Vegassman's '69 Coupe Progress

[Vegassman 10]

Started with this:

 

[ATTACH]10339[/ATTACH]

 

First thing I bought was this...to replace the chrome skull shift knob:

 

[ATTACH]10340[/ATTACH]

 

Much much more to come....

[69RavenConv 288]

You're replacing your shifter knob with Sierra Nevada bottles??? :thumbup1:

[TheMenace 10]

Why would you replace a chrome skull shifter?!? Nothing says classic muscle car than one of those. If it had red led eyes I will be even more upset

[Vegassman 10]

You're replacing your shifter knob with Sierra Nevada bottles??? :thumbup1:

I make every mod with beer bottles!

 

Why would you replace a chrome skull shifter?!? Nothing says classic muscle car than one of those. If it had red led eyes I will be even more upset

Hah...it's a little over the top. Simplicity...plus, I don't trust valet to know the shift pattern.

[Vegassman 10]

Okay...so my first lesson is learned. Always expect to be duped by the seller...even if they are ex law enforcement.

 

Was checking header clearances while considering if I should cut springs a little...and saw a pool of fluid on the floor. At first, I thought it was oil, but didn't smell like it. Broke out the floor jack and....

 

 

Notice the putty around it. Dude busted the trans housing and pieced it back together to sell. I got it home, but that patch job didn't last long I guess.

 

At least he was good enough to throw in a T5 out of an '88 with the deal. I'll be taking that to a local shop for inspection this weekend. Looks like my next mod is a trans swap!

 

So it begins...

 

Edit---------------

Is that just the bellhousing? Easier fix than replacement?

Edited February 3, 2012 by Vegassman

[stangnet33 88]

lesson learned to inspect top and bottom before buying. Seeing that reminds me of a apprentice I had that broke a flex plate bolt and used silicone to hold it in place instead of saying something :huh:. What are some of your plans for mods ? Are you doing a full restore or just certain thing ? Enjoy no matter what !

[Vegassman 10]

lesson learned to inspect top and bottom before buying. Seeing that reminds me of a apprentice I had that broke a flex plate bolt and used silicone to hold it in place instead of saying something :huh:. What are some of your plans for mods ? Are you doing a full restore or just certain thing ? Enjoy no matter what !

 

Took an expert with me to do inspection. He's restored his 67 coupe from the ground up. We both missed it. I think it was patched up and we just glanced past it.

 

I'm making a driver. Full restoration may come a few years down the road.

 

I actually like the 3 speed, but already have the T5. I also got the 5.0 block and internals with the purchase, and was going to plan a rebuild of that and swap both together.

[70mstang 11]

I love my T5 .. If you're building a driver you'll save some bucks with the overdrive. Best mod in the world right there.

 

I took mine over to a shop and had it rebuilt since I got it from Craig's List. I ran a cable clutch since I don't like plumbing hydraulic lines, still getting things broken in but since the weather has been amazing, I'll be out this afternoon.

[Vegassman 10]

I love my T5 .. If you're building a driver you'll save some bucks with the overdrive. Best mod in the world right there.

 

I took mine over to a shop and had it rebuilt since I got it from Craig's List. I ran a cable clutch since I don't like plumbing hydraulic lines, still getting things broken in but since the weather has been amazing, I'll be out this afternoon.

 

Yeah...after scouring the interwebz for the right bellhousing to match up to the 302 and 3 speed, and coming up short. It seems like the T5 is the way to go. Especially since I already have the trans.

 

I'll throw it in the Jeep and take it to a local shop for inspection.

 

Any recommendations on a good bellhousing? I don't need race quality parts. Daily driver.

[Jayru 17]

Just get a stock T5 bell out of a fox body mustang then. They can be had used for around $75.

 

If you want to keep your Z bar, you'll need to get an adapter for the clutch fork fulcrum point (Modern Driveline), or you can go cable - but if you have long tube headers the cable will burn up quickly because of the heat where it needs to be run through the headers.

 

I went T5 when i first bought mine and never regretted it!

[rwcstang 204]

yeah, t5s are everywhere they can be built up to take alot of punishment but usually the casing are the first to go. anyways good luck with the build! hopefully later on I can buy a tko (crossing fingers)

[Vegassman 10]

Found a T5 bellhousing. Picking it up today.

Taking the T5 into the shop this week for total breakdown inspection. If all's well, going to get the parts for the swap next week

 

Getting it back on the road soon!

[Vegassman 10]

Dropped off the T5 for inspection at a highly recommended shop. Got the call today, "Find a new tranny." Pretty much shot.

 

Now the search for a 3sp/4sp top loader bellhousing....

 

Good times.

[Vegassman 10]

Dropped off the T5 for inspection at a highly recommended shop. Got the call today, "Find a new tranny." Pretty much shot.

 

Now the search for a 3sp/4sp top loader bellhousing....

 

Good times.

[Vegassman 10]

So..started tearing down tonight. Time to get rid of all the crappy damaged parts....

 

Removed the corner panels and took off the spikes the previous owner had bolted in the trim holes....

 

Pulled all the rear seat and panel components. No rust....good sign!

 

Door panels off...that's some old cardboard and glue...not rust.

 

Owner threw in a box of Scott Drake window/door parts. That'll help when I put the bolt-in windows in.

 

Removed the plastic grill held in by wires and random screws. Going to get a nice billett grill replacement. Also pulled the dinged up hood chrome trim. How do you get the rest of the chrome off???

 

On the way to recovery. Hope to have the bellhousing in a few days and get that replaced. Then off to blasting!

[Vegassman 10]

So..started tearing down tonight. Time to get rid of all the crappy damaged parts....

 

Removed the corner panels and took off the spikes the previous owner had bolted in the trim holes....

 

Pulled all the rear seat and panel components. No rust....good sign!

 

Door panels off...that's some old cardboard and glue...not rust.

 

Owner threw in a box of Scott Drake window/door parts. That'll help when I put the bolt-in windows in.

 

Removed the plastic grill held in by wires and random screws. Going to get a nice billett grill replacement. Also pulled the dinged up hood chrome trim. How do you get the rest of the chrome off???

 

On the way to recovery. Hope to have the bellhousing in a few days and get that replaced. Then off to blasting!

[Mike65 476]

To remove the rest of the trim you will have to remove the headlight buckets from the fenders, & you can access the trim on the center gravel shield from under it.

Mike.

[Mike65 476]

To remove the rest of the trim you will have to remove the headlight buckets from the fenders, & you can access the trim on the center gravel shield from under it.

Mike.

[Vegassman 10]

To remove the rest of the trim you will have to remove the headlight buckets from the fenders, & you can access the trim on the center gravel shield from under it.

Mike.

 

Thanks...bumpers and buckets are next then.

[Vegassman 10]

To remove the rest of the trim you will have to remove the headlight buckets from the fenders, & you can access the trim on the center gravel shield from under it.

Mike.

 

Thanks...bumpers and buckets are next then.

[Vegassman 10]

So....swapped carbs yesterday.

 

The 302 had an Edelbrock 1408 on it. A couple of the vacuum ports had rubber caps and were cracking. The carb was dirty and just didn't seem to idle too well. When I removed it, a single washer fell off the bottom. Why one washer??? The rubber gasket looked fine, so that stayed.

 

The seller threw in a 1406 with the car. It looked only slightly used. Pretty clean. It had a spacer attached to it, and I couldn't really figure out how the spacer mounted to the intake manifold, so I removed it. I bolted up the carb, and connected 2 lines and it fired up, but the idle was erratic and high. After a little YouTube education, I pulled the idle mixture screws, wiped them down, and blew out the holes with a compressor. I put them all the way in hand-tight, and backed them out 1 1/2 turns. Fired right up and idle was nice. Took it down the street and it pulled really strong. Lit up the tires much easier than I expected in a 302. Happy with how she runs!

[Vegassman 10]

So....swapped carbs yesterday.

 

The 302 had an Edelbrock 1408 on it. A couple of the vacuum ports had rubber caps and were cracking. The carb was dirty and just didn't seem to idle too well. When I removed it, a single washer fell off the bottom. Why one washer??? The rubber gasket looked fine, so that stayed.

 

The seller threw in a 1406 with the car. It looked only slightly used. Pretty clean. It had a spacer attached to it, and I couldn't really figure out how the spacer mounted to the intake manifold, so I removed it. I bolted up the carb, and connected 2 lines and it fired up, but the idle was erratic and high. After a little YouTube education, I pulled the idle mixture screws, wiped them down, and blew out the holes with a compressor. I put them all the way in hand-tight, and backed them out 1 1/2 turns. Fired right up and idle was nice. Took it down the street and it pulled really strong. Lit up the tires much easier than I expected in a 302. Happy with how she runs!

[Vegassman 10]

Got the valence off and trying to pull all the chrome grill trim pieces off. What's the best way to get the nuts off when the trim clips disintegrate and just spin in place? Drill?

[Vegassman 10]

Removing brights....

 

[70mstang 11]

Helping Hands!! LOVE IT!!