michael2938

Yeah, I just went back outside and measured... in order for me to get mine that low I would need to find another inch almost all around. My only option I think at this point is a new tub or somehow modifying the one I have now (which is fiberglass) -Mike

Hey! I know that guy! :)

I hope it helps you. My only guess is that people who changed the steering wheel in the past didn't properly line up that pin with the groove on the steering wheel and then crushing/breaking it when tightening the wheel down.

I really like the black color of the hood. Mine hasn't turned out that good, so it is getting repainted.

Glad to see this car on the road to recovery!

Here's what's on my '69 F code out of Dearborn: I had a tag on the radiator (can't remember if this had a VIN on it or not, but it probably did). Vin number on the dash (drivers side) Vin number stamped into fender apron behind shock tower -- on BOTH sides. -Mike

Someone wanted a mustang with better gas mileage and/or lower insurance rates. A I6 should help that, right? -Mike

I have a holley 600cfm carb and a edelbrock performer intake manifold on there. I didn't think either of those would cause this much of a difference though. There is no carb spacer on there. I worry that I still have something wrong with the engine mounts. We ended up raising the engine an inch or so because the fan was hitting the cooling lines in the radiator. It's an original '69 block with the correct fan blade, shroud, radiator mounts and radiator and in order for that to fit correctly I don't see how the engine could possibly go any lower. -Mike

Over the course of 3 years or so, I had been going to car shows looking for a gulfstream aqua '69 Mach 1. I never found one to see in person. It took me a long time to make a decision on the color, but I finally chose it even without seeing it in person. The other choice was Silver Jade and it took a long time for me to find one of those in person to see. Around me it seems the most popular color is red, assuming I can find a '69 sportsroof of any kind at all anyway. Its a great color and I can see why many people might choose it. -Mike

We spent 3 days non stop over the weekend (and Friday) getting a lot of work done -- interior is finished up, fenders, wheels, export brace, headlight buckets, grille assembly, front spoiler and other misc stuff is done. Started to fit the hood on the car and it's close, but now need to figure out why the shaker is too high and hitting the hood. -Mike

Thanks. There are some spots on the underside that I have to go back and touch up with black paint from scratching it and wet sanding the clear too much. I think the "wood grain" look is probably darker than it is supposed to be, but it was the closest I could get without it looking like some chocolate bar. I ended up buying a second switch after trying to get the first one in. I ended up breaking the first one in the process of trying to fit it in there. The wheel was just so warped and that groove for it was very messed up. After the first switch, I ended up using a dremel tool to widen the whole thing again and cut a bigger groove along the top and bottom sides. The second switch went in very smoothly after that. I still need to test it though... they seem so fragile I don't know how they would even continue to work after pressing the horn during normal use. -Mike

Well I finally finished up the restoration of the steering wheel. It's not perfect, but I think I'll be happy with it given the condition it started in. -Mike

oh man, this is just sickening to read. I had been following your updates for awhile and really enjoyed seeing your pictures of your car out on the road. That really sucks. Hopefully you can get things worked out with insurance to get it fixed up right. Curious, what did the other guy say to you? I'm hoping he feels bad that his screw-up damaged such a nice car. -Mike

Thanks. No, it's the original style. Here's what I have: http://www.cjponyparts.com/acc-carpet-mass-back-mach-1-1969/p/MC22BR/ -Mike

Are you able to fix the broken link on http://www.1969stang.com/ when you click on Forums?

Finally got the instrument cluster working (studs on the gauges were grounding out by touching the housing). The rear interior of the car is done, console, carpet, sill plates, majority of the dash is done except the radio and fixing the light switch again (those pot metal retainers that screw in the middle are crap).

Just got my instrument cluster working last week. Here's mine lit up.

I remember looking it up before I put it on, and now I'm pretty sure I have coil mounted in the correct place for a 351w w/ air -- behind the dipstick tube. -Mike

What you describe is how I have mine set up. S shaped hose goes from heater close closest to driver side to water valve, then intake. The other molded hose goes on that other fitting as you describe. It really seemed like the only way it would fit very well anyway. I tried to get it somewhat original. Here is a picture of mine (ignore the tiewraps, that was just temporary to hold it in place until I get something more original to hold them).

It took me about a week to figure out the new website was back online. My bookmarked URL now gives a 404 error: http://www.1969stang.com/mustang/forum/ And the "Forums" link on the main page http://1969stang.com/ also takes you to that broken url. It takes 3 seconds or so before it automatically redirects me here to the right place, but I was clicking that link before it had that chance. -Mike

I think we figured out a few things. Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but the plastic coverings are only on the alternator gauge because that is the only one where those studs have a full 12v going to them. All the other gauges are going through the constant voltage regulator and are only getting a pulsing 5v. So I guess there is more risk of burning down the car if something touches those on the alternator gauge. Speaking of which, I was almost going to order a new constant voltage regulator because it was getting 12v in but was only getting a pulsing reading up to 5v out. Apparently this is normal, so now I think that has been ruled out as the problem. Next, will take your advice and check the gauge studs again to see if anything is touching the housing. -Mike

Good catch. I went back to a picture from before I took it apart and you are right, it is on the other side only. Funny you bring this up, just yesterday we were trying to figure out why none of the gauges are working. We are thinking the constant voltage regulator needs replaced. Could that cover be contributing too?

Not sure what kind of material it is, but I ordered it from CJ Pony Parts. -Mike

Thanks. Yep, they are the 50 series delta flows.

It's been awhile since I posted an update. Unfortunately we were hoping to have the car done by this point, but we are still another month or two away. A few weeks ago we did get the car running for the first time: