The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors 1951 Headliner bow install question

1951 3100 Chevy
I am installing a new two piece cardboard type headliner in my truck. I had to obtain a headliner support bow from a friend. Upon inspection I see that it is possible to install the bow two different ways. One side of the bow slot is wider with 5 peened dimpled crimping points, the other slot is just slotted with no crimp points. Can someone clarify which slot goes forward towards the front headliner panel? I am thinking it is the wider slot with the crimp peen points.
Thanks

Will,

In late 1949, the headliner center bow changed from a screw-in style to a floating style. It sounds like you have the earlier style.

To answer your question: the rear headliner panal is put in place and the headliner center bow goes over (under, really) that headliner piece. The bow is oriented to receive the rear of the front headliner piece. The front of the front headliner piece goes under the windshield seal.

If I am wrong with any of the above information, we will hear about it.

Tim

not real sure of your question but here is a pix of the one on my 52 that I sold in Feb..
click here

I gave my assembly manual a couple of quick leaf throughs, and didn't see the assembly detail for the headliner. I installed a new headliner in my 52 last summer, and put the bow in as you suspect it goes in. It just felt "right". I started at the the windshield trim side. I loosened the trim, and rested the front piece of headliner on it. I then slipped the bow on to check the fit. I lightly tapped the bow into place, and cripmed the dimples into the headliner using off set vice grips. Then reinstalled the front piece with the bow attached. Fitted the rear piece of headiner to the bow, then starting from the center installed the rear support. It was a PITA, as I was by myself. You might want to lightly moisten the headliner to help it flex during installation. Also when you trim along the sides don't take too much off. I like to use the windlace channel to help support and keep the arch in the headliner. I hope this helps, Jimmie.

OKIE-DOKIE Thanks for the information!

Yes sirs !! Thanks for the info Ive been having a real hard time with mine too But I think I got it figured out now

Thanks !

Todd

Hi Guys....I have a 53 GMC and there was no head liner in it when I got it. Call me slow but, I still don't understand how the metal center piece that joins the front and back is secured on each side. Or is it ?

Wolfs53, The bow just "floats" it will have some tension from resting on the windlace channel. Also if you crimp it to the front piece of headliner sorta secures it. Jimmie.

Thanks Jimmie D, I'll give it a try and see how it goes. Does the cab windlace cover the ends of the center piece ?

The short answer is yes. The windlace covers and gives a finished look to the bow and headliner. The "ears" come down on the front corner pillars a little bit. It is held down by the windlace on one side and the windshield garnish on the other. One thing that might help is hold up the front piece of the headline and try to visualize where the windlace and garnish fit into the headliner system. Just remember that there is a fairly large space between the headliner and the roof in the front part of the cab, Jimmie.

Thanks for your help Jimmie. I have a much better idea of how things should look now.

I noticed your from Colorado...I'm going to be down there for two weeks on a motorcycle trip at the end of July. Would you know if there is anywhere around that might be a good place to browse for parts ?

Wolfs53,
Unfortunately no, I live on the Western Slope of Colorado, and the last of the old scrap yards here just closed down a couple of months ago. He had over 500 cars and trucks from the teens to the 50s. I have been all over looking for parts, and I get pretty much the same storey "no money in the old parts so we crushed them" I have heard that there is a salvage yard in Tooele Utah that has a lot of old stuff, but I haven't made it over there my self, Jimmie.

I found it easier if I mounted the front headliner section first. I lined up the front piece with the windshiel molding and slid the bow on the rear of the headliner. Then I could tighten the screws to hold the front inplace. Then keeping pressure on the bow, I lined up the second half or rear headliner and put in a couple of screws. It seemed to work but it helps if you have a second set of hands.