JayEstes
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Posts posted by JayEstes
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A/C. What is that? Oh. Air conditioning. Yeah. Does not apply to 4 speed 428 Mach 1's. For me, A/C is opening the kick panel vents to allow searing flamethrower-like heat to enter the car singeing the hair from my legs. Worth it in my opinion although I would us the A/C if so equipped. Dave R.
If you have a 428 Mach1 stick, you already cashed in all your chips! you don't deserve A/C! Singed leg hair be damned, you lucky SOB!
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Another thing that you guys might not notice right away is the window tint. You don't find much talk about that even in these forums. Seems like most people here often don't even think about it. I bought a 35% visible light pass, and put it on the original "green tint" glass. Window adjusting a just a PITA believe me. We worked a few days on it, and I'm still not satisfied.
The tinting is needed here as I live in gulf coast TX, and teh summer last from Feb to Nov, so heat from the sun is a major major issue. I got the tinting with the ceramic IR and UV block. blocks 90+% of both of those rays. Not only good for heat rejection, but a help for the AC, and protects the interior fabrics surfaces from damaging sun.
Anyway, thought I would add that detail, as not many folks think about these things. Folks up north might not even want it if they are in a cold-biased state.
Jay
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I absolutely love that colour. I have seen two 2016 models in that colour here in Aus and I think it is by far the nicest. Right on dusk it has a lot of depth, absolutely beautiful.
Well done on getting to this point. For myself I feel it is many years away. I can't wait for the day when you can see the bottom of the list of the things to do. Enjoyment time from then on in. Congrats. Especially that you got to do the last bit of the adventure with your son!
Thank you. The color looks significantly different in the sunlight. These photos from a cloudy day. One thing is the metallic and pearl in the paint don't photo as nice as it appears to the eye. Much better in person with natural light.
I understand the feeling of "years away". Just remember that all the work in the meantime is the therapy you need to get there. For me, the work was a large part of the fun. Now I am just reaping the benefits of many years work. And I have to say I had hit a "stall" personally, even after paint, was struggling to find motivation, but my son pushed - there wasn't so much to do, and while there is a handful of things (power steering, AC, front spoiler, and Chrome wheel trim) to put back in, most everything else is new and good to go. FInally feels like it's really complete.
Your Mustang looks GREAT. I have the same tires on my 69 Coupe, I have 215/70R-14's in front, & 225/70R-14's in the rear, what size did you go with?.
I stressed about wheels and tires a LOT. I took as much info from this forum as I could, but I went with 15in wheels, 7 inch width. I had seen 4.25in backspace recommended and - unable to find that exact backspace in the Cragars- finally took a chance on 4+1/8in backspace. For tires, I loved the looks of these coopers! As attractive as any out there I am aware of. I bought 235 60R 15's all around (i want the flexibility to rotate tires as I expect to be driving this car on all the good weather days!).
FORTUNATELY, as advice from this forum usually goes, it worked out great. I have more than 1 in clearance from any fenderwell in full lock-lock turn, and no indication of any fender rub (a big concern for me - something I did not want to have to deal with). I did put all new (but original design) suspension in up front, and quality gas-adjust shocks. The ride is really nice - I'm very satisfied.
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To the rest of you guys complementing... Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's nice to hear that from men who know what a beauty these machines can be. And again, thanks for all the help!
Jay
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That's a modern FORD color "ruby red metallic" - same color on the 2016 mustangs rolling off the line. My wallet has a permanent scar from the $'s extracted to pay for it. It's a 3 (maybe 4) stage paint process, but if you get someone who knows how to prep the car, it sure comes out nice.
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This winter break, I have almost completed a 4 year or so restore of my old 69. My dad got it for me in 80, I drove her for about 10 years, and put her "down" in the garage. Didn't stay much outside, dad kept her for me for years, then kids, and when the boys turned teen, I brought her out and began the restore.
I've taken a TON of help from the kind people on this forum - which I am greatly appreciative of, and I've finally brought everything into a near final condition. I haven't posted many pics up to now, but I feel like with the addition of the final side stripes, and new wheels/tires, this old girl is ready for prime time.
After a big push over this holiday season, with fantastic help and encouragement from my son who is home from college, we have these pics from today:
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Most effective stripper I have used is "aircraft stripper" - available at your local HW store/home Depot/Loews. Really cuts everything on the metal, and doesn't take long. very messy job, though.
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I'm gonna have to try some "vapo-rust".... Looks great.
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Maybe check for proper crank-case ventilation. PCV valve etc.
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I don't know if they are galvanized or not, but they do have some kind of coating. You can't make then look too great without just painting them. About door latches, they can be a real pain to remove - especially the striker plates on the door jambs. Also- alignment/position is very important when you go to put them back.
One thing I do is I'll use wire brush, then a scotch-brite pad soaked in laquer thinner to clean them up. It will remove grease/paint/crud, just about anything that is on there. They'll look "better" but not great probably after this. One thing you might try is a light buffing wheel after that. It might brighten the finish enough to satisfy you. If not, I use Duplo silver (or grey) caliper paint (I get it at Advance Auto) to paint things like this. It has a similar semi-flat finish when your done that is fairly even. Be careful painting with it though - it is runny. And whatever you do don't get brake fluid on it - it melts away like crazy (ironically enough).
But if you have $, and you really want to do it right, go get some chrome ones. Those will cost you, but will look better than new. (BTW, on the door side, I'm not sure those come in chrome, but the striker plates do.)
Good luck. Post some pics when you're done!
Jay
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Quite possibly the most perfect convertible there ever was. 69, 351. Did they put a stick shift in that beauty? Thanks for sharing. <covet>
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Men- Thanks for the replies! I have bought some of the higher quality 35% tint. It contains the ceramic material so should be awesome at blocking UV, page I bought from said hi 90%'s+ UV block. I liked the idea of the darker tints, but didn't want to stray too far, from the original look. I think it will make a nice balance of my sun-blocking needs, and maintaining a mostly original look.
Mike- My doors have all weather strip off, and all interior trim is removed (she just got back from paint). My plan is to do the tint myself, and then find a way to "carefully" get it back in the car. I even have the regulator and everything removed from the doors. I'm assuming I'll install & prep the regulators, then tint windows, then line the door slots with some kind of thin temporary protector pad, and get windows in & mounted. Then go for weatherstripping window slot and door frames.
I've done a little bit of tint work in the past, long time ago. It should be easy since I can lay the windows on a table. I talked to a local shop to see if he would do the tint with windows out, and when the guy told me "it's actually harder with the windows not in the car", I thought to myself, "this guy is full of $hit... I'm not having him do the work". I'm assuming he was just gonna use that to extract more $'s out of me.
I like doing all the work, it just takes me forever, as I have a wife and kids, and well it seem like the shop time is limited to way late in the days when I am dog-tired. I suspect most of you know what I am talking about.
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Just warning you, that Ruby Red is high cost. Or at least was for me. My shop shot my car as "3-stage" for this color. more cost than a basic color with a clear. It's got a "pearlescent" stage that goes before the final clear. This middle stage makes the paint look great, but harder to spot (warning you now), and it hurt quite a bit to pay the bill. All said and done, I love how it looks now, but talk to me after the first major scratch/dent - I may hate myself then...
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agree. my 69 did not have that long pin across the width of the pedal.
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Steve-
as an aside.... that is one of the most beautiful convertibles I have ever seen! Congrats on owning that machine.
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Wow! That does look really good! Interesting you have the rocker chrome, but not the wheel well chrome. I'm adding the wheel well chrome, and the GT stripe (in my case white) and I'm thinking that will be enough, although based on your pic, the rocker trim may also a possibility. I don't know. Guess I'll decide when I get there... haha
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I got a request for a few side photos of the ruby red based on this thread. Posting them here as I could not figure out how to send via private message.
Caveats: The wheels are just "shop wheels" (15x6 with 70's) - old and functional, certainly not what she'll roll around with in public) , there is little to no chrome on in these pics, and a lot if not all of the vehicle trim/weatherstripping etc is not on. It makes the views a bit plain. Also, the stance is "unadjusted" from original other than it now has the shelby drop. The back end is high, but the vehicle is lacking a lot of weight (interior/windows/and anything in the trunk) and the shocks are new.
Mach1 Driver reacted to this -
Well, I do hope to drive it to work some of the time. I live in Houston, and it will be sitting outside in Texas heat for the bulk of the day if I drive it there. If you've ever lived anywhere near the texas gulf coast, you'd understand the need for these things in summer...
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Looks great. Good job. I see you have the chrome rocker molding. Was that also standard with the GT?
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I have a GT convertible in Acapulco blue with a white top and interior and I have not put the GT stripe on the car yet because the car has the exterior decor package which gives the car the thin stainless rocker molding and I don't know about having both the stripe and the thin rocker molding. For now neither are installed. What do you guys think?
Personally, I don't think both should go on. If it was me picking, I would put the GT stripe on, and not the chrome. Alternatively, you could put the chrome and not the stripe. I think the striped does a better job of decorating than the chrome, but the chrome does look nice. Main problem is the GT stripe is very low, right next to the rocker chrome, so both together is either too much or not necessary.
So, My opinion is put the GT stripe on, and sell the chrome.
FWIW. -Jay
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Looking for a passenger side quarter window glass...
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Another appearance question for you. I'm getting close to putting the windows back in. All 4 are in great condition and will soon get reinstalled. They are original windows with the greenish tint (glue in).
I live in Houston, TX area, so heat and UV is a major issue here. I want to add a window tint film to the side windows (windshield and rear window are original and still installed).
What have you guys used? I can't find many on here that talk about window tint. There are some new "ceramic" films that reject 99% IR & UV. I'm hoping to put one of those kinds in.
Do you have any advice?
Thanks in advance-
Jay
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I actually really like the idea of that fading stripe.... I'd want one with no lettering, but it's about the same width as the boss stripe (usually gold I think). But you could use that fade out stripe at about the same location with no lettering on a 69, and that would look pretty awesome. Good idea, in my opinion. Go do it, and send us pics!
I bought the white GT stripes from Phoenix Graphics as mentioned above. They don't cost alot, so as long as they are removable, I figure it's not a big risk at all. It kinda hacks me off that they don't make those stripes out of UV resistant materials, I woulda spent the extra. Living on the gulf coast, one thing I can tell you we get is hellish UV. Anyway, I didn't buy their UV protectant, I'll just get something else at the local store.
I haven't put the stripes on yet (and who knows when I will do that), but I promise to post pics when complete!
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Great comments guys! I think I am sold! I am currently planning on skipping the Grande chrome rocker strip, but keeping the wheel well chrome. I'm gonna add the white GT stripes on the side, but they won't say anything and they will be plain white over the red.
Question about the stripes: I really like this site: http://www.phoenixgraphix.com/ford/sk105.php, but I notice one of the things they sell is "UV protectant" that you have to spray on the stripes.... Seems to me that any stripe kit worth it's salt would already be made of UV resistant materials... Do y'all have any recommendation for quality stripes (say 3M brand) or something? Not sure I want to buy into cheap stripes on this brand new nearly perfect paint.... ALSO, can I buy "gloss stripes" or are they satin/flat? I'd really prefer some gloss so they semi match the paint...
Thanks for everyone submitting thoughts. Gave me good feeling about the way I was leaning, and I'm headed off that way. I promise to post pics a month or so from now after this stuff is in place!
Jay
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I would like some opinions. let me have it, just be honest. I reserve the right to do whatever the hell I like after I get some advice, but I'm looking for your thoughts.
I've got a beautiful coupe. It's a base model 302/C4 - nothing really special other than ALL original VIN's in place, engine/tranny/ everything rebuilt - she's probably better than new (I've sure spent more than was ever put into it, and it's questionable if I'd ever be able to get out what I've put in. It's ok because the car is sentimental (bought for me by my super cool dad, from my Uncle (who was second owner) in 1980. I'll never sell, and I've got 2 boys both of whicj would be happy to keep her when I'm gone.
I've rebuilt the whole thing and paint is now done. I wanted to paint on some stripes, but dear God... the cost of paint alone liked to killed me - so I left them off. It came out great, "Ford Ruby Red Metallic" which I am happy with, but it's a dark color and it "needs some decoration" to make it look better (IMHO). I'm not into going "far afield" form the original....
...but I'd really, really like some white stripes on it.
I really think this would look great: http://www.phoenixgraphix.com/ford/sk105.php
BUT, my car is not a GT. I don't wanna be a "pretender". How egregious of a sin is it to apply GT stripes to a regular coupe? I'm inclined to just do it, but I'd like to know what you guys think, if I'm way off in minority land, and everyone will just troll me on "pretending", I'd probably not care for that at all.
So what do you think? Is it dumb to put GT stripes on a standard coupe? Or, do I deserve to do what I like? How much crap might I get if I show it?
Other things I am doing for looks:
- Probably going with Cragar SS Chrome Wheels
- White letter tires (either Cooper or Goodrich)
- I've already bought the "grande' wheel well chrome" edging (some installed and I love it)
Alternatively, I'm thinking of doing the grande chrome wheel-well-wheel-well strip instead of the GT stripe.
Thoughts? Yeah, It's my car and I will do whatever I like, but it never hurts to get some advice from folks you respect.
Thanks in advance-
Jay
Wrapping up this ~4 year Restoration
in Project Progress Forum
Posted · Report reply
I know! 2017 will be the first year of driving for this machine in a long, long time. Finally!