Category Archives: Classic Car Restoration

ProjectSportsRoof – Vapor Lock or Not – Part III Fuel Pressure Test

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Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof – my 351C powered 73 Mustang Sports Roof!

I’m pressing on with tracking down the cause of the frequent stalling of the bored .040 351C.

I suspected vapor lock, but with the fuel line insulated against the heat of the manifold and block, I didn’t get the ‘boiling’ sound, that might not be the issue.   But I couldn’t keep it running in idle.  So the fuel press test was next.  Here’s the video:

 


As of this afternoon, the Cleveland is having issue starting – fuel related.

The fuel pump feeding the juice to the carb is a generic stock not sure of the specs.  Here is what I’m going to replace it.  Oh and it is tough to find anything for 351 Cleveland on the local market.  Even on-line, I was looking at out stock everywhere and ship dates of Oct 2020!  Thanks Pandemic!!!

So I found this:

Procomp Electronics High-Volume Mechanical Fuel Pumps PCE146-1014

Fuel Pump, Mechanical, Chrome, 115 gph, 6.5 psi, 1/4 in. NPT,

Flow Rate: 115 gph/435 lph

Inlet Size: 1/4 in. NPT

Inlet Quantity: One

Inlet Attachment: Female threads

Outlet Size: 1/4 in. NPT

Procomp Electronics high-volume mechanical fuel pumps are designed to work with stock or mildly
modified engines. They deliver free-flow outputs of 115 gph–that’s twice what a normal pump
typically delivers! These pumps are plated with a bright finish for good looks and corrosion
resistance. The lower housings can be rotated through 360 degrees to make fitting into tight
places a snap, and they have large orifices for high flow rates. Procomp Electronics high volume
mechanical fuel pumps are not compatible with methanol or alcohol fuels, and should not be used
with fuel injection systems. Order the model recommended for your specific vehicle and engine size.

Drop your thoughts in a comment!!

Thanks for checking!!

Tim

Vapor Lock – 351 Cleveland in #ProjectSportsRoof

Vapor lock.   What is it, why does it happen and how to tackle and solve the problem.   We are going to do it

#ProjectSportsRoof – Vapor Lock – 351 Cleveland Part II

Welcome back. I’m shacking down the partial rebuild of the 1972 351 Cleveland in my 1973 Mustang dubbed,

#ProjectSportsRoof – Vapor Lock – 351 Cleveland Part II

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Welcome back.

I’m shaking down the partial rebuild of the 1972 351 Cleveland in my 1973 Mustang dubbed, #ProjectSportsRoof  (originally called SR-73, but reader keep asking me if could do MACH 4+ …yea, I didn’t think it was funny either).  New cam, lifters, rods and a few other things, need to be giving a good working out.  However, fuel issues have popped up.  

Suspected vapor lock, but not sure, so I’m taking it one step at time.  Step one insulate the gas line from the block.  Here’s the video and results.  I could have edited a bunch out but I wanted the viewers to see it as it happened – in this case it’s more like HEAR it. This is my way of saying the video is ….um…not great!!   Watch the video and then give me your opinion on which option below you want me to try next.

 


Some of those options are?

         1.  Fuel Pressure test (because it might not be vapor lock)

         2.  Another option is to install an Electric Fuel Pump near the tank. This pressurizes most of the
         fuel in the lines. Fluid under pressure is harder to vaporize.

          3. Other options include installing a Phenolic Carb Spacer and/or a Carburetor Heat Shield to
           keep the carburetor cool.

         4.  Swap from an 850CFM to 750 or 650CFM Carb (because it might not be vapor lock)

Find the comment box and let me know which one you want to see attempted or email me at AGCarrestoration@cox.net.

Thanks for checking in.

Tim

 

Original Engine? Should you keep it?

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I’m not a “huge” numbers matching guy, but there are a few cars that I think we should always try to keep their original power plants. Corvettes are one of those cars and Mustang – mostly.

My 1984 Corvette had the much loved (by much loved, I mean hated) GM CrossFire engine (with all of it’s 205 hp). It was a huge pain. I must have rebuild those injectors 5 times in the course of my ownership but there just weren’t that many CrossFires left out there.

So Corvettes should retain there original engines and the same is true as I mentioned  some Mustangs.  Clearly not with my 1970 Mustang that was born with a 250, six cylinder with dealer installed under-the-dash A/C.   It wasn’t going to cut it. Turn on the A/C and you had a peddle car.  I didn’t stray to far, I ordered 302 long block, bored .030.   I caught some flack from the local Ford 6 cylinder crew for the swap…but it might have been because I didn’t offer them the tired old 250.  I donated it to young kid was learning at a local shop and needed a engine to work on.   You can see a lot of those details right here on my blog.   Entirely different story with #ProjectSportsRoof (1973 Mustang). It’s a 351 Cleveland  and there aren’t many of those left out there. I rebuild the engine a year and 1/2 ago.  Just had a lifter go rouge (with only 250 miles on the rebuilt) It now has a new comp cam lifters and rods.  For less than 1/2 of all that was spend I could have dropped in 400hp Windsor crate engine, but I just couldn’t.

What do you say?

 


Thanks for checking in!!

Tim
#ProjectSportsRoof

1973 Mustang -Project Sports Roof – Mach 1 Grille Part II

Thanks for checking back on #ProjectSportsRoof.  Progress is being made and I’d like to finish up these post

Project SportsRoof is Back on the Street Part II

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So what kept my ’73 Mustang from running free around Southern Arizona?

Well, a lot of things, but where to start?

You’ll recall there was that pesky head gasket leak with water bubbling between the block and the left side head.

 

Then here was this:

The transmission leaked around the kick down lever I installed.

The gas tank needed to be dumped and accelerate pump replaced.

Started and coil decided to passed on to the great scrap metal pile in the sky.

Oh and there was that lifter noise. Check out the video:


After the a new camshaft install, new push rods, new spark plugs she runs like new—-ish!!

Thanks for stopping by.
Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

 

Project SportRoof is Back on the Street!

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I know it’s been a while.  But final my 1973, 351 Cleveland powered Mustang (the last of the big Stangs) is back on the streets.

Here the ride’s home.  I’m not sure what’s up with the audio but at times is sounds like I’m recording under water.

 


What keep her off road? I have those details coming up next.

Thanks for stopping buy.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

Auto Factoid for April 14th –  Happy Birthday Jakob OV4 Birthday

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Welcome to Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids) for April 14, 2020

 

April 14th, 1927  Jakob’s Birthday

Jakob’s parents were Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson, oh and Jakob was a car.  Specifically, the Volvo produced. 

 

It was produced in the Gothenburg factory as designated as OV4 and then properly named Jakob.

It was constructed of a wooden frame made of ash and beech wood.  The body was sheet metal and you could it only in dark blue.   I was powered by 28 hp inline 4 cylinder with side valves displacing 1,944 cc, with 275 produced from 1927 to 1929.

You could also get the truck version.

 

On a sad note!

William Ernest Carter bought his 1912 luxury Type CB Coupe de Ville Renault during his Grand Tour in Europe to ship back to the US. Unfortunately, he chose to book the car a place on the Titanic’s fateful trip.  The doomed car was powered by  12 CV, 2,614 cc L-head four-cylinder engine 12 French horsepower (about 40-50 hp today), four-speed manual transmission, solid front axle and live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, driveshaft brake and two-wheel mechanical brakes. It was almost 12 feet long –  wheelbase: 143″

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#AutoFactoids

#ProjectSportsRoof

#ProjectBeepBeep

Project BeepBeep – 68 RoadRunner – Bringing Home the “T”

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At the some of my students @ CFMS (Go Jags) and those that watch plastic house honeys of Alaska will get the play on words – (or play on letter).

I’d like to say more, but….I’ll just let Bill roll with this:

Thanks Bill!!! Looking forward to you working on the that PIECE OF…MOPAR!

Thanks for stopping by.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

#ProjectBeebBeep

73 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Head Gaskets Continued

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After taking the #ProjectSportsRoof out for a power test and having the distributor die, I discovered that the head gasket on the left side did not hold.

So in this video I’m attempted to re-torque and see where that takes me.  Oh and then there was a small issue upon restarting.

 


 

Thanks for checking in!!!
Tim
#ProjectSportsRoof

 

ProjectSportsRoof – Quick Power Test!!

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Thanks for checking back on #ProjectSportsRoof.

Valve gasket installed, zinc added and now it’s time for quick power test.  I have yet to get the pedal to the floor and now it’s time and I took the captured the fun….and…well…take a look:

 


You can hear how awesome the SR73 sounds and power was substantial. Of course the quick trip ended in a less than optimal way.
The first effort of the power test was successful, that wasn’t captured. I turned the phone on for the second and you can hear that. I had intended a third power sprint but SportsRoof had a different idea. I could feel it start to surge and then nothing. There was no noise, a brief sputter, like perhaps it flooded (entirely possible as the carb is a bit bigger then it should be).
I coasted it to the side of the street.

A quick troubleshooting proved that the car was still getting fuel but would not start. After setting for a bit still not firing up. I suspect distributor. When I have time I’ll dig into.

The day ended with a flatbed trip home. 🙁

More to come!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

1973 Mustang Heater Box Part 1

Maybe one of the worse task to tackle on a car is the heater core.  In particular on some older cars.  In most cases you have to remove the entire dash.   I know this because when the heater core sprung a leak in my 1974 Cobra Jet Torino, I didn’t …
73 Mustang 351 Cleveland Rebuild – Removal Part 5

This is the last post related to prepping the 351 Cleveland in #ProjectSportRoof for removal. Originally, I had planned to lift the engine out with the carb still attached.  However, after the first test fit to see how the Duralast leveler  (I’ve never used one before – last engine I pulled …
Project SportsRoof Shifting Linkage Part III

Welcome back to Project Sports Roof (#ProjectSportsRoof).   The struggle is real!!! You saw in the last video my replacement of the linkage that was lost by the repair shop (along with my new battery and started).   This repair shone the light (as often happens with older cars) on a previous …

73 Mustang – Valve Cover Gasket And Lucas Additive

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Yesterday started out just great, weather-wise.

In the two videos below I talk about valve cover gaskets, the current lack of experts at your local parts store, and online “No Help” clerk and a recommendation for the Mustangs regular dosage of Zinc – not in table form for the Mustang’s  351 Cleveland!!!

First valve cover gaskets:


Lucas Zinc additive:


Thanks for reading. Check out the next post.

Tim

ProjectSportsRoof

1973 Mustang – Engine Bay Work

If you look back at #ProjectSportsRoof post you’ll see the condition engine bay.  During those videos I mentioned that I was going to clean it up and hit it with a rattle can.  Again this isn’t going to be a concours restoration, it’s going to look nice and it’s going …
1973 Mustang – Project Sports Roof – Vacuum System Part II

Thanks for checking on #ProjectSportsRoof.   So here is the last set of initial questions. Here is an image of the current set up: Any diagram I find has the hose vacuum from the Distr going to the Valve assy. The Valve assy has nothing attached which is located on the front …