Topic: Center console

[Angela]

I'm wondering if anyone has any advice or tips concerning preparing to and installing a center console into a 67 or 68. I'm getting ready to put the console back together and am wondering about the right "process" to install it. For example, I have a few questions:
(1) I assume the console should be installed before the front seats are installed; is that correct?
(2) Should the radio be installed before or after the console?
(3) are there any tricks/tips to adjusting the automatic shift lever with respect to the shift indicator in the console?
(4) Should I use the Herco contact adhesive to glue in the seat belt cup inserts?

There are probably ten more questions I should be asking but don't know what they are. Looking for advice...

[67gta289]

Has been a while for me.  The mistake that I made years ago was when running the long screws through the tunnel - they snagged on the carpet and pulled the thread out a couple inches.  Not really seen between the seats but something to avoid.  I'm sure that someone here has a cure.  I seem to recall someone suggesting to run an ice pick through the holes and burn the carpet near the hole with a soldering iron.

[J_Speegle]

Any of these is just a choice - think either choose will normally work - just my choices in the past. Been 20 years or so since the last one

(1) I assume the console should be installed before the front seats are installed; is that correct?

Yes if not getting the screws in at the seats is a real pain. I don't use a drill to make the holes (if your adding a console) Instead use a punch.

IF your putting it back in the car a friend with a punch or awl from under the car will help align the old holes through the carpet and hole in console base. Some take the time to push the awl through, burn a hole through the carpet with an electric soldering iron to reduce unraveling

(2) Should the radio be installed before or after the console?

I up it on/in the console first. Make the balance a challenge but saves me a step later  - don't forget the radio rear metal support rod

(3) are there any tricks/tips to adjusting the automatic shift lever with respect to the shift indicator in the console?

Leave it loose, then center and adjust with the top plate off of course, once the console in place. Believe there is one screw that is hard to get to if you do it this way

(4) Should I use the Herco contact adhesive to glue in the seat belt cup inserts?

That will work - have used other weather strip adhesives for this purpose in the past - just a daub on each side as they tend to bend inward with time and heat

[Angela]

Thanks John and Jeff! I understand the part about using a soldering iron to melt the carpet and keep the screws from unraveling it. Good advice.
I don't, however, understand the comment about question #2 concerning the radio. What do you mean "make the balance a challenge"?

[J_Speegle]

........... What do you mean "make the balance a challenge"?

If I install the radio int he console before I install it its a bit more of a handful to wrestle around and into place since the whole thing weights a little more and all of the weight is at one end. Without the radio its a one hand job to get it in and position it.

[goshencars]

You need to install the radio before the console . I found it easier to get the radio bracket on with the glove box liner out. Check the fit of the front pad before screwing the console to the floor. There isn't much overlap and the gap can be too big between the two or not be the same on both sides.

[Angela]

"Check the fit of the front pad before screwing the console to the floor".   

What? Which "pad" are you referring to? Are you discussing the padded '68 type? Or, are you referring to the windlace added to the front edges of the console where it meets the dash?

[drummingrocks]

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but Jeff (and others), could you explain the process of using a punch?  I've heard people talk about using this method for years.  What kind of punch do you use, and what size?  Sorry if this seems like a dumb question. 

[J_Speegle]

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but Jeff (and others), could you explain the process of using a punch?  I've heard people talk about using this method for years.  What kind of punch do you use, and what size?

First - will try to find and post a picture of the type of punch used

Place the console in the car centering it on the shifter as well as to the dash. Then you can take the punch put a little axle/wheel bearing grease on the end and insert it through the console mounting hole pressing it into the carpet surface. Guess you could try a few other products depending on the color of the carpet and the contrast needed. Holding the console in place do this to each of the mounting holes.

Using the punch and a hammer punch a small hole at each of the mounting locations. Of course the diameter of the punched hole must be smaller than the mounting screw that is going to be used. Just barely tap the hole through so that you can get the screw started. This is the point where if you choose, you can enlarge the hole or burn the opening of the it with a soldering  iron so that when you insert and tighten the mounting screw the carpet threads are not grabbed by the screw and in turn unravel (NOT GOOD) the carpet. Leaving a long section of no loops    Even if you still burn or enlarge the hole watch each one just in case and stop if you feel too much pull or any movement of the carpet loops.

Place the console back in place. and using a few longer nails or the punch locate each mounting hole. If your using long nails you can leave one in each hole until you get them all in and the console lined up. Now insert and tighten just until there is no movement in the console, those mounting holes tear out with ease. The finish the installation


Hope this helps and is understandable


Just the way I've done it in the past

[ruppstang]

First - will try to find and post a picture of the type of punch used

Place the console in the car centering it on the shifter as well as to the dash. Then you can take the punch put a little axle/wheel bearing grease on the end and insert it through the console mounting hole pressing it into the carpet surface. Guess you could try a few other products depending on the color of the carpet and the contrast needed. Holding the console in place do this to each of the mounting holes.

Using the punch and a hammer punch a small hole at each of the mounting locations. Of course the diameter of the punched hole must be smaller than the mounting screw that is going to be used. Just barely tap the hole through so that you can get the screw started. This is the point where if you choose, you can enlarge the hole or burn the opening of the it with a soldering  iron so that when you insert and tighten the mounting screw the carpet threads are not grabbed by the screw and in turn unravel (NOT GOOD) the carpet. Leaving a long section of no loops    Even if you still burn or enlarge the hole watch each one just in case and stop if you feel too much pull or any movement of the carpet loops.

Place the console back in place. and using a few longer nails or the punch locate each mounting hole. If your using long nails you can leave one in each hole until you get them all in and the console lined up. Now insert and tighten just until there is no movement in the console, those mounting holes tear out with ease. The finish the installation


Hope this helps and is understandable


Just the way I've done it in the past

That is exactly how I have done it. Works great. I use a awl ( a tool that looks like a ice pick) to make the holes. Punched holes hold the screws far better because as the punch passed through it stretches the metal in to a small tube giving the screw more surface area to grip. If you drill the hole you will only have the thickness of the metal and it will easily strip.

[drummingrocks]

First - will try to find and post a picture of the type of punch used

Place the console in the car centering it on the shifter as well as to the dash...

Thanks, that makes sense.  I'd like to see a picture of the punch if you have one handy.  I have one that I think will work, but I'd like to be sure before I try it on one of my cars.

[ruppstang]

Heck a old screw driver sharpened to a point would work. I would practice on a piece of scrap metal first.
Marty

[drummingrocks]

Heck a old screw driver sharpened to a point would work. I would practice on a piece of scrap metal first.
Marty

That's what I was thinking too, play with the process on a piece of scrap.  Sure seems a heck of a lot easier than drilling, like I've always done in the past! 

[67gtasanjose]

With all this discussion of "making holes in the metal"...Are we ADDING the console as an option? Are we relocating screw holes because the full floorpan was replaced? Are we simply trying to find the holes already there that are covered with new carpeting and underlayment?

Personally, when I reinstall my original console back into my car, I intend to reuse the original holes that Ford made. I plan on dollying the original holes in the floorpan down a bit so the new screws will not strip. Second, once the carpeting is layed out and all adjustments and trimming is finished to it, (at this point, not planning to remove the carpeting again)  I plan to install the console next (temporarily, without any radio at all) and align it to all of the original dash holes and mounting brackets. And then, I'm going under the car with an awl and from below, locate each of the holes in the console.( w/no driveshaft or transmission in the bare body) As I push a hole in through the underlayment and carpeting, I will remove the awl and insert a nail to mark each hole (sticking through the console holes) Once all 4 holes are made, I will remove the console and burn the holes permanently into the carpeting with a soldering gun. 

I have before inadvertently on other cars, made a second set of holes in the floorpan because I was unable to locate the original holes. The result was oblonged, stripped holes. Do not wish to repeat that.

Richard

[drummingrocks]

With all this discussion of "making holes in the metal"...Are we ADDING the console as an option? Are we relocating screw holes because the full floorpan was replaced? Are we simply trying to find the holes already there that are covered with new carpeting and underlayment?

The car I was referring to ('66 GT fastback) was a factory Pony interior & console car, but it was rusty enough that the original floors were replaced with a one-piece repro floorpan.