Frankenstein Mach 1 in Vegas

351mach1 · Nov 22, 2024

Finally got this new to me Mach 1 running well enough to drive around the block so I figured its time to start a build thread!

You can view my intro post here: https://7173mustangs.com/threads/new-member-just-purchased-71-mach-1.45749/

And the issues I have been having with the engine so far here: https://7173mustangs.com/threads/351c-where-to-start.45750/

Here are the cliff notes: I purchased this 71 M code (originally a 4 speed) not really knowing what I was getting myself into. P/O claimed it was running and driving and just needed a new carb. Turns out that wasn't quite true. It has a 74 351C CJ and auto transmission out of probably a Gran Torino. The wiring is a mess. Everything I look at appears to be half assed or jerry rigged. It's also a salvage vehicle that wasn't 100% fixed correctly. The body looks good enough from far but up close you can see the issues. I suspect the frame to be bent and time will tell how big of an issue this is going to be. The big selling point on this car for me was the price but also there is essentially no rust to speak of.

The current goal is to get it running, driving, and legally registered to be driven on the road.

Long term goal would be to figure out if this thing is worth sinking some coin into and making a fun streetable build, making mild but respectable power and converting back to a manual transmission. This thing isn't ever going to win any awards but it will sure look good a 40 MPH. More to come soon but its my day off so need to go turn some wrenches!

Sheriff41 · Nov 22, 2024

Well, at least it's photogenic!

Steve McMahan · Nov 22, 2024

It looks like a great project, 25 feet away. I’ve got a rust free car also; well, mostly rust free. Making the car perfect is usually not a reasonable goal. A fun, drivable, but with some get up and go isn’t a goal too far, if you’re not trying to put it back to showroom condition, in my opinion. Good luck.

tpj71mach · Nov 24, 2024

It does look nice in the picture. I like your goal of getting it street able and registered and then being able to drive and enjoy it. After that you can evaluate where you would like to take it from there. My car came from Vegas, BTW I am a big fan of the color combo, haha.

James Bond · Nov 25, 2024

The car 'looks' good and you should have fun getting it back into shape!

351mach1 · Nov 25, 2024

While I am struggling a bit to get the ignition and dash wiring sorted, I did score a T5 transmission on craigslist for $500. ~~I believe it came out of an 80 something mustang.~~ Guess I'll be swapping it back to manual! Any recommendations, tips, advice for a complete auto to T5 conversion kits?

After some Googling: "The 99-2004 Mustang V6 T5 (tag 1352-260) is identical to a 94/95 5.0 GT T5 except the tail housing and main shaft are made for the electronic speedometer sending unit. Gears 1-5 and input shaft match the 94/95 GT. This T5 has the 0.68 fifth gear that has been the GT standard throughout the years. The crossmember goes a little further back on this tail housing than the previous years of T5s if you keep this housing. I understand that this electronic Speedometer sending unit works fine with the Autometer speedometers."

1352-253

Ford 1994-95 Mustang 5.0 V8 WC

Y

3.15

3.35

1.99

1.33

1.00

0.68

mach71351c · Nov 28, 2024

Welcome from San Diego. Looks like a good project Congrats.

351mach1 · Dec 2, 2024

As part of the safety inspection to get the title changed from salvage to rebuilt I have to make sure all the basic safety equipment works. Since I am waiting for more parts for the timing chain replacement to arrive, I decided to knock out the horn, turn signal, and windshield wiper issues. Thank you if someone on this forum sold me the blue steering wheel pad or turn signal assembly from Ebay. It was just what I needed to get the horn and turn signals working but also its way nicer than what was on there. As for the wiper motor, I bought a rebuilt one and cut the old connector off, spliced in the new one and bolted it back up. At first it didn't want to work but after fiddling with it, figured out that it just had a poor ground. I have now completed everything to pass the safety inspection! Unfortunately I began tearing into the front of the motor and the car doesn't currently run. I will replace the timing chain, fine tune the motor, and reinstall the dash which also means rebuilding the instrument cluster. The only other obvious thing I see is a leaking transmission and it doesn't have a kick down rod. I am hoping to be legal and driving down the road by the end of the month!

351mach1 · Dec 3, 2024

Just following up the last post with some pictures. Also got the new timing chain on. Awaiting a new timing cover and radiator hoses to complete that job. Will be very excited to fire her back up with the new timing chain!

I received the new circuit board for the instrument cluster and threw it in with new bulbs. I got one light to work so that's a start. I think my cluster plug was repinned and is incorrect for this cluster. That's for another day.

Along with yesterdays update, I installed a new battery tray and hold down as well as the NPD repro ram air hood springs. I no longer need the hood stick! I do think I tweaked my back getting those springs in though gah!

tpj71mach · Dec 4, 2024

The progress just keeps coming, nice work! It will be up and functional in no time. The best part is you won't have to put it up for the winter in Vegas, so you will be able to enjoy it.

351mach1 · Dec 5, 2024

Got the engine back together and took her for another victory lap! Unfortunately I am heading out of town this weekend for a few days but I am hoping to get it inspected and legal to drive on public roads before Christmas. That will be a nice Xmas present to myself.

I have a short clip of me ripping it around town but its too big too upload apparently.

giantpune · Dec 6, 2024

I think you might find the combination of your T5's 3.3ish 1st gear and your 3.5:1 rear end make your first gear pretty short. Like coming from a stop sign, you're shifting into 2nd gear before your back tires even cross over the white line. Thats pretty close to how my 1969 mustang is setup.

Its a tad silly. But at the same time, its impossible to drive that car without getting a big grin across your face.

If you want to make it a little bit more like a street car, they do sell rebuild kits that let you use the gear ratios from like the 83-84 T5 transmissions, but in a world class T5 like yours. They can handle up to like 450HP and not be quite so silly with 1st gear being that short. Those sets of gears give you almost the same ratios you can get in the new TKX transmissions, which make more sense for rear end radios like yours.

351mach1 · Dec 15, 2024

giantpune said:
If you want to make it a little bit more like a street car, they do sell rebuild kits that let you use the gear ratios from like the 83-84 T5 transmissions, but in a world class T5 like yours. They can handle up to like 450HP and not be quite so silly with 1st gear being that short. Those sets of gears give you almost the same ratios you can get in the new TKX transmissions, which make more sense for rear end radios like yours.

Since I have no history on the transmission, I was planning to have a transmission shop look over it before I commit to installing it. In a perfect world, would you personally prefer to swap out 1st and second gear or change out the rear end gear ratio? What do you see as the pros and cons of both options financially and drivability wise?

The end goal is still to have a mild but respectable performance build (400hp/400tq) mostly weekend/daily driving. No strip or racing; but would like to be pinned to the seat off the line.

giantpune · Dec 15, 2024

351mach1 said:
In a perfect world, would you personally prefer to swap out 1st and second gear or change out the rear end gear ratio? What do you see as the pros and cons of both options financially and drivability wise?

I would lean towards putting something closer to a 3.0:1 ring and pinion in it. I'm not clear on how much work you'd be doing yourself vs paying somebody else to do. Parts and labor would each be lower for your rear end than the guts in your transmission.

And if you do the rear end, that gets your RPMs down in every gear, not just 1st and 2nd.

351mach1 · Dec 15, 2024

I like the idea of swapping out the rear end gears because I could install the transmission, see if I like how it drives, and if not go ahead and swap the rear end gears down the road...

I would probably swap the rear end gears on my own but definitely pay a shop to muck around with the transmission.

351mach1 · Dec 15, 2024

Big day today! I was able to get the title sorted and registered the vehicle in my name and successfully had the title changed from salvage to rebuilt. Got classic insurance and the Mach is legal to drive on the road!

Before I could take her out on the highway, I had to button up a few last things from the timing job. New coolant hoses and coolant. I also put a new fuel filter on. Started right up and idling very smooth. The fuel gauge isn't accurate and I know I had less than 3 gallons of gas in the tank so first stop was the gas station. From there I drove it on the highway for a bit to see what it's like to drive. It feels like the alignment is off a little bit and I should check into that. The dash is still tore apart but I plugged in the gauges out of curiosity and they appear to work; albeit quite sluggish to get moving. That's a relief as I didn't want to drive too far or push it too much without knowing the oil pressure and coolant temp.

I spent most of the day putzing around and trying to get the carb tuned in. Took a lap in Red Rock Canyon just to enjoy; quite fitting for a Sunday.

All in all I'm freaking stoked! But alas, there is still much more work to be done.

tpj71mach · Dec 15, 2024

351mach1 said:
View attachment 96052Big day today! I was able to get the title sorted and registered the vehicle in my name and successfully had the title changed from salvage to rebuilt. Got classic insurance and the Mach is legal to drive on the road!

Before I could take her out on the highway, I had to button up a few last things from the timing job. New coolant hoses and coolant. I also put a new fuel filter on. Started right up and idling very smooth. The fuel gauge isn't accurate and I know I had less than 3 gallons of gas in the tank so first stop was the gas station. From there I drove it on the highway for a bit to see what it's like to drive. It feels like the alignment is off a little bit and I should check into that. The dash is still tore apart but I plugged in the gauges out of curiosity and they appear to work; albeit quite sluggish to get moving. That's a relief as I didn't want to drive too far or push it too much without knowing the oil pressure and coolant temp.

I spent most of the day putzing around and trying to get the carb tuned in. Took a lap in Red Rock Canyon just to enjoy; quite fitting for a Sunday.

All in all I'm freaking stoked! But alas, there is still much more work to be done.

That's awesome that she is driving! Congrats on getting it sorted enough to be driving and enjoying it and bonus, the gauges are working.

I love the picture of the car out in Red Rock Canyon. I used to go free climbing and repelling out in the canyon when I lived in Vegas in the early 90's. Fun memories when I saw the background of your picture. If I remember correctly, you headed out on Sahara and it looped around to Trop, right?

Anyways, congrats on getting her running, she looks great, enjoy!

351mach1 · Dec 15, 2024

tpj71mach said:
I love the picture of the car out in Red Rock Canyon. I used to go free climbing and repelling out in the canyon when I lived in Vegas in the early 90's. Fun memories when I saw the background of your picture. If I remember correctly, you headed out on Sahara and it looped around to Trop, right?

Out on Charleston and loops around to 160 AKA Blue Diamond Highway... I am actually a local climbing guide here in Red Rock so I spend most of my time out in the canyon. That's awesome you used to climb here! Hope you are still getting out climbing!

Stanglover · Monday at 8:53 AM

You've come a long way, congrats!
I've enjoyed following your story and progress.

Spike Morelli · Monday at 1:33 PM

Diggin" it!

Frankenstein Mach 1 in Vegas

Help Support 7173Mustangs.com:

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!