Category Archives: Project Car

#ProjectSportsRoof New Leaf Spring Install Part I

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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

 

#ProjectSportsRoof Upholstery Part IV Spring Support and a Tuck

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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

#ProjectSportsRoof Upholstery Intro

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Thanks for checking in!!

Progress is moving along with #ProjectSportsRoof (#SR73 – what will be it’s new hash tag when it’s mostly done).  

I’ll be focusing on the interior for a bit.  As you’ve seen the floors were done some time ago with patch panel installed and a layer of heat and sound proofing and  new carpet.  I have the headliner to do (which I’m not looking forward too!!) and some dash work including these:

 

Mach I triple gauge center dash panel. I have a set of working gauges for it as well!!

 

One of the more time consuming is re-upholstering  the sets so I’m tackling that while I’m still on break from teach, which really doesn’t give me much time (my district starts back in mid July), of course with all the on going issues (COVID19 and other stuff) we’ll see what happens.

Here is my introduction and quick plug for  TMI, super quality products and the beginning of the work on the rear seat for my ’73 Stang.

 


 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Tim

 

 

 

#ProjectSportsRoof Front Disc Brake Install

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I should have added “Sort of” in the title.

I really wanted to show the work on #ProjectSportsRoof.  But a few things made that difficult.  Top of that list was the 20 stitches gash I put in my knee, while trying to loosen the bolts on the bracket for the caliper.

So I’m piecing together some clips to include a couple of tips for installing the new calipers.  So hang on this ride will be a little….choppy!!!

Check out the video:

 


More coming up on the front brakes replacement and more!

Check back!

Tim
 

#ProjectSportsRoof – New Rear Shocks and Spiders get an Eviction Notice.

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Welcome back to Average Guys Car Restoration.

Rear shocks required a bit of  “extra” work to install and sadly a few of natures creatures, need to find a new home.  Take a look:

Now I doubt that I’ve impressed upon the spiders to permanently relocate, perhaps with a it of training I can get them to at least clean up the undercarriage a bit.

#ProjectSports Roof now has all new shocks.   There is still so much to do…coming up next brakes and upholstery.

Thanks for stopping by!!

 

Tim

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 …

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 …

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 …

 

ProjectBeepBeep – 68 Road Runner Valve Cover Gaskets Wrap Up

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So you can grab a couple more tips for Valve Cover Gaskets installation and you get to hear BeepBeep running like a top….love that engine music!!!


Some great tips and one more project down for Bill and BeepBeep!!

Coming up next an update and #ProjectSportsRoof and BeepBeep gets tachy (get it?….not Tacky but Tachy!!!)

Thanks for reading.
Tim

 

68 Road Runner Gets it’s Beep Beep back!!

While trying to warn a real life coyote of his ‘rapid’ approach, Bill’s 1968 Road Runner (#ProjectBeepBeep) failed to  issue the famous BeepBeep, or was that just part the car’s instinctive DNA based response to coyotes in general? Either way Bill tackles the problem. Here’s a shot of the horn.   More coming up …

Project BeepBeep – ’68 Road Runner – Drum or Disc – The Decision

1968 Ply Road RunnerProject BeepBeep Welcome back to #ProjectBeepBeep.  Bill is looking at the brakes and gets some professional assistance to help him make a crucial decision.  You know if you’ve got a lot of GO…you need a lot STOP. It not an easy decision to alter a car’s originality, especially …

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 …

ProjectBeepBeep – 68 Road Runner Valve Cover Gaskets Part II

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Bill gives some tips on cleaning up the valve covers and tries valve cover studs.


Wrap up of the valve cover gasket replacement is up next.

Thank for reading.

Tim

#ProjectBeepBeep

 

 

68 Road Runner Gets it’s Beep Beep back!!

While trying to warn a real life coyote of his ‘rapid’ approach, Bill’s 1968 Road Runner (#ProjectBeepBeep) failed to issue the famous BeepBeep, or was that just part the car’s instinctive DNA based response to coyotes in general? Either way Bill tackles the problem. Here’s a shot of the horn. More coming up …

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 car is painted. Bill is correct that the bumper are painted over show an oversight that might just tank the value of your car. I grew up working in my Dad’s body …