New Member - 66 Country Squire

I missed this one.

Welcome aboard.

I was just checking a 1966 Brochure to see the dash and instrument cluster, since you mentioned how you'd be sacrificing your gauges for the 8 track. Well, I'm not too sure that you can't have them.

The GT and GTA Fairlanes had gauges in the top part:
http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/ford/66fd/66fd.html

Main Ford Index:
http://www.lov2xlr8.no/ford.html

All brands brochures (Mercs and Lincolns might be worth checking out):
http://www.lov2xlr8.no/broch1.html

Main home page (excellent reference link):
http://www.lov2xlr8.no/index.html

And if all else goes wrong, the LH side of the Steering column is a perfect place for a custom mount. I did it to mine for a Voltmeter and Vacuum gauge:

It sort of starts on Page 24, but here's how I did it.

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8926&page=26

The back of the front seat kick moulding on these 1970-ish Fords have a perfect angle to mount under the dash. A 2-1/16" hole saw (used for installing door knobs) and some silicone to trim it out, and plastic spray paint. Your first pic of the dash shows that you could mount 3 or 4 of them. I'd still get another 1966 dash harness to match the wire colors.

And this article on Vintage Mustangs and Ford wiring systems might help:
http://www.mustangandfords.com/tech...tage_ford_electrical_wiring_system/index.html

PLUS! I've got the full wiring diagrams for the 1964/65 Falcon and Comet and Ranchero wiring, including how to repair the Instrument Voltage Limiter.

But this might help with that:
http://1bad6t.com/Maverick/repair/chassis_electrical.html

Of course if you have the Shop manuals with the schematics, than it wouldn't be an issue.

When I was teen, my girlfriend's dad's 1965 Ford Sedan needed all new wiring (kids stole his radio and vandalized the dash), but I always appreciated how logical Ford's wiring was. Hope it helps you keep the gauges.

 

You'd gain both H.P. and mileage with a good dual exhaust system, more with a 'X' pipe included! Double hump c-member still there.
Kinda surprised @ single on this application.
Putting the 4-bbl back on would REALLY help H.P. - if you can keep your foot out of it!
Nice - what kind of mileage did you get on the drive back to FLA.?

 

Many thanks for the ideas and research. I'll try to think of a workaround to keep the gauges. The original owner also labeled the idiot lights, positions of the ignition switch, etc. with a dymo label maker. He liked that dymo label maker. l know it's not original, it is kind of part of the car's history, so I'm inclined to leave them, along with the old stickers — Florida, Cowboys, Lions Club, American flag — in the back windows.

I'm planning on putting on a big tube X-pipe exhaust, but I was hoping to come up with a better set of manifolds than those horrible logs. I looked at the shortys as from a '61 390/375. Passenger side looked like it'd fit, but no-go on the driver's side. The long-tube 427 pipes are too pricey, so I'm still trying to figure out a solution.

I checked my mileage in North GA and was getting 12.8 mpg in steady highway driving. But I checked my timing once i got back to FL and found that it was very retarded. Bumping it up made it start better and got rid of a lot of the lazy feel. I expect it would do at least a couple points better now.

 

I remember my folks owning a fully loaded 66 CS. From your photos yours is rare in many ways. 428V4 is very rare, power windows and seats are even rarer as is the factory A/C. I'd hold on to this one. The more factory options the more its worth. As far as refreshing the vinyl woodgrain and fiberglass trim. Try this guy in California: Mick Hoglund <info@woodgrain4wagons.com> By looking at you car the trim can be restored to looking brand new. I'm sure only the tops of the trim are sun-beat. This guy custom prints the vinyl woodgrain to match factory look! Best of luck and keep us all updated on your progress.

 

Thanks for the info. I really enjoy driving it, and it gets comments everywhere it goes. It really seems to bring back memories for a lot of people. We had a '67 Fairlane 500 wagon growing up, and my dad was able to load 3 small motorcycles - rear end first - into the back of it, tailgate down, tank and handlebars sticking out, and we'd head for the far side of the airport where a few acres were set aside for riding. it was a fun Saturday. I wish I had a picture of the old wagon overloaded with motorcycles. Here's the only picture I know of showing any of the old wagon. It's partially visible in the background behind my best friend, who now lives in Hawaii. This was taken in the New Tanaka Heights neighborhood at Yokota Air Force Base near Tokyo, Japan, 1972.

 

Just another heads up. Do not remove the bottom center dash info center! This is something you want to keep intact on this car. As far a better tunes... Look to adding it where you don't molest any DASH AREA! Stock is best, and what you have is very, very rare. I know cause my folks always loaded up the yearly Country Squires from the first 1960 (factory select air hang on unit) to the last 1972 with vinyl roof and rear window washer! Everyone was ordered with largest drivetrain too! Wish I had just one of these family cars now!

 

Wow. A new CS, loaded every year. What a cool way to go. I'm guessing my '66 was a dealer demo because it was so loaded. I really like the Courtesy Minder panel, and will definitely leave it intact. Not all the functions work on it, like the vacuum door locks and low fuel light. The E-flashers do work. When the previous owner put in the gauges, he moved the Courtesy Panel over to make room. I've got a factory '66 8-track for it and from what i can see on the car it came from, the panel goes closest to the steering column, and the panel goes to the right to the right of that. I've also got a factory AM/FM to replace the original that was removed before i bought it. I haven't bench tested it or the 8-track yet.

Got any pictures of your old family wagons?