Project, need help.

JPH910

New Member
Apr 9, 2005
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Okay, so like I posted in previous thread, I am fairly new to working on cars, and completly new to Fords, I know nothing about them. My car is a 76 Ghia... I believe it's a Ghia anyway, like I said, I know nothing about them. It has the half vinyl top which is cracked an worn out. I am wanting to remove it but dunno what that will leave me with. Will I have holes from screws or clips? After I take it off, and the chrome also, it will be even with the rest of the roof, right? I think I'm about to go out and start taking it off so by the time somebody posts to this I will probably already have my answers. But anyway, I am planning on posting in here as I get stuff done, pictures as well, would this be the right place to start that thread or should I do it somewhere else? I only ask because I know some message boards are strict about where you post what. Thanks.

~Jason
 
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Post away. We love pics and we welcome newbies. The only rule is that you always prefix my name with "Sir", "King", "The All Knowing" or "The Most Awesome". As for your question about the vinyl top, I have no idea. Wait, let me ask my magic 8-ball... (tightly closes eyes, rubs 8-ball, shakes vigorously) ..and the answer is "It is certain". So there you have it, holes in roof, roof even with rest of car. I'm a genius.

d (feels exhausted, decides to go home a little early)
 
LMAO at dmoody!!!
And King moody is correct or rather his eight ball is correct, that you will have holes in the roof. We just stripped a Ghia and under it's chrome strip is clips and under the clips is holes.
 
dmoody said:
Post away. We love pics and we welcome newbies. The only rule is that you always prefix my name with "Sir", "King", "The All Knowing" or "The Most Awesome". As for your question about the vinyl top, I have no idea. Wait, let me ask my magic 8-ball... (tightly closes eyes, rubs 8-ball, shakes vigorously) ..and the answer is "It is certain". So there you have it, holes in roof, roof even with rest of car. I'm a genius.

d (feels exhausted, decides to go home a little early)
Just wait 'til Wart sees this! :rlaugh:
 
COBRAIIW said:
Just wait 'til Wart sees this! :rlaugh:


Lord God, King of the II universe, I beseech you ...


Thanks for the lead in.

:rlaugh:

Me, who has learned alot and who knows that I don't know everything, verses those who've learned alot and think they know it all.

I'm malleable. Somewhat.

Last Ghia I saw was :

04.JPG


The roof was taken care of when I got it. Don't know what you'll find except a mess. Others can tell you better than I.
 
Sheesh.....Dmoody DOES have a sense of humor....maybe it's only me he picks on :shrug: :nice:

Oh....and yes.....My Ghia is topless too and there are a gazillion small holes from the strip that holds it down. Yes...I counted them all! :bs: I think they look a bit better topless....well, most of the time anyway! P.S. Buy my Ghia :damnit: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...=7968266915&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MESE:IT&rd=1

Bobby :flag:
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS (and squids too!!)
 
I love you guys! (fights back tears, hugs Care Bear) Speaking of which, anybody going to "The 27th Annual Mustang and Fords Show" this weekend in Lexington, SC? I'm going to be there so I thought if there were going to be any II's I could meet some of you guys.

d
 
Nobody mentioned that the '75 and up Ghia's have the opera window. When you pull the vinyl, you'll be looking at an ugly plastic filler panel that makes up the difference between the Ghia glass and the regular coupe glass. You will need to replace the glass and the trim - both inside and outside if you intend to de-Ghia.
 
Johan said:
Nobody mentioned that the '75 and up Ghia's have the opera window. When you pull the vinyl, you'll be looking at an ugly plastic filler panel that makes up the difference between the Ghia glass and the regular coupe glass. You will need to replace the glass and the trim - both inside and outside if you intend to de-Ghia.

And if you do plan to de-Ghia, I have the coupe quarter windows and trim and even the screws. Plus the interior trim. Complete package.
 
Well my omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent 8-ball is a seasoned necessity for many technical support questions. I've found that if you have faith in the 8-ball, they will follow. Not sure where they end up but usually they can't speak English well anyway. End the conversation with a few words about the glories of Sushi and how Feng shui rocks and you're a technical support God.

d (..wonders if he's giving too many secrets away)
 
Well... I got the top off and guess what? Not one single hole. Instead, it has some.... not sure what you call'em, so I'll describe'em. Half inch metal rods with a head on them, like a nail head. it had pins on those which in turn held the top down. So now, I have to figure out how in the hell to get rid of those. I started already with a dremel and the cutting disk. Cut the heads off then used another attachment to grind them down flush, working like a charm so far. And as somebody else said about the plastic peice by the window.... yeah, that part sucked. I am not sure but I believe at this point in time, bondo and fiberglass are going to be my best friends. I have idea's, but I'll wait till I get pics to show ya instead of telling ya.
 
Why don't you have holes in your roof? I understand the things your talking about, like under the front and back windshield trim that the clips hook to. And I believe the rocker panel trim had these post also.
But ours had holes, with a clip secured in the hole.
 
mustang2 said:
Why don't you have holes in your roof? I understand the things your talking about, like under the front and back windshield trim that the clips hook to. And I believe the rocker panel trim had these post also.
But ours had holes, with a clip secured in the hole.


Well, my mistake. It has a few holes lined up next to the window, those posts are what the chrome strip was held down with on the top. Other than that, nothing. I am in the process of getting all the glue, that held the vinyl down, off. So are those the holes your talking about, if not, I dunno. :shrug:

View attachment 517514
 
The Cobra rear spoiler your talking about wanting to put on it. I have one, and I also have a coupe. I have put the rear spoiler in position before to see how much modding would need to be done, and there's a bunch, you don't want to use Bondo that's for sure. I will try and get some pics up to show you how far off it is. We are still going to do it eventually, but it's not a priority. It's something that will require lots of patience at the very least, and some thought put into it before jumping in.
 
JPH910 said:
Well, my mistake. It has a few holes lined up next to the window, those posts are what the chrome strip was held down with on the top. Other than that, nothing. I am in the process of getting all the glue, that held the vinyl down, off. So are those the holes your talking about, if not, I dunno. :shrug:

View attachment 517510
No, that's not bad at all. No the Ghia we parted had holes all the way across the top under the trim and there were yours are also.
 
mustang2 said:
And if you do plan to de-Ghia, I have the coupe quarter windows and trim and even the screws. Plus the interior trim. Complete package.


How much do you want for it? That would help out so much.

How about an update? I havn't done much, got all the chrome off, got the ghia top off. All the holes that I did have in it from the trim and what not are filled in with bondo, and about 85 percent of the car is painted flat black. Work isn't allowing me much time for it, but I'm getting there. Also, does anybody know where I can find complete instructions for an engine swap? I saw one post that a guy said he could write a book.... I need that book. :bang: I want to put a 302 in place of the 2.8 V6... any suggestions? Thanks

~Jason
 
My Ghia and 2+2 were V6 automatics (C4's) that I turned into V8 Automatics. If your car is Standard I have no clue. If your car is Automatic, I will try my best. I am going to date myself, but it has been a good 13 years since I did one, so help me out guys if I forgot anything.

You will need:
-Mustang II V8 waterpump and matching pullies and engine driven fan and fan shroud or use a slim electric fan. (Ford has 52? water pumps for a 302, you need a short one or use E-fan) Electric fans are real cheap at the wrecking yard and it would probably simplyfy things.
-A V8 II rad and rad hoses
-V8 II frame mounts and motor mounts
-A V8 II throttle cable
-V8 II bellhousing, starter and torque convertor.
-V8 II or really low-pro aftermarket air cleaner. (checK carb stud clearance before you close the hood). 85 Mustang GT duel snorkel air clearner fits good.
-Duraspark II or aftermarket distributor.
-V8 Mustang II exhaust manifolds (really restrictive) or Headman Headers. Dynomax are better if you can find a set used or on e-bay (No longer made).
-V8 or 4cyl Duraspark box or go aftermarket (I like MSD 6A or 6AL)
-a new custom exhaust system, that is a whole other story :D
-Optional Mustang II V8 transmission down shift rod and linkage (I don't use one). A V8 II with V6 rear axle gears will not need to down shift to pass! Ye-ha :D

Having a V8 II parts car would be ideal, short of that one of the dudes here may be able to set you up with the required parts. I probably forgot stuff so guys chip in please!
 
How about $30 plus shipping for all of it.
Do your B-pillar's have the hole in them for the seat belt bolt?

That would be for the 1/4 windows, exterior trim that covers the rear and bottom, exterior trim that covers the b-pillar's, interior trim that covers b-pillar's, interior trim that covers rear, interior roof rail trim.
I think that's all of it.