1978 Ford Fairmont

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by Dianer0839, Dec 6, 2010.

  1. Dianer0839

    Dianer0839 New Member

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    Hi Guys,

    I'm from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area and looking for a dash cluster for a 1978 Ford Fairmont. I love this car but dispite all the new parts the cluster is falling apart and won't make contact.

    Please help me get it back on the road.

    Thanks,

    Diane
     
  2. Drg racr

    Drg racr New Member

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    I bet Stormin' Norman has one!!
     
  3. Roadking41A

    Roadking41A Well-Known Member

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    Welcome.... X2 Oh Normie.....
     
  4. Stormin' Norman

    Stormin' Norman Well-Known Member

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    I've got both types - With the Mustang Gauges or Without. I already PM'd you with details, but let me know what you want to do. The Mustang gauge clusters go for $50 and up, whereas the standard Fairmont intruments are about $40.

    You say it has no Contact, which tells me that the little Instrument Voltage Regulator might be the culprit. You can get those at Rock Auto or Autozone for a lot less than fiddling with a complete swap. Like maybe $10 or $15 dollars, or a junkyard off of any 1978 to 1986 Ford mid-size car. You still have to take the instrument cluster out.

    Here's what it looks like:
    jun909ngage05.jpg

    It's fastened to the back of the cluster with a 1/4" hex-head screw. If you click on that picture you'll see some more pics of the cluster and its innerds.

    Here's another good thread about upgrading to a Mustang/Capri instrument cluster:
    http://www.starquestclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=89045

    Speaking of a nice Fairmont, check this out!
    http://www.mustangandfords.com/feat...3718_ford_fairmont_futura_fastback/index.html
     
  5. silverfox

    silverfox New Member

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    :Welcome:to the wagon train, dianer. Looks like Norm has you covered already. Not much about those Fairmonts that he hasn't taken apart and looked at up close & personal.:D
     
  6. the Rev

    the Rev senior junior Charter Member

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    ..hmm....a damsel in distress??;)

    :Welcome: to the board
     
  7. Dianer0839

    Dianer0839 New Member

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    1978 Fairmont

    Thanks Guys for the welcome.
    I love this car, low mileage and a tank in the snow. Not for sale.

    I haven't seen it but the mechanic says that the back (I assume the electrical circuit panel) is falling apart. He said a replacement of the entire dash cluster is the only way to go and I would like to make it easy on him.

    The wiring harness is ok.

    Diane
     
  8. Stormin' Norman

    Stormin' Norman Well-Known Member

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    You've got one of the best, most upgradable cars ever! Almost everything from the 1978 and 1979 Fox-bodied cars will fit, right up to 1993 Mustangs. My wagon has parts from a 1981 Capri, 1984 Cougar, 1984 LTD, even a 1975 Lincoln (door speakers and angle mounts) and a 1989 Lincoln (rear cargo speakers). Windshields and sedan door glass right up to 1986, weatherstripping and trunk seals. Engines and transmissions from all of the Fox-bodied cars (up to 1996) rear wheel drive models. Interiors too, from 1978 to 1993.

    And unless the many Mustang magazines all die in the next 20 years, and all the Mustang parts manufacturers get swallowed up in a dark hole, you won't lack spare parts anywhere in Canada, the US or Mexico, on a long trip.

    If the worst ever happened that your floor melted from rust, you can get brand new floor pans for them too.

    Its almost like Ford was building them like the old Army Jeeps from WWII or Model-T Fords to keep them around for decades!

    Mine has a 6 cyclinder, automatic, but I kept the V8 stationwagon front swaybar which is the largest diameter (1.125" diameter), bigger than a Mustang swaybar, and she handles turns and curves like a race car. It also fits the sedans. You can change the rear wheel drum brakes to Mustang or Thunderbird or even Mercury disc brakes, just from parts from the junkyards.

    Ain't selling mine either. I'd rather fix than switch! :rofl2::thumbs2:
     
  9. Stormin' Norman

    Stormin' Norman Well-Known Member

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    Diane, You'll also see posts from HandyAndy. He has 2 Fairmont wagons, and we're both in the same city. He's my tune-up guru. Carbs, Distributors, and engine detailing, brakes, suspension. The guy is a walking encylopedia on that stuff. I'm the electrical/swapping/roller painter guy. And there's a few Fairmont/Zephyr/Cougar wagon diehards, some with closet Mustangs here too. Lots of experience and talent and knowledge to help keep these gems rolling right. :thumbs2:
     
  10. Drg racr

    Drg racr New Member

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    In other words, you're in good Fairmont/Zephyr company.
     
  11. Bigbarneycars

    Bigbarneycars Well-Known Member

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    :Welcome:Diane. WHERE WAZ YEAH WHEN I WAZ STILL PLAYIN' WITH PHORDZ NORMIE:clap: Trust what he say Diane, he's good folkz. Tilts ah bit to port but then don't we all:rofl2:
     
  12. Roadking41A

    Roadking41A Well-Known Member

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    Nope I lean Starboard.... :rofl2:
     
  13. Bigbarneycars

    Bigbarneycars Well-Known Member

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    YAH YAH YAH, YOU AN ME BOTH R.K. AH LITTLE BIT RIGHT OF ATTILA THE HUN:rofl2::rofl2::rofl2:
     
  14. Roadking41A

    Roadking41A Well-Known Member

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    I think I am Attila twin. :biglaugh:
     
  15. Stormin' Norman

    Stormin' Norman Well-Known Member

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    A couple trips to the Chiropractor takes care of my tilting.;)

    I sent her a couple Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files via email to help her decide with her mechanic.

    What I understand of the problem is that the printed circuit plastic might be damaged. The Ford shop manual has a good section on repairing them. Her mechanic wants a replacement cluster. I don't think she needs that, unless she is wanting Mustang gauges and a tachometer. She could have it repaired for a few bucks by any community college kid in an electrical course.
     

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