Documenting the restoration of my growing collection of classic Mustangs
With the shop done, I thought I would get Eric’s 65 road worthy. It usually starts, but it can run rough. Sometimes it doesn’t start though. I also have no idea how the brakes look, or how well it stops since it hasn’t driven further than onto the trailer. I can say that the tires look old and starting to rot. With all that, it gets to be the first project on the lift.
Continue reading “Getting Eric’s 65 on the Road”
The next big piece off the pile in the garage is the alternator and bracket. It had the original 2G alternator on it when I got it, and I took it off as an assembly. The assembly included the bracket, the alternator and the tensioner. All of it looked sufficiently 30 years old, and original.
Continue reading “5.0 Serpentine System with a 3G 130 Amp Alternator”
It seems the 65 had a unique motor mount unlike the rest of the classic mustangs. Since I have them, I decided to clean them up and use them. The other option was to buy the 66+ mounts and mounting plates. Or, my crazy motor purchases may make me buy drop mounts like I put in the 67 coupe. So, I started with the most economical option first.
Continue reading “65 Mustang Motor Mounts”
With the engine back in the garage, I need to start assembling it. I plan on using the original serpentine system, so I have to clean up a bunch of parts and get them back in place. It’s a good thing I took a bunch of pictures, because tearing it down a year ago left a lot of gaps in my memory. I put all the bolts in one bin, but figuring out which is which took a bit of digging through pictures.
Continue reading “Engine assembly – part 1”
After an extended period of time, I was finally able to pick up my engine from the automotive machine shop. Unfortunately, they started backed up when I dropped it off, then the owner (one man shop) had some health issues, backing up everything. He is doing well and finally caught up with some projects. There is always a wait and I was a few months in line before I could drop it off, which I read as a good sign for quality output. Based on the engine in the coupe with no issues, I am 1 for 1, with #2 looking like a win.
Continue reading “331 Stroker Home from the Machine Shop”
I got the parts in for the linkage and took a few minutes to put it together. I should get a couple nuts to lock it down, but I don’t think it’s going to do any moving anyhow.
Continue reading “Update: Carburetor linkage upgrade”
After replacing the rear end with a stock V8 rear with 2.79 gears, the poor inline 6 engine just feels like a dog behind that 3 speed transmission. I worry if I have to start out on a hill, it won’t be able to go. That pushed me into using the 4 cylinder T5 transmission I have in the garage for this car. I am hoping that the gearing in this T5 means I wont have to replace the rear gears later as well. Gear math isn’t my thing, so I will just have to wait and see.
Continue reading “Swapping a 3 speed for a 5”
I finally got the engine tuned up and running right. It has been about 25 years since I have built an engine, so all that experience is basically lost and needed to be re-learned. I had a book back then, but I have Google now, which is both good and bad. In the end, I learned some things and made it through.
Continue reading “Engine Tuning”
When I was assembling the engine, I used mostly stock parts. I had some issues getting the PA Performance 130 amp alternator fitting due to it being larger. It all started with the ’72 timing chain cover, but I was never able to really get things like I wanted. I had a constant belt squeal that just wouldn’t go away. Possibly related to the power steering pump. Trying to fix all those things at once, I ordered a CVF Racing pulley system. As a bonus, its a pretty nice dress up.
Continue reading “CVF Racing Pulley System”
Chasing down things to the first start, I found a number of little things preventing it.
Continue reading “First start”
Brad Albrecht's Mustang Restoration Projects 