coast (aka rust bucket land), he sent me his shift linkage as well. It isn't a direct match and he didn't have the shifter arm that was attached to the transmission but WE CAN MAKE IT WORK!
I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU UGH
I did some initial measurements and with the available brackets, I need to extend the linkage about 1.25" inches.
A good screw will make everything better.
Used the death wheel to cut the screw to the appropriate size.
Snagged a replacement shifter grommet from ebay, so I splatted it on to prevent any chooching.
K - so pretend there is a fat red arrow pointing...wait, let me just ms-paint one really quick.
There - that is where part of the linkage attaches to the steering column.
REMINDER: WEAR YOUR DAMN EYE PROTECTION
Of course the one time I don't have goggles under the car, a small metal rod decided to slowly pivot, ever so slightly, until it butterfly kissed my open eyeball. *smooch*
Okay - so I got all the linkage installed and everything actually fit nicely.
[Now pretend there is a picture of the new linkage all welded together and installed.]
WOW THAT LOOKS GREAT MIKE!
Anyway...
So it worked! The column shifter shifted fine. One shifty issue though - the shifter arm on the C6 transmission is the aftermarket version and it's "Throw" is very tiny. What does this mean in english? It means when I shift from one gear to another, instead of a nice little gap/space between each shift, there is a tiny, minuscule one and without fine muscle control, I will shift it straight into drive from park.
No sweat though, I can snag an adjustable arm from Summit for around 20 bones.
So check this guy out:
Good riddance shifter and gross cables.
Aw, much better. I placed some sound deadener over the open gaps to prevent noise and whatever else escaping to the cabin.
No more janky floor shifter!
Tada! Check out that 'Murica rag up top. hell yeah
They need a little TLC...(or a seat cover)
Then when that is done - get new upholstery for both front and back seats and door panels. ...and weatherstripping for the doors...and whatever else.
Woohoo!
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!
Checkout my buddies update on his Cougar. (This is one of the two partner's in crime that helps me with my stuff) He just got his racing 427 with new exhaust and EFI conversion friggin running!!The dude is a perfectionist; you'll notice the care and time he takes to do things right and make them look pretty. Go check it out!
