Thanks for following along.
After finishing up what was a 9 hour day of just leaf spring work, I took a couple days off to recover (not as young as I use to be) and now it’s time to see if there’s any improvement in handling and ride with #ProjectSportsRoof. Oh…O.K. and to see if any ‘parts’ fall off. So I took the 73 Stang out for a walk.
Check it out:
Thanks for stopping by.
Tim
Welcome back.
Install of the new leaf springs on #ProjectSportsRoof was pretty straight forward.
Check it out:
The left side went a bit smoother (lessons learned).
Now a test drive in order!!! That’s coming up.
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Tim
In the last post I prepped #ProjectSportsRoof bolts and nuts for removal. I treated them twice a day for two days (sprayed with Liquid Wrench) in hopes they would be easier.
This post, I’m removing and install the new leaf springs. Pay attention to a couple of safety tips in the video.
Next up a test drive to see how the new springs preform.
Thanks for check in.
Tim
Thanks for stopping to take a peak at what is going on with #ProjectSportsRoof!!!
My 73 Mustang still has it’s original leaf springs and you can tell they are falling apart and sagging.
Several area were the spring is separating.
After a look at the old springs, not only are they sagging and separating they have been on since May 1, 1973 (only 47 years). Bolts are pretty rusted. Take a look:
Also the look for finishing up the seat upholstery that is coming shortly.
Tim
Welcome back.
I’ll be working on the the front bucket seats for the next few posts. I’m starting with the passenger seat because I want to keep #ProjectSportsRoof mobile.
Here is the beginning of the work.
More coming up and wait until you the mess that was the driver’s seat. It required a donor car part.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tim
Thanks checking in. I’m finishing up the bottom of the rear bench seat in #ProjectSportsRoof. If you recall the original foam for my 73 Mustang was all one piece with a wire rod running along the seam where it folded. The new foam came in two pieces and did not have the wire. That wire rod was used for support and for creating the tucks for shaping. I had to find a way to make happen. Take a look:
To finish the back rest of the rear seat I’ll have to seek a professional as that portion of the kit does not fit properly and I won’t be able to make it fit. But don’t worry. I have the completed one of the front bucket seats and have of the other so you’ll see a bit more of the upholstery.
Also have some door work coming up, exhaust hangers to install and leaf springs.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tim
Thanks for checking back in on #ProjectSportsRoof (my 1973 Mustang – #SR73).
This post covers a little more on adding support for the seat springs. I’m working on bottom of the back ‘bench’ seat.
Not a purest approach but I think very effective in giving 47 year old springs a little help. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Thanks for stopping by!
Tim
Here we go again.
Ordered Mr. Gasket valve cover gaskets on line from JEGS for #ProjectSportsRoof. Here is what I ordered:
This is how they fit:
So I have the car apart and thought, well let me try locally. Here is how that went.
Called local parts store.
First call: O’reilly’s Auto Parts how can I help you?
Me: I need valve cover gaskets for a 1972 Ford 351 Cleveland.
OAP: What kind of car?
Me: Doesn’t matter any Ford 351 Cleveland
OAP: I have to know the kind of car.
Me: Ford Mustang
OAP: I don’t find that listed here, let me change computers.
Me: OK…huh?
OAP: I can only find 1971 Mustangs in my system.
Me: Thank you. <click>
Second Call: Auto Zone how can I help you?
Me: I need valve cover gaskets for 1972 351 Cleveland.
AutoZ: What kind of car?
Me: Ford
AutoZ: Yes but what kind of car?
Me: Mustang
AutoZ: What is the engine size?
Me: 351 Cleveland – Not a Windsor
AutoZ: It is an automatic?
Me: That doesn’t matter.
AutoZ: Are you sure it’s 351?
2nd AutoZ guy: Sorry sir he’s new what can I get for you?
Me: Repeated everything above
2nd AutoZ guy: Yes, we don’t have them here but I can have them this afternoon
Me: These are for 351 Cleveland correct? Not a Windsor.
2nd AutoZ guy: Yes.
Me: Cool call me when them come in?
2nd AutoZ guy: Yes.
Show up 4 hours later. The valve cover gaskets were 2 inches too long.
Me: What are these for?
2nd AutoZ guy: I don’t know.
Me: Can you look up what I need?
2nd AutoZ guy: What was it?
Me: Repeated everything above.
2nd AutoZ guy: Is it an automatic?
Me: I gotta go.
Thanks for therapy !!
Tim
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to take my ’73 Mustang for a nice drive. Today was the day.
And to swap the passenger seat into the driver’s position until I can find the bottom seat frame and springs for the that side. But it worked great!
And don’t those new wheels look great? Yeah…I think so too!!!! I’m happy with the 15″ wheels!!! If you turn the volume you might catch how #ProjectSportsRoof sounds!
TURN IT UP!!
Still got a list of things to do. You’ll see most of it there!!!
Thanks for stopping by.
Tim
Pushing though the upholstery replacement on #ProjectSportsRoof (#SR73), as you might expect from a car that is 47 years old, the seat supports need some help.
In this episode I’m working on the bottom rear seat and discovered that the metal tap that holds the end of one of the main springs was not fastened. Most likely a ‘miss’ at the factory.
Here’s a bit of an analysis for the seat springs and the fix for the tab:
I’ll be working on the spring in the next video and then move on to foam and the recovering.
Thanks for checking in.
Tim
