Documenting the restoration of my growing collection of classic Mustangs
One of the first things I noticed when I first sat in Eric’s mustang was that the carpet looked original. It also reminded me of a 20 year old dog. It was grey on the edges, and amazingly warn out. Having replaced the carpet in my coupe, I figured this would be a pretty easy replace with a big impact on the feel of the car from the driver seat. After having the new carpet sitting in the box for a few months, its time to get it done.
Continue reading “New Carpet for the 65 Coupe”
I made some progress and have had pictures sitting on my drive, but didn’t make a post before I retired in July and got distracted with an assortment of other life goals I couldn’t do while working. Winter has settled in, so I need to get back out to the shop and get this motor in the convertible while weather is keeping it in the shop.
Continue reading “289 Little Details”
After a break waiting for the push rods and other various parts, its time to make some more progress and actually finish the long block by setting the valves.
Continue reading “289 Assembly – Part 3: Accessories”
Picking up where I left off with a short block, the next step is to get the heads attached and continue to assemble the front dressing and various accessories.
Continue reading “289 Assembly – Step 2: Long Block”
After tearing down the 302 and realizing it was a 79 block dressed up with 68 parts, I found an original early 68 289 block that will fit the period correct requirement for the 67. I switched gears mid stream and had the machine shop stop on the 302 and finish the 289 for this project. Well, they are done and I have the block and heads, plus all the various parts back at the house.
Continue reading “289 Ready for Assembly – Step 1: Short Block”
This week I learned that reclocking an alternator is a thing. It solved a long standing problem I have had and have been worried about since I put the 3G in the coupe. Evidently, its a simple procedure to change the orientation of the terminals on the back vs the mount points on the front. The more you know.
Continue reading “Reclocking the Alternator”
Picking up from the last post, I managed to get the distributor out, but not in any reusable state. As a reminder, here is where I left off.
Continue reading “Next Steps with the Engine”
On my quest to make the convertible work well, and keep it period correct, I ran into the engine transplant. While doing the power steering, the front end and exhaust started getting in the way of period correct replacement parts. I got the idea while at Rick’s the other day that maybe I could tinker on an engine rebuild using all period correct parts outside of the block and rotating assembly. So I brought home the engine Rick and I pulled out of a recent 68 he picked up for salvage parts. It’s full of surprises, but I’m willing to see if it will fit the bill.
Continue reading “A New Engine for the Convertible”
When I did the 67 coupe, I bought a new fresh air vent. Looking at the one I had in the car previously, it was already a reproduction, so no point in trying to keep it. The reproductions are plastic, where the originals are metal. The 65 came with the original, which is metal, so I thought I would take a shot at cleaning it up and see how it comes out.
Continue reading “Fresh Air Vent Restoration”
When I bought the convertible, it had an issue with vibrations around 50 mph. I thought it might be related to the suspension and bad alignment that was evident with the wear pattern on the front passenger side tire. When I replaced the brakes with disc and refreshed the front end, I expected the vibration to go away, but it didn’t. With everything else replaced, the only part left is the power steering, so now its time to rebuild that.
Continue reading “Restoring Original Power Steering”