Hey ya'll, I'm new here, and lookin for a little help. I am in the process of purchasing a 77 mustang, found this guy online. I haven't seen it in person yet, so I'm not sure, but from what I can tell, the state of the vehicle is something like this.
Body: GREAT shape. not to say perfect, but very little rust, (unheard of around here) except on the hatch, which he says he has a replacement for, so not big deal. doesn't look pretty, but there's very little rust/damage, and just about all the pieces, minus the PS door handle, are there.
Interior. seats are in decent shape, and most of the other pieces are there. missing a few dash pieces and such, but mostly it just needs some tlc to get it all cleaned up etc.
Engine: He says it won't turn over. I haven't been able to tell whether that means it physically won't turn over, or just when you turn the key, it won't turn over. but either way it's gonna need work. However, it does have some upgrades in there, including aluminum valve covers, Holly 4 bbl. and aluminum intake. Other than that It looks like things are in decent shape.
My question. I'm thinking that I will probly pull the engine out just cause I want to do a thorough cleaning/repair of any rust, etc. on the frame. If I have the engine out, I might as well take it apart and clean it up as well. So I was wondering, if I do that, are there any (relatively) cheap things I could upgrade in there. I heard the camshaft could be better in the 302. Where would I go about getting a replacement, and about how much would it run me? and how much improvement am I going to get from that?
Also, just as far as minor things like seals, etc, what should be relaced? I'm sure I could figure out by trial and error, but I figure I might as well ask someone who knows.
Oh, and one final question. I'm not sure, but I think there might be an issue with the title; again, still in the process here. But if he does not have the title for some reason, how would I go about getting a title for it/what would I need as proof from him that it's legit.
Thanks for you help, sorry about the long post. :-)
Posts: 6878
Joined: 12/19/2006 From: Citrus County, FL Status: offline
Welcome to the forums!
about the title that depends on your state, and about the cam you can pick up a cheap bump stick for summit for under 100 bucks with lifters. the 218/228 .471/.471 is about the largest you can use with stock springs (and thats pushing it) but you will notice a dramatic imcrease in power so long as you dump the stock 2bbl intake and carb in favor of a 575-625 cfm 4bbl and a dual plane intake.
Mk so it has a 4 barrel carb and upgraded intake on it already (both holley I believe) those work? Also what's an estimate of the power increases vs loss in fuel econ. I know it will depend on my specific engine, but an estimate would be nice. :-)
Heard back from him and its a clear title. Yay!!! :-p
Posts: 6878
Joined: 12/19/2006 From: Citrus County, FL Status: offline
the power increase will be VERYYYYYY noticable, i had that cam i mentioned in a stock 302 with bbl intake and carb and it would absolutely destroy the tires from a stop
So someone help me out here...in round figures what are we talking for total HP if I have the aformentioned cam, 4bbl, intake. Everything else (as far as I know) stock. I go check it out tom, so I'll get to see what the situation is first hand.
wow, just out of curiousity, how do you get 250? I mean, I don't have any reason not to believe you, but that was a bit higher than I expected considering, as you said, they come 140ish. It does have dual exhaust btw.
K, so I went and checked it out yesterday, and I had a bit of a surprise (some good, some bad). bad first. The interior is in pretty rough shape. most everything is there, but it's gonna need quite a bit of TLC. Also, the locks are gone. so I'm gonna have to find them somewhere. Other than that, looks like the gas tank might need some help, but I can't tel til I can get underneath it for sure. rear hatch he has a replacement for, but the replacement has a busted windshield. so I have to put the glass from the rusted hatch in the good hatch. I have no experience changing glass, so that'll be fun. Steering column is partially unhooked, so I gotta do some work on that as well.
so, the good. The engine is a bute. From what I can tell just looking at it. It has an edelbrock head, edelbrock intake manifold, holley 4bbl carb, aluminum valve covers. And when I pulled off the valve covers...wow. I've never seen one of these before, but I have a feeling what I was looking at wasn't stock. I have NO clue how to tell what's stock and what's not, as I have nothing to compare it to. but once I get it I'll take some pics and post them, and maybe someone can tell me what they think.
Other than that, things are pretty much like he said. body is solid, cept I'm still not sure about the floor panels.
Since the pistons are froze up (least that's what he says) I was thinkin I'd drop a little lubricant in on top of them, let them sit over night, then try to turn it manually and see what happens. any brilliant ideas for what kinda lube?
Also, I'm probly gonna start a running blog as the project goes, and post pics and descriptions of what I've done. I'll post a link here when I get it set up. dunno if that'll interest anyone, but...there it is. :-)
So I am not working with stock springs...but I really don't know what the specs on the ones I have are. I believe they are edelbrock. basically my set up is edelbrock performer heads, and edelbrock push rods/rocker arms/springs. What size cam can I put in there with that set up?
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Cheap Upgrades/Maintenance - 
RE: Cheap Upgrades/Maintenance - 
so I'm gonna have to find them somewhere. Other than that, looks like the gas tank might need some help, but I can't tel til I can get underneath it for sure. rear hatch he has a replacement for, but the replacement has a busted windshield. so I have to put the glass from the rusted hatch in the good hatch. 
I have NO clue how to tell what's stock and what's not, as I have nothing to compare it to. but once I get it I'll take some pics and post them, and maybe someone can tell me what they think. 
