Johns Summer of 69

So what's the latest with this project?

Not sure if this helps or not but I currently have 18 inch wheels. Would the FiTech EFI setup work better than the Sniper EFI?

When completed this will become my daily driver. Right now its slow to get moving and I want some more punch if/when I give it the gas. I believe it currently has 2.80 ratio. I am in search of trying to get the best of both world's with maybe leaning more towards optimal hwy driving. It is currently 351 Windsor, 4-barrel Holley with edelbrock dual plane intake, FMX transmission, 2.80 gears. My plan is to get something like the Holley Sniper EFI setup and an AOD transmission. So I was thinking something in the 3.20-3.50 range should "wake" it up without sacrificing going 70mph on the highway. What would be your recommendations? My daily commute is about 1/2 hwy and 1/2 in-town driving each day.

So the pluses are that I worked on re-gluing the driver's window and working on the mechanism. Got the Monte Carlo bar installed and a few radiator overflow can. They finally replaced the turn signal arm and upgraded to the new steering wheel. WOW, what a difference from stock.

So the last 2 weekends have been some pluses and minuses. I have been trying to diagnose the problem of the brake lights not working. The previous owner had a "custom" shop do the updates to the brakes and wheels. They did some "custom" work alright. They used some sort of new brake arm which had a modern brake light switch, which of course wouldn't work, so they drilled out the old switch to fit the new brake arm - which of course isn't going to work. So I replaced that and in doing so noticed a wire had shorted out that they just tied out of the way, or they caused the problem and moved it. Well after the new switch didn't fix it, I moved onto the headlight switch and found this...ugh. So now my new plan will be to rewire the car and in doing so, get the brake lights working as well.

This was over a couple of weekends. I purchased all that was needed to rebuild the front-end only to realize that I didn't need to install everything if I was going to get the car painted. So I stopped at this point. I then elected to rebuild the front turn-signals instead of purchasing new ones. Then I rebuilt the shifter with new bushings, hardware and new chrome pieces.

My plan is to complete as much of the work as possible by myself with the except of major work: paint and body/etc. Plans for the build include: Engine bay: new cooling system, EFI, updated wiring, valve covers, air cleaner, coil, overflow can, Monte Carlo bar. Paint and body: fix all rust, replace, trunk lid, hood, hood scoop, side scoops, dechrome, racing mirrors, weatherstripping, maybe new color. Lighting: all LED with updated wiring to handle it. Interior: carpet, seats, panels, headliner (Mustangs to Fear?), delay wipers, steering wheel, shifter Tranmission: AOD rear axle: 3:50 gears AND whatever else is left...

Sitting outside for years, then sitting in a well used garage has not been kind to the car. Besides the fender bender in the front, rust has crept in all the usual spots, it sports some new dings and the paint is shot.

This is how I bought it back in January. Foose wheels, tires and disc brakes (with power booster). The engine was the same way I left it.

Specs of the car (originally) 1969 Hardtop 351 Windsor 2V V-8 250hp (not sure it's original to the car, engine has AC mount) Drum brakes Raven Black paint Black Vinyl interior FMX trans 2.80 rear axle

So the back story to this car is that I owned it 17+ years ago, but decided to give it up because my responsibilities changed and it wasn't practical at the time for my family (new father). Up until this point all the cars I owned were old and daily drivers AND I didn't have the money to get them into the shape I wanted. I had gotten into a fender-bender with the Mustang on the passenger's side and didn't have the resources to fix it. So I let it go to a father/son who were going to fix it up and restore it to former glory for the son. Well that didn't happen and it sat outside for 7-8 years and things didn't improve. So I knew the older brother who then bought into it (half) with the intention of fixing it up slowly. He had his father-in-law do some of the work (fender, radiator support), but it everything came to a grinding halt when he suddenly pasted away. So it sat for a few years in the garage gathering dust and scratches. He then wanted to make the push to move forward and hired a custom shop to start work on it with brake, wheels and tires. All this time I kept tabs on it with the offer "let me know if you ever want to sell it." So I get the call at the first of the year. Basically he's not going to finish it and needs to sell it. WOW! The opportunity to "fix" regrets doesn't come by very often, so I talked with the wife and she said go for it. So that's the first part. Now I'm starting the journey for completion. I'll be posting up pictures and I move along and will catch up with the previous work and try to give a detailed list of what I have done and plan to do for those interested.