Author Topic: 1963 Ford Fairlane  (Read 148373 times)

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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #675 on: January 17, 2015, 09:52:54 PM »
I got both seats out.  It would have been nice if I could have removed the door panels as well since they all need to go to the same place.  One of the rear doors is stuck shut (locked).  I figure I can unlock it if I can get to the locking mechanism, but I can't get the door panel off.  Removing the window regulator handle requires a special tool S9538-A to remove the circlip ring.

This is S9538-A.


This is the 'universal' removal tool they sell everywhere else.


I have body trim tools that could probably work better than that. 
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #676 on: January 24, 2015, 07:01:05 PM »
I managed to get three of the four window handles removed.  I guess the clip just needed some motivation to get pushed out of place. 

I flushed the engine and radiator today.  There was no rust or crud coming out of the engine.  Once the coolant was flushed, the water came out clean.  I'll have to get the dash rewired to find out if I still have an overheating problem.  I replaced the thermostat housing gasket and there are no leaks in the system at all.
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Offline Eupher

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #677 on: January 26, 2015, 02:43:31 PM »
I managed to get three of the four window handles removed.  I guess the clip just needed some motivation to get pushed out of place. 

I flushed the engine and radiator today.  There was no rust or crud coming out of the engine.  Once the coolant was flushed, the water came out clean.  I'll have to get the dash rewired to find out if I still have an overheating problem.  I replaced the thermostat housing gasket and there are no leaks in the system at all.

What kinda shape is the water pump in? While replacing a WP on a V-8 isn't nearly the headache it is on a transverse-mount engine, it's a bitch when it decides to go belly up on you.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #678 on: January 26, 2015, 02:44:23 PM »
What kinda shape is the water pump in? While replacing a WP on a V-8 isn't nearly the headache it is on a transverse-mount engine, it's a bitch when it decides to go belly up on you.
I don't know yet.  It isn't leaking, but I think I will probably have to pull it off at some point.  Might as well do it now.
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Offline zeitgeist

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #679 on: January 27, 2015, 10:24:25 AM »
I don't know yet.  It isn't leaking, but I think I will probably have to pull it off at some point.  Might as well do it now.

...and then there are those 'special tools' necessary to access some fan bolts so you don't have to pull the radiator to pull the water pump. :whistling:

Seems like KD must make a few of those.   Designers and engineers should really be forced to service the first car off a production line.   :rant:
< watch this space for coming distractions >

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #680 on: January 27, 2015, 10:41:33 AM »
...and then there are those 'special tools' necessary to access some fan bolts so you don't have to pull the radiator to pull the water pump. :whistling:

Seems like KD must make a few of those.   Designers and engineers should really be forced to service the first car off a production line.   :rant:
I heard Honda used to do that in the 80s. 
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Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #681 on: January 27, 2015, 11:55:04 AM »
...and then there are those 'special tools' necessary to access some fan bolts so you don't have to pull the radiator to pull the water pump. :whistling:

Seems like KD must make a few of those.   Designers and engineers should really be forced to service the first car off a production line.   :rant:
I've said that for....hell....all my life. Actually I add in "take it apart and put it back together".

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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #682 on: January 28, 2015, 09:26:30 PM »
It looks like someone has already screwed with the water pump.  There is goop around the edges that looked like someone was too cheap to either buy a new one or put on a gasket.

Might as well pull it and take a look.  I already have a full set of FelPro engine gaskets.
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Offline Eupher

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #683 on: February 04, 2015, 03:22:44 PM »
It looks like someone has already screwed with the water pump.  There is goop around the edges that looked like someone was too cheap to either buy a new one or put on a gasket.

Might as well pull it and take a look.  I already have a full set of FelPro engine gaskets.

Ugh. That's gonna mean some scraping, most likely.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #684 on: February 07, 2015, 05:35:35 PM »
Progress.  I finally got that pesky window handle off and removed three door panels.  Now I just have to get the right rear door unlocked.  The lock is stuck shut.

I found a second broken light socket on the instrument panel.  I'll have to order another socket to put the dash back together.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #685 on: February 08, 2015, 04:59:31 PM »
I don't trust the temperature sender or the gauge in the cluster, so I ordered a Thermocap
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #686 on: March 15, 2015, 05:47:51 PM »
Fudge.

The rear passenger door lock is stuck.  In Ford's infinite wisdom, there is no key lock on the rear doors, only the front .  I had a locksmith come out here and he told me I needed to call a mechanic instead.  I've been PB Blasting the inside of the door around the handle and lock pull knob.

The lock pull knob came off.  There is an 1/8th-inch threaded bolt it attaches to.  I could probably screw on a couple of nuts and try to pull it open.  If I can get the door open, I can remove the door panel.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #687 on: March 15, 2015, 05:49:54 PM »
It's nice outside.  We don't have nuclear radiation for sunlight like they do in Nevada... 70° degrees feels like 70°, not 110°.
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #688 on: March 16, 2015, 03:08:29 AM »
Fudge.

The rear passenger door lock is stuck.  In Ford's infinite wisdom, there is no key lock on the rear doors, only the front .  I had a locksmith come out here and he told me I needed to call a mechanic instead.  I've been PB Blasting the inside of the door around the handle and lock pull knob.

The lock pull knob came off.  There is an 1/8th-inch threaded bolt it attaches to.  I could probably screw on a couple of nuts and try to pull it open.  If I can get the door open, I can remove the door panel.

I can't think of any vehicles that have key locks on the rear doors.


Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #689 on: March 16, 2015, 03:09:43 AM »
It's nice outside.  We don't have nuclear radiation for sunlight like they do in Nevada... 70° degrees feels like 70°, not 110°.

Today was a beautiful 81 degrees when I had to report to work at 2 PM...not sure what it will be like when I return at 6:30 AM Monday. I hope I can sleep and quit watching these stupid car shows on TV.

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #690 on: March 17, 2015, 02:39:55 PM »
Today was a beautiful 81 degrees when I had to report to work at 2 PM...not sure what it will be like when I return at 6:30 AM Monday. I hope I can sleep and quit watching these stupid car shows on TV.
They are addictive.
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #691 on: March 18, 2015, 06:07:05 AM »
They are addictive.

I didn't even know I had that stupid channel and now I can't stop watching it. This is what happens when you have guests.  :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

I need to look up a friend of mine here in town. I have helped him do some marketing for his business which was mostly window tinting for home and autos. (not sure you need that in Nevada, the sun it not really that bright)

Anyways.......he has been fabricating custom roll cages for vehicles, dune buggies and other stuff...I might volunteer to paint a few items to get back in the grove.

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #692 on: March 19, 2015, 10:17:45 PM »
I'm watching Jesse James' ridiculous show.  I wonder if Sandra Bullock has to pay him alimony.

I pulled the batteries out of both cars after Christmas.  They weren't charging fully, so I popped the covers off and found a couple of low cells on each one.  I topped them off with distilled water and let them sit for a few minutes... just like new.

I ordered the only set of white door handles that are available for the car.  To make sure everything matches, I'm using them to order the new door panels and upholstery material.  The headliner may or may not match.  I still need to get the rear door unlocked.  I picked up a threaded sleeve from the hardware store... I hope I can screw that onto the lock rod and force the lock open.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #693 on: March 21, 2015, 04:26:40 PM »
Got it!

I found an enormous, rusty metal file under the carpet.  Probably the most interesting thing I've found so far.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #694 on: March 21, 2015, 08:29:49 PM »
Seats, door panels, and carpet have all been removed and the interior has been vacuumed.  Time to spend some money.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #695 on: March 21, 2015, 09:04:27 PM »
I forgot these were in the car.  There are registration papers from 1968, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1981.



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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #696 on: March 22, 2015, 08:48:24 PM »
How does an auto parts store run out of lug nuts?  I got one new wheel on but only had four lug nuts available.  Also, finding a tire shop with the correct size tire was a pain.



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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #697 on: April 05, 2015, 05:42:26 PM »
I forgot these were in the car.  There are registration papers from 1968, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1981.





Very cool

Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #698 on: April 05, 2015, 05:44:04 PM »
How does an auto parts store run out of lug nuts?  I got one new wheel on but only had four lug nuts available.  Also, finding a tire shop with the correct size tire was a pain.





The wrap on the truck behind the car looks really cool.

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #699 on: April 05, 2015, 09:29:29 PM »
The wrap on the truck behind the car looks really cool.
It should... it cost enough.
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