Well, I decided my life wasn't nearly complicated enough, so I decided to restore a 1967 coupe and make it an honest restomod cruiser. One that I can drive from NY to FL or CA, without having to worry too much about sh** going wrong, and if things break, having the ability to get parts readily available for a fix. Essentially, I decided to use modern Mustang engine and transmission for dependability and gas mileage. I will post some pics of the car before paint, and interior. I've already completed the motor and tranny, and most of the exhaust, but have a loooooonnnnnnggggg way to go. I'm hoping to be in the driver seat cruising by May.
Basically the engine and tranny are from a 1991 Mustang that had 54k miles on it. Since I bought the car from a friend (he didn't finish it and I brought it along some) and he was a nut; he had his equally nutty mechanic completely rebuild the engine and transmission and get it running preliminarily. Reason I mention that he was nutty is because he had the engine and transmission completely rebuilt (it did not need it) and all kinds of custom work (balancing and hardening or heat treating of the major internal engine parts was done). To give a better illustration, he invested over $5k under the hood to include a re-manufactured Holley 750 carb, Edelbrock intake manifold that was ported to match the heads and polished so its real shiny and the cal custom (retro looking) valve covers were also polished. The factory style tubular headers are painted with a heat treated paint and the list just goes on and on. Externals to the engine like the water pump, radiator, alternator, starter and other necessary ignition components like distributor, battery, voltage regulator and starter solenoid are also new. Following the headers is a complete and custom dual exhaust done by the local professional exhaust specialist. There is the custom ($600) pulley and bracket system in place, the lokar cable is installed for the transmission to function properly and is all set and appropriately adjusted. The correct transmission cross member has been installed and the driveshaft was custom fitted for proper fitment. Custom ($200 I think) motor mounts that are on ball bearings/keeps the strong running 302 smooth and not shaking the car around. The results mechanically are the reliability of the roller cammed 5.0 with fuel efficiency of the AOD trans and basically a complete upgrade to the performance characteristic of the typical classic stock Mustang. This engine was dyno'd at 325 horsepower right now with again minor interior engine mods. The engine builder tells me that it could be 400 hp + with a little more cam and head work.
The car has new front cowl vents (left and right), new front floors (just the front section), new toe boards, new torque boxes (yes we installed the right side (purely a 68 thing but it strengthens the car)), new full rear quarters, and excellent Arizona doors (not $350 repro doors) to just have all excellent metal and proper body lines. The roof is straight, the fenders (now 68 (call it a style upgrade, lol)) stock flat hood and trunk lid are all in excellent condition, and I have a new dual exhaust rear valence for the car. I rebuilt the brakes (power drums, (I should have gone with front discs at the very least)) with a custom CPP master cylinder. The car absolutely stops on a dime. Also a new fuel system, sending unit in the tank, fuel line, the carburetor, all brake lines and hoses, wheel cylinders, brake shoes and drums. An 8 inch rear with 3.00 gears was installed also. I'm thinking of changing out the open rear with 3.00 posi. I'm thinking I should retain the same gear ratio because I would like to get decent gas mileage, and still do a sweet burnout! New rear leaf springs, shocks, spring shackles, etc., and a tilt steering column out of a 68'.
What the car needs: Well, paint and bodywork needs to be done, all the chrome, body moldings and trim pieces need to be installed. A full interior restoration needs to happen. I have changed out the seats already, I used hi-backs from a 69 Mach I with head rests, but they still need to be reupholstered. Seems like alot, but it shouldn't be too bad compared to what has already been done!
I know this car isn't pretty the way she sits now, but she'll be beautiful when done.
Basically the engine and tranny are from a 1991 Mustang that had 54k miles on it. Since I bought the car from a friend (he didn't finish it and I brought it along some) and he was a nut; he had his equally nutty mechanic completely rebuild the engine and transmission and get it running preliminarily. Reason I mention that he was nutty is because he had the engine and transmission completely rebuilt (it did not need it) and all kinds of custom work (balancing and hardening or heat treating of the major internal engine parts was done). To give a better illustration, he invested over $5k under the hood to include a re-manufactured Holley 750 carb, Edelbrock intake manifold that was ported to match the heads and polished so its real shiny and the cal custom (retro looking) valve covers were also polished. The factory style tubular headers are painted with a heat treated paint and the list just goes on and on. Externals to the engine like the water pump, radiator, alternator, starter and other necessary ignition components like distributor, battery, voltage regulator and starter solenoid are also new. Following the headers is a complete and custom dual exhaust done by the local professional exhaust specialist. There is the custom ($600) pulley and bracket system in place, the lokar cable is installed for the transmission to function properly and is all set and appropriately adjusted. The correct transmission cross member has been installed and the driveshaft was custom fitted for proper fitment. Custom ($200 I think) motor mounts that are on ball bearings/keeps the strong running 302 smooth and not shaking the car around. The results mechanically are the reliability of the roller cammed 5.0 with fuel efficiency of the AOD trans and basically a complete upgrade to the performance characteristic of the typical classic stock Mustang. This engine was dyno'd at 325 horsepower right now with again minor interior engine mods. The engine builder tells me that it could be 400 hp + with a little more cam and head work.
The car has new front cowl vents (left and right), new front floors (just the front section), new toe boards, new torque boxes (yes we installed the right side (purely a 68 thing but it strengthens the car)), new full rear quarters, and excellent Arizona doors (not $350 repro doors) to just have all excellent metal and proper body lines. The roof is straight, the fenders (now 68 (call it a style upgrade, lol)) stock flat hood and trunk lid are all in excellent condition, and I have a new dual exhaust rear valence for the car. I rebuilt the brakes (power drums, (I should have gone with front discs at the very least)) with a custom CPP master cylinder. The car absolutely stops on a dime. Also a new fuel system, sending unit in the tank, fuel line, the carburetor, all brake lines and hoses, wheel cylinders, brake shoes and drums. An 8 inch rear with 3.00 gears was installed also. I'm thinking of changing out the open rear with 3.00 posi. I'm thinking I should retain the same gear ratio because I would like to get decent gas mileage, and still do a sweet burnout! New rear leaf springs, shocks, spring shackles, etc., and a tilt steering column out of a 68'.
What the car needs: Well, paint and bodywork needs to be done, all the chrome, body moldings and trim pieces need to be installed. A full interior restoration needs to happen. I have changed out the seats already, I used hi-backs from a 69 Mach I with head rests, but they still need to be reupholstered. Seems like alot, but it shouldn't be too bad compared to what has already been done!
I know this car isn't pretty the way she sits now, but she'll be beautiful when done.
