HELLO - ANYBODY HOME?

[robic58]

OK - Something is wrong. My two favorite forum sites have just about dried up. Soon I'll just be talking to myself and I know full well that that's not that informative.

Is it the pending elections, the downturn in the economy, global warming or the impeding arrival of winter that's got you all in a retreat mode?
Or is it that you're busy, reviewing every Sarah Palin clip?

Come on guys & gals, our old Fords need our banter.

Post recent pics of your gems or diamonds in the rough, to renew interest
Cheers, I think,
Ralph.

[Jeff Roblin]

Well for me,

I haven't seen my 4th quarter pension statement yet so I don't know how much I lost..........but the lower CAD$ means I make more money on my Ebay sales.

DA MERC should be done next week (see my posts earlier).

Played Ball Hockey today in the Wyeth-United Way Ball Hockey Tournament. We, the Finance Cash-Kings won but my left leg is a little sore.

Gotta put a new roof on the house and garage - that's gonna cost $7K.

That's about it here.

[j3schwa]

Hello all,

I have been busy at work. The economy has all the big wigs making us ensure we are positioned for a rough christmas in rtail sales. I have done nothing but tour stores for merchandising and training stuff.
I did pull the cover off my Granada and check all the fluid levels. Ran it around town for about an hour and noticed that pesky tapping again on the 7 or 8 cylinder. I am going to replace the tires and wheels this spring along with installing new carpet and the bucket seats I got from Dennis in Texas. I half want to go ahead and pull the motor but if I do that I will want to paint the engine bay and I just don't want to spend the money if the US economy tanks.
We are holding onto what we have you know? I sure wanted to bid on that nice NOS taillight. I need a LH side one badly. It is about to fall off.
I did find some decent replacement weatherstrip that I think will work from Metro Rubber. That is another story.
Anybody notice the nice red and white Ghia coupe on ebay? It is really in good shpae and even has a console.
It is getting cooler down in here in MS. Around 49 at night. How is the weather in Canada Jeff?
James

[Jeff Roblin]

Looks like some wet snow for Monday or Tuesday. We had some wet flurries earlier this week but it melted as it hit the ground. Temperature are just a couple degrees above freezing over night.

[jhkaster]

Well, it has been a busy summer of activity on my cars. Here's the list of repairs:

• Mark III - Rebuilt radiator, rebuilt tranny, repaired exhaust leak at choke heater plate, new fan clutch, new distributor, adjust timing & carb to factory specs, and 4 wheel alignment. THE CAR RUNS AND DRIVES GREAT: LIKE A NEW CAR.
  
• Cougar XR-7 - Cooling system flush, replace rear main seal, install exhaust hose at catalytic converter, replace crankshaft bearings, 4 wheel alignment, new intake manifold gasket, replace front crankshaft seal, replace oil pan gasket, replace rack and pinion bushings, replace oil pump screen, replace power steering pressure hose, new oil pan drain plug, replace thermostat & housing, replace distributor o-ring, replace belts, new headliner, convert A/C. THIS CAR RUNS SUPER QUIET & SMOOTH. I NEVER HEAR THE ENGINE AND IT NEVER SHAKES.
  
• LeBaron Turbo Coupe - New headliner, replace headlight adjusting screws, align headlights; replace timing belt, accessory belt, water pump, coolant, adjust timing. I USE THIS CAR MORE THAN MY JAG AS A DAILY DRIVER. BEST SEATS OF THE BUNCH.
  
• LeBaron Convertible - new parts (dryer, expansion valve, compressor, belts, fittings, condensor), flush, evacuate, re-charge A/C; Brake job: new booster, master cylinder, wheel cylinders, shoes, turn drums; new convertible top. STILL TURNS HEADS.
  

So, as you can see I have done my share to stimulate the economy!

Next year I have lots of work to do on the Versailles... I'm speculating that I need to rebuild the engine and replace the water pump.

Here are the latest pic of my toys...

[baun]

Hi James,

Hmmm, What kind off weatherstrip are you talking about?? Please let me know how it will work out

The white 77 Ghia, looks to be a very nice car.

Just took my Nada for a spin ;D Properly the last drive for this year Will start to work on the car next week, have a lot off things I want done this winter.

Henrik, Denmark

[baun]

Kaster, very nice collection, looks great.

Henrik, Denmark

[j3schwa]

Hello Henrik,

I ordered a sample of weatherstrip from Metro Moulded Parts Inc. They have a website also. The part number was LP 40-K. (with clips) With clips C/LP 40-K 4.30 $U.S. per foot

I test fitted the sample to the top of the door and it was a perfect fit. The sample set in the channel very snug and is the same height as the origonal.
The issue is the section of rubber that is "flat" and transitions from the side down below the window. It may not "fit" well. I was going to measure the lenght and place an order to see if I could just trim it to match that section. The section I am describing has the small screw holding it in place.
Another concern is that this sample is available with or without the "pins" to secure it along the sides and bottom of the door. One would most likely need to order it with the pins and then trim them off for the top part of the door. Also, the pins are not spaced 4" apart along the side of the door at the back. Some of them seem to be a bit closer and probably have to be trimmed off and an adhesive used.
So you see it is not as good as I would prefer but for those of us with weatherstrip in poor shape it is better than nothing.
I am not going to try it until spring when I finish replacing the upper control arms and coil springs to lower the stance on the front end. I will also put the seats in at that time.
Talking about seats. I broke the driver side seat track somehow? Does anyone know if '67-'73 Mustang bucket seat tracks will interchange?
James

[robic58]

James- A very spectacular collection indeed. Not GMVs , but I've long been partial to the 80's mid size Chryslers..they were well designed vehicles. I had an '85 Mid size Chryco- A Plymouth Caravelle , same colour scheme as yours yellow/gold. Probably,
the best new car I've ever owned.... and I agree with you about the seats... great comfort and support.
I like your 82 XR7 - I have two of the previous generation, one with only 17K, all original except for battery.
When they came out in '77, Cougars and T-Birds, I felt these models were not particularly attractive , but like other vehicles, they are far more classy and classic 30 years later.They grow on you as they age.
You 've sure gotten a lot done on your stable, this past summer.
Thoroughly enjoyed your post. I'm going to try a a few pics of my own this week.
Cheers, Ralph