TempStang
Member
Hello all!
I'm Jerry and this is my 1st post though I've been kind of hanging around for a while. I'm from the Chicago area and purchased a 1973 convertible about a year ago. I'm super excited about this car, though it didn't exactly start out that way.
My problem is I have a bunch of other hobbies in my life so this car probably won't see the road for a while. My main focus besides my wife and family of course is muskie fishing. I've been fishing all over the midwest and Canada and it's still just as exciting today as it was 27 years ago when I got started. I also have a fairly good size garden which I start from seed each year, plus all the other things in life that demands our time.
Back to the Stang, I initially went to see this car with absolutely NO intention of buying it. I told the seller that! I was really looking to buy a Cougar but this car had a 351 Cleveland and I just wanted to check it out. The guy selling said it was in the family for decades and garage kept. He also said he had a ton of Facebook messages inquiring about the car. and he was already sick of it and just wanted it gone. Needless to say we worked out a price. I drove the car home, backed in into the garage and began taking it apart. My wife thinks I'm nuts saying, "like you need another thing to do"...
So I'm not in a huge hurry but I have a goal and vision in mind of what I want this car to do and to look like. So far I've bought a bunch of pieces, parts and tools, including a blast cabinet, a welder, some air, electric and other hand tools etc. I'm obviously not any kind of expert in the field of rebuilding mustangs but not afraid to learn or get dirty. So far over the last year I've read hundreds of posts, articles and websites about the early mustangs trying to get back up to speed. I've also watched or listened to hundreds of hours of YouTube videos including Joe Daddy, Peterson restorations and many others. This site and Youtube have both been a great source of information and how to's. For that I want to thank each and everyone of you who have shared your experiences, your knowledge and your expertise unselfishly. Thank you!
A little history, I caught the mustang bug while in high school a long time ago. I've had a couple of early mustangs over the years but never was able to acquire the "One". Which is WAY out of reach today. The One for me was the 1967 Shelby GT 500. The look from the back of that car was something that is like no other. The duel exhaust and those tail lights is sheer hot rod sex!
Dad and I had a 66, red with white top convertible in the 80's & I had 65 fastback in the early 90's, so it has been quite a while. My first attempt at hot rods was a 1970 Maverick in the early 80's. Looking back I had no idea what I was doing engine wise but for some crazy reason that car was a runner! I pulled out the 6 and put in a 302 .030 over, 351W ported heads with what I believe were 1.9 intake and 1.6 exhaust Valves with a .536 exhaust lift on solid lifter cam, a torker intake, 750 Holley with a 4 speed and 9" rear. It was painted Pitch Black with blacked out windows on Cragar rims. I also copied the rear look of the GT 500 and installed those awesome looking 67 tail lights. I'm sure I wasted a crap load of money back then but hey, that car had a great sound to her and was fun to to drive, AND it wasn't a Chevy!
So my 1st question starts with engine work. The 73 has a Cleveland 2V/C6 and I want to "freshen it up", new pistons, cam, head work etc. I may have access to a set of 4V closed chambers but not sure yet if that will work out. I'm actually fine with the 2v's but if it does work out the 4V sticker on the air cleaner would be cool. I intend to keep the engine bay looking basically stock in appearance. The car has power steering, power front disks and AC. I also have a 4 speed trans that I'd love to install but not sure about that. 1st things 1st/ I'm in the West Chicago area and looking for recommendations for a machine shop that knows these engines. Thank you in advance,
Jerry
I'm Jerry and this is my 1st post though I've been kind of hanging around for a while. I'm from the Chicago area and purchased a 1973 convertible about a year ago. I'm super excited about this car, though it didn't exactly start out that way.
My problem is I have a bunch of other hobbies in my life so this car probably won't see the road for a while. My main focus besides my wife and family of course is muskie fishing. I've been fishing all over the midwest and Canada and it's still just as exciting today as it was 27 years ago when I got started. I also have a fairly good size garden which I start from seed each year, plus all the other things in life that demands our time.
Back to the Stang, I initially went to see this car with absolutely NO intention of buying it. I told the seller that! I was really looking to buy a Cougar but this car had a 351 Cleveland and I just wanted to check it out. The guy selling said it was in the family for decades and garage kept. He also said he had a ton of Facebook messages inquiring about the car. and he was already sick of it and just wanted it gone. Needless to say we worked out a price. I drove the car home, backed in into the garage and began taking it apart. My wife thinks I'm nuts saying, "like you need another thing to do"...
So I'm not in a huge hurry but I have a goal and vision in mind of what I want this car to do and to look like. So far I've bought a bunch of pieces, parts and tools, including a blast cabinet, a welder, some air, electric and other hand tools etc. I'm obviously not any kind of expert in the field of rebuilding mustangs but not afraid to learn or get dirty. So far over the last year I've read hundreds of posts, articles and websites about the early mustangs trying to get back up to speed. I've also watched or listened to hundreds of hours of YouTube videos including Joe Daddy, Peterson restorations and many others. This site and Youtube have both been a great source of information and how to's. For that I want to thank each and everyone of you who have shared your experiences, your knowledge and your expertise unselfishly. Thank you!
A little history, I caught the mustang bug while in high school a long time ago. I've had a couple of early mustangs over the years but never was able to acquire the "One". Which is WAY out of reach today. The One for me was the 1967 Shelby GT 500. The look from the back of that car was something that is like no other. The duel exhaust and those tail lights is sheer hot rod sex!
Dad and I had a 66, red with white top convertible in the 80's & I had 65 fastback in the early 90's, so it has been quite a while. My first attempt at hot rods was a 1970 Maverick in the early 80's. Looking back I had no idea what I was doing engine wise but for some crazy reason that car was a runner! I pulled out the 6 and put in a 302 .030 over, 351W ported heads with what I believe were 1.9 intake and 1.6 exhaust Valves with a .536 exhaust lift on solid lifter cam, a torker intake, 750 Holley with a 4 speed and 9" rear. It was painted Pitch Black with blacked out windows on Cragar rims. I also copied the rear look of the GT 500 and installed those awesome looking 67 tail lights. I'm sure I wasted a crap load of money back then but hey, that car had a great sound to her and was fun to to drive, AND it wasn't a Chevy!
So my 1st question starts with engine work. The 73 has a Cleveland 2V/C6 and I want to "freshen it up", new pistons, cam, head work etc. I may have access to a set of 4V closed chambers but not sure yet if that will work out. I'm actually fine with the 2v's but if it does work out the 4V sticker on the air cleaner would be cool. I intend to keep the engine bay looking basically stock in appearance. The car has power steering, power front disks and AC. I also have a 4 speed trans that I'd love to install but not sure about that. 1st things 1st/ I'm in the West Chicago area and looking for recommendations for a machine shop that knows these engines. Thank you in advance,
Jerry
