Tag Archives: Muscle Cars

The Color of Cars

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The other day I was reading, yet another list of cars that someone had owed.  Of course that always makes me think of my past rides (in some cases losses).  I’ve recently lost my C6.  Long story.  Short version – catastrophic transmission/clutch failure (while racing) and a small fire in the rear.  So the C6 is added to my list of past rides.

Today as I was running some errands in my red Ford Sports Trac,  I was trying to recall how many red cars I’ve owned.  So here the list of cars and colors.

1.  1966 Chevy Impala Vert, 283, automatic – Red

2.  1969 Dodge Dart, 318, 3 speed manual – Blue

3.  1970 Chevelle, 350, automatic – White

4.  1971 Buick Skylark – 350 automatic – White

5.  Two Toyota Celica – blue/silver blue

6.  1974 Ford Torino, Cobra Jet, automatic – blue

7.  1984 C4 Corvette – 305 Crossfire, Automatic – Red

8.  1970 Ford Mustang – Bored .o40  302, 4 speed manual – White

9.  2007 C6 Corvette – LS3 – 6 speed manual – Black

Those are gone.  My 73 Mustang is red – or will be red and my 04 Ford Sports Trac is red.

Thanks for reading.

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 …

73 Mustang – Valve Cover Gasket And Lucas Additive

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Yesterday started out just great, weather-wise.

In the two videos below I talk about valve cover gaskets, the current lack of experts at your local parts store, and online “No Help” clerk and a recommendation for the Mustangs regular dosage of Zinc – not in table form for the Mustang’s  351 Cleveland!!!

First valve cover gaskets:


Lucas Zinc additive:


Thanks for reading. Check out the next post.

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 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 – 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 …

Bill’s ’68 RoadRunner #ProjectBeepBeep Brings Home a Trophy

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Bill’s 68 RoadRunner takes First Place in local show, Best ’60’s Muscle Car!!!

It was a good show with some awesome 1960’s cars – GTO’s, Mustangs, Corvettes.

 


 

Congrats Bill!!!

Thanks for reading.  More coming up on #ProjectBeepBeep and #ProjectSportsRoof

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 …

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

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 …

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 SportsRoof – 73 Mustang – Suspension Damage.

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So today the Mustang was going to make a quick trip the shop down the street to have the valve body put back in the transmission. The tow truck driver got the ‘Stang off-center on the flatbed and decided to winch it sideways. Only problem he wrapped the chain around the lower control arm. I was on the phone and heard a sickening snap. The bottom of the lower control arm is now facing the front of the car and you can see the rest here.  Video is below the pic.


Hoping the frame isn’t bent…but it might be. That would require some framework. If that doesn’t work then it might require a new front end.

Will update when I have news.

Thanks for reading.
Tim
#ProjectSportsRoof

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 …

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 …