Print Dad

Hello Doctor, Welcome. I too have a 70 Mach. Just for kicks, have you tried to tighten the 4 bolts that hold the carb to the intake? Perhaps they are just loose but that would most likely give you a vacuum leak. Your carb is a workhorse and pretty simple to rebuild. I agree with 69RavenConv, if you are not comfortable doing it your self get a good mechanic to do it. You may find an old Ford guy at your local Ford dealer or they can tell you a person who can do the job. As mentioned it is not that hard but if unsure, let someone do it. I would keep the carb - 100% sure I would. Print Dad

Hello all, I hope you all have a great Christmas and look forward to a great New Year. Remember, we bitch about the cold, snow and how our cars run/donn't run.....but remember there are many men and women away from families serving our country in other lands. We should just be glad we are safe and we have "toys" Merry Christmas......... Print Dad (Jim)

First to the many people who read/responded to the this post.....THANKS..... I think we have all been in a dark spot at one time or another. This forum and this thread I think represents all the good that is our hobby. This guy has been on a roller coaster ride for quite some time. Just when he thinks things are getting better, they get worse. Very frustrating and discouraging. I know, I have been there. So to all I can only say....... Thanks I think you have given HOPE at a time of the year when it is really needed. My wish is that perhaps someday I can help others. Merry Chistmas/Happy Holidays to all. Print Dad

Hello All, Just wanted to say Mike has posted some pictures of the damage in the garage portion of the forum. Jayru...exactly what I am trying to tell him. Don't let this get you. In the end, the car will get fixed and he'll have a great car. I hope others can post some more ideas to give him HOPE. What a sucky time of the year for this to happen. Print DAd

Hello d.reese, In order to get classic auto insurance for a stated value, the car must be in a secure locked garage. Their are regulations as to what type of garage walls it must have. Our Mach is stored in a cinder block garage and when I went to insure the car Hagerty gave me some trouble because when I sent in pictures, they saw a car port in the driveway. The car port is in front of the garage but I use that for our daily driven Mustang. I agree classic auto insurance is very reasonable (about 100 per year per ten thousand). In my opinion it is a great deal but you gotta be able to meet the requirements for housing the car. Thanks for taking the time to share. Print Dad

Hello Fordrevhead, Thanks for the advice. This poor guy can't even get to the car to check it out. The roads are not passible. he sent me a picture of the car...look like a pile of snow where the garage once stood. I don't know what he will do. The motor trouble and now the crush. I don't even know where I'd start. I try to tell him that this can be fixed as well but in my heart I don't know if I would have the inner strength to go on. He and his family really love the car but they have had problem after problem. He was looking to have a strocker put in but that was gonna coast about 10 grand to have installed with a new tranni. oh yeah..I think there is an issue with the tranni as well. This is a real tuff time to have such trouble. It will be hard to be jolly at Christmas for him I am sure. I wish there was a good mechanic close to him that could tell him exactly what is going on. I have found this forum and it's members to be a source of help/ info and most of all HOPE. Sometimes when things are going bad it is great to have a "friend" to talk to. My first dealings with the forum where with a guy "wrenchman from Indiana" and I will never be able to thank him for all the advice and help he has given me. EWe have become friends over the net and I can't express how much he has helped me. I am trying to do the same for this young man who needs a boost. Thanks and sorry for the soapbox lengthy post but I/he need our help. Jim

Hello Raven69Conv, Thanks for taking the time to write. Thanks also for the tip on the parts. I got another e-mail from my buddy and he says the roads are all bad and he can't get to the car. He thinks his parents may try to dig the car out. Not good news on the insurance issue. Because he didn't have permanent garage, he could not get classic insurance. I know it is hard to imagine his feelings but I sure would be depressed over this. In his latest e-mail he wrote that he knows some parts can be found but he mentioned a few he thought would be hard to find. He wrote "for example the stainless steel exterior trim pieces that surrounds the windshield. " He might have been looking for this before, I don't know but right now he is just about at his end. Thanks for your help. This is certainly a bad time of the year to have such a problem. I am just trying to gather some info to offer him hope and ideas. I hope others will take the time to try and help as well. Thanks and I hope Santa take notice of your kindness. Print DAd

Hello all, Very recently, I introduced a friend to this forum. He has a 70 vert that has a 302 and motor noises and smoking exhaust. Many peoplelike I don't think his problem is in the lower end of the motor. Some seem to think it is in the valve train. Well today he sent me a depressing picture. It looks like a pile of snow, which he told me is his beautiful car. The car is real nice and he has had trouble after trouble. The car was in a cavas? type gargare at his father's house a few miles from where he lives. They got hit with heavy snow (about a foot) and the garage collapsed on the car. He has not seen the car but his mom sent a few pictures and he thinks all the windows are smashed and the roof is crushed. I have several questions: 1. - Will his car insurance cover this? 2. - If the car insurance doesn't will the home insurance cover it? If either insurance company covers the loss, what can he get as far as parts. Will he have to get used parts or can he order from places like Mustangs Unlimited etc? If in fact the convertible roof is crushed, what type of work will it be to fix?' I don't know much about verts, but I am sure there is support rods that go across the roof. Will these have to be replaced? AS far as all the windows, can he get new ones or are they going to be hard to acquire? I advise him to take several pictures of the car under the mess and then remove the snow and canvas roof to see what is going on? If the roof is ruptured he will have wetness in the interior. I am looking for some advice for him because right now he is frustrated, upset and depressed about the whole car in general. He is a great guy and I sure would like to be able to advise him as a friend. I know this post is kinda trivial compared to most, but right now he needs some glitter of hope. Thanks for taking the time to read/ respond. Print Dad (Jim)

Hello All, Print Dad responding to the posts. I greatly appreciate any and all ideas you people have to offer. I just got an e-mail from this poor guy and his garage collapsed with a foot of snow on the roof. I saw a picture and it look like a snow pile. The car is not at his home but he plans to go and see it Sunday I think. He thinks the roof is crushed and the windows broken from what he sees in the picture. This guy has no luck at all. I am posting another thread to ask for some ideas regarding insurance and other issues. I can't believe his luck. The garage I am pretty sure was one of those canvas type huts that has a door like a tent. Just thought I'd let you guys know why he has not repsonded. Print DAd

Hello S code 69, I am not sure where Big Secz is but I know a little more info I can provide. Keep in mind, my friend is pretty new to wrenching but this is what happened. One day while driving, his gas pedal linkage stuck and the motor revved till he shut it off. He fixed the linkage but the car was running rough. He talked to several Mustang people and they told him about mechanic A. He took the car to mechanic A and the mechanic thought it was a carb issue so they swapped out the carb. The car was still not running well so Mechanic A installed a Petronix and adjusted the rockers. Ironically it was at this time that the radiator blew. So Big S took the car back to the mechanic and this mechanic thought there was a wrist pin or piston slap. Mechanic A advised to take the car to mechanic B. Upon researching "Big" found that mechanic B was highly recommended by local Ford people. The car was still running rough and there seemed to develop a problem in the tranni or flex plate. It was thought that the problem could be in the rear-end. When you coast down there is a bang sound??? It is a C-4 auto but that is not the main issue. The car was taken to mechanic B. Mechanic B was told of all that was done and the concern of a piston slap. Mechanic B kept the car for about 10 days and did adjustments to the carb, rockers etc. The car was picked up and driven about 30 minutes to home. When the car arrived home, there were noises in the motor. The car sat and was finally taken to a retired mechanic. This mechanic did compression and vacuum tests and was happy with the numbers but we don't know what they were. This last retired gentleman, adjusted the valves and returned the car. Now the motor has a roughness and there is still noises. It would be a shame to pull the motor apart only to find out that there is no problem with the pistons and pins. I have not seen many wrist pins loosen on Fords but I guess it could be that. If I am correct the piston should slap more under load. I have listened to several videos and each time I hear noises that seem to be from the rockers. I am no mechanic and I know it is hard to figure things out over the net, but I am not certain he has a major problem. Now I think he is getting nervous upon seeing the exhaust smoke. He does not want to rebuild the motor unless he knows that this is what is wrong. I am sure he will post soon. Must be busy with the holiday preperations. Thanks S code and all the others. I just think his trouble is not as bad as what people are telling him they could be. Print Dad

Hello S code 69, Thanks for helping out. I am just curious if you heard a wrist pin in the video? I know it is most difficult to hear but I have listened to a few of his videos and I couldn't hear much but noise from the valve train. I also realize it is next to impossible to analyze with just a short video but I am looking for ideas here. I suggested to him to measure the rocker travel perhaps a worn lobe? I just can't help but think it is top end related. I also suggest hooking up a temp oil pressure gage to see what that shows in real numbers. Perhaps this will help. This car is getting him down because of all the trouble and use of several mechanics. I just wish I were smarter and could help more. To you and all the others that have offered help..Thanks. I hope a few more people will chime in with their opinions as well...... Print Dad

Hello All, This is the old Print Dad. This is my friend having sooooo much trouble. What he has not said is that he has tried taking the car to several "reputable" recommended mechanics and each time he does, it seems get worse. He needs HELP. I know it is very hard to tell much from videos but that's all we got. This is a guy that needs your help. He has spent a lot of money and the car is far from right. I told him this forum was filled with great helpers. I do believe in this forum. Why would it be that each time a mechanic adjusts the rockers they sound like crap in less than 35 miles? Could he have a lobe issue or an oil pump problem.. I advised he hook up a cheap ol pressure gage to check things. One mechanic thinks he has a bad wrist pin. I couldn;t hear it in the videos but what do you people think. I really want to help this guy. Thanks to all and any and all suggestions greatly appreciated.... Print Dad

Hello 69 RestoRod, Yup that is the part for sure. A little more than I had hoped for but they are so damn hard to find. Thanks THANKS THANKS..... I really am glad I at least can get one. Great help. Print Dad

Hello 69Cobraman, Thanks but I can't find the web sight. Are these new parts? Thanks once again........ Print Dad

Hello All, Sorry for the lack of info on the post. As Bruce suggested, I am looking for the map light that goes below the clock on the pass side. I never even realized our car didn't have one. I guess it was an option for the Mach but not too many people have them. Thanks Print Dad

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone here knows where to get a map light for my Mach. I plan to pull the dash pad soon to install a new heater core. Odd but I don't think I ever noticed the car had no map light. It would be a cool feature Thanks as always...... Print Dad

Hello All, A new wrinkle in the tire choice. I like the Cooper Cobras but can't find the tires in 225/60/14. I am looking all over the net and can't find them. Does anyone know of a place that has them or can someone suggest a different brand? We want a solid raised white letter if possible. I was possible thinking of 235/60/14 for the rear and 215/60/for the rear, not sure how that would look and if it is a good idea to go with the mixed size. I like the look of a wide tire, but I am pretty certain the rims are 7 inch wide. As always I appreciate any help and ideas. Print Dad

Hello Mach1Rider, Wow.... This has me thinking a bit more. I never dreamed I could get that size tire under her. We like the look of a wide tire and I was not certain what I could use with the rims I have now. I am almost certain they are 7" wide. Thanks for the info and for all the help in the past. You are a great helper to this forum....... Print Dad

Hello LSG, Thanks a lot. This is just the kind of info I am looking for. I figured some of the members would be running pretty big tires. I never dreamed that big tho. LOL It must give a mean profile. Thanks again. Print Dad

Hello Tom, First I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Thanks for the tips/ideas. Yes I plan to stick with the Cragers and 14 for at least awhile. I am a bit concerned with the width on the back. I don't want to hit the inner fenders. I have looked for a conversion that would help me know if the F-70 is equal to the 225's. I may check around a bit more. I hope you get to spend a little time on the car this week-end. Be well my friend and keep wrenching....... Jim

Hello all, Been awhile since I have been on the forum but I need some advice and help. I am planning to purchase tires for our 70 Mach 1 - -351c - - stock suspension The car had F-70 14's on crager classics. I would like to run 215 70 14 on the front and 225 70 14 on the rear. I am certain the tires I took off (about 30 years old) were F-70 14. Before I order, I wanted to double check that the above sizes will fit. I am pretty sure the front will be fine but how about the rear? Are they a little too wide? I figure someone here has purchased tires for their 70 Mach and I want to be certain I get the right size. I plan to get Cooper Cobras Thanks....... Print Dad

Hello jmlay, When you say remove the assembly do you mean the instrument assembly. Sorry but I am a bit confused. I read in an old Chilton's that I could remove the pad, clock, radio and then disconnect the cables for the heater and then unbolt the box and she should pull forward. On the internet I found a post that said it is a lot of work and eveything must come out. I am a bit confused. They mention pulling the steering wheel, dropping the ignition switch and basically taking everything out. I am a total dummy on wires and feel for sure I will break things. If i must do a lot of removal I must but I am still a bit uncertain. This is where I looked http://1970mgr.org/_HeatBoxRemove.htm Any thoughts,,,,pros/cons Thanks as always Print Dad

Hello All, I should have mentioned the car is a 70 Mach with no air. I read in several places I gotta drop the steering wheel, remove the instrument cluster, pad, pass side clock. It seems like evrything. I ws hoping it would be a little easier. I was hoping a bit easier. I am afraid of touching the instrument cluster. Thanks......... Print Dad

Hello Tom, Thanks for the reply. I was looking this project up and it may involve removing the dash pad, instrument cluster, Dropping the steering wheel and a whole lot of stuff. I really hope not especially where I stink at wires. There was no rain and there isn't moisture under the heater box that I see. I am hoping it isn't the core but I think perhaps I messed things up a bit when I worked on the intake. Perhaps a little movement on the core tube was all it took. I'm just starting to check things out. Thanks again for the post. I hope others will have some good news like i only have to remove the pad and glove box but we shall see. Print DAd........ Jim

Hello Tom, Glad to hear you are going for now. Maybe just maybe if you live right the rocker will never be an issue again. Ss advised, keep an ear on it. Be extra careful the first few drives. Then always be aware that it could loosen. My hope is that it won't. In my opinion Tom, you have graduated to grade 10 at least. I think you have learned a lot since this project started so I say. "Cheers". Well done grasshopper...... Print Dad