Category Archives: Classic Car Restoration

Project SportsRoof – Valve Noise Solved!

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It’s been a while!!!!

Ya know, one would think that as you get older there’s more time for leisurely things.  But as second year teacher (at the age of “past 50”) and coaching our school’s basketball team there is no slowing down.  That’s my only excuse for not working much on Project SportsRoof.  Ok there’s one more….we’ve had a colder and wetter than normal winter.   This episode is purely due to “Spring Break” and having our taxes done (almost).

If you’ve followed along (did you know you can find Average Guy on YouTube as well?) you’ll know it’s been a long road with my 73 Mustang.  Multiple starts and stops, often caused by me exceeding my ‘Average Guy’s’ skill set and man power and even my car disappearing for a couple of weeks (but I found it).  Oh and don’t forget the tow truck driver that “broke” my front end!

Now SR73 (not SR71 the blackbird aircraft) or #ProjectSportsRoof is back on the road.  Having only driving about 30 miles since the engine rebuild, I noticed a lifter noise.  Not something you want to hear after all the time and $$ spent on it’s 351 C, in fact it’s a bit concerning.

The best place to start troubleshooting is to make sure the engine is getting the oil it needs.  That requires pulling the valve cover and running the engine.   Since I put the heads together myself, it’s a good idea to check the torque on the valves.  What better time to check that than when you have to take the valve covers off anyway?

Here is my quick video recap. There are a couple good tips in this one and here is a one more great tip. I can’t take credit for it because was shared with me sometime back. Should you have an old set of valve covers, cut the tops off to make viewing possible. That way when you let the car run (it’s the easiest way check if oil is flowing) the spraying oil is somewhat contained. You won’t see that in these videos….but you will see the mess it makes when you don’t use them!!!

Don’t forget to drop a comment, if you are so inclined.  Oh, if you have an event you’d like to tell other car peeps about, let me know and I’ll post it up!!

 

 



Follow Up: Reusing the old gasket!!



Thanks for visiting our site. You can find us on Facebook (search groups for Average Guy’s Car Restorations and Projects) and YouTube.

Tim

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 …

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Compression, Rods and Heads

Thanks for check in on #ProjectSportsRoof. If you remember a of couple months back, shortly after bringing the ’73 Mustang home, I conducted a compression test on all the cylinders.  The 351C was running rough (to put it mildly) and smoked like a pile of tires on fire (only the smoke …

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Engine Bay Components.

I thought I’d take a minute and catch the readers up on #ProjectSportsRoof. I wanted to touch up some of the engine bay components, horns, vacuum canister and battery tray.  I didn’t want to alter some of these too much, I like having the numbers, logos and other info visible, not …

Corvette Mustang – Corvette Mustang – Then and Now

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Over on Facebook one of the groups has a Then and Now series of posts.  That consisted of folk posting the cars they were driving 10 years ago and now.  I thought that was cool so I put quick clip together for my rides then and now.

For sometime now I have a Mustang Corvette combo, my  ’70 Mustang/84 Vette combo and my ’73 Mustang/’07 Vette combo.

 

Just a little trip down memory lane!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Project SportsRoof – 73 Mustang Update

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Let me start out with a couple of pics of something most followers of my sight haven’t see in a couple years.

Project SportsRoof – not up on jack stands!!!!

The Stang getting a full tank….IN PERSON!!!!

It’s great to have it back on the road!!

As you know, I had a recommendation to have some work done on #ProjectSportsRoof. The story was this shop was expanding into Tucson and the son of the owner was going to run local ‘branch’. That was only 20% true. The son (for whatever reason) rented a bay from a garage here in town. Instead of paying rent he was going to do free repairs for the shop owner. Shortly after the Mustang was at the location, his deal with the owner went south and so did my car!!!

For two weeks I could not get hold of guy and when I showed up at the place he was supposed to be working, I was told they had no idea what was going on.  Shortening the story about 2 months, my car is finally returned to me.  Running great, but missing ‘stuff’.  You can see the that part of the story here:  https://wp.me/p2YxYx-5fK

BTW Twisted Addiction was the name of the shop and I still hear good things about the work they do in a town about 50 miles from here.  But my experience was beyond crappy!!!

After wrestling with the shifting lever I needed to get the car on the road (O.K. – more like a want) I turned to a unique garage.   They are unique not because they are one of a kind, in fact they are a chain.   They are unique because the owner/partner pushed the envelope on the range of cars he would allow his team to work on.   Work on older cars was  (and is) not part of the chain’s business model, and certainly helping out the locals on their old project cars wasn’t either.  But they did and with the new owner/partner, they’ve grandfather me and my project in.  They were there when I needed help on my current project.  From my 1970 Mustang to my 1984 Corvette and now with 73 Mustang (#ProjectSportsRoof) they didn’t hesitate.

I had the SportsRoof towed to the shop and the damage to the suspension wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but there was not need for it to occur.  You can see the story here: https://wp.me/p2YxYx-5hV.

I have the Mustang back and there was a mix of used and new parts added to fix the suspension damage.

And now I have it back and still stinging from the series of set backs, but happy to have it drivable again.  Here is a video update.

 




I am looking forward to finishing up the interior, some electoral,  dash components, heater/AC box, and more.  So check back.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

1973 Mustang Project SportsRoof – Exterior Walk-Around

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof.  I run my car projects much like I run my IT projects.  You always have to know where to start and know the end game.   As with any project that isn’t being built from scratch, in other word, you have to work with what you’ve got, …

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 …

Restoring Tach for 68 Road Runner – Project BeepBeep Part IV

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Finishing up the rare Tach option project for #ProjectBeepBeep. Another great tip in this one.

Here are a couple photos of BeepBeep’s Tach:

 

Here is the wrap up video.


Thanks for reading!!

Tim

Restoring Tach for 68 Road Runner – Project BeepBeep

Bill gets “techie” in a “tachful” way as he restores the rare Tach option on his 68 Road Runner. #ProjectBeepBeep     More coming up!!! Thanks for reading!! Tim #ProjectBeepBeep #ProjectSportRoof Project BeepBeep – 68 RoadRunner – Body Bumpers Kit Bill takes a look at MOPAR Body Bumper Kit for #ProjectBeepBeep and shows a common mistake made when a …

Restoring Tach for 68 Road Runner – Project BeepBeep Part III

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We are back with #ProjectBeepBeep. Bill continues give some great information on his MOPAR’s rare tach option.

There is a great section in the video with a great tip for protecting your electronic dashboard components.


Thanks for following the progress. Part IV coming up.

Tim
#ProjectBeepBeep
#ProjectSportsRoof

Restoring Tach for 68 Road Runner – Project BeepBeep Part II

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Welcome back to Project BeepBeep. It’s been a bit of time since I posted the first part of Bill’s Tach project so here is a quick link to Part I and Part II is below.

Bill shares his diagnosis on #ProjectBeepBeep’s Tachometer.

Lots more coming up on Project BeepBeep’s tach.

Thanks for following along!!!

Tim

1968 Ply Road Runner
Project BeepBeep

Project BeepBeep – ’68 RoadRunner – Door Panel Tips

Ready for some more #ProjectBeepBeep?  Bill takes you through a few tips for restoring your B-Body door panels.

Take a look:

 

 

Great stuff!!!  Thanks Bill!!!

Have a few Mopar tips – Post them up or drop me a note @ agcarestoration@cox.net and we get you video/tip posted on the site.

Thanks for reading
Tim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introducing …

Project BeepBeep – 68 RoadRunner – Disc Brake Conversion Part 5 and Some Dash Work

Welcome back to #ProjectBeepBeep.

Bill is working on finishing up the brake conversion. Here is a progress update.

Note:  I forgot to add the credits for these videos:   Starring Bill B as himself; BeepBeep as ’68 Road Runner; Wild E. Coyote in effigy Camera Production; Mrs. Bill B and SamB Editing Tim …

Project BeepBeep – 68 RoadRunner Dash Update

Welcome back to #ProjectBeepBeep.  Thanks for checking in on the progress of Bill’s 1968 Plymouth Road Runner.

If you recall mixed in with some brake updates,  Bill mentioned that he had sent out the circuit board for a restored.  Here is an update on the status of the dash.

 

 

Next up an …

Project SportsRoof Shifting Linkage Part IV

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More work on my 73 Mustang’s shift lever. I have the pan off and removed the valve body. You can get a good look at the what needs to happen next.

 

 

Here is the bolt pattern for the valve.

The dots show the bolts to remove.

Over on www.7173Mustangs.com one of the experts modified a open end wrench like this:

We’ll see what I can find to remove this nut.  That will be coming up shortly.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

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 …
Project SportsRoof Shifting Linkage Part II

Thanks for checking back in on #ProjectSportsRoof.  My 73 Mustang doesn’t what to get it in gear so I have to troubleshoot the shifting linkage. For this round, I’m putting in new bushings to remove the slop when shifting. Here is the video: I’ll be tightening up the shift lever and linkage to …
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 …
Wrenchin’ Tip – ’70 Mustang Transmission Swap

As I get ready to start the new round of mods for my 1970 Mustang Coupe, I’m reminded of a couple of issues that came up when I was assisting  a fellow Mustang owner doing a trans –  transplant. The first tip is partially dependent on what stage you are in …

 

Project SportsRoof Shifting Linkage Part III

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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 repair.  Some might call it a hack and I get it,  there are times when you need to take short cuts, but as usual short cuts often have short life spans.

Take a look at the video:


 

 

When you have issues with shifting an automatic transmission and it’s related to the linkage you have the option of fixing it right or fixing it “wrong” (i.e., short cut).  At some point in my Mustangs earlier life the C4 transmission was swapped our for a used C6.  It seems that the C6 (from a 1972 Ford – which really doesn’t matter the C6 has changed much in all this time) had a broken shift lever.  Take a look:

Here the run down:

A is the broken shift lever.  What you should see there is something like this:

B is what is commonly called a ratcheting shift lever.  It’s a replacement that is ‘clamped’ on to the stub of the shift lever to shift the trans.  This is done because to replace the unit you have to drain the transmission, remove the pan, the filter and the valve.  This is a PITA.  Especially true,  if you just put the transmission in and filled it with fluid!!!)  So the after market ratcheting shift lever is common. This what the parts looked like when I took them off:

Custom hack

Of course C is a washer and D….well, D is a very special customization or it’s just a hose clamp.

As you can see at the end of the video the ratcheting shift lever was just sliding.  I suppose I could have just tightened clamp down and see if it shifted, but how reliable would it be…might as well fix it right!!!

Thanks for checking on #ProjectSportRoof.

I have more coming up on my 1973 Stang and more on Bill’s ProjectBeepBeep as well.

Tim

ProjectSportsRoof

 

Project SportsRoof Shifting Linkage Part II

Project SportsRoof Shifting Linkage Part II

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Thanks for checking back in on #ProjectSportsRoof.  My 73 Mustang doesn’t what to get it in gear so I have to troubleshoot the shifting linkage.

For this round, I’m putting in new bushings to remove the slop when shifting.

Here is the video:


I’ll be tightening up the shift lever and linkage to make sure that it’s getting turned. I suspect that this may be the issue.

More coming up.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Project SportsRoof Shifting Linkage Part 1

Welcome back to my 1973 Mustang project #ProjectSportsRoof. In the last post I mentioned that some how the shift linkage bar was lost when I had the car in a local shop to help put with the transmission.  They took another look around their place and I did the same…no luck.  …

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Compression, Rods and Heads

Thanks for check in on #ProjectSportsRoof. If you remember a of couple months back, shortly after bringing the ’73 Mustang home, I conducted a compression test on all the cylinders.  The 351C was running rough (to put it mildly) and smoked like a pile of tires on fire (only the smoke …

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Fender Removal

In case you didn’t notice, the fenders that were on #ProjectSportsRoof look as though car had driven into a half pipe at a skate park. Left Fender – major dent a lot of rebuilding necessary Right Side Fender – lots of crinkles, a few creases and good size dent. Now, these …

 

Project SportsRoof Shifting Linkage Part 1

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Welcome back to my 1973 Mustang project #ProjectSportsRoof.

In the last post I mentioned that some how the shift linkage bar was lost when I had the car in a local shop to help put with the transmission.  They took another look around their place and I did the same…no luck.  So I purchased a replacement link. 

Take a look….warning the audio is not great in spots.

 

 

Well we are now moving into, what I hope is an adjustment phase for the transmission.  However, it might be something….more expensive!!!

Stay tuned.

Thanks for reading

Tim

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