1973 Mustang Convertible Restoration and Modification

[73vertproject]

In this blog I will document the restoration and modification of my 1973 Mustang convertible with a 351C 2V (351 Cleveland with 2 bbl carburetor).

I'll create the skeleton framework of the blog, and then add text and explanatory photos.



Picture of the engine on September 15, 2010, before beginning restoration.



First step was to remove the hood, with the help of a friend. I marked the hinge locations with pencil to facilitate alignment later. I put a big sleeping bag on the roof and set it up there, since I don't have much room in my garage. I checked it for stability, and it shouldn't go anywhere.



Next, I drained the radiator and removed the radiator hoses and radiator.









I then removed the heater hoses. Since I'm going to replace them, it was easiest to just split the ends with a knife and pry them off with a flathead screwdriver.





I snapped a couple pics of the wiring and then removed the battery, followed by the battery tray.

 

[RocketFoot]

Looking forward to your ongoing documentation! Keep us posted!

 

[Tnfastbk]

Good work Doc

 

[73vertproject]

Looking forward to your ongoing documentation! Keep us posted!

Thanks! I'll be working with Barry to determine the best way to chronologically document the work.

Doc

 

[mach71351c]

In this blog I will document the restoration and modification of my 1973 Mustang convertible with a 351C 2V (351 Cleveland with 2 bbl carburetor).

I'll create the skeleton framework of the blog, and then add text and explanatory photos.

Picture of the engine on September 15, 2010, before beginning restoration.

First step was to remove the hood, with the help of a friend. I marked the hinge locations with pencil to facilitate alignment later. I put a big sleeping bag on the roof and set it up there, since I don't have much room in my garage. I checked it for stability, and it shouldn't go anywhere.

Next, I drained the radiator and removed the radiator hoses and radiator.

I then removed the heater hoses. Since I'm going to replace them, it was easiest to just split the ends with a knife and pry them off with a flathead screwdriver.

I snapped a couple pics of the wiring and then removed the battery, followed by the battery tray.

All in all Doc your engine bay looks nice and solid. Mike

 

[73vertproject]

The battery tray area had a lot of rust, but was structurally sound. I cleaned up the tray itself with a wire brush (manual and cordless drill) with decent results. I can see it will just take time and elbow grease.

Doc

 

[Tnfastbk]

Makin progress

 

[droptop73]

Keep up the good work Doc.

 

[Tnfastbk]

Dang Doc you have become a regular computer guru on us.

 

[73vertproject]

Dang Doc you have become a regular computer guru on us.

LOL! Actually, I whined to Barry about the difficulty I was having with documenting my project, so he came up with the fix. He is, indeed, a computer guru! Thanks, Barry!

Doc

 

[73vertproject]

"'When we last left Doc, he was knee deep in the disassembly of his 351 Cleveland. Let's see what's happened since then...."

Well, now I'm hip deep in the disassembly. I removed the exhaust manifold on the passenger side...



But the dang driver's side exhaust manifold bolts just wouldn't cooperate, so I'll leave that one attached and remove it with the head.



I'm also having trouble getting the water pump removed, but that's not an issue yet.

I pulled the intake manifold off, and this is what I saw:



And then removed the rocker arm cover on the passenger side:



As well as the rocker arm cover on the driver's side:



It's easy to see that there's a ton of "sludge" covering all of the cam-driven parts, so I've got my work cut out for me in that area.



Next: removing the heads and getting ready to replace the cam, cam components, and timing chain.

 

[droptop73]

Doc... You're just a set of rings, bearings and gaskets away from freshening the old girl up.

 

[Tnfastbk]

Looks like somebody like QuakerState.

 

[cobra3073]

"'When we last left Doc, he was knee deep in the disassembly of his 351 Cleveland. Let's see what's happened since then...."

Well, now I'm hip deep in the disassembly. I removed the exhaust manifold on the passenger side...

But the dang driver's side exhaust manifold bolts just wouldn't cooperate, so I'll leave that one attached and remove it with the head.

I'm also having trouble getting the water pump removed, but that's not an issue yet.

I pulled the intake manifold off, and this is what I saw:

And then removed the rocker arm cover on the passenger side:

As well as the rocker arm cover on the driver's side:

It's easy to see that there's a ton of "sludge" covering all of the cam-driven parts, so I've got my work cut out for me in that area.

Next: removing the heads and getting ready to replace the cam, cam components, and timing chain.

Well Doc,

I can see why things were a bit "sluggish" when you got into it.

Trust me, you are going to be PLEASANTLY surprised when you get it back together.

BT

 

[Tnfastbk]

You will definitely be able to trade that sun dial in for a stop watch

 

[mach71351c]

"'When we last left Doc, he was knee deep in the disassembly of his 351 Cleveland. Let's see what's happened since then...."

Well, now I'm hip deep in the disassembly. I removed the exhaust manifold on the passenger side...

But the dang driver's side exhaust manifold bolts just wouldn't cooperate, so I'll leave that one attached and remove it with the head.

I'm also having trouble getting the water pump removed, but that's not an issue yet.

I pulled the intake manifold off, and this is what I saw:

And then removed the rocker arm cover on the passenger side:

As well as the rocker arm cover on the driver's side:

It's easy to see that there's a ton of "sludge" covering all of the cam-driven parts, so I've got my work cut out for me in that area.

Next: removing the heads and getting ready to replace the cam, cam components, and timing chain.

Doc did you use WD40 on the exhaust and water pump bolts spray and let soak over night. Mike

 

[73vertproject]

Slowly but surely progress is made.

I removed the tappets and, with some difficulty and a cheater bar, loosened the head bolts. I then pried the heads off with a small pry bar, being careful not to mar any mating surfaces.

First, the driver's side





Then the passenger side





Looks pretty empty with everything removed



Lots of sludge in there, probably from using a non-detergent oil like they did years ago. I took the heads down to the school auto shop as a project for the high school kids. They're excited, and the shop teacher promised to watch them closely.

Next up, remove and clean oil pan, swap out the cams, and start ordering new intake and exhaust manifold, carb, etc.

 

[Tnfastbk]

::goodjob:: DOC

 

[coilwire]

Let the clean up begin.lol Good job Doc. The weather gods must be on your side for a change.

Jim