Category Archives: Auto Restoration

Engine Mini-Series Ford’s Small Block V8s Part II – 260 CID

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Welcome back.  I’m continuing on with the Engine Mini-Series – Ford’s Small Block V8s.  This post covers the 260 CID.

I did mention I’d touch on the 255 but that is really out of chronological order and was merely a muted 302 used on for 3 years.  It was dropped for poor performance.

So following the 221 engine (to see the post click here) was the 260 CID.  This came about after the poor performance of the 221 and even with the release of a tweaked version.   Enter Ford’s 260 CID.  It retained the same intake and exhaust ports as the 221, the valves were larger (intake was now 1.76 and exhaust was 1.45).  With it’s bore increased to 3.80 with no change to the stroke the engine put out 164 hp (about 20 more than the 221).  It had a plane jane hydraulic cam and a compression ratio of 8.7:1 and capped off with a two barrel cast iron intake and carb.

The 260 was the engine Carrol Shelby used in his original Cobra and it was selected by the British car maker for the Sunbeam Tiger.

Shelby's 1962 Cobra

Shelby’s 1962 Cobra

1962 Sunbeam Tiger with Ford 260

1962 Sunbeam Tiger with Ford 260

The 260 was in service from 1962 to 1964 and it powered the likes of the Fairlane, Meteor (at least as an option), Comet(at least as an option), Falcon and in 1964 even the Mustang 64 1/2 (F code cars).

Engine was an  overhead valve, Cast iron block with a bore and stroke 3.80 x 2.87 and Compression ratio 8.8:1 with 164 hp. It held 5 main bearings, hydraulic lifters and Autolite 2 bbl carb (Model C40F-9510-B) (Mustang configuration).  The 260 was  also called the Challenger 260 and could to be found topped with  a Holley 2bbl Carb vs. the Autolite.

1964 Ford 260 V8

1964 Ford 260 V8

Next up the Engine Mini-Series Part II the 289!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

STangATWork

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engine Mini Series – Chevy’s 283 Prt1

So far my writings are about engines have been ones I owned and the 283 was the engine in my very first car.  It was a 1966 Chevy Impala.  It was a gift to me for my 1976 high school graduation.  The car was restored by my father, who was …

Engine Mini Series – Chevy’s 283 Prt 2

Oh yes, believe it or not, the 283 put the Corvette at the cutting edge of performance in 1957, fitted with the RamJet FI (fuel injection) system (“fuelie” was the gearhead term for that).  In 1958 the 283 was the base engine for the Corvette, but the 283 that use …

Engine Mini Series – Chevy’s 283 Part 3

This is the part of the engine series where I list the uses for the power plant.  The 283, as I mentioned, carried Chevy engines to the next level, by being the first engine that car manufacturers were able to coax out the same horsepower as the displacement. From 1957 (its …

Northern California Cars – Driveby (VW-Hot Rods) and U.S. Coast Guard TRACEN

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Every now and then I get to tag along with my wife as she hops around the country working on Interior Design projects for her employer Aviar Design (a commercial design firm).

This trip was to Petaluma, Ca, where beautiful farmland meets redwood forests meets the beautiful Pacific Ocean.  It also the home of U.S. Coast Guard TRACEN training center and some awesome cars.

But first a shout out to the often unsung heroes – the men and women of the United States Coast Guard.  They keep our coast lines and your families safe!!   After nearly 35 years of being assigned to and around military installation all over the world (both Jill – ret. E8 and I -12 years- are USAF veterans) I think the Coast Guards training facility in Petaluma is one of the most beautiful anywhere.  The facilities are top of the line, the installation pristine and teeming wild turkeys, deer and a host of woodland animals.  We’ve enjoyed our both are trips there.  The hospitality was unsurpassed.   Thanks warriors!!!!!

SEMPER PARATUS

SEMPER PARATUS

Let’s talk about cars.  Although not as plentiful as you might see in Southern California (we lived there for 4 years) but they are there.  We didn’t have the time for stop and photograph all we was but there are some awesome trucks (hey…it’s farm country) and a lot of hidden gems with tons of potential.  After all this is where they filmed portions of the awesome car movie – American Graffiti.  Just outside of Petaluma, there’s a farm with a 69-70 Mustang tucked under a cover to protect it from the marine layer as it rolls in and out of the farmland and redwoods.   The hills are dotted with homes that have 1950-1970 truck parked under over or in full service.

Here are a few I was able to get a few shots of some for the unique motor cars.

Take this 1930’s Ford Hot Rod – straight out of the move American Graffiti!!!

Check out those headers!!!!

Check out those headers!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to get a shot of the vintage tread, redline, red steel and wiiiiiiiiiiiiide white walls!!!!

I had to get a shot of the vintage tread, redline, red steel and wiiiiiiiiiiiiide white walls!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little further up North in the Anderson Redwoods we ran into the a 9 hole golf course tucked between redwood trees..what????? Parked in the parking lot was a good example of the 1980’s Firebird TransAm

Crager SS mags, fender scopes!!!

Crager SS mags, fender scopes!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were a huge number of VW vans – heck it’s California after all.  There are the traditional VW buses and the Westfalia van’s every where – still!  Check out this drop side van.

Nicely restored!!!

Nicely restored!!!

Framework is there for the canvas top.

Framework is there for the canvas top.

One of the coolest we notice was this work in progress.

Citroen Van

Citroen Van

The owner has plans for the French work horse as it’s clearly under surgery.   Think of the possibilities:

CitroenVan H Van Citroen Van Citroen Hy Van

 

This is just a sampling of the car culture in Northern California.  I’m hopping to make it back there with a couple of days free to just explore and peak under some of those car covers.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

 

 

 

Parkinglot Spot Light – Lamborghini

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Well you don’t see this every day.  Followed him for a bit, hoping that rear door would flop open and drop a Lambo in my lap….no such luck!!!!

#Lamborghini

Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. is an Italian brand and manufacturer of luxury sports cars and, formerly, SUVs, which is owned by the Volkswagen Group through its subsidiary brand division Audi.
Founder: Ferruccio Lamborghini – I’d like to have a car named after me!!!
Founded: May 1963, Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy
Customer service: 1 (866) 681-6276   – Number is here in case you wanted to order one or file a complaint
CEO: Stefano Domenicali      – We have beers whenever I’m in Italy – not really.
Latest models: 2016 Lamborghini Aventador, 2016 Lamborghini Huracan   #IWantOne  of each!!!!
Parent organization: Audi

Aventador SV

Aventador SV

Huracan

Huracan

Thanks for reading

Tim

RJS Corvette

I don’t really need a Lambo……but…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1973 Mustang SportsRoof – Floor Pans Getting To It! – Finishing Up

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Greetings followers.

If it seemed to you like I was never going to get to the end of the floor pan part of #ProjectSportsRoof,  you weren’t alone, it seemed that way to me as well.  With power plant problems (Knock..Knock…Who’s There? It’s the bottom end of your 351 Cleveland!!!), digit maiming (Injury Time Out – 1973 Mustang SportsRoof) and life occurring in between the actually completion of the install and getting to the blogging/sharing part of this project.   So here is the final two posts.

After my neighbor Dan Thomas skillfully tacked the panels in place it was time to seal the seams and give the passenger cabin floor a coating.

Here is what I used to carry out the next to last task.

 

The Eastwood seam sealing putty was warmed up by rolling it around in the palm of my hand and then wedged into the seams like those indicted in this pic:

seams-1

If you recall we just tack welded the panel so there were a number of seams that need some putty.

 

I roughly sanded and vacuumed the rest of the floor and then used the truck bed liner from a rattle can and made several pass over the entire floor.

Take a look:

This was just the first coat.

This leaves the application of the heat and sound barrier and replacing the carpet to finish up the this part of the project.

I’ll cover that in the final, final post.   🙂

Thanks for reading.

Tim

STangATWork

 

 

 

 

 

 

projectsportsroof

1973 Mustang SportsRoof – Floor Pans Getting To It! – Welding

1 day ago … Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. Floor pan are ready to be welded into place on the 1973 Mustang Sportsroof. Now I’m not a welder and …
1973 Mustang SportsRoof – Floor Pans Getting To It! – Part Four …

Apr 19, 2016 … Finishing up the right side rear foot-well on #ProjectSportsRoof.

1973 Mustang SportsRoof – Floor Pans Getting To It! – Welding

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Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof.  Floor pan are ready to be welded into place on the 1973 Mustang Sportsroof.

Now I’m not a welder and there was no way I was going to experiment on the Mustang.  So I enlisted the assistance of my neighbor Dan Thomas.  Dan is quite the artist with his welding and metal work and although this build didn’t require much fancy design work…just quality welds and Dan delivered.

The goal here is to tack the fitted metal patch panels in place.  The welds need to be strong and in the proper places.   Now you might say, “Hey did you say that the Mustang is a unit-body and that the floor needed to be strong since that’s what holds the car together – mostly?”  Yes that is true, however this Mustang will have frame connectors added to make this reasonable.

Just a note about the welding, you have to use gas with the mig…the metal for the patch panels are not that thick and the portions of the floor you are welding it to are old…so you need the added gas.

To start with I needed to strip the tack locations down to bare metal.  You can see some of that in this image.

PreWelding-1

Here a little video clip of the work.  Note: Don’t adjust your device’s volume….there is no sound on the first part of the video…well there was, but it was mostly me chewing gum…not very cool to listen too.

Here is some of Dan’s most excellent work.

LtWelded-1 RtWElded-1
RtWelded-2 RtWelded-3
Weldpic1 Weldpic2
WeldPic3 Thanks Dan!!!

Thanks for following along with the project.  Drop me any questions, comments and/or your thoughts!!!! Coming up next is the coating of the floor and the heat and sound barrier.

Tim

STangATWork

Stang at work!

 

1973 Mustang SportsRoof – Floor Pans Getting To It! – Part Four …

Apr 19, 2016 … Finishing up the right side rear foot-well on #ProjectSportsRoof.

ford mustang mach | Tumblr

ProjectSportsRoofAuto RestorationAutoBlogClassic CarsFord MustangMach I Muscle CarsMustangVintage Cars. 2 notes. Loading…Show more notes. Reblog.

1973 Mustang – Project Sports Roof – Pertronix Ignitor Update

Well win some and you lose some.  If you’ve seen my other posts related the replacement of the points and condenser for the 351C you’ll notice that I gave conversion high marks.  This was all based on the years of use I got out of the conversion I did on …

1973 Mustang SportsRoof – Floor Pans Getting To It! – Part Five

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Welcome back to the final few posts of the floor pan replacement for #ProjectSportsRoof.

Let’s get right down to it.

I realized that I didn’t catch much of the work on the floor plan under the right rear seat.  That was really a lot of work.  They don’t make a panel for that on the 1973 Mustang SportsRoof.  So I had to use a foot well panel and “customize” it to fit.  See here:

This shot is that pre-welding and it shows the hole above the muffler, under the seat.  (Sorry for the short clip)

This image shows the customized foot well floor panel:

A lot of work went into forming that panel.

A lot of work went into forming that panel.

Yes it was tough to make it, there were a lot of cuts. (The tub there is Irish Spring soap – it keeps pack rats out of the Mustang while it’s parked!)

If you recall the left side of the car wasn’t bad at all and I replaced just the foot well panel.  It cut the same as the right side and here it is in place.  Here’s a little recap of the work done.

 

Next up is the welding, coating and heat/sound barrier.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

 

projectsportsroof

restored car | Tumblr

Hey, welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof (1973 Mustang). We are working through the rusted floor pans and I’m about to make the cut for removing rust from  …
ford-mustang-mach-i | Tumblr

ProjectSportsRoofAuto RestorationAutoBlogClassic CarsFord MustangMach I Muscle CarsMustangVintage Cars. 2 notes. Loading…Show more notes. Reblog.

 

 

 

 

1929 Detroit Electric Headed Out and 1953 GMC Gas Monkey Garage Build

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I’ll say it again, it’s not part of my daily routine (Although I which it was!!!) that I get to deal with some rare cars.   By day I’m the Director of Information Technology for a retail company with stores throughout Arizona  at home I’m a Corvette and Mustang (check out #ProjectSportsRoof) loving car guy.  But today the two intersected and that equaled a cool day.

If you look back at my post entitled Driving a 1929 Detroit Electric Model 97 http://wp.me/p2YxYx-4Qp you’ll get a good look at the Detroit Electric. Today it is headed back to its owner and the owner of our company.

We pushed the Detroit out of the building and into the sun light again – most likely will be its last bit of Arizona UV rays.  This beauty is on its way to Hood River, OR where the owner is loaning it to a transportation museum. The guys in this video, Tom, David, Lynn have worked and lived with this rare mode of transportation for over 10 years. It will be missed.

As if that’s not enough for one post, there’s more to this ‘most excellent day’ (to steal a phrase from Bill and Ted).

It’s tough to pick a transport company to move your special vehicle across country. I have used my share, transporting a Mustang, a Torino, a VW bug and a motorcycle via different carriers and it’s a big deal. The company selected for this rare car was FSI Transport Service and the care the driver showed was very reassuring that this 1929 electric car was in good hands. FSI is operated by Frank and Laura Martinez, out of El Paso, Tx.  Their rig was perfect for the job – being that the Detroit is a bit taller than the average car.

Often the car you are shipping travels with several other cars that are headed the same way. But this time there was only one travel mate for this trip. It just happened to be a beautiful 1953 GMC Custom pickup, according to the driver it build by the folks at Gas Monkey Garage and headed home to the owner.

That’s a beautiful truck and a worthy travel mate for the old electric car.

 

Thanks for reading

Tim

Out and About!!! #ProjectSportsRoof

Out and About!!!
#ProjectSportsRoof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

detroit electric car

The world’s fastest electric car? – BBC Top Gear

Remember the Detroit Electric SP:01? Announced in 2013, it followed a well-thumbed recipe and promised to be an esoteric entrant in the eco-friendly sports car class. SP:01 Well, it’s back and in production form ahead of official sales in 2015. And it’s a bit different to before, adopting a new fastback …

1953 gmc pickup

Parking Lot Spotlight – 1969 Mercury Cougar – Awesome!

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I haven’t done a Parking Lot Spotlight in a while and this is a great car to pick the series back up with.  Check this one out!!!!!

1969MCourgar-1

Wheels look great!!!!

1969MCourgar-2

Love the chrome work and the wrap around backup lights. That two tone paint is pretty good looking too!!!

I find these to be such a great looking vehicles and dare I say in some cases even better than some of their Mustang cousins.  The hidden headlights and the full (nearly full) length tail lights make these so distinct and much more difficult to restore then the Mustang – as far as getting NOS parts.

I’m not alone in thinking that the new for 1967 Cougar was unique and that first year through 1970 were the best years.  After that they became cross-bred with a Marauder and then by the mid 70’s virtually indistinguishable from the squared off T-bird not to mention it’s overtly plushiness.

In 1969 you could get the Cougar with a 302, 351W  in either a V2 or V4 configuration or Boss 302.  Previous years a 289 was available and in early 70’s  the 351C, 351 CJ, and  351 Boss were options.  Those are the best engine Ford had to offer at the time!!! (May be ever!!)

For 1969 you could get the Cougar in the Coupe, Convertible with a standard trim, Eliminator or XR-7  packages. Production numbers totaled just over 100k units broken down like this:

 

Coupe –  66,331 Convertible – 5,796
XR-7 Coupe – 23,918 XR-7 Convertible – 4,024

 

Got a Cougar?  Let’s see it!!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

1973 Mustang Sports Roof

 

Readers Cars 01/03/2010

I enjoy seeing readers’ cars.  Here is a 1982 Mercury Cougar Stationwagon…..YES!!!  That’s what I said…”They did what????” Submitted by Steve Sears. There were 19,254 Cougar wagons built, in GS and Villager trim, in 1982. The only other year there were Cougar wagons was 1977 when 9,700+ built. I’d be willing to bet that …

 

 

2017 Corvette Grand Sport Has Racing Roots – Z07 – WOW!

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2017 Corvette Grand Sport

2017 Corvette Grand Sport

The new 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport combines a lightweight architecture, a track-honed aerodynamics package, Michelin tires and a naturally aspirated engine to deliver exceptional performance. The Grand Sport Collector Edition features an exclusive Watkins Glen Gray Metallic exterior with Tension Blue hash-mark graphics, satin black full-length stripes and black wheels. the new Grand Sport combines a lightweight architecture, a track-honed aerodynamics package, Michelin tires and a naturally aspirated engine.

With Corvette Racing in its DNA, the all-new 2017 Corvette Grand Sport is a pure expression of the car’s motorsports-bred pedigree. It was introduced today at the Geneva International Motor Show.

  • Lightweight architecture and track-honed aerodynamics
  • An engine offering an estimated 1.05g in cornering capability and up to 1.2g with the available Z07 package
  • Coupe and convertible available this summer in U.S. and fall in Europe  
  • Grand Sport Collector Edition available later in model year

Read the entire article: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Has Racing Roots

Thanks for reading.

Tim

C6Racing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 corvette grand sport

2017 Corvette Grand Sport: Sports Car | Chevrolet

Designed to deliver high-level performance, the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport is the latest member of the Corvette sports car lineup.
The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Is A Track-Tastic Z06 Without A …

Mar 1, 2016 … I’m deeply thankful for all these new naturally-aspirated track day cars, like the Camaro Z/28, Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Mustang GT350R.
The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Is A Track-Tastic Z06 Without A …

Mar 1, 2016 … I’m deeply thankful for all these new naturally-aspirated track day cars, like the Camaro Z/28, Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Mustang GT350R.

Knock..Knock…Who’s There? It’s the bottom end of your 351 Cleveland!!! Rebuilding.

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The option that, perhaps, makes the most sense is to rebuild the existing engine.   These days there are so many rebuilding scenarios, it can make your head spin and really lighten you wallet.  With each one of the scenarios brings with it even more decisions and a host of mathematical calculations.

The major concern is just how bad it might be in the block.  You can see much with just the heads removed, but what I could see of the cylinders and piston heads, seemed serviceable.  Scored cylinder walls – bad; just trashed bearings – not so bad.  This is the first unknown you need to know.  From this point you’ll know the cost of just making it run again and how much $$$ you need or have left in the budget for any upgrades.

For me I don’t think I’m in this for just a ‘repair’-  e.g. bad bearings – replace them and snap it back together.

Option 1: Rebuild it just like it is.  Simply get a $600.00 kit and replace everything and put it back together – same heads, same intake nothing changes other than the knock goes away.

Typical 351C Rebuild Kit

Typical 351C Rebuild Kit

Option 2:  Rebuild it better.  For my 351C  2v, the simplest way is to add the kit and give it more room to breath.  Add a 4 barrel carb and matching intake.

Option 3:  Rebuild it bigger.  Have the engine bore to 0.030 or 0.040 and find the matching kit (you can buy the rebuild kits to match the new bore) and add a 4 barrel carb and matching intake.

Option 2 and 3 give you more decisions you’ll have to make.  How much horse power and torque will this changes make?  Can you existing stall converter and transmission handle that increase? (My concern as I have  C6 automatic)  Will you need to change the gearing in the rear end to optimize the new power?  Will this new power impact handling or frame/body?  (The concern here keeping that body from twisting/rolling – my Mustang still has the sub-frame – being a unit body – installation of sub-frame connectors is on my list.)     You are looking at a few Benjamin’s to make this all happen like it should – all based on the basic rebuild direction.

So these are some of the considerations I’m weight now for #ProjectSportsRoof.

Give me your thoughts?

Thanks for reading.

Tim

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

projectsportsroof

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Compression Test Part I

I’ve done all the clean up and all the adjustments necessary to get a good reading on the health of the ’72 351C engine in my 1973 Mustang. The next step is to check the compression. First up was to warm the car a bit and then pull the plugs. Here’s what the …

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Compression Test Part II

This is the wrap up on the compression testing for the 1973 Mustang w/ a 1972 351 Cleveland power plant. You’ll might have notices that I referred to the remote tester, which is my code for remote starter…yeah…that’s it!!! All of these tests were dry test and I should have done a …