RE: 1973 project
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RE: 1973 project - 9/15/2007 7:58:21 AM
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73 Sportroof
Posts: 313
Joined: 5/25/2007
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I have put around 3000 miles on Brutus since the rebuild. It is nice to be back on the road.
I have had some problems with the electical system. The gauges all go up with the lights on. I thought tha the alternator might be the problem since it is the original. I figured I would upgrade it so I put a 95 amp ( sshhh chevy ) alternator on it and removed the voltage regulator. The gauges seemed to work better but would still climb with the lights on.
I then thought it might be the voltage regulator on the instrument panel but the parts stores didn't have one and the Ford dealer said the don't have any books for cars that old. I found them at Mustang parts suppliers but never got around to ordering one.
The other day it popped in my head that I don't remember having a ground strap from the engine to the fire wall. I made a ground wire just to try it and it now works. The head lights are brighter, the gauges work with the lights on, and the dash lights are brighter so I can read the speedometer better in the dark now.
The light under the hood started to work but I didn't notice it until the battery died and I opened the hood and seen it on. I jump started the car and adjusted the light to shut off with the hood closed. It is strange the the trunk light has always worked and the hood light never has.
The other problems I am having are an oil leak in the front of the engine where the oil pan and the timing chain cover meet and a problem with timing.
My mechanic said he would fix the oil leak, no problem.
I haven't discussed the timing with him yet. The problem is that the cam is advanced 6 degrees so he plugged the vac advance so I didn't have too much advance but I don't think I have as much advance as I need. If I unplug the vac it runs better but so it doesn't advance too far I have to reterd the timing so much that it runs hot. Should I have him set the cam to zero when he changes the timing cover gasket?
I am also wanting more power already and was wondering if this was a good time to replace the 265 cam with a 270?
Any comments, opinions or ideas are welcome.
< Message edited by 73 Sportroof -- 9/15/2007 8:01:44 AM >
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RE: 1973 project - 9/15/2007 12:56:03 PM
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Colorado_Mustang
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Going from a 265 to a 270 advertised cam won't be worth the money. There will be a difference, but you're not likely to feel it.
Timing advance for the ignition and cam advance are not the same thing. If you want more advance from the ignition, you just need to update the distributor, either with a replacement or by altering the internal workings. You need to find out what the total advance is, and this can be accomplished by using a good timing light and revving the engine to 2-3k rpm. You should be around 34-36* total timing by then. No more should be needed.
The cam should be installed straight up. Six degrees is quite a bit, especially since aftermarket cams have altered timing built into them. I would simply install the cam straight up, using the cam manufacturer's recommended timing instead of trying to second-guess the engineers that designed that cam.
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RE: 1973 project - 9/16/2007 12:15:52 PM
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73 Sportroof
Posts: 313
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Colorado;
Thanks for the help. When I get my oil leak fixed I will have him put the cam at zero and stick with that cam.
I haven't checked to see what my total advance is, but my mechanic plugged off the vac advance and said it was too much and it would hurt it if I unplugged it. I will wait until I get the cam back to zero and then test the advance with the vac advance.
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RE: 1973 project - 9/16/2007 12:42:37 PM
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73 Sportroof
Posts: 313
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I was leaving town yesterday, and sitting at the light an '05 or '06 Pontiac Grand Prix GT pulled up next to me. He was acting like he wanted to race so when the light went green I gave it some gas ( not too much because when I floor it the tires break loose a few feat before it grabs). When I was sure he was racing me I gave it about half throttle. When he started to think he was going to pull in front of me I put it to the floor and pulled away from him. At 80 mph he was still trying but at 100 he gave up I was too far ahead of him.
I know the Grand Prix GT has a 260hp supercharged v6, but is it very fast? I keep hearing fro my friends how fast new cars are compared to old ones.
The point of this story is that I think my car should be faster than it is, but maybe it is faster than I think it is.
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RE: 1973 project - 9/18/2007 4:34:02 AM
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Fordication
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Joined: 8/22/2007
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No the grand prix is not that fast. Leave the GTO alone though or you will get spanked bad.
< Message edited by Fordication -- 9/18/2007 4:36:20 AM >
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Ed Walden
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1954 Ford F-100
312 Y-Block Built for speed/9"Rearend/Aerostar Front IFS
2006 Ford F-150
1972 Ford Mustang Grande Coupe
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RE: 1973 project - 9/22/2007 5:35:06 AM
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73 Sportroof
Posts: 313
Joined: 5/25/2007
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I was driving to work the other day and it was a little cold so I turned the heater on. About ten minutes later I noticed the windows starting to fog up and that sweet smell. Great here is the next project. A $26 part and a few hours standing on my head. Why can't they just put a trap door on the firewall to pull out the heater core?
The good news is while I had it apart I fixed the floor to defrost lever, and cleaned out the blower so blows a lot better now. I still need to replace the blower switch though. I have off, off, off, high.
The joys of old cars. There is always something to fix.
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RE: 1973 project - 9/25/2007 6:12:27 AM
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73 Sportroof
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Going back to the shop today to fix the oil leak and set my cam to zero.
I ordered in some parts from ebay. Should get them by Friday so I can put them on this weekend. Mostly interior parts. I changed from ginger to black and some of the parts are painted. I am slowly replacing painted parts for black parts. I also am getting a set of sport mirrors to replace the aftermarket plastic cheapies that are on it now.
I still need a drivers side black seat back if anyone has an extra let me know.
Has anyone ever ordred from Laurel Mountain Mustang? They have the interior quarter panels I want.
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RE: 1973 project - 10/3/2007 6:10:40 AM
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73 Sportroof
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I have the cam set to zero now and I don't notice much difference. I still have the vac advance plugged off. It has about 34 degrees advance with the mechanical. Should I change it so I can use the vac advance?
I am going to try some different jets and metering rods in the carb this weekend.
My ebay parts didn't get here until tuesday. I started putting some on, but will not get it finnished until this weekend.
I will post pix of some of the parts projects this weekend.
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RE: 1973 project - 10/6/2007 1:32:27 PM
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73 Sportroof
Posts: 313
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It is snowing here today, so no carb tuning.
Ebay parts installed. 1971 sport mirrors left and right. Kick panels ( black ) door pulls left and right ( black ) wood grain door inserts left and right, right seat back ( black ) right stainless door trim ( mine was damaged ).
Not major parts, but a little closer to having the interior finnished.
Here is a few pix to compair door panels.
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RE: 1973 project - 10/6/2007 1:36:26 PM
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73 Sportroof
Posts: 313
Joined: 5/25/2007
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One more picture of the interior.
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