71Convert Restoration Project Progress

[71convert]

Hey everybody. I posted a few weeks back in the Introduction section and wanted to start a thread on my restoration. I have a 1971 Mustang convertible with the following factory options:

• 351 4V (M code)
• C6 auto
• 3.00 Traction-Lok
• A/C
• PDB
• PS
• Power Top with Glass Backlight
• Power Windows
• White Deluxe Interior
• Console
• Decor Group
• Protection Group
• Bumper Guards
• Tinted Glass
• Heavy Duty Battery
• Sport Wheel Covers
• Convenience Group

Was originally Metallic Maroon with a white top and interior. I am planning on changing the color to Bright Lime with a black top, adding a blacked out Ram Air hood, black side stripes, tach, gauge cluster, rim blow steering wheel and maybe AM/FM radio.

I picked up a tach cluster, the 3 gauge cluster and sent my main harness, headlight harness, and convenience group harness to Randy at Midlife for refurbishing. The Mustang is pretty rusty and will need a lot of rust repair so I am currently stripping it down so the rust repair can begin!

Here are some of my progress pics so far. Many more to come.

 

[Sheriff41]

Well, that's one way to disconnect your door wiring!

I look forward to seeing your progress. It should be nice when you get done.

 

[midlife]

That's actually the power window harness. And yes, I was able to fix that SOB just today! It was cut right at the door jamb opening, leaving almost no room for splices. Package sent out back to GA.

 

[RIBS]

I am about to pull my Dash over in Lawrenceville…were you able to pull the dash by yourself or did it take 2 people?
I Am Pulling it to rehab to, and to rewire the car…

 

[71convert]

I am about to pull my Dash over in Lawrenceville…were you able to pull the dash by yourself or did it take 2 people?
I Am Pulling it to rehab to, and to rewire the car…

RIBS,

I was able to pull it by myself. It's not too heavy just LONG. I didn't have to remove the steering wheel either just the gauges and the dash pad and metal upper dash area. I recommend sending your harnesses to Midlife. Does a thorough job and keeps you in the loop!

 

[RIBS]

RIBS,

I was able to pull it by myself. It's not too heavy just LONG. I didn't have to remove the steering wheel either just the gauges and the dash pad and metal upper dash area. I recommend sending your harnesses to Midlife. Does a thorough job and keeps you in the loop!

Thanks for the tips…I have some Midlife harnesses in my car powering my convertible top. but my main wiring has to go, probably not rebuildable. The car was in a fire 30 years before I bought it, and is a 71-73 harness cobbled together, and the car barely has basic functionality….I talked to Randy about it and we pretty much concludead it wasn’t a good candidate for a refurb.

 

[midlife]

Yeah, but I can replace it for the same price as refurbishment...Just saying...

 

[RIBS]

Yeah, but I can replace it for the same price as refurbishment...Just saying...

I appreciate that, and I know your work is the best out there…I really wanted fresh wiring and a modern fusebox for additional expansion, so I am doing the new wiring…my convertible harness you did stays in the car and is awesome!

 

[midlife]

I can really use the 71 underdash harness as a core, once you're done with it!

 

[71convert]

Hey everyone, Thought it was time for an update on my 1971 convertible restoration. I have shipped the Mustang off to the body shop. They have removed the engine and tranny and are working on replacing all the metal in the engine compartment first. I have been buying a bunch of Dynacorn sheet metal. By the way, freight shipping prices are in the CRAZY range. Way more than I expected even with combining sheet metal parts in one shipment. Much of the Dynacorn sheet metal is on back order with no date as to when it will be available again! Anyway, below are some pics of where my 71 currently stands. Try and ignore the Camaro in the background.

 

[71convert]

I also found out my engine is original as my VIN is stamped on the rear of the engine! That was a nice surprise. The tranny appears to be an FMX not the original C6 but I need to go back to the shop and verify that. Below are engine and tranny related pics.

 

[tpj71mach]

Hey everyone, Thought it was time for an update on my 1971 convertible restoration. I have shipped the Mustang off to the body shop. They have removed the engine and tranny and are working on replacing all the metal in the engine compartment first. I have been buying a bunch of Dynacorn sheet metal. By the way, freight shipping prices are in the CRAZY range. Way more than I expected even with combining sheet metal parts in one shipment. Much of the Dynacorn sheet metal is on back order with no date as to when it will be available again! Anyway, below are some pics of where my 71 currently stands. Try and ignore the Camaro in the background

Looking good, I see this is from May, any update pics?

Also, sorry but I tried but failed to ignore the 69 Z28 in background, I am also a 69 Camaro fan, this is one of my other projects.

 

[71convert]

Hey tpj71mach, will be posting some updated progress pics in the next few days and thanks for the encourgement! You'll have to try a little harder on ignoring that Camaro. Wow, that's a beautiful 69 Z28. I always liked the look of the 69 body style with the hideaway headlights (shhhh, don't tell anyone).

 

[71convert]

Hey guys. Sorry in the delay for posting my progress pics but I have a bunch to share.

Dash:
Had the dash sandblasted then I primed and painted it. I used rattle can SEMS Landau Black as the base coat and dusted it with NPD's Dark Charcoal Metallic (also rattle can). Took a while to get the charcoal metallic to look right as you only do a dusting from about a foot away and have to let it dry.

I bought a tach cluster that I took apart. cleaned, replaced bulbs and melted blue covers and painted the needles. I also polished the lenses which came out very nice. I added the three center gauges and did the same thing to that cluster. I picked up an original three gauge cluster panel, stripped it, repainted it with SEMS Landau Black and used Molotow Liquid Chrome to add the chrome. Did the same thing on the dash and glovebox panels. I need to topcoat the Molotow chrome as it will dull the more it gets touched. Still figuring that out. Also added an AM radio (was gone when I got the car). The dash and vents (like the rest of the Mustang) were full of years of dust, dirt, mold, leaves and wasp nests. I cleaned up all rusted bolts, vents, wiring harnesses, repaired the vents and added a new glove box liner. Reran and connected up all of my refurbished wiring harnesses (thanks again Midlife).

 

[Hemikiller]

....and that, ladies n gents, is how you work on your dash!

 

[71convert]

Console:
After the dash work, I took on the console (see pics below). It wasn't in too bad of shape. No cracks or any broken off areas! I expected it to be pretty beat up. I took it all apart, cleaned it (dirt, wasp nests, dried muddy animal paw prints, etc.) painted the main parts with SEMS Landau Black. The metals pieces were really rusted since it sat outside so long so I soaked them in Krud Kutter The Must For Rust. It worked really well in removing rust. It worked a little too well in some places. When I took the ashtray cover assembly out of the solution, the tabs that hold the ashtray in place dissolved! Nothing left of them so I had to buy another assembly.

My clock didn't work so I took it apart and cleaned and repainted the housing. I also cleaned the clock mechanism with electronic cleaner spray. Still not working so I unscrewed the top plate (was a lot of fun when the spring unwound - wasn't expecting that) and cleaned the contact points. They were still in good shape but cleaned them anyway. I found out one of the solenoid wires had broken so I resoldered it. Put power on the clock and it worked! Left it running for about 30 minutes with no issues and it reset itself. My rectangular clock main face (with the numbers on it) was shot. Rust, pitting, numbers and lines scratched off, etc. I looked for a console clock face plate or even just a console clock. No luck or didn't want to spend a ton of money on it. I took a picture of the clock face, cleaned up the image and had a sticker made of it. Sanded down the clock face, repainted it black and stuck on the sticker. Also repainted the faded hour/minute hands. Came out really great. I didn't bother re-flocking the interior of my console bin so I painted it with flat black spray paint. Not perfect but looks good and more uniform. I touched up the chrome areas with Molotow chrome. Again, I'll have to spray a sealer on it so it's more durable.

Before:


Clock Spring - Boing!


After:

 

[Sheriff41]

You have been busy and your efforts really show! Great job!

 

[Cleveland Crush]

Hey guys. Sorry in the delay for posting my progress pics but I have a bunch to share.

Dash:
Had the dash sandblasted then I primed and painted it. I used rattle can SEMS Landau Black as the base coat and dusted it with NPD's Dark Charcoal Metallic (also rattle can). Took a while to get the charcoal metallic to look right as you only do a dusting from about a foot away and have to let it dry.

I bought a tach cluster that I took apart. cleaned, replaced bulbs and melted blue covers and painted the needles. I also polished the lenses which came out very nice. I added the three center gauges and did the same thing to that cluster. I picked up an original three gauge cluster panel, stripped it, repainted it with SEMS Landau Black and used Molotow Liquid Chrome to add the chrome. Did the same thing on the dash and glovebox panels. I need to topcoat the Molotow chrome as it will dull the more it gets touched. Still figuring that out. Also added an AM radio (was gone when I got the car). The dash and vents (like the rest of the Mustang) were full of years of dust, dirt, mold, leaves and wasp nests. I cleaned up all rusted bolts, vents, wiring harnesses, repaired the vents and added a new glove box liner. Reran and connected up all of my refurbished wiring harnesses (thanks again Midlife).

View attachment 73144

View attachment 73146

View attachment 73147

Indeed, I'm impressed with the "frame off" dash restoration and custom bench mount dash stand

 

[PoFoMoCo]

You have been busy and your efforts really show! Great job!

Indeed, I'm impressed with the "frame off" dash restoration and custom bench mount dash stand

(+) (+) 1 Billion, very nice.

 

[NOT A T5]

That's the way to do it, way more accessible...NICE JOB!