Quick Help Questions - Need to pass inspection on the 66 Stang!

bigbandjohn · 01-24-2003, 04:40 PM

Hey everyone!

My 1966 Mustang joined the ranks of the running today as I picked it up fresh from it's brake job (and it needed the choke fixed). So far, I have about $3500 invested including the base car, and I have something that I can drive!

Now for the questions. I have the following repairs I need made quickly. Please advise:

1) the turn signal relay appears to be stuck in the "closed" position, i.e. it turns the light on, but doesn't flick off. How to replace it?

2) the backup lights are sitting in the trunk. I need to re-mount them and get them working. Wiring?

This should get me through inspection. Next questions are these:

3) The transmission has a rattling noise. When I put my hand on the stick, it goes away. Should I have this tightened/adjusted, and is this something I can do in an apartment without any real space to work.

4) Speedometer seems to only engage when I go fast (i.e. interstate speeds), and my top speed so far has been 40mph (yeah, right). opinions/difficulty to fix?

5) The engine temperature gauge seems to not work at all (always cold). Difficulty to fix?

now, I know I may have to tear the dashboard out at some point for this work. That's ok, since I'll have to replace the dashboard pad.

Look forward to your advice and help. Thanks again!

traigo · 01-24-2003, 07:52 PM

Quote:

The engine temperature gauge seems to not work at all (always cold). Difficulty to fix?

I had the same problem for a while. It would work and then not work. I opened the hood to find that the connection to the temp sender was not completely connected. There was also some dirt between the connections. Just to be safe though, I went to NAPA and bought for about $3 a new sending unit and cleaned out the connection. Then I got the same problem again and had to squeeze the connection just slightly with a pair of pliers so it would fit snugly and not fall off while driving. It hasn't caused me any problems since.

Traigo

zach0 · 01-25-2003, 12:33 PM

You can always go and but new bushings for your shifter for a few bucks. Check mustangs plus. As far as your speedo cable is concerned. It could be loose at your gauge cluster or your transmission. Could be a bad cable or the gear at the end of the cable thats goes into the trans. could be worn out. Your turn signal relay is under the drivers side of the dash. One inch round cylinder. You can find the relay at any auto store for under 5 bucks. All of these things you can do at your apartment and relatively inexpensive.

zach0 · 01-25-2003, 12:37 PM

Oh yeah, backup lights. you just need to get a wiring manual: either ford factory or a haynes and little playing around and youll get it. just make sure the backup sensor on the transmission isn't bad. Just be sure to use a voltage meter to make things easier. Saftey!! Saftey!! Saftey!! Saftey!! Saftey!! if you do any of this since you will be behind or underneath of the car while it is out of gear. Saftey!! Saftey!! Saftey!! Saftey!!

bigbandjohn · 01-25-2003, 06:11 PM

Thanks!

One new item popped up. The Highbeam switch gets stuck. Looks like a simple replace, but I would like to make sure. I'm going to get some blocks to make sure the car doesn't roll while working (would bricks be ok), and I plan on having someone around if I do any work that requires me to be under the hood or under the car.

As Zach0 said... Safety Safety Safety!

Rev · 01-25-2003, 10:14 PM

You won't need to remove the dash pad for any of this. The instrument panel bezel comes out with about 6 screws with everything still attatched. Put a towel over the top of the steering column so as not to scratch it up.

The only reason you may even need to remove that is if you replace the speedometer cable or the speedometer gauge itself.

Rev

zach0 · 01-25-2003, 11:04 PM

The high beam switch is also an easy task that should take you 10 mins or less. Go ahead and takle it.

bigbandjohn · 01-26-2003, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by zach0
You can always go and but new bushings for your shifter for a few bucks. Check mustangs plus.

I checked Mustangs Plus, and I only see bushings for an Automatic transmission. I have a 3 speed manual. do I need to look for something else?

Ammendum: OK. I need a manual transmission kit. Goes for about $35 instead of $4. That has bushings and springs... Now, I won't have to drop the tranny to do this, right?

I think I'll pick up Chilton's guide tonight. time to do some reading myself.

Rev · 01-26-2003, 12:01 PM

A Ford shop manual is a great investment. About $35 from the classic Mustang parts houses. It goes into a lot of detail. I couldn't get along without it.

Rev

hobgoblin351 · 01-26-2003, 03:45 PM

No you wont haveto drop the tranny to fix the linkage bushings. But, you will have to get it up in the air. Unless you're real skinny and can squeeze underneath. Jackstands and chocks are in order. It's an easy rebuild, but due to the lack of space under there it could take awhile.

bigbandjohn · 01-26-2003, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hobgoblin351
No you wont haveto drop the tranny to fix the linkage bushings. But, you will have to get it up in the air. Unless you're real skinny and can squeeze underneath.

nope, that counts me out...

Well, I'll see if I can get the garage I had some of the work done already to help me out on this. It's a low priority at this point, since the car does run.

01-24-2003, 04:40 PM	#1
bigbandjohn Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The South, USA Posts: 143	Quick Help Questions - Need to pass inspection on the 66 Stang! Hey everyone! My 1966 Mustang joined the ranks of the running today as I picked it up fresh from it's brake job (and it needed the choke fixed). So far, I have about $3500 invested including the base car, and I have something that I can drive! Now for the questions. I have the following repairs I need made quickly. Please advise: 1) the turn signal relay appears to be stuck in the "closed" position, i.e. it turns the light on, but doesn't flick off. How to replace it? 2) the backup lights are sitting in the trunk. I need to re-mount them and get them working. Wiring? This should get me through inspection. Next questions are these: 3) The transmission has a rattling noise. When I put my hand on the stick, it goes away. Should I have this tightened/adjusted, and is this something I can do in an apartment without any real space to work. 4) Speedometer seems to only engage when I go fast (i.e. interstate speeds), and my top speed so far has been 40mph (yeah, right). opinions/difficulty to fix? 5) The engine temperature gauge seems to not work at all (always cold). Difficulty to fix? now, I know I may have to tear the dashboard out at some point for this work. That's ok, since I'll have to replace the dashboard pad. Look forward to your advice and help. Thanks again!

01-25-2003, 12:33 PM	#3
zach0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Hampton, Virginia Posts: 227	You can always go and but new bushings for your shifter for a few bucks. Check mustangs plus. As far as your speedo cable is concerned. It could be loose at your gauge cluster or your transmission. Could be a bad cable or the gear at the end of the cable thats goes into the trans. could be worn out. Your turn signal relay is under the drivers side of the dash. One inch round cylinder. You can find the relay at any auto store for under 5 bucks. All of these things you can do at your apartment and relatively inexpensive. __________________ 1980 RX7 with 289 Ford V-8 bored .030 over, Very radical cam, Torker 2 high rise intake, Holley 650 Carb, MSD Nascar 6ALN ignition, MSD coil and distributor, Headers with dual open side exhaust. Over 300 horse. 1966 Mustang still in progress

01-25-2003, 12:37 PM	#4
zach0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Hampton, Virginia Posts: 227	Oh yeah, backup lights. you just need to get a wiring manual: either ford factory or a haynes and little playing around and youll get it. just make sure the backup sensor on the transmission isn't bad. Just be sure to use a voltage meter to make things easier. Saftey!! Saftey!! Saftey!! Saftey!! Saftey!! if you do any of this since you will be behind or underneath of the car while it is out of gear. Saftey!! Saftey!! Saftey!! Saftey!! __________________ 1980 RX7 with 289 Ford V-8 bored .030 over, Very radical cam, Torker 2 high rise intake, Holley 650 Carb, MSD Nascar 6ALN ignition, MSD coil and distributor, Headers with dual open side exhaust. Over 300 horse. 1966 Mustang still in progress

01-25-2003, 10:14 PM	#6
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	Tearing out dash? You won't need to remove the dash pad for any of this. The instrument panel bezel comes out with about 6 screws with everything still attatched. Put a towel over the top of the steering column so as not to scratch it up. The only reason you may even need to remove that is if you replace the speedometer cable or the speedometer gauge itself. Rev __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

01-25-2003, 11:04 PM	#7
zach0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Hampton, Virginia Posts: 227	The high beam switch is also an easy task that should take you 10 mins or less. Go ahead and takle it. __________________ 1980 RX7 with 289 Ford V-8 bored .030 over, Very radical cam, Torker 2 high rise intake, Holley 650 Carb, MSD Nascar 6ALN ignition, MSD coil and distributor, Headers with dual open side exhaust. Over 300 horse. 1966 Mustang still in progress

01-25-2003, 06:11 PM	#5
bigbandjohn Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The South, USA Posts: 143	Thanks! One new item popped up. The Highbeam switch gets stuck. Looks like a simple replace, but I would like to make sure. I'm going to get some blocks to make sure the car doesn't roll while working (would bricks be ok), and I plan on having someone around if I do any work that requires me to be under the hood or under the car. As Zach0 said... Safety Safety Safety!

01-26-2003, 12:01 PM	#9
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	Shop manual A Ford shop manual is a great investment. About $35 from the classic Mustang parts houses. It goes into a lot of detail. I couldn't get along without it. Rev __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

01-26-2003, 03:45 PM	#10
hobgoblin351 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 245	No you wont haveto drop the tranny to fix the linkage bushings. But, you will have to get it up in the air. Unless you're real skinny and can squeeze underneath. Jackstands and chocks are in order. It's an easy rebuild, but due to the lack of space under there it could take awhile. __________________ 1970 Stang Conv: en:Boss351 (balanced/blueprinted) mech cam(240*@.050/.540 lift) Scrw in studs/comp cams rllr rkr Mldn valves 2.19in 1.71ex ported polished cc'd hrdnd ex Keith Black FT pistons(10.25/1) Weiand Excellorator manifold Holley700 DP mech 2nds MSD 6 box and Dis Headers/2 1/2 inch duels tr: modified FMX re:9-inch/3.89 limited slip

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