Category Archives: Mustang

Is My Car Rare? 1971-1973 Mustangs

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It’s every muscle/antique/collector car owner’s dream that their car is “Rare”.  However, determining that your car is rare can be tough. So, there is nothing cooler then having the numbers/statics that help prove that your car is special.  Take such as the Marti Reports for Ford products.  They provide those numbers for the Ford collector.

If you aren’t familiar with the products Kevin Marti  can provide here is a link to my post where I the Marti Report for #ProjectSportsRoof – Classic Mustangs – #ProjectSportsRoof’s Marti Report .

There are other similar services for other brands like PHS (Pontiac Historic Services) which has similar documentation.  Whatever your favorite car maker – go check out forums that are related to that brand and ask around.   Now that I have a 1973 Mustang, I hang out at 7173Mustangs.com a wealth of knowledge exist here as well great looking cars and enthusiastic owners from all over the world.

The Marti Report #ProjectSportsRoof show that is is 1 of 76 with that paint and trim codes.  No doubt it is ‘rare’ if you boil the data down far enough and that’s great.  I as mentioned in the posting above that’s great to boast at the local car club hangout. But what does it mean for value?

Logically someone, who has been exposed to car values through the web or the online car auctions like Mecum and Barrett-Jackson, can equate rarity to value.  Just count the number of times the auctioneer says the word “rare”.  But really what equates to value is ‘desirability’ and rarity is a component of desirability.  There are a lot more Boss 302 Mustang produced in 1969 or 1970 then  76 in 1973, but the body style of my Sports Roof isn’t as desirable as the 1970 or 1969 Boss.  So during this Classic Car Auction season in Arizona,  keep that in mind when you are attending an event live or virtually.

But value isn’t everything….you have to enjoy your ride!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

 

73 Mustang 351C Rebuild – Removal 3 – YouTube

Jul 31, 2016 … Getting closer to pulling out the engine for #ProjectSportsRoof. The 1973 Mustang (last of the big ‘Stangs) 351C will be pulled part and rebuilt.
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Thanks checking back in with the 1973 Mustang (#ProjectSportsRoof). I’m moving right along with getting the progress on the 351C tear down posted up.
Mustangs, The family and To the on Pinterest

Tim Sweet. 1973 Mustang #ProjectSportsRoof · Looking for similar pins? Follow me! pinterest.com/kevinohlsson | kevinohlsson. Save Learn more at reddit.com.

 

 

 

73 Mustang – The 351C Has Landed – Merry Christmas!!!

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Well there still are Christmas miracles.  The rebuilt, over-bored to .040 351 Cleveland is now sitting under the hood where it belongs. 

Won’t be long until #ProjectSportsRoof will be chewing up pavement!!!


Still have to hook up the C6 and add other components. Having it in place was my Christmas goal!!!

Thanks to a long time friend DG for coming all the way from the East coast and giving me a hand!!!!

Merry Christmas to all my readers and I hope the New Year treats you well!!!!

Merry Christmas

Yeah…I know it’s just a Mopar….but we’re on a budget!!!

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

projectsportsroof

Lift Classic Mustangs and Avoid Suspension Damage

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How To Chassis Suspension

Lift Classic Mustangs and Avoid Suspension Damage

Lift it Right: Raising classic Mustangs on a lift requires a special tool to avoid shock and strut rod bushing damage

Jerry Heasley
December 6, 2016

Anytime you need work on the suspension on anything under a Mustang you have to lift it in the air, whether on a floor jack or a lift. But what you might not have ever heard is that raising a 1965-1973 Mustang on a regular two-post lift without a support between the upper control arm and the frame rail will damage the shocks and strut rods. There’s no telling how many times over the last 50-odd years of lifting a Mustang for a simple oil change that possibly has broken shock and strut rod bushings. The numbers must be in the millions.

Ford supplied dealers with a factory service tool, which they also used on the assembly line, to support the front suspension. Without this support, lifting the car drops the front suspension down and places all that weight on the front shocks and strut rod bushings. This damage is much more than cosmetic. The car will now be unstable at speed, more or less depending on the severity of the damage. Maybe one gentle lift will not result in visible damage, but with multiple unsupported lifts, the damage gets worse.

Bob Perkins of Perkins Restoration (www.perkinsrestoration.com) showed us how to avoid busting out shock tower and strut rod bushings when raising a Mustang on a conventional, two-post lift—or any lift with side arms.

01. This 1973 Mustang front suspension drops and “hangs free” when raised on a two-post lift. This lift picks up the car with arms at the side for access to the undercarriage.

02. Most of these Ford suspension support tools from the 1960s and 1970s have disappeared. Ford shop manuals instructed mechanics to place this support between the upper arm and the frame side rail. Notice the notch on one end. This original suspension support tool has a Ford part number.

03. Because original support tools are scarce, Bob Perkins has fabricated his own for everyday use. On the left are two supports he made. On the right is an original Ford support tool from the 1960s.

04. This illustration from Ford’s 1965 Mustang shop manual shows where to place the support tool when lifting a Mustang on a lift with side arms. The shock is inside the coil spring on top of the upper control arm.

05. The Perkins-built suspension tool, as seen on this 1973 model, fits between the frame rail (bottom) and the upper control arm under the ball joint. To install, first lift the car enough for the tool to fit.

06. Bob Perkins shows us damage to this shock on a car that was lifted without a support tool. The suspension dropped down and tore the rubber bushings in the top of this original shock.

07. Installing a support tool also protects strut rod bushings from damage.

08. On 1965-1970 Mustangs, the shock bushing at the top is apt to break when the suspension falls without support.

09. Likewise, the shock bushings in the 1971-1973 shock tower will have to absorb the weight of the front suspension if the support tool is not used.

Sources

Perkins Restoration

Juneau, WI 53039
920-696-3788
www.perkinsrestorati…

I thought that was a great article.
Thanks for reading.
Tim
Ford Mustang (first generation) – Wikipedia

The first-generation Ford Mustang was manufactured by Ford from March 1964 until 1973. …… “1973 Mustang Grande Hardtop – Mustang Monthly Magazine”.
1964-1973 Mustang Parts

CJ Pony Parts features 1964-1973 Mustang Parts at amazing prices. FREE shipping is included on most products, no minimum order is required. Find your First …

73 Mustang Lifters Adjustment

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Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof.  My goal to get the engine by Christmas is in jeopardy, so I need to get cranking on getting it all back together.

There’s been a few set back – like losing a couple of bolts that had to be ordered.  A career change has slowed me down some as well.  But I’d like to have the engine in by Christmas and driving it by the end of Jan. 2017.

So, as my self-imposed deadlines are coming fast, I picked up with the adjusting the lifters.  Here how that looked:

 


These will have to be adjusted several times when after it’s run a bit.

Coming up next I have to put the intake on, carb, distributor, fuel pump, so check back and see the progress. Grab my feed and you’ll get notified when I up date the progress.

Thanks for reading.
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 Original Invoice and Window Sticker – Marti Auto Works

Oct 22, 2016 … I didn’t purchase the window sticker for 1970 Mustang but I did for # ProjectSportsRoof. Check it out: 1973 Mustang SportsRoof Window Sticker.

73 Mustang 351 Cleveland Rebuild – Removal 4 – YouTube

Aug 1, 2016 … I’m So close to getting #ProjectSportsRoof engine pulled and starting the tear down.

73 Mustang Heater Box Part 7 – The Seals & Foam Kit

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Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof.   In this clip we are taking a look at the Seals and Foam Kit for restoring the 1973 Mustang’s heater and A/C box.

 


Next few heater box posts will be putting it back together. I know…exciting…!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

1973 Mustang Original Invoice and Window Sticker – Marti Auto Works

Oct 22, 2016 … I didn’t purchase the window sticker for 1970 Mustang but I did for # ProjectSportsRoof. Check it out: 1973 Mustang SportsRoof Window Sticker.
Average Guy’s Car Restorations, Mods, and Racing

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 …
73 Mustang 351C Rebuild – Removal 3 – YouTube

Jul 31, 2016 … Getting closer to pulling out the engine for #ProjectSportsRoof. The 1973 Mustang (last of the big ‘Stangs) 351C will be pulled part and rebuilt.
The Walking Dead -Car Window Sticker- ‘Don’t Open, Dead Inside …

1973 Mustang #ProjectSportsRoof · 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car Festival Car. Save Learn more at mecum.com · Corvette 1998Corvette Indy1998  …

1973 Mustang – Engine Bay Work

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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 to get driving and it’s going to sound awesome and yes it will be entered in to local car shows and a trip now and then down the strip!!!

Here is the engine bay work.

Here is the right side?

Right side - Before

Right side – Before

shocktowerrt

Right side shock tower – painted in Ford Blue

rightside-after

Right Side After

One more After

One more after for the right side

 

Here is the left side:

leftside-before2

Left side after

Left Side After

Left Side After

Left Side Shock Tower

Left Side Shock Tower

Here a quick little video showing the wire work in the engine bay.


I’ve got a a little more work up near the firewall before I’m done.

Still have a little more electrical work to do as well.

Coming up more on the heater box and final components going on the 351C.

Thanks for reading.
Tim

projectsportsroof

Average Guy’s Car Restorations, Mods, and Racing

Thanks for checking back in on #ProjectSportsRoof. If you recall there was a lot of damage to the heater box, but rather than purchase a new one I opted to see if …
The Walking Dead -Car Window Sticker- ‘Don’t Open, Dead Inside …

1973 Mustang #ProjectSportsRoof · 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car Festival Car. Save Learn more at mecum.com · Corvette 1998Corvette Indy1998  …

73 Mustang Heater Box Part 6 – Fiberglass Work

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Thanks for checking back in on #ProjectSportsRoof.  If you recall there was a lot of damage to the heater box, but rather than purchase a new one I opted to see if I could repair this original.

As of this post I’ve cleaned up the box and used JB Weld to put the pieces back in place and I’m ready to apply some fiberglass to harden everything up.

Here is a look at the fiberglass work.


What’s coming up next on the heater box work is a good look at the kit that you can buy that has some of the rubber seals, clips and replacement pads for the internal air flow doors.  We are going to install those and but the box back together.  I know you are on the edge of your seat for that one.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

1973 Mustang – Project Sports Roof – Fender Fitment Part II

In these next two videos, you’ll see just how ‘off’ these fenders are in some areas and surprisingly how well they fit in other areas. If you have an experience or a hit for anyone taking on this part of a restoration – drop a comment here and we’ll share them. https://youtu.be/Ga9EHbDpSfg     https://youtu.be/FBKs7EG4kK0   Thanks …
Average Guy’s Car Restorations, Mods, and Racing

I know…it’s a bit of let down moving back to the heater box for # ProjectSportsRoof when the beautiful 351 Cleveland that’s going to power the 73 Mustang is …
351C Removal and tear down – YouTube

Jul 19, 2016 … Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. This the beginning of rebuild of the 351 Cleveland for the 73 Mustang.

 

73 Mustang Heater Box Part 5 – Clean Up

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I know…I know…it’s a bit of let down moving back to the heater box for #ProjectSportsRoof when the beautiful 351 Cleveland that’s going to power the 73 Mustang is sitting in the garage waiting to roar back to life, but the heater box has to get done.

As I showed you in the previous heater box post is was pretty much a mess.  So after accessing the damage and apply epoxy to the broken pieces, I needed to clean it up before applying the fiberglass.  Here’s a little look at that:

 

I need give a bit of caution here when doing the cleaning.  Take a look at the part numbers on the heater box:

heaterbox-datecode

Those number are no longer there.  The Simple Green clean removed them.   I’ll mention again that this is not a concourse restoration, but nonetheless it’s always sad when you change or remove something that original that didn’t need to be.  Yes it’s just the heater box and not something anyone is going to notice, but I know it’s gone as do you and all 17k members of this blog.

Coming up next on AG Car Restoration is fiberglass repair of the heater box and maybe I’ll sneak in sometime on the Cleveland.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

postmach-2

 

Average Guy’s Car Restorations, Mods, and Racing

With the heater box for #ProjectSportsRoof out form under the dash, I now have to do the repairs and replace the heater core. Here’s what needs to be done and  …

73 Mustang 351 Cleveland Rebuild – Removal 4 – YouTube

Aug 1, 2016 … I’m So close to getting #ProjectSportsRoof engine pulled and starting the tear down.

restorable classic cars | Tumblr

Thanks checking back in with the 1973 Mustang (#ProjectSportsRoof). I’m moving right along with getting the progress on the 351C tear down posted up.

73 Mustang 351C is Out – YouTube

Aug 9, 2016 … Finally #ProjectSportsRoof gives up it engine. Thanks to my neighbor Dan Thomas for helping me getting this out.

Great American Muscle Cars – muscle cars – Community – Google+

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. With the floor pans welding, sealing and coating finished the next step was to apply the heat and sound barrier. This is …

351C Removal and tear down – YouTube

Jul 19, 2016 … Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. This the beginning of rebuild of the 351 Cleveland for the 73 Mustang.

 

 

1973 Mustang 351 Cleveland is BACK!!!

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We interrupt this Heater Box restoration for an important announcement.

THE 351 CLEVELAND IS BACK!!!

postmach-1 postmach-2
postmach-3 postmach-4

The main piece of this project if finally complete. 

Here’s what we have now:
351C bored .040
Crank .020 and Stock cam
Flattop pistons
Double Roller Timing Chain

Here’s what I’m going to add:
Edelbrock 4bbl CARB 800 CFM ELEC CHOKE
Edelbrock Performer 2750 Intake Manifold

Heads have been restored and upgrade as follows:
Bronze valve guide, stainless 1 piece valves,  MATCHING retainers, a proper 3 angle valve job,
springs matched to cam and set up to proper height and pressure checked and hardened seats.

Here a more complete look:


The change in the bore only increased the CID (Cubic Inch Displacement) from 352 – 358 and that’s not a lot.  But keep in mind that this is a 1972 engine and the 351C with a 4bbl carb was rated at 285 bph @ 5400 rmps (The Boss 351 was rated at 330bhp @ 5400).    So I’m guessing with the Crank .020 milled, Edelbrock 4bbl  800 CFM, Edelbrock Performer 2750 Intake Manifold and the slight change in displacement that the horse power of this 1972 Cleveland will be about 300 hp – maybe.

Keep checking back as I have to finish the heater box, engine bay and the top half of the 351C.  Lots of fun coming up!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

projectsportsroof

Average Guy’s Car Restorations, Mods, and Racing

While the block is out for machining I can turn my attention to one of the MANY other sub-projects on #ProjectSportsRoof. If you’ve followed the blog you know …

restored-cars | Tumblr

Thanks checking back in with the 1973 Mustang (#ProjectSportsRoof). I’m moving right along with getting the progress on the 351C tear down posted up.

73 Mustang 351C is Out – YouTube

Aug 9, 2016 … Finally #ProjectSportsRoof gives up it engine. Thanks to my neighbor Dan Thomas for helping me getting this out.

Great American Muscle Cars – muscle cars – Community – Google+

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. With the floor pans welding, sealing and coating finished the next step was to apply the heat and sound barrier. This is …

1973 Mustang Heater Box Part 4

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With the heater box for #ProjectSportsRoof out form under the dash, I now have to do the repairs and replace the heater core.

Here’s what needs to be done and I pull the heater core.

 


Coming up is the fiberglass work to fix and seal up the heater box.

Thanks for reading.
Tim

newprimedhood

#ProjectSportsRoof

 

1973 Mustang Original Invoice and Window Sticker – Marti Auto Works

1 day ago … I didn’t purchase the window sticker for 1970 Mustang but I did for # ProjectSportsRoof. Check it out: 1973 Mustang SportsRoof Window Sticker.
Average Guy’s Car Restorations, Mods, and Racing

While the block is out for machining I can turn my attention to one of the MANY other sub-projects on #ProjectSportsRoof. If you’ve followed the blog you know …
73 Mustang 351 Cleveland Rebuild – Removal 4 – YouTube

Aug 1, 2016 … I’m So close to getting #ProjectSportsRoof engine pulled and starting the tear down.
351C Removal and tear down – YouTube

Jul 19, 2016 … Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. This the beginning of rebuild of the 351 Cleveland for the 73 Mustang.