Documenting the restoration of my growing collection of classic Mustangs
Most of the external parts are removed, leaving the power train and the suspension. Once I get that removed, I will need to figure out how to get it on the body cart without a lift. It turns out a body cart is kind of tall compared to where the body sits on its own suspension.
Continue reading “On the Body Cart”
As I continue my dismantling, I have found a theme from the previous owner who clearly slapped it together to unload on to some unsuspecting sucker: Hand Tight. I didn’t find many parts that needed convincing to be removed. In some cases, like the shocks, one bolt was tight, the other was half on. This takes dedication to do it that poorly as they are lock nuts and the harder of the two to reach was done right.
Continue reading “Theme: Hand Tight or Not At All”
Several months ago, my daughter sent me a picture of a Playboy Pink 66 coupe, saying she thought it looked beautiful and she would drive a mustang if it looked like that. Now, I have had my coupe since before she was born, and while it didn’t always run (it mostly didn’t run), it’s always been around, taking up space somewhere, but she was never really interested in it. When her younger brother started high school, he said it would be cool if he could drive it to prom if we got it fixed up, and I was on it. Even through all that, she was never really interested. She did appreciate how it was looking nice as I was putting it together, but not really into it. So when she sent that picture, I saw my opening.
Continue reading “A Princess in Frog Form”
My list of big projects to get Derek’s coupe back on the road is getting short. I think most of the engine work is done, but I wont start it without an exhaust. With a flat tappet cam, it requires a 20-30 minute break in on first start, which I wont be doing without exhaust. With that, I took it to the local exhaust and welding shop to have his exhaust kit installed.
Continue reading “Exhaust for Derek’s Coupe”
The 65 has been sitting for too long. My blocker has been several welding projects that need doing before I can start working on body work and paint. Blocking that has been my total lack of welding experience. So, over the past year, I have been making progress on addressing that. First, I got a welder and took a welding class. Next I got a rotisserie so I can get the 65 into a place I can start the welding and eventually paint prepping and sanding. Time to get the 65 on the twirler.
Continue reading “New Tools – Rotisserie”
Derek’s 67 is close to done, but I haven’t been home to work in the shop for quite a while. I would like to get it back on the road so I can free up some shop space to ultimately get back to focusing on the 65. Currently, he needs the clutch connected to the pedal, a new driveline, and an exhaust. At that point, it should be ready to start and figure out what needs attention to make it road worthy. Starting from the front, I decided to get the clutch working first.
Continue reading “Modern Driveline Cable Clutch Kit”
While the vast majority of Eric’s coupe is original, I decided that it was more important that it was reliable than original. I continuously had issues with it running smooth, and I think it is the carburetor. I decided to get a Summit 560 CFM, which is a more modern version of the Autolite 4100 that came with the car. I knew I would have some fabrication projects to make it work since the stock carb was hard lined in with custom bent tubes for both fuel and vacuum. Not to mention the linkage wouldn’t work. That said, it is an easily doable job, so I went to work.
Continue reading “Swapping Carburetors”
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”