ponypastor

To cure my 1971 Mach 1 SCJ from bottoming out so easily, I removed the leaf springs and installed a new set of springs, bushings, and bolts from Eaton Springs in Detroit. The car does ride a bit stiffer, but still seems to bottom out in rear way too easily. New shocks installed a year or so ago. Wondering if these ponies require extra heavy duty shocks in rear. What experience have you had?

My first 71-73 Mustang restoration, a 1972 Mach 1. She was dubbed "Kermit" for obvious reasons.

Would I buy my current 1971 Mach 1, J Code, Ram Air, 429 SCJ, 4.11.1, again? I bought it completely disassembled, just a mere shell, with a 1000 parts, including motor, tranny, driverline, stored in a container. The Mach 1 had been off the road since 1975. The original owner was killed. It took me a few years to rebuild everything and reassemble the car and then paint it. Slow process. I've restored numerous 71-72 Mach 1's (H, Q, R, M, J Codes) over the last 25 years, but this one was the biggest challenge. Buy it again? Yes, indeed. Wish it had AC. Florida heat cab be brutal.

Welcome from west central Florida, Tampa Bay area.

Since I am unable to locate a passenger side exhaust manifold for my 429 SCJ (the original was repaired years ago and done incorrectly; welder said it could not be repaired to last), I'm thinking of using a set of headers. Found a set that will fit at Summit. Does anyone here have experience with these headers or similar units? Thank you.

Looking for a replacement for the passenger side, exhaust manifold for my Mach 1, 429 SCJ. Mine has been repaired in the past and is leaking again. Unable to find anyone local to repair it. So, need to find a good replacement. Thanks in advance.

Lost their driver side front wheel. Wonder how that happened? Stud failure?

Thanks Geoff. I added one feature to that particular Mach 1 that was entirely unique. Instead of having the Ram Air flappers open up by putting the pedal to the metal, I added a manual operated cable, attached to a knob (identical to the light switch knob) below the dash; so I could pull on the knob and open the Ram Air flappers and close them without increasing RPM. I added a rear shot of same car

I restored a 1971 Mach 1 in Grabber Lime some years ago--every nut and bolt: rebuilt the 351-4v M Code, C-6 tranny, and repainted the entire car. It had functional 3-spoke rim blow steering wheel, black deluxe interior, Ram Air, AC, full console, roll down rear windows, 650 Holley, Magnum 500's, etc. But the Grabber Lime was not so popular at the time, I reckon. Only sold for 20k. Hard to fathom the selling price of $160K.

As Stanglover correctly noted, normal driving did not require the extra power steering cooler. But with a high winding 429 SCJ, built for the drag strip, I have to use type F transmission fluid in the power steering system (due to the anti-boiling ingredients in it) as well as the longer hose and PS cooler. The 429 SCJ puts out so much heat that the PS fluid can boil over without the extra cooling devices.

My 429 SCJ is completely rebuilt, everything is computer balanced; new 11.3.1 forged pistons, 0.40 oversized bore, Cam Research cam, polished but not turned nodular crankshaft--maintaining STD dimensions, SCJ rods with new bolts, Crane Roller Rocker arms with poly locks, hardened push rods, heads lightly portered to clean up castings, all new associated valve train parts, etc. Use combo of 101 octane and 94 octane ethanol free fuel. Despite the newness, it chews up a set of Motorcraft spark plugs in a hurry. I drive it 2-3 times per week on short hops for errands. But after 250 miles, it needs new plugs--old ones get fouled in a hurry. Anyone else have the same experience? Recommendations for better plugs? Thanks, tim

Has anyone successfully repaired a small crack on an exhaust manifold for a 429 CJ/SCJ? If so, how did you do it? Thanks.

Look forward to seeing what parts are available.

Attached to a pony I restored some years ago: a 1972 Mach 1, Grabber Blue, R Code, 351 HO

Father son projects are bond creators. I have 3 sons and all 3 began their driving phase with a Mustang project with me. Here is one example of a the result of the project. Son's pony was a 1968 GT, 390-4v. Mine was a 1971 M Code, 351-4v.

Thank you very much. Ordered it.

Seems like my exhaust manifold donut, 429 SCJ, passenger side, is leaking. Are the donuts interchangeable with all exhaust systems, or, is the 429 exhaust manifold and donut entirely unique? Thank you. Tim

Love seeing your progress, Mike. Thanks for posting.

Mike: Well done. Looks like new! The black paint on my center console lid keeps rubbing off from the effects of my right arm. What type of interior paint will withstand the repeated rubbing by the arm? Thanks, tim

I restored and sprayed a 71 Mach 1 in Wimbledon White/clear coat a few years ago. Perhaps these pics can help you gauge if you are on target with your mix of paint.

Welcome from another member of the Commonwealth, currently displaced elsewhere.

With those goodies, sounds like that R Code was a fast mover.

Do you know where your old R Code is today? or what kind of shape it's in? I restored a Grabber Blue, 1972 R Code some years ago (pictured) and thought it was the fastest car I'd ever driven---until I finished a J Code, 429 SCJ with the Drag Pack, Detroit Locker 4.11 gear. Didn't take long to change my mind.

Thank you for responding to my query. I am interested in the chin spoiler. Of, course, the cost of shipping such a large item may be a deterrent. But, nevertheless, please go ahead and obtain a quote. Thank you. Happy New Year to you and yours. Tim, St. Petersburg, FL 33713-1122