Jimjific

Pak, Thanks for the clarification. If I'm reading you right, all is not lost and our past may return to us in the future. The thing that makes these types of sites so powerful and valuable is the ability to search for previous solutions to issues/suggestions/modifications that others have done. Thanks, Jim

I guess I'm confused. Looks like all of my stuff/history is gone. Old posts, Old topics I started and galleries. Search doesn't seem to find anything so I assume all my "tutorial" threads are gone. Why did we do this? Jim

I'm all for rack and pinions since they are far superior than a worm gear box, but I would think for ~$3k and the non ease of this install you could probably do it easier and save some money with other systems. Plus remember that their system still needs to be upgraded to make it a power rack. I'm not knocking their system since it is probably very good when finished. It just seems too involved for me. If you get one, keep us informed on how it all goes. Jim

Go with a rack setup and you will never want to own another Mustang without one. I have a rack, coil overs, jointed strut rods, a STRAIGHT Monty Carlo bar tied into the shock towers and a 1" sway bar. This has given me the best handling Mustang I've ever had. Jim

I wouldn't waste time and money on the original setup unless you are building a car for show and are looking to be judged. There just is no comparison of a stock system to a good rack setup. My rack system uses a "J" car GM rack ~$100 from Napa. Yes there is a little turning radius loss but It doesn't bother me because 99% of the time I'm using the car, I'm not trying to turn lock to lock. Ask yourself this, how many new cars are using the ram system vs. a rack? Steering boxes use worm gears which have high wear. I will never own another Mustang without doing this conversion. Also, it is reversable if you ever sell the car and someone wants to change it back for God knows why. My two cents, Jim

True enough. I live in upstate NY and I have a battery side fender apron that I need to put in. It has been two years and every winter I tell myself I will do it but then it gets cold and crappy. When driving season starts again, I want to drive it more then take it apart. Next thing I know, it's Fall again. Jim

Yes, those are the ones. Mine had two on each side. I took one out and it raised the steering some and the plastic coverings still looked good. Jim

Another thing I did to make more room was I removed two of the spacer blocks where the steering wheel mount to the dash. My car had two on either side of the steering shaft. Jim

I use the same one as Pak and I have no complaints either. Being I have a blue interior with black accents it looks like it belongs with the interior. The horn button is the only pin in the but part but once on, no issues. Jim

I'm not sure If I'm on the MIA list, but my posting of things has slowed because I haven't really done anything cool or interesting to share with the car for a bit. The job is in jeopardy so I've been in saving mode for about a year. I have lots of ideas I'd like to do, but if the job goes so does the car. Jim

I got this sent to me from WCCC. There is some good info in the video. Personally I use a rack. It cost me less than $1K to do and will never own a Mustang without one. Jim

I bought a pair of door speakers from Mustangs Unlimited and I am very disappointed with them. I have to run the radio volume at over 80 (0-100) to get sound out of them. After a couple of weeks, the right side has a buzz so bad that I have to have the fader setting set mostly to the back. Jim

I'd take your Mach over it any day of the week.

I agree with Big Secz. A steering box will never be as good as a modern rack system. Also, be careful with the adjusting screw. A steering box will typically have a dead spot at the top of the wheel this is because that is the area in the gear box that gets used the most. Worm gears wear faster than racks because the worm slides along the gear it is driving vs. rolling like it does in a rack. If you adjust out the play at the dead spot you run the risk that you will be to tight on the ends of the steering motion. This is why I put a rack in my car. Jim

I agree with Big Secz. A steering box will never be as good as a modern rack system. Also, be careful with the adjusting screw. A steering box will typically have a dead spot at the top of the wheel this is because that is the area in the gear box that gets used the most. Worm gears wear faster than racks because the worm slides along the gear it is driving vs. rolling like it does in a rack. If you adjust out the play at the dead spot you run the risk that you will be to tight on the ends of the steering motion. This is why I put a rack in my car. Jim

Copied from a previous post of mine. What is your target top RPM? Engine Size - 302 RPM - ?? Vol. Efficiency = ~.85 Use this equation: ((Engine Size x RPM)/3,456)/Vol. Eff. = CFM Or in your case: ((302 x RPM)/3,456)/.85 = CFM So if you are going to spin your motor up to 5K rpm then: ((302 x 5000)/3,456)/.85 = 514CFM Jim

I've been working on a design for my own crank handle switch that will control the passenger window as well. My design will have two sets of switches in the drivers switch box. The shaft that holds the window crank will be able to be pulled out perpendicular to the shaft to allow you to control the passenger side and push it back in for the drivers window. I have to get my mill up and running before I can start on this future project. Jim

Bob, I didn't really understand the double "R" thing either. Maybe he's thinking Really Rare? I caught the piston thing too. I'm assuming the machining means it is bored out and the original pistons need changing. Jim

Yea, it has a lot of neat options. Non-Mach 428, 4spd, tach, sports seat. Interesting that it looks like manual drum brakes. The only real ugh for me would be the Meadowlark Yellow paint. Jim

Check this out if you haven't yet. http://www.ebay.com/itm/111469298829?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Seems like it would be a cool car to have. Jim

Well, I finally got the Cougar sold so now the Mustang is definitely staying. The good part is I sold it to a friends son and they are local so I will hopefully get to see the restoration. I also now have some cash to spend on either the Mustang or the 69 C-10 Pickup. Jim

indianfiremach, Thanks for the info. I had a 70 Mach 1 years ago and it had one of those and I always wondered what it was. One interesting thing though, my Mach 1 was a 351C 2V with an FMX. Jim

Bob, You are correct, I didn't tell her that I put an ad out on it and she was not happy with me. Yes also that she is a keeper, I think she knows me better than myself and that I have always had Mustangs and to not have one would make me miserable. Jim

Well the governor (My wife) stepped in gave the Mustang a reprieve from execution. She wasn't too happy that I put it up for sale. So it is off the market. Jim

Sorry for the late replies. I was on vacation and forgot to look back on this thread. I've put both cars, my 68 Cougar XR7 GT and the Mustang on Craigs list. Whatever one sells first I will keep the other. I'm loosing my barn that I store the Cougar in so one has to go. So RPM, I might not be loosing the Stang if the Cougar sells. The 302 badge and scoope were put on by previous owner. It is a true 302 car thought. As for more pictures: Suspension1 http://www.1969stang.com/mustang/forum/showthread.php?t=12922 Suspension2 http://www.1969stang.com/mustang/forum/showthread.php?t=13559 Interior http://www.1969stang.com/mustang/forum/showthread.php?t=14250 Re Upholstering http://www.1969stang.com/mustang/forum/showthread.php?t=11364 Monte Carlo Bar http://www.1969stang.com/mustang/forum/showthread.php?t=12434 Jointed Struts http://www.1969stang.com/mustang/forum/showthread.php?t=11532 Link to my photo gallery http://www.1969stang.com/gallery/Jim-Quinns-69-Fast-Back?page=1 From recent Car show: