Tag Archives: AutoBlog

1970 Mustang Front End – What should I do?

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My Nephew’s 1970 Stang needs some attention.

I get to park in my office!

Well it’s been a long week getting her back on the road. But she drove well enough given her condition.

I am looking for opinions on kits for front suspension rebuilds, mine is shot. At this point I’m probably looking for the cheapest most comprehensive kit given my pony’s condition.

My entire front suspension is not suspending, or bouncing, or quiet. Its time for a full rebuild but I’ve been waiting to blow my motor to justify a full car build! It’s been on its last leg for at least 10 years so at this point I’m trying to see how far I can go to prove Ford’s reliability before tearing her down and she just won’t die! A true survivor.

Also I have a mean top end tick I have lots of play in my lifters, I’m assuming that’s the problem. Already replaced the valve caps, but I probably lost one or two again, any tips or tricks to adjust these ticks?

Although she really like cruising at 50 mph everywhere! I had a hard time keeping it under that speed.

Josh,

You will get a lot of opinions and have a lot of options.  Basically is comes down to what you want the car to be.  If you just want a cruiser I think you can’t go wrong with just building like it came from the factory.  I did that with my 1970 only difference is I use polyurethane bushing.   Polyurethane bushing improved the ride without ruining the feel of how the car would have handled when it came from the factory.  Properly greased the don’t squeak.   If you want it a bit better ride you can upgrade components as you go.

I recommend the RPS kit (it is under $300)

Front Suspension Kit, 1968 – 73 Mustang Restoration Parts Source
FDSUSKIT3 – RPS – 004
This suspension kit includes new upper and lower control arms with bushings and riveted ball joints installed, new spring perches and insulators and new strut rod bushings with washers.

Here is the link –  RPS Suspension Kit

Tim

1970 Mustang – Getting the Boot!!!

Replaces that is, boot as in shifting boot.  (Were you thinking…since I just got back from the Barrett Jackson Auction.. I was considering getting rid of the Stang ?   Nope..but I tell you there were a couple of cars I’d even swap for…that’s for sure!!) When the 4 speed trans got …

1970 Mustang – Replacing my Pillar Post Moldings Part I

If you searched and found or followed my posts on restoring the dash-board of my ’70 Mustang, then you might recall my planning/scheduling issues.     As I was taking the old dash pad off, I realized that I hadn’t order the plastic pillar molding.  When I finally called a few Mustang parts …

1970 Mustang – Replacing my Pillar Post Moldings Part II

I’ve the pillar post moldings painted and ready to installed.      I put on 3 coats of paint.    Now I have to remove the dash pad (again) and install.  That will be later this week, my Corvette is still in shop and the Mustang is my back up car.  Thanks for reading more to …

1970 Mustang Dash Replacement – Part Arrives!!!

Ok now I’m excited.  The dash pad replacement arrived and it looks great.  Here are some pics:          I ordered this part from Dallas Mustang, but I thinking I should have ordered directly from DashesDirect.com I’ll check the web site and see if it was cheaper there.  When you have an average guy’s budget …

Project BeepBeep – ’68 Road Runner – Disc Break Conversion Part 3

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Bill continues with his march toward a complete brake system replacement for #ProjectBeepBeep his 68 Plymouth Road Runner.

 

 

Here is the Bill’s update.

 

 

There is more coming on the #ProjectBeepBeep and #ProjectSportRoof.

Keep an eye out  for dates for the new Average Guys’ Car Restoration Live Event on Face Book AG Car Restoration FB .  We’ll touch on car news, new productions, muscle and collectible car talk.  You’ll get to call in and add to the conversation.

Thanks for check on @ AGCarRestoration.com.

Tim

Introducing #ProjectBeepBeep – Code H 1968 Road Runner

I’d like you to take a look at one of my constant readers classic muscle car. First let me say that Bill has been an a long quest to find a car to replace this car:   Back in the day. It was a long search with lots of phone calls with many …
 

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 Road Runner -Disc Break Conversion Part 2

Thanks for checking back in on #ProjectBeepBeep. Having made the decision to convert the front brakes from shoe to disc Bill gets started with this major project for #ProjectBeepBeep. He went with a kit from Dr. Diff and here’s a brief look at some of the contents.   Nice shiny new rotors!! Spindle …
 

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 SportsRoof – 73 Mustang Distributor Install

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Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof.  I’m moving ever closer to getting her back on the road.  Popped the distributor in recently.  Take a quick look.

 

Of course the 351C will need to be timed but I think I have this close enough so it will at least start when I’m ready to fire it up.

I have a bit more transmission work to do, I’ll show you the status in the next post.

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 – 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 …

Project BeepBeep – ’68 Road Runner -Disc Break Conversion Part 2

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Thanks for checking back in on #ProjectBeepBeep.

Having made the decision to convert the front brakes from shoe to disc Bill gets started with this major project for #ProjectBeepBeep.

He went with a kit from Dr. Diff and here’s a brief look at some of the contents.

 

Nice shiny new rotors!!

Spindle and shield

Spindle and Shield practice fitting.


 

Here’s a close up of how far off the shield is actually off.

That isn’t going to work as is.

 

There’s a lot more coming up on Project BeepBeep.

Thanks for checking in.

Tim

projectbeepbeep

Introducing #ProjectBeepBeep – Code H 1968 Road Runner

I’d like you to take a look at one of my constant readers classic muscle car. First let me say that Bill has been an a long quest to find a car to replace this car:   Back in the day. It was a long search with lots of phone calls with many …

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 – 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 – A look at the Brakes

Bill takes a look at the heavy-duty brakes that came on the ’68 Road Runner. Bill doesn’t like the stopping power that these give him and even though they are in good shape, he may still upgrade them.     Here are a couple close-ups of those heavy-duty brakes:   That’s some great information on brake …

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Engine Bay Components.

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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 covered under a several layers of primer and paint.  So these items were lightly sanded and then sprayed with primer and black engine paint.

 

Battery Tray – in the process of being sanded with dremel.

The horns were cleaned up with break cleaner then sanded by hand.

A lot of the paint just came off with the cleaning.

Horn in the process of being sanded.. Note the “LO” and other numbers. My goal is to keep them visible.

A coat of  Eastwood Rust Encapsulator  and then a primer coated applied – tried to keep the numbers, etc. visible.

A little more sanding and then some paint.

Vacuum Canister

Battery Tray and Horns

I think they came out O.K.

There is a quick video.

 


Coming up distributor install and transmission update.

Thank for reading.

Tim

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 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 …

 

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

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1968 Ply Road Runner
Project 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 if it’s not 100% required for safety. So, as Bill has, you need to weight the decision carefully and get some expert opinions.

Here is Bill’s latest video.

 


 

I recall when I restored my 70 Dodge Dart – back in 1977, I wasn’t sure what those springs were that were wrapped around the drums – most guys didn’t put them back on.

More great information in this video.  Thanks for sharing it Bill.

Come up next for Project BeepBeep the conversion process gets started.

Thank for check in @ Average Guy’s Car Restoration, Mods and Racing.  You can us on Twitter @AGCarRestore.

Tim

Introducing #ProjectBeepBeep – Code H 1968 Road Runner

I’d like you to take a look at one of my constant readers classic muscle car. First let me say that Bill has been an a long quest to find a car to replace this car:   Back in the day. It was a long search with lots of phone calls with many …

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 – A look at the Brakes

Bill takes a look at the heavy-duty brakes that came on the ’68 Road Runner. Bill doesn’t like the stopping power that these give him and even though they are in good shape, he may still upgrade them.     Here are a couple close-ups of those heavy-duty brakes:   That’s some great information on brake …

Project BeepBeep – ’68 Road Runner – Door Update and Power Steering

Welcome back to #ProjectBeepBeep.  Bill is going to stuff a lot into this post, including tools, fire suppression, update on his work with the doors and windows on the 1968 Road Runner and the swapping out the  half a century old power steering hose!!!    These pics show the location and how …

Project BeepBeep’s First Car Show!!

Taking your car to its first (for you) car show is nerve-racking and accelerating at the same time. Bill handles #ProjectBeepBeep well.  Here’s the video.     Congrats Bill! I bet there will be a few more in #ProjectBeepBeep’s future!!! Thanks for reading. Tim   Introducing #ProjectBeepBeep – Code H 1968 Road Runner I’d like you to take …

 

Have You Ever Said This “I’m starting to get fed up with the car” ?

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Luxstang Wrote: I’m starting to get fed up with the car.
The more I do on it the more seems to fail.
Replaced the upper and lower control arms a few weeks ago. Took it for an alignment yesterday and the guy tells me he can’t adjust camber on the passenger side.. Turns out the hole in the rear ex-center washer is round so it no longer adjusts the camber properly. (Ok, when I replaced the control arms I could have sworn that washer was ok otherwise I wouldn’t have put it back in….)
Now I gotta wait for 2-3 days for a new set of screws with washers to arrive.
I had the wheels powder coated (and posted a thread about it) and I don’t like them anymore. The 18 inch rims rub with the new tires, I gotta get new ones but I don’t really want to either.
The rear windows are out of the car as I’m waiting for WCCC to fix my pancake motors, so no interior in the back at all.
Plus yesterday a big chip of paint flew off the rear quarter extension. I’ll need to try my painting skills on that….
I wonder if I shouldn’t just leave everything and simply drive the car into the ground as a daily driver and call it a day.

Hang in there with the Mustang, Luxstang, it will be even sweeter when you get it done!!!

My 73 is my second Mustang restoration (70 was my first) and my third personal restoration in the last few years.  I can attest that you do run in to those periods of time when it seems that the car just doesn’t want to be restored.

Heck I bought and drove the 73, maybe  5-6 times and it bent a rod and burned a valve. Had the heads redone. Drove it 3 or 4 more times and then discovered a bottom end knock had to tear down the entire engine and send it out for machining and rebuild. While trying to get it back together I ran into wiring problem and drive train problems.  Don’t even get me started on the rusted floor pans (now complete).

I restored my ’84 Corvette and I will tell you, there were day when I felt just like Luxstang (by the way he’s in Luxembourg).  The Vette was powered by the infamous Cross-Fire engine.  So many problems with the fuel system and multiple injector rebuilds, it was enough to drive you crazy.

Many folks do give up, you can find thousands projects on the internet looking for a new home.

But before you quit, go to the forums for you car, like Luxstang did, you’ll get some encouragement and maybe even helpful suggestions for getting through those periods.  Con some friends or neighbors to give a hand.  I found that a good motivator is to have neighbors come and see your progress.  I have one neighbor that loves to look at what I’ve done and another (Dan T.) who has even spend more than a few hours giving me a hand with some of the tasks.

Restoring a car is not much different then most things you tackle in life.  If you hang in there and stick it out to the end, it will be rewarding.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

My recent restorations:

1970 Mustang – Multiple Trophy Winner. Self-Restored

1984 C4 Corvette – Multiple Trophy Winner. Self-Restored

1975 Fuel Injected VW Bug – $30k Frame Off Nut Bolt Restoration – Managed Project

1973 Mustang – In Progress. Follow #ProjectSportsRoof Self-Restored

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73 Mustang (Project SportsRoof) Engine Dress Up and Venting/Vacuum

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Did you think I sold #ProjectSportsRoof?  Nope.  I’ve been busy and I’ve been serving as editor to another cool project – my constant reader Bill’s ’68 Plymouth RoadRunner (#ProjectBeepBeep).

However, I have been doing some work on the sports roof and in this video you’ll see a little bling under the hood (not sure I like now that it’s done…but it’s easy to swap out).  There is also a few venting and vacuum issue I need to deal with and you’ll see those in the video.

 


Here’s a look at the Vapor Canister vs the Vacuum Canister.

Vapor Canister

Vacuum Canister

As I mentioned in the video, the vapor canister was missing from the engine bay and the fuel vapor line was running into the vacuum canister and then vented to the stock air cleaning.  After some research and help from the guys over on 7173 Mustangs forum I realized the problem and it’s an easy fix…although the vapor canister is pricey – without the charcoal!!!  (: ^ 0 ).

Coming up next some more work on the engine bay.

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 …

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 …

 

 

 

Project BeepBeep’s First Car Show!!

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Taking your car to its first (for you) car show is nerve-racking and accelerating at the same time.

Bill handles #ProjectBeepBeep well.  Here’s the video.

 


 

Congrats Bill! I bet there will be a few more in #ProjectBeepBeep’s future!!!

Thanks for reading.
Tim

projectbeepbeep

 

Introducing #ProjectBeepBeep – Code H 1968 Road Runner

I’d like you to take a look at one of my constant readers classic muscle car. First let me say that Bill has been an a long quest to find a car to replace this car:   Back in the day. It was a long search with lots of phone calls with many …

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 Road Runner – Door Update and Power Steering

Welcome back to #ProjectBeepBeep.  Bill is going to stuff a lot into this post, including tools, fire suppression, update on his work with the doors and windows on the 1968 Road Runner and the swapping out the  half a century old power steering hose!!!    These pics show the location and how …

ProjectBeepBeep – 1968 Road Runner Update Video 2

Thanks for looking back in on #ProjectBeepBeep Bill begins the odyssey. Will he wrangle this Road Runner and show up that old Coyote or will an ACME Anvil be his fate?  Keep up to date by grabbing the RSS feed. Here is Bill’s latest video More coming up the ’68 Road Runner including a …

Project BeepBeep – A look at the Brakes

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Bill takes a look at the heavy-duty brakes that came on the ’68 Road Runner.

Bill doesn’t like the stopping power that these give him and even though they are in good shape, he may still upgrade them.

 


 

Here are a couple close-ups of those heavy-duty brakes:

 

That’s some great information on brake conversion – for any muscle car.  Thanks Bill – Good Stuff!!!

 

Coming up – #ProjectBeepBeep’s first car show!!!

Thanks for reading.
Tim

Introducing #ProjectBeepBeep – Code H 1968 Road Runner

I’d like you to take a look at one of my constant readers classic muscle car. First let me say that Bill has been an a long quest to find a car to replace this car:   Back in the day. It was a long search with lots of phone calls with many …

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 Road Runner – Door Update and Power Steering

Welcome back to #ProjectBeepBeep.  Bill is going to stuff a lot into this post, including tools, fire suppression, update on his work with the doors and windows on the 1968 Road Runner and the swapping out the  half a century old power steering hose!!!    These pics show the location and how …