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Spent the weekend sanding/priming/painting/sanding/priming/painting/sanding/priming the dashboard. Note I left off at priming as the paint is just not coming out as the right shade of charcoal metallic on the dash. Spent the past couple of evenings researching on the various concourse forums out there for ford vehicles of these years. I will repost once I get the correct process and products for the benefit of others. Hopefully, I can save someone elses time now that mine has been spent.

 
Performed the "NPD Duraspark conversion wiring harness hack" CZ-75 came up with, cleaned up some more wiring around the battery tray/voltage regulator area, and tuned the carburetor (I had been turning the air mix valves the wrong direction, which was causing it to go further rich vs. leaning it out).

The wiring harness hack went well, but sparked an effort to clean up the spaghetti around the regulator/solenoid/battery tray area.

Also switched the distributor vacuum line from the 'constant' to 'timed' vac port on the carb on advice of my pal Jim (he is an Edelbrock magician, after all). It seemed to settled things down a bit and it no longer runs so rich [it was beginning to foul the plugs]. I'm not so sure about the vac port configuration, but we'll let it roll for now (not like I'm driving it or anything).

Having the wiring correct made things nice starting it up - turned the key to 'On,' waited a few seconds for the electric pump to prime everything (it had been sitting for a few weeks), and started right up within a split-second of hitting 'start' on the switch. I do need to put a stiffer return spring in the steering column, since the ignition switch seems to have no real sense of urgency to return to 'On' from 'Start.' But, that's another day.

Also, hung the fenders on the car for storage purposes - and initial thought is that they're going to need a lot of alignment when it's time to get that done. There's a guy doing body work on his '72 Nova, and plans to paint it with Rustoleum (through a gun, at least) in the parking lot next weekend. He's been an inspiration to me to get the rest of the sheet metal squared away - plus, I think this break while working on the pool has been helpful towards motivation.

 
Spent the weekend sanding/priming/painting/sanding/priming/painting/sanding/priming the dashboard. Note I left off at priming as the paint is just not coming out as the right shade of charcoal metallic on the dash. Spent the past couple of evenings researching on the various concourse forums out there for ford vehicles of these years. I will repost once I get the correct process and products for the benefit of others. Hopefully, I can save someone elses time now that mine has been spent.
Please post the reicpe when you figure it out.

 
Well I spent some time this weekend on mustang. I installed the new rear valance which took some fine tuning and I shot some primer on the tail light panel. All my rust repair is now done! dancebanana Next to move on to the doors.

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tail panel 013.jpg

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tail panel 016.jpg

 
(Sorry for cross-posting from Individual Build section, but I like this thread)

A fresh update. Last weekend was to be another Forest Lane Reunion Cruise-In, so we put 15-20 hours color sanding and polishing, and updating the week before. Highlights: Took the valuable DOOE water pump (the seal was leaking) and orig voltage reg off and replaced with a $20 parts store replacement and the electronic flavor VR from NPD. (Anybody know someone that restores VRs)? Of a mind to pull the unobtainium original J-code stuff off (radiator, hoses, alternator) and run parts store clones just in case something bad happens while we're driving it. Sandblasted the M/T valve covers, radiator brackets, etc. Heli-coiled a couple of stripped holes here and there. Put the original (but cracked) fan shroud back on. Finished the new exhaust back to the axle, where we just dumping down for now. It's gonna take a visit to the muffler shop to get the final 2.5" plumbing correct around the staggered shock setup. Car sounds a heck of lot better (quieter). Returned the battery back to the tray in front (had been in a box in the trunk).

Car is running pretty sweetly now. Fires up instantly and will idle all day long once it's warm.

And then - wouldn't you know it? - it rained all night saturday, washing out the cruise. So my crew came to the shop instead where much fun ensued. Cruise has been re-scheduled for Nov 16.

Fresh pics have been posted on the flickr page.

 
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I final stripped the engine bay and aprons. I used a harbor freight scrapping tool with flexible blade the cut right through the undercoat then easy off over cleaner to strip. Spay it on, few hours later wipe it off. I still need to neutralize it and clean up some surface rust but at least I'm starting the restoration part!

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Installed most of a Ram Air unit on my car, I'm on the prowl for a correct air cleaner....
No Brainer, buy that air cleaner from Don at OMS and smile!


Ordered seat upholstery, foam, headliner insulation, sail panels, and carpet underlay from CJ at 30% off. No tax and free shipping, my local vendor couldn't touch the deal.:D

 
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I final stripped the engine bay and aprons. I used a harbor freight scrapping tool with flexible blade the cut right through the undercoat then easy off over cleaner to strip. Spay it on, few hours later wipe it off. I still need to neutralize it and clean up some surface rust but at least I'm starting the restoration part!
WOW! That's a hell of a lot of hard work! Good job! The finished product will be so worth it!

 
EVERY time I look at this thread I am amazed at what you guys accomplish with these cars! It's like a shot of adrenaline.

Keep up the excellent work! I hope to make some decent progress on the grabber blue one this weekend.

 
I agree, Don. Some of you guys do some pretty amazing work!!

I'm getting ready to tidy up the wires from the Duraspark conversion. Seems petty compared to what some of you are doing. :)

 
New Rims and tires for the old girl!
She's a good look all 'round Ken! Gives the Mustang a smart, masculine, some what agressive look with that stance as well i think.

What width would the rims be, and what brand and size are the tires,you chose ?

Also, try to kep the chrome finish as clean and polished as you can, because i had brake dust issues that ate into my chrome finish within one year from new, and started to cause surface rusting with my chrome finish.

After each ride, i now give the four rims a quick go over with a soft household duster to help with the brake dust corrosion prob.

Greg.:)

 
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Have a half of the fold down seat cleaned and recovered. God, I'de rather work on a greasy tranny or engine. Oh well I said I'de learn it! :-/

Looking good Mark, Yes, it's amazing just how much detail and work is involved with interior projects on the old cars, but always great to see the finished results for sure.

Greg.:)

 
New Rims and tires for the old girl!
WOW that looks great Ken. It looks like a completely different car!



Have a half of the fold down seat cleaned and recovered. God, I'de rather work on a greasy tranny or engine. Oh well I said I'de learn it! :-/
Nice work Mark... upholstery makes me nervous.

 
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Have a half of the fold down seat cleaned and recovered. God, I'de rather work on a greasy tranny or engine. Oh well I said I'de learn it! :-/

Looking good Mark, Yes, it's amazing just how much detail and work is involved with interior projects on the old cars, but always great to see the finished results for sure.

Greg.:)
Thanks Greg!



New Rims and tires for the old girl!
WOW that looks great Ken. It looks like a completely different car!



Have a half of the fold down seat cleaned and recovered. God, I'de rather work on a greasy tranny or engine. Oh well I said I'de learn it! :-/
Nice work Mark... upholstery makes me nervous.
Man. Your not lying! If I cut a piece of metal short, I weld it back up. Cut the upholstrey short. Buy new carpet! :p

 
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New Rims and tires for the old girl!
New paint,New wheels,What's not to like. Nice job Ken!


I final stripped the engine bay and aprons. I used a harbor freight scrapping tool with flexible blade the cut right through the undercoat then easy off over cleaner to strip. Spay it on, few hours later wipe it off. I still need to neutralize it and clean up some surface rust but at least I'm starting the restoration part!
Looks good Jim.
 
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