1965 Ford Country Sedan (Wagon) Tailgate Weatherstripping

Here's another seal I'll probably NEVER find. It fits on top of the window channel tracks on each side of the glass inside the tailgate. It's actually rubber molded over steel, and is riveted to the steel channel. I'll probably just have to coat it with some kind of sealant.


The shop manual shows the entire assembly as being part numbers 71422A20 (left) and 79422A20 (right). Someone is selling part number C5AZ-71422A20-C on eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-65-Ford-Galaxie-500-Window-Track-Guide-C5AZ-71422A20-C/274408483635 , and it looks identical to the left side piece, however it says it fits a 1965 Ford Galaxie 500, and that can't be right, because the shop manual shows something entirely different, some curved piece. So maybe it's actually for a wagon and they're mistaken? But one side only doesn't do us any good. I was just hoping that maybe they still sold the rivet-on upper seals somewhere because maybe they fit the convertibles too.


I think the felt window channel that gets riveted into the steel channel from a Falcon wagon will work, as the profile appears correct. Someone on eBay is selling the channel, part number C3DZ-59422A36-B, and it comes with the rivets https://www.ebay.com/itm/60-61-62-6...-GLASS-RUN-FELT-CHANNEL-SEAL-NEW/173189260859 .




Falconparts.com has part number C0DB-59422A36-B for less https://www.falconparts.com/ford-fa...-1965-TAILGATE-WINDOW-GLASS-CHANNELS-p242.htm , but when I asked them if theirs comes with the rivets, they said I need the rigid kind? But the channel I removed isn't rigid, and that didn't answer my question.

 

The new old stock left side window guide that attaches on the side of the roof arrived today (part number C5AZ-71422A2-5A)
. Such a shame it's only one side. However, I plan to remove the felt strip on the inside of the old left side part and use it to replace the damaged felt piece on the outside of the right side part. It looks like the felt strips attach to the part with 1/2" X 1/2" staples.

 

On a positive note, I painted the new old stock tailgate in Ford Wimbledon White and installed it to find the paint is an excellent match to what's still left on the car, and the gaps are pretty even considering the hinge bolts are rusted to the body.


The paint has a smooth and reflective surface like original thanks to lots of sanding and polishing. Not bad for a rattle-can job that looked like blotchy stucco after I sprayed it. Then again, it was about 110F.


The backside is painted too. I'd like to remove the supports on each side and soak them in Evapo-Rust, but the screws attaching them to the body are very stuck.


I tried to get the best coverage I could on the inside as well--especially on the bottom since that's where the rust starts, and the bottom of the original tailgate was eaten away to nothing.

 

Looking good. Fortunately you’re in an area of the country where future rust shouldn’t be an issue. Like the little Mercedes parked next to it too.

 

Here's another part that's apparently not available anywhere--the side support anti-rattle bumpers. The steel structure rusted away and it's collapsing.

This is how it's supposed to look. Fortunately, 3 out of 4 are still in good condition.

 

Have you been to Happy Valley? Are those supports ‘65 only?

 

What's Happy Valley? Yeah, the supports are 1965 Country Sedan and Squire only. And maybe Mercury Commuter.

 

Happy Valley is a huge junk yard there in AZ. He is known for having several vintage cars.

 

OK. At some point I might look at wrecking yards when I have some time to go on a wild goose chase. Sadly, rubber parts don't fare too well down here.

 

Sorry. Hidden Valley.

 

Yeah. I was thinking more for any missing metal parts. Rubber/plastic don’t fair well here either. I know what you mean. The sun is brutal.

 

This is an example of their inventory

 

Can you duplicate the bumpers with basic materials? A lot of parts on restorations are hand-crafted because replacement new parts no longer exist.

 

I remember looking at their website now. Thanks.

 

I suppose. It's just frustrating to not be able to order a part and be done with it, and for a Ford no less. It's much easier to find parts for my rare special coachbuilt 1967 Mercedes wagon. This tailgate replacement project keeps dragging on and on due to parts not being available for it. Who knew that finding a new old stock tailgate would be the easy part?