Tag Archives: Vintage Cars

Knock..Knock…Who’s There? It’s the bottom end of your 351 Cleveland!!! Rebuilding.

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The option that, perhaps, makes the most sense is to rebuild the existing engine.   These days there are so many rebuilding scenarios, it can make your head spin and really lighten you wallet.  With each one of the scenarios brings with it even more decisions and a host of mathematical calculations.

The major concern is just how bad it might be in the block.  You can see much with just the heads removed, but what I could see of the cylinders and piston heads, seemed serviceable.  Scored cylinder walls – bad; just trashed bearings – not so bad.  This is the first unknown you need to know.  From this point you’ll know the cost of just making it run again and how much $$$ you need or have left in the budget for any upgrades.

For me I don’t think I’m in this for just a ‘repair’-  e.g. bad bearings – replace them and snap it back together.

Option 1: Rebuild it just like it is.  Simply get a $600.00 kit and replace everything and put it back together – same heads, same intake nothing changes other than the knock goes away.

Typical 351C Rebuild Kit

Typical 351C Rebuild Kit

Option 2:  Rebuild it better.  For my 351C  2v, the simplest way is to add the kit and give it more room to breath.  Add a 4 barrel carb and matching intake.

Option 3:  Rebuild it bigger.  Have the engine bore to 0.030 or 0.040 and find the matching kit (you can buy the rebuild kits to match the new bore) and add a 4 barrel carb and matching intake.

Option 2 and 3 give you more decisions you’ll have to make.  How much horse power and torque will this changes make?  Can you existing stall converter and transmission handle that increase? (My concern as I have  C6 automatic)  Will you need to change the gearing in the rear end to optimize the new power?  Will this new power impact handling or frame/body?  (The concern here keeping that body from twisting/rolling – my Mustang still has the sub-frame – being a unit body – installation of sub-frame connectors is on my list.)     You are looking at a few Benjamin’s to make this all happen like it should – all based on the basic rebuild direction.

So these are some of the considerations I’m weight now for #ProjectSportsRoof.

Give me your thoughts?

Thanks for reading.

Tim

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 …

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 …

Hey…A Car Show!!! Mustang II

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It’s pretty cool to happen upon a car show in the course of running weekend errands.  I normally have a calendar event for the major shows and/or the ones I plan on attending.  But now and then I see one in passing, and of course I am compelled to stop and usually do.  Sometimes there are some real gems.  By gens  I mean  cars you don’t see at the average car show as they may not be in top condition or even restored at all (that doesn’t stop me) and the owners would enter them.

You don't need shiny paint to go to a car show. Here's #ProjectSportsRoof at it's first car show.

You don’t need shiny paint to go to a car show. Here’s #ProjectSportsRoof at its first car show.

A couple of weeks ago I picked up my son at his place and we took care of some business.  I always have my ‘old car’ radar on and it went off as we passed a little church.  We had finished all of our tasks so I stopped.  There may have been 15 cars in the parking lot with hoods up and doors open.  True to form there were a few cars that one rarely sees at a car show.

This awesome Fox-body Mustang Vert was in the line-up:

Fox-Body Vert

Fox-Body Vert w/ Whale Tail!

Oh MAN!! Look at that plumbing!!!!

Oh MAN!! Look at that plumbing!!!!

 

There was this 1964 Chrysler 300 K.  You don’t see many of these at a show.  Love that it’s a 2 door.

'64 Chrysler 300 K

’64 Chrysler 300 K

Cool Steering Wheel!!

Cool Steering Wheel!!

Here is a rare sight!!!  Mercury Comet Caliente VERT!!!!

This Comet is in O.K.shape

This Comet is in O.K.shape

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This cars is nicely preserved and a little body work has been done, but still very nice car.

But this next car was my favorite as unlikely as that may seem, I’d buy this car and I’d show it big time!!!  Check out this 1974 Mustang II:

I think it's a sharp little car!!!

I think it’s a sharp little car!!!

IMG_20160409_094934783

Nice wheels!!!!

Yeah..that's a V8 - 302!!

Yeah..that’s a V8 – 302!!

Still lots of room under that hood.

Still lots of room under that hood.

Interior is so awesome.

Interior is so awesome.

 

You can tell that this car was stripped and restored.  It was painted with, even the interior,  with a white rhino lining/satin like paint.  It is just amazing and I’m was impressed.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Check out these other post for Mustang II:

The Mustang II – Say What?
http://wp.me/pKHNM-uY

Mustang Muscle in the Mid 70’s
https://www.average-guys-car-restoration-mods-racing.com/mustang-muscle-in-the-mid-70s/
Feature Car – 1978 King Cobra
https://www.average-guys-car-restoration-mods-racing.com/feature-car-1978-king-cobra/

 

 

Injury Time Out – 1973 Mustang SportsRoof

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Other duties happen outside of working on #ProjectSportsRoof…like yard work!!!!!   While attempting to tame the foliage in the backyard on Sunday, my electric hedge clippers became self-aware and in true Terminator fashion, exacted revenge on two fingers on my left hand – index and middle.   (Yes I have pictures and no I won’t post them here.) Pretty sure I taught the neighborhood new curse words.

Of course this necessitated a trip to the ER, much to my dismay and my wife’s.    It took the doctor a fair amount of time sew them up – 31 stitches and to pass the time the doc and I discussed cars – specifically his new Tesla.   So over all it was a nice break from the average weekend routine and I scored some pain meds to boot!!  (HA,HA).

I’ll be out of commission for the next couple of weeks so maybe I can catch up on some blogging.  Might be a bit optimistic, considering how long it has taken to just type this post!!!

Note to self:  Don’t throw out the next door hanger for a landscape service.

I am slurring my typing, meds are kicking in …..SO…thanks for reading.

Tim

IMG_20150808_113458040

restorable classic cars | Tumblr

Thanks for checking back on #ProjectSportsRoof. I’m about the finish the cuts and
fitting for the right rear foot-well that was rust all the way!!!! Final Fit for foot-well …

 

restored classic | Tumblr

Thanks for checking back on #ProjectSportsRoof. I’m about the finish the cuts and
fitting for the right rear foot-well that was rust all the way!!!! Final Fit for foot-well …
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 SportsRoof – Floor Pans Getting To It! – Part Three

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I know, I’m getting slow at getting these posted for the 1973 Mustang, but here is the next part.   I’m beginning the cuts on the repop floor panels.

 

 

Like I mention in the video, I”m doing this all in my driveway and garage – it can be done!!!!   Unlike my 1970 Mustang (which started out in better shape) which most of the work on the body was complete, thanks in part to a careless young driver plowing into the back it at a stop light, in a body shop.  While it was there I had the entire car painted.

I’m using a dremel to make the necessary cuts and the Work-Mate table allows a lot of angles to clamp down the sheet metal while I am cutting it.  The painter’s blue tape works great as marking off the cuts and you don’t have to be ‘too’ precise, but you have to be close!!!

Here you can see the first cut.  Now eventually I realized that I didn’t really need the ‘flap’ and I cut it off.

The ‘humps’ are actually where the seats bolt down and you have to keep clear of those with your sheet metal and welds.

More floor pan goodness for #ProjectSportsRoof.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

restorable classic cars | Tumblr

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. ….. You can see my 2007 C6 and the 1973 Mustang (#ProjectSportsRoof) and my son’s 1991 Chrysler Le Baron vert and …

1973 Mustang 351C Vacuum System Part II – YouTube

Feb 6, 2016 … #ProjectSportsRoof Floor Pan Rust Removal Video 2 – Duration: 2:07. Tim Sweet No views. New. 2:07. 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 for sale with …

Driving a 1929 Detroit Electric Model 97

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It’s not often that the normal day in the life of a Director of IT includes an opportunity to drive a 1929 Detroit Electric. But this is exactly what one of my days included just this week.

The car has taken years to restore and is period correct in almost every aspect. As you can see in the video it might need a few tweaks and I am finishing up the clock for the interior.

Check out this video.

Thanks for reading.
Tim

1931 Detroit Electric Model 97 – Conceptcarz

The Detroit Electric Model 97 (1931); Electric cars represented a significant part of the automobile market in the earliest days. As today, electrics suffered from a …

Engine Mini-Series – Ford’s Small Block V8s Part I

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I haven’t done a Engine Mini-Series in sometime, I find readers like the Engine Line Up posts a lot, so I’ve stuck with that.  They are quick and fun pieces to research and write.

SEE A NOTED DEVIATION IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.

I received a request from a reader  (motown_missile) from the /r/classiccar subdirectory over on Reddit, who read my latest Engine Line UP post, for something on Ford small block V8’s specifically  the 221, 260 and 289 engines.  So I thought yeah that’s a great idea!!! But it didn’t really fit how I structure the Engine Line Up posts and then I recalled doing these mini-series and that fits the request.  Thanks motown_missile!!!!

Now the Ford small block V8 label (also called the “90 Degree V8s”) covers a few rare engines (limited production/limited use), one of the most iconic and some real workhorses.  The engines that fall under this designation are 221, 255, 260, 289 and yes the 302 and even the 351 Windsor (not the Cleveland).  I’ll cover each one in separate posts.

The Ford small blocks were designed the end of the 1950’s put in to production cars in 1962  the first and smallest (20 inches across and only 475 lbs) and it displaced 221 cubic inches and so designated as the 221.

The 221, in 1962,  had a compression ratio of 8.7:1 with a bore and stroke respectively of 3.50 x 2.87.  It sported two-bolt main-bearing, cast nodular crankshaft (only 37 lbs), cast aluminum pistons, hydraulic camshaft and individually mounted iron rockers.  The cylinder heads were wedge-shaped and the intake valves were 1.59 in. and the exhaust valves were 1.39  This was all topped off with a cast iron two barrel intake manifold and it produced about 143 hp @ 4,500 rmp and 217 foot lbs of torque @ 2200 rpm.  For 1963 it remained about the same with a slight increase in the bore and stroke (3.75×3.30 inches) producing a compression ratio of 8.8:1 and 145 hp.   Both years were topped with Holley carbs.

The 221 is one of the rarest small block.  It saw only 2 years of production use (1962 and 1963) and you could find it in the Ford Fairlanes and Mercury Meteor.  If you want to know if your 62-63 Fairlane or Mete0r originally had a 221 check the VIN for the code L ( C – 1962 export or 3 for 1963 export).

Nicely painted 221 V8

Nicely painted 221 V8

1962 Mercury Meteor 33

1962 Mercury Meteor 33

1963 Ford Fairlane

1963 Ford Fairlane

 

Next up will be the 255.

Thanks for reading and if you have any input or pic of your own 221, drop me a note a AGCarRestoration@cox.net.  Comments always welcome!!!

 

Tim

Out and About!!! #ProjectSportsRoof

Out and About!!!
#ProjectSportsRoof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ford 221 v8 engine

1973 Mustang SportsRoof – Floor Pans Getting To It! – Part Two

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Hey, welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof (1973 Mustang).  We are working through the rusted floor pans and I’m about to make the cut for removing rust from the right rear foot-well.

Quick note about the video sequence.  As executive director, camera guy (well smart phone guy) and film editor (is that still a real thing?), I don’t always plan out the steps like you might see on a TV show.  (There goes my chances of being on Counting Cars – I’ve got a better chance of being a walk-on-the-set zombie on the Walking Dead – I love both of those shows!!!! ) Perfect example is in the next few posts and videos.  Instead of stripping out all the carpeting, I made a cut along the tunnel on the right side and just removed that carpet.  You can clearly see that.   Then I removed the rust from the foot-well (you’ll see that below) and then worked on cutting the re-pop floor patch.

That went so well, I felt confident enough to remove the driver’s seat and the rest of the carpeting.  So when I show that video you’ll notice both patch panels on the right side are fitted.  There just no ‘do overs’ on this project.

Here are the next two videos.  By the way you can see all the videos on my YouTube channel  just search for #ProjectSportsRoof and you’ll find most of them.

 

 

Once again in the video I mention getting the replacement pan for under the rear seat – above the muffler.  However, as I mentioned previously that portion of the floor is not reproduced.

More floor panel work coming up.  If you have comments or tips/hints use the comment box below.  Love to hear from you.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

Out and About!!! #ProjectSportsRoof

Out and About!!!
#ProjectSportsRoof

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 SportsRoof – Floor Pans Getting To It! – Part One

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The last three post we basically a run down of the extent of the rust damage in the floor pan areas on #ProjectSportsRoof.  As you saw the right side was bad, especially the under the rear seat on that side and the left side not as bad.   Interesting enough it ended up being about the same work for both foot wells and a lot work for the whole under the rear seat.  (You’ll notice in at least one of the videos I mentioned that all I needed to do was to buy the panel for under the rear seat – but I was wrong.  Those just are reproduced.  What I ended up doing was purchasing a 3rd foot well pan and “modifying” that to get the whole patched.)

As this is my first time actually doing floor pans, I did a lot of “making sure” up front work to limited the size of the mistakes I might make.  Last thing I needed to do was cut in the wrong place or make the opening to big.  As you know the Mustangs of that era only had  sub-frames and the floor for the most part were what held them together.  A major screw up there and you’ve weakened the structure and then it’s body off complete floor replacement – NOT IN THE BUDGET!!!

Here’s some of the preliminary work.

 

So of course there isn’t a rear panel (see above) and the drain in the panel is not plugged with a rubber stopper, but with a metal screw down plate – sealed with seam sealer.

I worked the left side first (some I could keep the car mobile – for pulling in and out of the garage) so I left the driver’s seat and most of the carpet in place.

 

Coming up is the first cuts of the right side floor pan and fitting of the replacement panel.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

projectsportsroofprojectsportsroof

 

 

 

 

1973 Mustang SportsRoof – Floor Pan Discovery – Part Three

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Thanks for checking in on the 1973 Mustang project.   Below is the last part of the discovery process for determining the extent rust damage.  Here is the driver’s side.

FloorPanLRr-2

This shot doesn’t look too bad, especially compared with the right side.   Below is a video recap of what needs to happen.

Of course still need to remove the rest of the carpeting. All indications are that everything else is solid!!

 

Thanks for reading

Tim

1973 Mustang Sports Roof – Floor Pan Discovery – Part Two …

Mar 2, 2016 … Among these things are coins and #ProjectSportsRoof had an abundance of lost change. The first coin I found was a nickel. It was under the …
1973 Mustang Sports Roof – Floor Pan Discovery – Part One

Feb 29, 2016 … Thanks for following along with #ProjectSportsRoof. Over the next couple of weeks (giving myself a lot of time to get this all down in the blog) …
vintage muscle car | Tumblr

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. We beginning the actual work on the vacuum system on the projects 351C starting with the valve assembly distributor ( the …
07 and 73

07 and 73

2nd Annual Team Tanner and Friends Car Show – Benefiting Autism Society 2

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The 2nd Annual Team Tanner and Friends Car Show – Benefiting Autism Society  was a lot of fun.  Some very cool cars  there –  like these 4 beauties!!!

You can see my 2007 C6 and the 1973 Mustang (#ProjectSportsRoof) and my son’s 1991 Chrysler Le Baron vert and good friend’s 2011 Mustang vert(with the nicest seats ever!!!).

 

Constant reader of this blog Bill and my son Ryan

Constant reader of this blog Bill and my son Ryan

This was my son Ryan’s first car he’s entered in a car show.  The 1991 Le Baron is a true collector and is in excellent survivor condition with over 140k miles he is the only the second owner.  Bill (sitting next to my son) was the Le Baron’s first owner – that’s Bill’s 2011 Mustang V6!!!

Besides those cars – here is my favorite late 50’s car at the show.

1956 Ford Club Sedan -1 1956 Ford Club Sedan -2

1956 Ford Club Sedan -3

Clean 282 Engine!!

1956 Ford Club Sedan -4

One of my favorite attributes….a painted dash!!!

1956 Ford Club Sedan -5

The fender skirts are great and the detailed side molding is outstanding!!! (And all original!!)

 1956 Ford Club Sedan -6

This 1956 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan has 282 engine, 3 speed column shift and has just over 30k original miles.  It all original except the tires (the spare is original).  This was an Ebay buy and originated in PA.

There were a couple beautiful pickups and a Lotus and 1988 Shelby Dodge Charger – very cool!!

The voting, interestingly enough, was done by the car owners and everyone that came to view the cars.

Trophies were handed out and one of the winner was this car:

#ProjectSportsRoof took home one in the 1970's/Under Construction category

#ProjectSportsRoof took home one in the 1970’s/Under Construction category

Yup lots of love shown to my 1973 Mustang SportsRoof.

It was a small but fun show.  Lots of time to have long conversations with the owners and the crowd.

Thanks to Hagerty Insurance, Mothers Wax and Car Guy Garage for supporting the car show.  We raised awareness and money for Southern Arizona  Autism Society!!

Oh…and if you are in Tucson, AZ there is a walk that raised money for this worthy cause as well.

Thanks for reading

Tim

10 Annual Autism Walk - Tucson, AZ

10 Annual Autism Walk – Tucson, AZ