Next Project: 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible

[chrishf12]

Awesome project.

 

[Scsmith42]

Awesome project.

Tell us about your avatar!

 

[chrishf12]

Tell us about your avatar!

That image was from the first rebuild on my 22re, it under-powers my old 85 4runner.

 

[Scsmith42]

I always thought that it would be cool to drop in a diesel from a Toyota forklift into an old 4 Runner. Supposedly it’s a bolt in.

 

[Gator]

I always thought that it would be cool to drop in a diesel from a Toyota forklift into an old 4 Runner. Supposedly it’s a bolt in.

Way back in the 1970's when there was some sort of gas crunch we had a customer who ran a garage in Lincolnton who put a 3 cylinder deisel out of a fork lift in a Mazda station wagon. He drove it to our place one day so we could see it, no hood on it at the time. The deisel was a bit taller than the stock Mazda engine and that was going to be the next issue he dealt with. He said everything worked well.

.

 

[tarheelguy]

Looking great! I’m itching to be done with house project stuff and get back into my 69 Mustang coupe restomod corner carver build.

 

[RacerX]

It’s been a while since my last update…. I haven’t made much progress as I’m adding another bathroom to the house for our daughter. She and her needs are more important than the car, of course. I should be finished with that this weekend, but the car will likely continue to sit idle due to a serious job stability issue….

 

[RacerX]

I think my job situation may be resolved…. 🤞

…so I have resumed mustang work! Im going to hit it hard this weekend - yesterday I prepped the upper valence and painted the back side of it with primer and auto paint.

After family stuff this AM and seeing @Get Off My Lawn at his place, im going to install the front end (headlight buckets and stuff, and prep/paint/install the rear valance.

Sunday I’ll finish the rear brakes and, if time allows, fill and bleed the system.

I have a call out to my painter to set a drop off date for him to do his magic with the body and paint.

 

[tarheelguy]

Still haven’t gotten back to my 69 Mustang project. Currently trying to install new injectors and a minor upgrade or two on the Duramax.

 

[RacerX]

Still haven’t gotten back to my 69 Mustang project. Currently trying to install new injectors and a minor upgrade or two on the Duramax.

Never seems to be enough time after priorities…. I’ll have a couple weeks off, if all goes as planned, to do some more focused work on it (interior, exhaust shop, engine/trans punch list items, etc.)

 

[RacerX]

Big day… very big day!

Repaired both headlight buckets and prepped for paint
Prepped both quarter panel extensions for paint
Prepped both fender extensions for paint
Prepped front upper balance for paint
Prepped rear valence for paint
Prepped stone guard for paint

Tomorrows plan is to install rear brakes, bleed the system and fit body parts.

After that it’s either engine and trans or off to paint shop!

 

[RacerX]

Spent a few hours dialing in the rear valence. After all the panel replacements using questionable quality parts, the rear valence had a big gap on the bottom, left side and a big overlap on the upper right side.

I cut the outer 4” of the left side off and grafted an angled sliver to close the gap but not change the upper corner alignment.


On the right side, I removed a sliver to keep the lower corner in the same position but slide the upper corner into the correct spot.



Fit is dead on for both sides now. I’ll finalize the mount then add a thin coat of body putty to smooth it out. I’m really happy with the final result.

 

[RacerX]

FedEx emptied a truck in my driveway earlier today….



All new interior kit.

I’ll add that I spoke with the paintper today. He’s going to stop over next week to look the car over, give me a number and set a paint date!

Wife and I changed color direction, but you’ll have to wait for that until it’s shot. Wheels are shaping up to be American Racing Torque Thrust Ds.

 

[RacerX]

Dropped the engine in and started installing the Toploader today, but the parts shop screwup struck again!! They gave me the wrong pilot bushing, which means the clutch cant go in until I have the bushing in place…. Part ordered!



That was an incredibly challenging install as a solo job. It would have been so much better to have a helper! Clearance on either header to the shock tower is 1/8”-1/4”. It’s tight in there!





I also placed another big order with the mustang supplier…. Radiator, body seal kit, distributor, a new harmonic balancer, and lots of other small stuff. Coming together quickly now!

 

[RacerX]

So it’s been a while…. Progress:
Clutch linkage and pedal - done
Fuel system - done
Brakes installed and fully bled - done
Electronic ignition, dizzy, custom fit plug wires - done

The goal for Monday 7/3 is to add fuel to this thing and get it running!! Open headers will surely piss off my entire neighborhood!

With it running, turning and stopping, I can finally get it painted yes….if I could only find a painter or a shop that will shoot a complete car and not charge me $10k+!!

 

[fieldgrade]

So it’s been a while…. Progress:
Clutch linkage and pedal - done
Fuel system - done
Brakes installed and fully bled - done
Electronic ignition, dizzy, custom fit plug wires - done

The goal for Monday 7/3 is to add fuel to this thing and get it running!! Open headers will surely piss off my entire neighborhood!

With it running, turning and stopping, I can finally get it painted yes….if I could only find a painter or a shop that will shoot a complete car and not charge me $10k+!!

We demand video of the first crank!!

 

[HMP]

Dropped the engine in and started installing the Toploader today, but the parts shop screwup struck again!! They gave me the wrong pilot bushing, which means the clutch cant go in until I have the bushing in place…. Part ordered!

View attachment 612673

I didnt know you were a black man.

 

[RacerX]

How do I post a video clip?

 

[fieldgrade]

How do I post a video clip?

Shoot the video, then you have to upload to you tube, and post the link,
or if you want, you can text or emal it to me, and I’ll post it for you.

 

[fieldgrade]

First crank- video courtesy @RacerX

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

@RacerX let me know if you need Holley parts. Those diaphragms may be toast.

 

[RacerX]

@RacerX let me know if you need Holley parts. Those diaphragms may be toast.

That’s a 750 I borrowed from my buddy. I have a 650 double pumper for it but may still need parts - will keep you posted! Thanks!!!

 

[RacerX]

First crank- video courtesy @RacerX

Thanks for posting!!!

 

[NCFubar]

IT’S ALIVE … IT’S ALIVE … IT’S ALIVE!​

 

[Jim C.]

Do you need an OEM key?

 

[JohnFreeman]

I have a NOS quarter panel, fender and trunk lid lined up. I’ll track down or repair the remaining fender but the other quarter will also get cut out and replaced.

My vision is a dark red car with white stripes and the black convertible top with American Racing Torque Thrust D rims.

Assuming I can get it running, it was a warmed up 302. The trans will either be a 4 speed top loader or a World Class T5 turning a 9” rear.

Those rims will look great on this car. They're one of the all time best wheel designs.

 

[RacerX]

Do you need an OEM key?

View attachment 639630

Definitely! I’ll shoot you a PM. Thanks!

 

[RacerX]

Hellova job Pard!!!!

Thanks!

 

[RacerX]

Wiring is all cleaned up…still starts and idles nicely.

I got chastised by someone in another forum for the temp use of the wire nuts! He didn’t understand they were temporary to make sure I had my connections right. I had to correct him…politely, but flipped around his public criticism.




Next up is installing the drivers seat and getting it back down on all fours to test brakes and forward/reverse. Once they’re confirmed, I can easily load it onto my trailer to start getting quotes from the imaginary shops that do full paint jobs… because I’m looking at Maaco only unless my painter comes through.

 

[ronn47]

@RacerX
You might want to call Hunter's Speciality in Walnut Cove, NC.

Not going to be cheap, he works on a lot of Shelby's and other high end cars/trucks.

 

[Dead Eye-NC]

Have friend who owns Whitby Motorcars in Greensboro. Check him out. he can help you Or tell you where to get help

Whitbymotorcars.com
Whitby Motorcars
(336) 389-0904

 

[RacerX]

Thanks to both of you for the referrals @ronn47 and @Dead Eye-NC

 

[RacerX]

Driver seat is in.
Fought with and overcame shifter linkage issues.
Car is on all 4s now and moves u set its own power WITH BRAKES!!!

I have a painter coming tomorrow for an estimate. Also found a couple more that want to see it.

I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel on this project!!!

 

[RacerX]

Moved outside (under own power) to take pics for one painter and for another one to see it tonight.

If these guys come back $$$, I’m going to either go to Maaco or shoot it myself. More I look at it, the closer I am to finishing it and shooting it.

 

[RacerX]

Did I just find a paint shop!?!? I’ll know soon (assuming he actually sends me a quote!!)

 

[RacerX]

Painter is confirmed!! I’m hopeful to drop it off next week. Turnaround time is 2-3mos, so I’m going to shift gears after drop off to do the bronco mechanicals in prep to get the body transplanted.

 

[RacerX]

Painter drop off tomorrow…

Past:



Present:



Future:

TBD


Heres how I’ll spend my free time (outside of swim meets, football games, and lacrosse)…

Early Bronco Build…

Here comes the next chapter!!! ….placeholder…

carolinafirearmsforum.com

 

[RacerX]

Loaded her up for the short trip to the painter!

 

[RacerX]

Parallel projects with my bronco…. I visited the mustang at the painter yesterday. He’s epoxy primed and block sanded it 4 times with a couple minor spots still to make “right”. I asked him for a driver quality paint job…. He said my body work was far too good and I need to rethink the mustang as a show car - possibly a trophy winner.

Should be in paint within a month. Once the mustang comes back, I’m hopeful to drop the bronco body off.

 

[RacerX]

Mustang is fully primed and should be in color within the month.