Here is my 72 Grande 351c 2v

[rvanamb]

Started stripping the paint and made my initial post in the introduction section https://7173mustangs.com/threads/my-name-is-rob-here-is-my-72-grande-351c-2v.44547 . As this will be a huge project, I decided to move over here to the project section. The order of this project is strip paint, epoxy primer, bodywork as needed, followed by paint. After that, I have a full EFI conversion including timing control to install. Replacing every weather strip on the car. Removing the FMX transmission and replacing it with a TKX.

Now on to today's progress, removing the rear bumper, side markers, and tail lights. The tail lights sucked to remove as along with the normal seal someone used what seemed like an entire tube of black RTV to bond them to the car forever. So they took a good 45 minutes to remove. However, the car gods took pity on me and the bumper came off in under 2 minutes with an impact.

 

[rvanamb]

Progress of the day, finished stripping the trunk.

 

[rvanamb]

Not too much done today, took the car off the jack stands to move it over a bit. My garage is too small and I had to make some more space to keep going on the driver's side. Stripped the area above the trunk and a bit on the driver's side. Trying to keep making progress every day, so when I get another 70 plus degree day I am ready to start priming it.

 

[Steve McMahan]

Are you replacing the vinyl top?

 

[rvanamb]

No, was thinking about it but it is in really good condition. Also the headliner is perfect so I can't get to the vinyl trim retainers without ruining the headliner. I have a half inch belt sander I am going to use to try to remove the paint up to the vinyl top. First I need to remove all the trim around the doors. So if anyone has a good tutorial on that please point me in the right direction. As I said previously I am replacing all weatherstripping, door handles, in the last month I have spent 2k in parts. NPD should love me by now lol. I also bought a NACA hood, funny enough bought the hood because I put a RPM AIR GAP intake on and it sits so tall I need more clearance for a filter. I have a drop base that works with the summit 600cfm carb, but am changing over to an Aces Killshot EFI and my drop base won't work with it. That's me just got to keep piling on more work for this car. On a better note pretty sure I dropped at least 30 pounds of weight replacing the original iron intake. Holy crap that thing is heavy.

 

[rvanamb]

Ok, the new hood from Summit showed up it is an OER hood. Summit had the best shipping price of only $185 versus everyone else at 300-500. The hood fits pretty well. I need to do some more adjusting but I think the curve of the hood is pretty close and can match it up shimming the fenders. Here are some pictures. The rear of the hood by the windshield needs to be bent upwards maybe 1/8th inch, but it is close to matching. For the first rough fitting the gaps aren't horrible but will need some more tweaking. Just wanted to get it on while I had my son here to help. That way I can see what I am working with and the adjustments needed.

 

[rvanamb]

If the 10-day weather is at all accurate next weekend I will be priming the car. The only thing left to strip is the top of the front fenders and tail light panel.

On a side note, if anyone in western Washington needs a hood please message me. I don't want to scrap the original hood but I don't have space to store it. It is stripped and ready for paint. No rust original hood, somebody should need one.