Just bought a 68

[gbeals]

Originally Posted by canadianstang1

if ya want me to type their explanation out email me at canadianstang1@hotmail.com dunno if theirs is the right way or not??? but the rest of the book is pretty cool and was one of the 1st books i bought on mustangs.

Thanks for that, but i'll just get the book - chances are high i'll need it.. - I recently got this CD from "Detroit Iron" it is a searchable cdrom of the 1968 mustang manual and has the parts list from 65-72. I havent had a chance to crack it open yet, but I'll let you know if it was worth the $20.

[Paul 69 Mach I]

I'm sorry, I missed it had been sitting. Then yes, I'd give the engine a good cleaning just so I knew what was leaking. You already have instructions on that. Yep get manuals & learn your car. Stay away from synthetic oil. I have it in mine and it just wants to find a place to leak from. BTW if your married you better plan on catching the stuff you clean from the engine. Wives normally don't like stained driveways.....

As far as the electrical, Sheez we all need it! Ford never intended these cars to be on the road this long. My rule of thumb is if it's fuel or electrical related problem replace it. Better than being the owner of a crispy critter that I watched burn to the ground on the side of the road. I just replaced the dash circuit board on mine. The old one had a manufacture date of 01/1969..... Ya Ford expected it to be working right on 03/2005.....
You're doing fine, I was full of questions when I bought mine. If your not doing all the work yourself find a good mechanic. I have an old "out of his garage" mechanic I use. He loves classic's & lets me work with him so I can learn as I restore. Now if I could only talk my wife into getting a lift in the garage.....

[gbeals]

Yeah, I lucked out... My wife is fully on board with this project. She's loved this mustang for a long time now as well. I am going to attempt to do most of the work myself. I am still trying to find a mechanic that is "out of garage" I like that term.. No luck so far.

Any takers???? Im in Wilmington NC.. <plug plug>

I found a weird item this evening... For what ever reason.. When the entire floor was replaced, all of the plugs were kept out. I guess I'll have fun finding where all of those go.. They are all in the trunk.. Took a shot of the car all cleaned up (as much as really need at any rate.

Yes I know my tire is flat. Brand new tire too.. Never been driven on.. I think it's a valve stem.

[Orange97GTVert]

The fact that your wife is on board is enviable! My wife puts up with my project but she is not enthusiastic, she doesn't think it will ever get done. Looks like a great car, at least you aren't in the bodywork stage like me. I won't buy another classic needing paint and bodywork, this is my 3rd and worst and it is currently sitting idle while I get more and more into the late models. Good luck with it and enjoy!

[KiltedBanshees93GT]

Sharp car, congrats again,

J

[Paul 69 Mach I]

Looks sharpe, When I get mine back I'm going to have to post it.
Hey BTW the Rt. Frt tire looks low...... What can I say, there is always one in the crowd & it might as well be me! LOL

[gbeals]

hahah.... very funny...

Well the time has come when I've done all the amount of inspecting I can - Now the real work needs to begin... The only thing I have to do, is figure out what I should start on first. My list is so long.

At first I thought, I'll redo the entire interior first, then I thought that it might be a pain to mask and cover everything off when I paint the car. So now that means I'll be removing the interior but not putting it back in. Then I thought start with the engine or the body work first.

Tentativley (spelling?) my list is as follows:
Engine Clean
Locate leaks - fix leaks
radiator
electrical
body work
interior
Rims/Tires
Exhuast - muffs still unknown (someone said MACs - any good?) Also not sure about headers as of yet.
Engine performance or Suspension

Did I miss anything or should something be in a different order?

One question for the night (of course you guys knew that was coming)

My auto tranny works great! However, the shifter is real loose feeling.. Is there a gromet or something in there that should be replaced to keep the shifter from wiggling so much?

Hey do you guys have any pics of your stang? I havent seen them yet. If you need a host let me know -I have tons of server space.

[6T9PONY]

Originally Posted by gbeals

My auto tranny works great! However, the shifter is real loose feeling.. Is there a gromet or something in there that should be replaced to keep the shifter from wiggling so much?

Hey do you guys have any pics of your stang? I havent seen them yet. If you need a host let me know -I have tons of server space.

There is a grommet that could be replaced. The problem might just be that the nut holding the shifter to the linkage is loose. My C4's shifter would constantly be coming loose within days after retightening the nut. It never had a lock washer on there but I put one on and it works perfectly. Hasn't came loose since and it's been over a year!

There are pictures/information about my car on my website. Link is in my sig.

[gbeals]

(Wondering how long I can keep this thread going)

I fixed one of my leaks... It was a pretty simple fix - Nothing like needing a simple gromet to brighten up ones day.

Well last night I started steam cleaning some sections of the engine (some small test areas) Let me tell you if you dont own a steam cleaner you need too. I bought it years ago for my wife to do the floors, lets just say - she wont be seeing anytime soon.

Sadly, uncovering all the goop and crud, showed me that the person who painted the engine did not prep so well. So I got some paint chipping.

Next up bag all electrical and do a indepth cleaning.

[Paul 69 Mach I]

gbeals

However you choose to restore the car is up to you. The only thing I can tell you is if it is in the driving season I do not do anything that will keep it off the road for more than a week. Early spring or late fall I can do the bigger stuff.

To many people get a car and tear it all down thinking they can do it right away. Time & money usually get in the way. Then they lose interest and end up dumping it. Summer is for driving & keep it on the road.

[gbeals]

I agree with you there.. I am currently dumping all obtainable funds into the engine - Gonna drive it around looking all crapy, but when or if anyone judges, I'll just let the engine do it's thing.. Dont have to look pretty to go fast. Yes, dont worry, breaks are top on my list as well.