cuda headliner install

Im getting ready to install the headliner in my 73 cuda. The problem is the entire interior was gutted in the car and everything was missing when I got it. I bought a set of bows for the car being under the impression that the only thing that held the headliner in place were the bows, glue and tack strips but now I see that they sell headliner retaining clips and anchors for the rear bows. Where do these go? Any pictures would be helpful. thanks

You don't need the clips. They are nice to have but not necessary for the installation. I just use glue on the roof rails to hold the headliner in place.

they go on edge or pinch weld you don't need them , watch the video on rest ricks website very helpfull . use spray glue on edge , tape off rest so you only have a inch or so of glue . you tube has some good videos

Ok thanks a lot.

the clips hold it at the edge and are used as needed.

If the interior was gutted are you sure you have everything? The correct number of bows? 4 vs 5. The correct bow order? What side is left and right? The wire that supports the back bow?

Maybe you could snap pics of what you got.

I do not think I would have gotten mine in without the list wires on the back. They were needed to keep enough tension on the material to keep the headliner smooth. I used RestoRicks instructions. The wires I refer to are in step 6. They are available. I got mine on ebay.
I used a couple of dozen bull dog paper clips and some rubber coated clips to hold stuff in place as I went before glueing and pushing the material in the spikes.
BTW, there are more holes to put the bows into than there are bows. Figuring out which holes to use is also important.
Good luck
Craig

Just my experience. Stretch the headliner from rear to front before stretching side to side. Make adjustments as needed to make the liner tight before you glue it. Yes, you need the wire hooks at the rear to do this right. Use good clamps to hold every thing tight. If the front and rear glass is out really makes the job much easier to do. Make sure you have the dome light wire hole where it needs to be before you cut the hole ,DAMHIK. I taped the socket at the exact spot to the roof and did not cut a hole until I was done gluing the headliner in place on the second go round. Then slice a very small hole where needed.

My first, and only, headliner install was in my Cuda. This was a helpful article.


Hemmings headliner install

I will also add that if you buy the correct headliner for a 73, the install will go much easier. The correct Yorkshire material is very stretchy and installs much easier then the older style perforated material. You need to go through Dante or SMS to get the Yorkshire headliner.

I bought the 4 bow setup and I believe that I have the bows installed in the correct order. I will try to post a picture later. I just ordered the tension wires on ebay so I'll have to wait for those to come in to do the install. The headliner that I ordered was the perforated style and not the Yorkshire. Hopefully it still goes well.

Here's a picture of the bows installed. Does this look about right? I know that the bows are color coded, but I only remember seeing a little bit of orange paint on one of them and the rest are pretty much all worn off. I'm pretty sure that they're in the right locations, they seem to fit nicely side to side and they are snug against the roof. I guess I'll have to play with the different adjustment holes when it comes time to put it in.

You need to brackets that the seatbelt hardware bolts to.

You may want to put the screws part way in for the coat hooks, dome light, rear view mirror, sun visors shoulder belts etc. That way you can feel for them through the material to cut the holes.

Correct Because of Burdar's headsup, I got the proper one from SMS. I have installed both the Legendary and the SMS headliners. The SMS is not only correct but also installed wrinkle free. It was far easier to get in place properly.
Your picture looks correct. If the bows are in the wrong holes, the headliner will not even begin to go in properly.
Craig

Ok thanks. Ill have to find a set of brackets for the seat belt hangers and the coat hooks as those are missing too.

When installing the headliner bows, are the bows supposed to hold the headliner tight against the roof or is there supposed to be a little gap? When I try to install the headliner with the bows tight to the roof, I can barely get the headliner stretched far enough to get the bows into the holes. Every video that I've seen with the bow type headliners they installed effortlessly.

I finally got the headliner installed. I appreciate all the help as well. Now I just need the get the sail panel installed. Quick question on the panels. Do they push into the lower tack strip just above where the rear interior panel would go, or are they only held in place by the coat hanger hook and that clip in the middle? Thanks