KMD88

Hey everyone, Have a bit of an odd question and I'm probably overthinking it. So, I've had my 69 Mach 1 for 3 years now. I love it, but when I first got it I didn't really have a place to work on it. So when getting it up and restored, I had to do it through a reputable mechanic or just let it sit. The goal of having this car was being able to learn about it and work on it myself, but I decided to get the car safe and drive-able. I now have a small garage and want to start doing some modifications (EFI being one at the top of my list), but I know I need someone to show me the ropes. I could watch a thousand YouTube videos (and I have), but someone has to look at my particular Mach 1, what's been done to it (before me and after) and really hold my hand through this process. Plus, I want to learn by doing. Has anyone ever looked for a mentor to help them learn about their car? I don't really know anyone locally, so I'm thinking of joining the local chapter of a mustang club here in Los Angeles. If anyone has any additional advice about how to learn about my car so I can start working on it myself, that would be great. You guys are the pros, so just thought I would ask in case there's more to consider.

Hi everyone, Moved into a new house and my garage is pretty tight when it comes to backing out. I'm looking for back-up camera options for my '69 Mach 1; potentially something that I could stick on and install myself that doesn't require an Al & Ed's-type service or any dashboard fabrication. I know there's a ton of options on Amazon, but not sure they would work with a 69. If anyone has been in a similar boat, please let me know what you did. Thanks!

I live close to Burbank. Know that's a couple hundred miles away, but if you got any good referrals I'd be happy to look into them.

Thanks J's69Mach1 and det0326 for the questions and advice. Hi det0326. I have an electric choke. Even if it was hanging, would that explain the clear smoke and gasoline smell? Think you may be right about the fuel pump having gone bad, J'S69Mach1. The car is currently in a 2-level underground garage (moving in a month to my own private garage, ironically enough) so I have to deal with towing. Is there anything I could do on my own just to get the car going and get it to the mechanic without having to tow?

Hi everyone, Woke up to a weird issue with my Mach 1 (351 Windsor, carburated). I was out of town for a few weeks and so the car was sitting in the garage for that time. Turned the key and the engine just wouldn't start (though the ignition did work). Thought I might have drowned the carburator, but even clearing the carburator didn't seem to start her up. Finally got the car to start, but the engine sounded really sluggish. Pulled the car briefly out the garage, but that sluggishness just wouldn't go away. Then I noticed I smelled gas and a plume of clear smoke started coming from the exhaust. Got the car parked in the garage again, and turned off the motor. Tried again an hour or two later with the same issue. So, I can get the car to start, but the engine sounds weak and I keep getting that clear smoke/gasoline smell coming from the exhaust. Checked the oil and the dip stick is reading that the levels are fine. Even the oil seems to be pretty good. It's a little dark, but there's no grime or anything. Wanted to see if this sounds at all familiar to anyone. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks dmck. I'll be sure and do that first.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. It's sounding more and more like the starter. It would also make a bit of sense. When I pulled into the gas station, there was a small pothole that I dipped into on the right side. Maybe that knocked something loose wiring-wise and is causing the heat soak.

Hi everyone, Had a weird experience with my '69 Mach 1 that I'm trying to pin down. Here's the timeline over the last week: The day after New Year's, I took my girlfriend for a ride for about an hour. Filled up the car and accidentally over-filled the tank; causing some spillage. No issues on the ride back and everything seemed fine. Yesterday I took the car to the gas station to buy something in the convenience store. Come back to the car 2 minutes later, and when I turn the key, it doesn't start. Try it one more time and I get something; almost like the car has just enough juice to ignite one more time. It sounded like the starter was barely providing power to the engine. The car starts, sounds relatively normal (though maybe a little lower than normal for a typical idle) and I drove home to my garage about a minute away. I get in my garage and turn off the car. I try to start the car again right away and there's no ignition at all. The seat belt and car lights are on, just no ignition. Try multiple times with the same result. At first I thought it may be the battery. Tried giving it a jump but nothing happens. So I basically rule out the battery being the culprit. Next Day (about 20 hours later): I go down to my garage to examine the ignition and to take some video for this forum. I turn the key without even putting my foot on the pedal (it's still a carbureted 351 w); just to see if I get any reaction out of the starter...and the car starts right away! Again, I didn't even put my foot on the pedal and this is 20 hours after I last drove the car. Tested the starter a few more times and the car starts every time. Haven't driven it around yet. So now I'm stumped. What happened yesterday? As a small note, it's a getting a little colder here, but I live in Southern California and we're talking somewhere in the low 60's, coldest. So don't think that could be a factor at all. Any guesses or responses appreciated. Thank you.

Thank you!

Hi everyone, Was driving and–somewhere along the way–one of my hood pins came loose. Luckily, the pin stayed but the nut and washer flew off. Can anyone tell me the size/dimensions of the nut and washer that goes under the pins? Thanks!

Yeah, that's the thing. The current one I have is fitted. It's just too thick and bulky to take on and off every day. The microfiber sheets may be an option I should look into. Thanks @TexasEd

Hi everyone, My 69 is in a shared private closed garage. It's safe from the elements, but I'd prefer to keep it covered to avoid attention. Is there a car cover or sheet out there that can simply drape over the car? I already have a weather-proof/thick car cover, but it's a pain in the ass to take on and off. I just want something I can drape over the car with ease every day. Any options out there? Thanks.

Is this what I basically need? https://www.cjponyparts.com/redline-lumtronix-headlight-power-upgrade-harness-for-four-headlights-1969/p/HVU2/

Thanks for the info CapeMustang. Looks like this could be the culprit. I'll look into installing relays with the info provided here.

Hi everyone, Just replaced my headlights in my 69. Drove it for about 40 minutes at night, then hit the freeway. Was on the freeway for about 5 minutes or so, averaging 50-60 mph. Right as I was exiting, I noticed my headlights begin to dim, then shut off completely. Then they came back on. Right after, I drove down a main street for about 2-3 minutes with the lights still going in and out; fighting to stay on. Finally I flipped the light switch in and back out; which seemed to do the trick. No problems for the rest of the night, but I didn't get back on the freeway. What could be the issue? The car drove fine the entire night; even during the headlight issue. My interior lights stayed lit as well; never dimming. Thanks,

Thanks 1969_Mach1.

Thanks everyone for your help. Got the car back over the weekend, and did some experiments. Cold Start (sitting for a day or so) – 2 Pumps. Crank. Warm Start (Within half an hour) - Half a pump. Mid-Way (about an hour or more) – crank and press down about 3/4* By the way, is there anything wrong with cranking, then adding gas? I know it's supposed to be reversed, but was just curious if it makes a difference. Thanks!

You may be onto something here. There was one day where temps were unusually high. After about an hour, I started the car and it acted as if it was flooded. Had to put my foot down on the pedal and crank until it started running. Also, we found the throttle cable retainer was broken at the carburetor bracket, so that's being replaced as well. Could that have contributed at all?

Hi Roger. Choke is set and works fine. So no matter when you were starting the motor (cold or otherwise) two pumps is all it took?

351 Windsor, Carb is a 600 CFM Classic Holley Carburetor

This is embarrassing, but I have to put my pride aside for this one. I've had my 69 Mach 1 since March. I love it, and I've been very lucky with the condition it was in when I purchased. I was considering going EFI to make life easier, but the mechanic I work with was pretty against it; citing nothing but problems with each conversion he worked on previously. I have a 351 Windsor, and besides an engine swap, he told me to stay carburated for the time being. In addition, the mechanic said the carburated looks to be timed/calibrated properly. I'm fine with this, except I just can't seem to dial in exactly what the car needs to start sometimes. Here's what I've deciphered: When I haven't driven the car for two days or more, two full, slow pumps on the gas will do it. When I drive the car around, leave it for 5 minutes, then start her back up, I just put my foot 3/4 of the way down on the gas and turn the key. Starts right away. But after driving, then leaving her for an hour or two and coming back, it's sometimes a crap shoot. I've flooded the motor a couple times trying to figure it out. So all this is to say, is there a rule of thumb or a method to really know what the engine needs? I'm getting my car back from the mechanic this week, and I don't want to be the newbie that can't start his own car right away. I've searched online for help, but there's very little about starting carburators online. Or maybe I'm not using the right search terms. Either way, would appreciate your advice. Again, embarrassed to ask, but you have to start somewhere. Thank you.

Mustangs Etc.

The prices are parts and labor. I'm in the Los Angeles area.

Thank you all for your advice. I've been going through it all and making notes. Big shout-outs to JayEstes and Mach1Driver for their in-depth and no-holds-barred explanations. That's what I needed. I'd love to start working on the car myself, and I've joined the Mustang club in my area. Unfortunately, I'm a little hampered by space at the moment (my garage is really small...can't even open both car doors while in it) and I travel for work and have been unable to go to meetings. I'm hoping to start attending them regularly in September and make some new pals who can show me the ropes. I'm a pretty decent fixer-upper, but I don't have any mechanic experience. I do want to learn though. With that said, I'm going to go to the mechanic on Wednesday and talk over everything they spotted/estimated. I'll see what I can fix myself vs what I should leave to the experts. You guys have already provided me a head-start there with your feedback. Once again, really appreciate all the feedback. It really helped.