1972 Convertible resto mod

[California 72]

The day just disappeared for work on the car garage, but it was productive for the car none the less. Package from CandyRcode with the replacement strut rods and a timing chain cover/water pump backing plate arrived.

Along with that, the AMK package arrived. I started cleaning all the fasteners and after the first 30 ricochets out of the housing of the wire wheel on the bench grinder and the fact that some reduced in both thread and wrench/socket size because of the rust... It was really seeing a couple of the gang posting their completed work made me realize the new product would really look much better and was the overall correct choice to make. To be very honest, the pics above from tpj71mach sold me on the new fasteners.

The one thing for certain with the decision to purchase the Master kit over the piece by piece was made very simple. Even though I ended up with some duplicates as far as what comes with the new parts, it was much less expensive to just purchase the master kits. I'm going to also go with th fact they are most likely a better grade of fastener than some of those that are with the parts.

Unfortunately, didn't get things wrapped up as planned. Ran out of steam about 2 hours after dinner but at least there's now a somewhat cleaner path around the front and passenger side of the car.

 

[California 72]

Been out for a while with other projects. A neighbor installed a pool and they had the resulting dirt from the hole delivered to us since we were in need of some. By some I mean a massive sum, like 300 yards and now we’re a third of the way there. It rained thrice this week, ending a 6 week drought but that also made the soil, which hadn’t been compacted yet, unworkable.
Anyhow, enough of that and back to the car.
The crank is ready after being polished, we did learn that it was 0.010 undersized but nothing too severe to overcome.
The block is at the shop and work progresses there too. Going with the original connecting rods and decided on free floaters for the piston pins.
As far as bore goes, whatever the clean up needs it will be at its bare minimum but the same for all 8.
I’m so very lucky that I’ve been offered the chance to have the ne pistons forged at that size.

So the parts paint process starts. These were just touched up today, waiting the commensurate 48 hours between the last coat and next since my day ended with 4 total for the start. These should be cured enough Sunday I can wrap and store.

The new ClassicTube stainless fuel and brake lines arrived today. Still contemplating on the vapor return line but will probably replace it as well.
Heads will be ready in another week or two with new bronze guides and some very nice seat work too. I have the new valves and hopefully soon I can get the remaining parts ordered to start reassembly of the motor.
It’s gotten a bit chilly here so trying to figure out how to use a spare air handler we replaced because the tonnage was grossly undersized. Planning on just using the heat coils to do temperature control for paint.
Otherwise, we keep moving forward. Lots of bare metal to use after blast in as well as primers. I am planning more media blasting but need a full couple days with no interruptions. Unfortunately that will be after thanksgiving so, more updates to follow as they happen.

 

[California 72]

I'm sorry to hear about your cam and lifters. Maybe it is the universe telling you a new cam is the right way to go.

As far as I could determine when I was doing my engine compartment, the braces are supposed to be slop gray, I bought a couple aerosol cans from NPD to spray mine, they offer a lighter and darker slop gray. The upper shocks mounts were originally coated steel. I painted mine with Eastwood 2X Detail gray, to replicate this and seal them up. They also sell the detail gray in non-activator spray as well, probably not as durable of a finish, but you don't have to use the whole can the same day you activate it or have it cure in the can.. The outer shock braces were also slop gray as well as some of the headlight and hood latch support brackets. I tried to find out what should be what color before I actually laid down any paint. I chose these colors because they seemed to me to be the consensus on what the "correct" colors were. My car had been rattle canned all semi-gloss black and I media blasted everything to bare metal and then coated with black epoxy primer, so didn't have any indication what color the parts were originally…

tpj71mach,
Getting ready to start the painting, how many weeks late now?
Anyhow, if I could ask a huge favor and post or pm me the color changes for each part up front. I’m undecided about repainting the springs since a warranty is involved but I’ll contact them to ask. Really liked the difference and my CEO and COO of designs told me I needed to do the changes you made.
The big question is, are the fender skirts and associated parts inside and under the motor black? I’ve got a ton of semi gloss rollbar and chassis so, that includes the other parts because like you, mine was redone with black on everything.
Greatly appreciate the effort and just remember, copying something is the greatest form of compliment. Yet I still have one or two changes I haven’t been told about yet.
Thanks.

 

[California 72]

Forgot to mention, the Eastwood After Blast is some rather intense stuff! I did allow the parts to sit overnight and they look perfect for paint. Didn’t apply paints last night because I ran out of time, wanted to confirm a couple colors with tpj71mach and even using compressed air, the crevices and seams were damp and thought better to wait. That extra time looks like it will make a difference.

Below are the completed spindles and calipers.

 

[California 72]

We have primer on the first clean chassis parts. Now to decipher between the two greys, chassis black and that beautiful, classic Ford blue. There will also be some aluminum thrown in if I do decide to not paint the intake blue. I found some stuff from Seymour Paints that would allow for the metal look. I figure I'll hit some things with it and for the higher temp items, like the engine, they'll also be coated with a high temp 2K clear. Really like the way the aluminum sets against the blue motor. Now to search for the style finned aluminum valve covers. Plus, I’m trying to figure out the process to cure the exhaust manifolds off or on the vehicle.

Although, there is one puzzling fact and it's the date stamps on the hood hinges. They are a year ending in 3 and, since my car is a confirmed 1972 model, either they were made in 1963 or replaced. This actually plays into something I was told about the car and ties into the grill support being changed as well as some other changes made between the first and second attempt at auction while the car was still in California.

By the way, the springs on the hinges, they are the new windings from NPD for the heavier NACA Hood. They really did make a difference for the whole week they were installed before the hood ended up sitting on the vert top. Before anyone gasps at the fact it's sitting up there, it's a calculated move in the manner I used 2x4's and 2x6's to carry the hoof weight on the vert frame and that I need an excuse to replace the canvas from black back to white, when the time comes of course.

 

[California 72]

So, with the caveat this is just an update, it's not just about how things progress, or regress, or stand still, it's about motor mounts now.

The originals were so caked with grease and dirt, as well the concern for their age and condition, I filed them under "G" and they've been long gone. Had I known the difficulty would lay in the fact that Convertible insulators are obsolete, or maybe one source and speaking with them now, it might involve changing out the frame perch or pedestal. I've always and only known it as a perch.

Anyhow, the surprise continued when the used sets of the coup perch started approaching the "WTFB" price response, aka, what the flying bananas! That's if they are actually on-hand too. I get the whole supply and demand thing and that it's a pita for someone to tool up an insulator for a few cars that remain from a total run of 24,378 convertibles from 1971-1973. Plus, there's the fact that Ford retooled the part for the 1973 model year, being a new "captive" design and ironically, that run was more than '71 and '72 combined. I'm guessing the newer '73 captive design is more readily available.
So, I'm sure ya'll are tired of the posts for this, and one can only guess that Hemikiller truly earned a break from the answers. I fully understand the reply on what I needed to use.

Unfortunately, I have to ask; If I continue to hit a dead-end on the '72 Coupe/Sportroof parts, what if I replace them with all the '73 parts? Or am I going to experience the same cost prohibitive nature for the '73 perch? Or is the crossmember repositioned since there's not a difference in the fan shroud across all Ford mustangs in our specific year(s)?