1965 K-code Mustang Repair

[turtle5353]

Hey guys.  Just thought I would share some pics of the 1965 K code Mustang that I'm working on for a guy.  It looks decent on the outside but she's been hacked up pretty bad over the years.  It still has the original k-code 289 in it but the 4 speed trans was replaced years ago with another 4 speed.  But since its a k code the owner wants to save it.  I would like to blow this whole car apart and fix everything at once but the owner just wants to do bits at a time. So for now I am going to be concentrating on the front sheetmetal from the fire wall forward.  I will be cutting off the whole front end and starting from scratch. The front frame rails and shock towers have patches over patches and lots of holes in them behind the upper A-arms.  The driver side shock tower looks to be leaning in a good inch or so.  i will be building a frame jig for this before i start tearing it down too far. The good part about that is that I needed a frame jig to do my 71 repairs too so i might as well build it now.  Once I'm done with the front clip, the guy is going to drive it and have some fun with it till next year or this winter. Then he wants me to do the floor pans. The floor pans were done years ago but not very pretty.  This is gonna be a pretty big repair but i think im up for it.  Should be fun!  Well heres a few pics of the car and some of the rot. Some of the up close pics are holes behind the upper A-arms.  The driver side upper arm has about 1" of shims behind it to get camber in spec or atleast close to driveable!  I will keep this thread updated as i progress.  I know its not a 71-73 but its still a cool little Mustang. 

 

[Fabrice]

Looks like you'll be busy for a while...
I hope apron's are avail for these years (prolly are). I just finished my 71 engine bay and if I compare the time spend on correcting 2 aprons that were corroded on top vs replacing the entire piece. You're better off replacing everything. Cheaper too. The lack of having the fenders and accessories holes pre punched in the new sheets is what I hated most. 

What do you plan for the rail?

 

[turtle5353]

Dynacorn makes 1 piece  aprons with the frame rail already attached.  Replace entire front end with 3 pieces total.  2 aprons and rad support .  I got a message into Don at OMS on pricing availability of the parts.  Im hoping its a pretty straight forward process.  The frame rails under the floor pans stay there. The new front end slide into those rails and gets plug welded in numerous spots and up a flange that gets attached to firewall.  

 

[Fabrice]

Im hoping its a pretty straight forward process.

I'm sure there will be some twists to the story, but nothing compared to refab everything from scratch.
Still amaze me that you can buy this kind of parts for cars over 50 years old!

I get now why you want to build a frame jig!

 

[turtle5353]

Im sure there will be more than one surprise with this project.  But the aftermarket support for these cars is incredible.  You can pretty much build a car from a catalog these days. Dynacorn even sells complete bodies. 

 

[timachone]

Kevin, 

that is lots of work in front of you, there are many wheight savings on that car, wow! That aprons and frame rails look heavy! But hey, it's a Mustang, more a K-code, and so we are interested in seeing updates of your new project. These little Mustangs grew on me over the years so it would be literally one for the wife if I ever had the money, time and so one for one more, you know. Awesome that you could buy a whole left or right front clip with all needed parts, wow! Perhaps it is good that you do not have to do all by one - so it would be some time remaining to put your hands on the Mach again  :thumb:

Keep us posted, please! 

 

[clevelandcoupe]

Kevin,

One of my buddies just rebuilt a 65 fastback utilizing all Dynacorn panels. He basically jacked up the roof, A pillars and back window opening and put all new floors, front frame rails, aprons, one piece floor, firewall and dash. All worked out well and parts mostly fit well with a few adjustments needed. It worked out well and I'm sure you will be replacing more than you are thinking, as always. Let me know if you need any guidance on install or just questions, I'm sure he would be happy share knowledge....

Thanks, Jay

 

[turtle5353]

Tim,  Once I get this one done, I will probably tear into my car! 

Thanks Jay.  I appreciate that.  

 

[midlife]

This thread reminds me of the story of replacing the ax handle from G. Washington, then replacing the ax head...is anything left from the original?

 

[mach71351c]

Kevin, yes post the progress I'll be watching. It is a Mustang after all. 

 

[turtle5353]

Got a little bit done on the 65. Removed the engine this weekend and got it on the stand. I was also able to get the lower frame work of my jig welded together and painted. I put 4 heavy duty casters on it so it’s easy to move and made adjustable legs so I can level it up once in place. I am going to add four 2” tube crossmembers to the top that also have adjustable standoffs.  Once the jig is leveled up I can set the car up on it according to factory specs and tack it down. This should help when I rip the front end off and install new sheet metal. Another plus is that I will be able to use this jig for my 71 when I repair it!  
 

 

[mach71351c]

Damn Kevin that jig is no joke nice work.

 

[turtle5353]

Thanks Mike.  Just scrap steel I have had laying around the shop. That was a 30’ I beam I had for years. Finally got to use it!

 

[timachone]

Great jig - nothing will be moving on there  :thumb:

 

[turtle5353]

Got it up in the air and frame jig rolled under. Now to level up the jig. Take lots of measurements. Weld in my cross braces and adjustable stand offs. Then the car will be ready to tear into. A lot of work just to get ready to do work!!

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

Great to see you are starting out on right foot. I would have taken the car as is to frame shop to have put back to zero before anything is done.

 

[mach71351c]

Kevin there is one thing on the jig. It doesn't say 7173 Mustangs. com on it. Just saying.

 

[turtle5353]

Not much progress this week. Been busy at work and getting the bike and quad ready for the races this weekend. But I did manage to get the jig leveled up under the car and I got 1 front brace fabricated and installed. Now i need to build 3 more at various points working my way back the car and set the car to the factory specs from my baseline of the jig. Maybe get some stuff done after the races saturday or sunday. Hopefully the car will be leveled and welded to the jib by the end of the weekend. One good thing is that a bunch of parts showed up from Don at Ohio Mustang Supply. Thanks for the help Don!  I went to Dynacorn in Leetsdale PA to pick up the shock tower assemblies to save on  truck shipping and that place is impressive. ITS HUGE!!  You could definitely go on a shopping spree at that place. Its nice to know that place is less than an hour drive from my place. So when I go to repair my Mach 1 I can drive down and pick up my parts. 
 


 

 

[turtle5353]

Got the rest of the frame jig finished. Got it all measured out and welded down per the factory specs. And then I broke out the old torch and cut the front clip off.  Still need to wire wheel everything and drill out spot welds but got a lot done today.  Here’s a few pics of the progress.