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gothand -> RE: EFI 5.0L Swap (7/24/2007 4:56:47 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 66GTKFB
Do you always write notes to yourself - 'ATF Type F'? Have you considered 'Post-it' notes? And can you see the ground thru all that plumbing, belts and other junk? At least it's clean.
Jim
[:D] Ha ha, that will be coming off! The front drive accessories, including the power steering pump, were originally from an '85 GT vert that my father and I built up in the late 80's. It was his bright idea to write that on there, but being that it was really hidden in the engine bay of an '85, it didn't seem that big of a deal at the time.
Here is as short of an explanation of my current build as quickly and best as I can describe it:
- Took a nice, almost new '85 GT vert (loved that car) and swapped in a built 351W, WC T5 tranny, subframes, 8.8" rear, 245 gatorback tires, Kaufmann prepped suspension (does anybody else remember that name from the early Fox body days?)
- About 1992, happened upon a straight, partially disassembled '65 A-code fastback for $3000 in need of paint and a driveline and bought it as a project (already had a '65 GT coupe driver).
- '85 was getting more and more difficult to smog [:D] and body was showing lots of wear so I pulled the engine and tranny and set off to build a performance prepped fastback (I was only 23 or 24 at the time, single and fresh out of college).
- Added a new Currie 9" and a Global West suspension, swapped in 351W and T5, had custom headers and exhaust built and reupholstered the seats.
- The economy, specifically home development, hit its worst, most prolonged recession in the L.A. area ... put project on the shelf. [:o]
- Economy picks back up, get bit by the Jeep bug, park '65 GT in storage next to the fastback.
- Marriage, kids ...
- Sold storage facility so the Mustangs have to find new place to hibernate ... my home garage.
- Five cars are too many to store at my house so one has to go ... bye bye GT coupe.
- Staring at the fastback gets the juices flowing again so the project resumes (last October).
- Engine did not age well in 10 years of storage so out it comes for a 302 which fits better in the engine bay.
- Bought crate motor and swapped it in and out several times due to a rear main seal leak, ultimately returning it because the builder's fix didn't work. (engine shown in previous pic)
- Bought Ford Racing crate motor like I should've in the first place. (no pic)
- Motor in, dynotuned, runs like a clock and is very streetable. [:)]
- Nearly every part purchased, restored and/or polished and ready for install.
- Car blasted, primed, sanded, prepped
- Review color spray sample tomorrow (7/25) in anticipation of spray next week.
- Get car back, paint and reassemble interior and assemble exterior.
- Pour a cold Guiness, forget about the thousands of dollars spent, blood (seven stitches above the eyebrow), sweat and tears (more than I'd care to admit [:D]) and the 15 years it took to finish ... and think about the 'vert I'd like to have. [:D]
This has been an interesting project to say the least. The finished product will reflect how much a person can change in 15 years and four kids. What started out as a performance build finishes as an attempt to retain as stock appearance as reasonably possible (exterior looks 100% stock except for slightly lower stance) given the parts that are already in place (suspension, driveline). Mark my words, if and when I get a 65/66 vert, it will be planned and completed in a more timely, organize manner. Better yet, I may just purchase one already completed and save some money. [sm=goodidea.gif]
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