1965 Convertible Mustang Restoration

Wednesday, 13 November 2013

Putting the Convertible frame back together

After assembling the two halves it was easy to mount each half back into the car.

Then assemble the cross bows and align

Once I have all the windows fitted in place I'll be able to do all the hood adjustments.

There are factory measurements between top bows.

These measurements aren't centre-to-centre, but from bow edge to bow edge.

Front Header bow to No. 2 bow: 16 1/2 inches

No. 2 bow to No. 3 bow: 16 3/4 inches

No. 3 bow to No. 4 bow: 15 1/2 inches
No. 4 bow to stainless molding: 20 1/2 inches
No. 4 bow to drain trough: 22 1/2 inches

When I pulled the frame apart I fabricated a bow locating gauge from plywood, which will enabled me to position bows back to factory specifications.

There are five ways to make top adjustments:

Bow No. 2 up/down adjustment

Side rail camber eccentric at balance link

Side rail camber set screw at hinge

Header to side rail adjustment (fore and aft length adjustment)

Frame bracket to body bolts (side to side adjustment)

Thursday, 17 October 2013

Refurbishing the1965 Mustang Convertible Roof Frame

Once the roof lining, back window and all the weather strips were removed I took a lot of photos to make sure everything went back in the right place. The frame doesn't look too complicated but once you start pulling it a part there are so many pieces, you need to be well organised.

Each bow is a different size and shape not only that but every bush and joint are all different sizes and shapes.Take note which way each bush is inserted and also which way each clevis pin goes and the correct order of the washers.

Centre Side Rail

Roof Main Mount

Balance Link Arm

Balance Link Arm eccentric joint

Note a frame number marked on the front header frame

When cleaning up the roof bows I noticed numbers inside the the second bow. ( M2 )

And ( 3M ) marking in the third bow

( M2 )

The thin metal strip goes inside the bow to hold the roof lining inside the bow.

Markings on the end of the roof bow brackets, these are the same on each bracket.

All the side rails after stripping and painting in etch primer

Front Header Bow with new tacking strip riveted back on and front weather strip retainer screwed in place.

I mounted the frame halves to the bench while reassembling them this was helpful it would have been quiet awkward otherwise.

Front header assembly all back together.

Painted the wheels at the same time

Sunday, 22 September 2013

1965 Mustang Convertible Roof Frame Bushing Measurements, Pictures & Part Numbers ( Part 1 )

Ford don't supply these Nylon Flanged Bushes any longer and you can't buy them, I think its probably still not commercially viable to make these, so I thought I see about getting some made up for myself or at least try and search for them.

Because every single one is different there is so many of them in the roof frame, it was a lot of work to record every single measurement I thought at least I could record them as I'm sure the measurements will be of use to someone else as well.