Getting ready to install a new headliner in my 68 Notchback Barracuda and am looking for any hints/tricks to help ease the install. I have the FSM as a reference, but that's not the same as actually doing the job. Thanks, Steve

Mark the length-wise centerline of the headliner. Chalk will work.

Get a few dull putty knives. Some plastic ones will be good too. You need to pull the window seal down to get to the headliner teeth. Clean any oxidation off the rubber ahead of time. Make sure the car is out in the sun to make the seal a little more supple too. Heat gun will help and for other things.

Get clothespins or wide paper clips to later hold the edges of the headliner glued to the side rail.

Let the headliner sit out in the sun.

I install the screws for the mirror and sunvisor ahead of time. After you install the headliner use a 1/4 hex socket just smaller than the screw heads and burnish perfect circular holes. If you cut any holes at an angle it will rip.

Start installing from the center outward, using your centerline.

Use the best glue you can get your hands on.

I used a needle to locate the mirror etc holes after the HL was installed. It will not be easy especially the first time. Take your time & be prepared to walk away & come back to it later. A helper with patience is a Godsend. Make sure all the wrinkles are out before you lock it down. 3M is the best trim adhesive

I've done quite a few of them over the years.

My wife took custom upholstery back in hi school in 1982-83. We both went to a vocational hi school. She was the only girl in the class of 30 or so guys for 2 years.

I helped her do a couple back then and have never been afraid of them since like people are today.
I helped her put up(a headliner, she sewed it) in her parents huge 1980 something ford station wagon one time, that was fun. Custom-ed sewed and about 12' long.

Anyway get it out of the box and leave it out a while, under the sun is good too. To help get rid of the folds.

I like to lay out my old one and make sure there's enough material.
Transfer the bows making sure there in the correct order.

Then like said, most important is to mark the center line of the window and center line of the headliner. Make sure those 2 marks line up and then just simply pull all the winkles out as you go around the perimeter hooking it to the hooks all around your inside roof.

Really simple if you think about it.




Like said, sometimes it's good to walk away for a day or so to give time for your neck to get better.

Got to use contact cement, you know that real smelly stuff that is only good for a couple days after you open the lid. It's the only stuff that will last and really hold it solid . imo. Don't smoke while using it.

Heat out of a hair dryer and the sun will pull any small wrinkles out over time. This round hole headliner was much harder to work with than the other type that is in my 74 challenger that I did long time ago.


This type of material is real easy to work with, way easier than the stuff with holes in it that the earlier cars had.
I installed both these headliners by myself, it's not that hard or anything other than climbing around inside the car some. I try to do most from outside the car when the windows are out of it.


Then pictures are always good to help insure you put it back right. Even if there was no headliner left when you took the car apart.

Thanks for all the replies, the link to RestoRick is going to be a big help, though I really don't want to pull the glass out The new headliner has plenty of x-tra material, but has a funky chemical smell. I had it laying on top of the car yesterday, while I was putting some sounder deadener in there. The old liner was totally rotted and held together with wire, the padding was just nasty.

I'd recommend using a carpet knife to do your trimming. Maybe a brand new razor blade here or there.

Nothing duller, like a utility knife is way too dull even new, imo.

Like the knife on top, double edged sharp as heck, way sharper than the other one even with a brand new blade. I just got done cutting drywall with it in this picture, it works great on all kinds of stuff.

You want clean cuts and don't want to be hacking away at it. Be ready to change blades often too.

as stated in the above replies, start in the center and work your way out. carpet knife, springy large paperclips and a good hairdryer will be your best friends!

I did mine with the windows in and used hardly any glue. I ironed the headliner with a damp tea towel over it, took all the creases out.
I also made a little drawing of the visors, mirrors and other fittings.
Marked the centrelines onto the front and rear glass with a marker that wiped off, also marked where the trim screws went in the same way.
Took any small creases out with an heat gun.
Mick

just installed one in a 71 roadrunner, for the glue I used the 3M super 77, comes in a can, quick drying works great!

My experience installing a headliner in our 68 Barracuda notch was not good. The first HL was the wrong size (the rod pockets were to big. After trying to install for hours before realizing the problem. The vender did refund the purchase price. The second HL was bought from Legendary. During installation, a bad cut was made...scrap. Ordered another from Legendary. The third time, it went to a pro and it came out perfect.