I have another question. The original roof had rust around the sunroof. I purchased a used 1987 roof and it is missing the brackets inside. I believe the were added to reduce noise when the roof was open. Do you think I need them?
Old
New
I have another question. The original roof had rust around the sunroof. I purchased a used 1987 roof and it is missing the brackets inside. I believe the were added to reduce noise when the roof was open. Do you think I need them?
Old
New
Does anyone have an idea?
I doubt you need them. However I'd transfer them over to the new roof.
It can't be all that hard (esp based on the work you've already tackled)....
1979 Indy Pace Car Mustang 302 / 5spd
1982 Mustang GT T-Top 302 / 4spd
1986 SVO Mustang - 1C
It looks cleaner without them and I’d like to keep them off if possible. It starts to make me wonder if anything else is different. The early foxes were so unique that you end up with theses types of issues all the time.
RE anything else: the hatch is different and the hood is different. Both have different mounting points than later foxes. I know this because I have a 79 PC hatch and an early NOS hood on my 82GT. I had to modify both to work with my 82 (involved cutting and welding in both cases)....
1979 Indy Pace Car Mustang 302 / 5spd
1982 Mustang GT T-Top 302 / 4spd
1986 SVO Mustang - 1C
Yes I’ve heard the hood and hatch were different and even the quarters were. I had no idea the roof was different as well. I will assume the sunroof, latch and mounting points are the same.
Nice work
1979 Ghia Coupe
5.0/C4
Polar White
1981 Cobra
Gen 2 Coyote/6R80
Bright Bittersweet
2022 Mustang GT
10r80 Whipple
Eruption Green
I took some time today to inspect the condition of the new roof. It seems to be in pretty good condition.
I found a few more differences between the roof panels.
The drain tubes are different. Newer roof drains are straight with no bends.
The original roof doesn’t have any indents like this.
And finally the original roof has these by the sunroof. I believe these may be for the sunroof lovers but am not sure.
This makes a total of four differences I’ve noticed so far. I still plan on using it, wish me luck.
I’ve repaired the drivers side wheel opening and trunk drop off. Next step is installing the quarter panel.
Well I took a few days off to work on the car. The drivers side is welded in. I set the roof on to test fit it. Yes I know it’s not the one I will use but it gives me an idea if i positioned everything correctly.
The trunk drop off needed to be repaired.
The panel gap is ok as a start
Roof set in place
Love the update.
1979 Indy Pace Car Mustang 302 / 5spd
1982 Mustang GT T-Top 302 / 4spd
1986 SVO Mustang - 1C
I am finally installing the roof panel. The inside is as good as outside.
I installed it with a mig welder and used body panel adhesive where the sail panels attach at the rear and at the front pillars. Both of these places are prone to rust.
I had to modify the routing of the drain lines to fit the new roof at the front pillar section. I couldn’t find any reference to the newer installation anywhere and hope it works.
As for the front drain hole routing, there is now chance I was going to install it back into the rocker panel. This is what I came up with. I drilled a hole in the front section, routed it through the pillar and avoided the wiring. I purchased a plug and drilled out the center for the hose.
A close up of the holes I drilled for the drain line at the top
I hope the rear hose works without modification.
I spent most of today stripping the door jambs and rear panel.
I found out the bottom section of the rear valence is galvanized. Who knew?
Today I continued to clean up the areas and started filling the roof to quarter panels.
The sunroof area was difficult to clean up.
The wells areas are ready for filler.
I am using the Kevlar reinforced filler for the large gaps. I’ve used it before with some success. I used it on y Capri and it eventually bubbled again. I feel it might be from the possible corrosion on the back side of the roof to quarter welds.
I am watching this a little closer since I will have to replace the roof on my 85 Saleen. Ironically for the opposite reason you're replacing yours. I have a sunroof that I am getting rid of. Mine is not factory though.
I'm wondering about the drain hose coming out the front behind the fender? That is what Ford did on the original Mustangs for the cowl and it causes the fender to rot from the inside out. Just thinking out loud. Sorry
Good question and it went through my mind as well. When I followed the drain hoses, they all went into the rocker panel(both front and rear). The top of the rocker panel has a special set of holes inside that hold it in place and prevent it from falling out over time. During the initial repair, I found the rockers full of dirt and debris.
I agree that relocating ithe hosed here will increase the risk of external repair to the fenders, I just felt it was easier to repair a fender than a rocker panel. It would also be easier to clean this area out if needed. All that is needed is to open the fender liners and all inspect.
Good luck replacing your roof. It isn’t that bad once you tear into it, all you need is a decent mig welder.
Patrick
Maybe clamp the hose in place and put a 45 degree fitting on the end of it that hangs say a 1/4" below the fender bottom pointing rearward. But then again the bend may cause dirt to clog it up easier. Maybe straight down is better.
The Pace Car is looking real good.
For the C-pillar joints (roof - quarter), I made a small patch panel to cover factory welds and then just used a skim coat of filler over the remaining area. Better than the original leaded filler and much stronger than any filler in that large gap....
1979 Indy Pace Car Mustang 302 / 5spd
1982 Mustang GT T-Top 302 / 4spd
1986 SVO Mustang - 1C
This years hangover update. I didn’t have much ambition today and just finished sanding the right quarter. The weather is supposed to break this week and if it does, I can epoxy prime next weekend.
I considered doing this repair as well. I hope I didn’t make a mistake. I’m hoping the panel adhesive and Maximum Motorsports subframe connectors keep everything stiff enough.
I’ll let you know in a few years.
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