Project Orange

[El_Matador909 16]

well after seeing the many posts people have been putting up of their cars, i decided to post mine as well. 

 

A little history before  i get into the "resurrection", Dad bought the fastback back in '93, restored it, drove it for awhile and then gave it to me as a high school present to drive during school. (lucky teen right!?) 

Drove it through high school (graduated in 2002) and some college, did some minor upgrades while in school and then decided to park it and really focus on school and my career. Many many years later (13 years total) I now decided to bring her back to life and enjoy her once again. 

 

Currently with the help of my big brother for the build (im not the greatest mechanic), I will be upgrading the engine and the suspension. I recently bought a coilover IFS with power rack that will be arriving next week and the engine will be built by a local mechanic to a 347 stroker. 

 

There is so much to do to the car but am focusing on the main parts that will make it run and handle. 

 

Glad to share my experience just like every other 69-70 mustang Enthusiast on this site. 

 

here are some pictures of the past and now. I know i know, it looks sad but will be a great ending.

 

This was back in 2004 at Fabulous Fords Forever

 

  Getting some work done at my brothers house

 

Current pictures and progress

 

 Dusty but Happy to be awaken

 

 New IFS coilover built by Dannys Original Customs

 

Engine Ready to be sent out to be built (original block FYI)

 

 Engine bay ready to be cleaned up and ready for the new IFS

 

 

Ill be posting more pictures as the build continues

 

Thanks for looking

 

Rick

[SM69Mach 68]

Good looking car and nice upgrades coming.  Keep the updates coming, and good luck on all the upgrades.

[RPM 1,268]

Well as you've been a member since 2009 I can't say welcome to the forum, so welcome to the Project Progress Forum! Nice high school transportation, at least you were aware of it

 

Your Mustang looks great in the old pics, it won't take much to bring it back. Good luck on the work. With pics from Knott's Berry Farm, I'm guessing you're from SoCal?

[Footcutter11 23]

Nice!

[Rsmach1 71]

Looks sad??? I don't think so, looks like a very nice car that's been sitting a while. Looks like your on the right path, can't wait to see it done.

 

[El_Matador909 16]

Thanks guys for the complements. 

 

RPM - yes sir im from So Cal.

 

If anyone can give me a tip on the 347 build let me know. especially the heads. 

 

Cheers

[El_Matador909 16]

Well here is the progress for the front suspension. Its going little by little but each step is closer to completion. 

 

Original suspension is out

 

Playing around with some 20's 

 

 

New IFS ready to be installed

 

11" slotted rotors. (yes they came with single piston but will be getting upgraded soon)

 

Adjustable Coilovers

 

Torching the shock towers

 

One side out

 

 Everything out

 

Frame smoothed and ready for install

 

Its a slow progress but every moment spent is a step forward

 

Thanks for Looking

 

ive been searching around in the forums but havent come across any post about peoples 347 builds. Im wondering if the AFR 185 with 58cc will be well enough to give me a 10:1 compression. trying to keep it streetable.  

 

Any to any thread will be great.

[Footcutter11 23]

I did a mustang II conversion, and she handles like a modern sports car.  I am sure you will love the handling!  Are you going with a 4-link in the rear?  I also measured about 200 times as I was putting it in, but mine was a welders series, so many more measurements required!

[rwcstang 214]

ah, so ur the on on Instagram lol very nice build! 

[RPM 1,268]

El_Matador909 wrote:

"ive been searching around in the forums but havent come across any post about peoples 347 builds. Im wondering if the AFR 185 with 58cc will be well enough to give me a 10:1 compression. trying to keep it streetable."

 

That will depend on which pistons you use I would think. The AFR is a good head.

[Footcutter11 23]

What bob said.  Do you want 85 or 91 Octane streetable?  EFI or carb?

[El_Matador909 16]

I did a mustang II conversion, and she handles like a modern sports car.  I am sure you will love the handling!  Are you going with a 4-link in the rear?  I also measured about 200 times as I was putting it in, but mine was a welders series, so many more measurements required!

 

Yea ours is the same way but I think this shop did a great job because everything fits like a "glove" (so far). Ill keep updating.

 

As to a 4-link, if my budget lets me, heck yea! 

[El_Matador909 16]

 

El_Matador909 wrote:

"ive been searching around in the forums but havent come across any post about peoples 347 builds. Im wondering if the AFR 185 with 58cc will be well enough to give me a 10:1 compression. trying to keep it streetable."

 

That will depend on which pistons you use I would think. The AFR is a good head.

 

Well, i am contemplating between Eagles B16003EA030 which (Jegs says it will do 10.8 with 58cc heads) and Scats 1-94165BE kit (9.2 with 58cc heads) both have Forged Flat Top pistons

 

The car is not a daily driver but do want to take it to a few shows farther than just local stuff so a good reliable but has some power is what i am looking for.  Most threads people just race their cars so its hard to find one that i can relate to. 

 

Thanks

 

 

[El_Matador909 16]

What bob said.  Do you want 85 or 91 Octane streetable?  EFI or carb?

 

 

91 streetable is fine with me and it is a Carb set up.

[El_Matador909 16]

ah, so ur the on on Instagram lol very nice build! 

yea man!

 

i think i have come across your fotos before. 

 

Clean coupe 

[Footcutter11 23]

91 streetable is fine with me and it is a Carb set up.

91 with carb, I would say 10.5:1, should be safe.  I am sure others with more experience will chime in!

[El_Matador909 16]

91 with carb, I would say 10.5:1, should be safe.  I am sure others with more experience will chime in!

 

Thanks guys!  

 

has anyone tried to do the Explorer 8.8 rear end swap? Im having trouble finding a 69 with one.  i located one for $150, its a 2000 Explorer with 3.73 gears and Limited-Slip. I tried researching a swap but found a site that has the widths of rear end housing and the Explorer is .25" wider than the 8". 

 

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[El_Matador909 16]

well it has been a month since I last posted but it has been a great progress since the last post. 

My brother has been the sole welder for the IFS and my right hand man in the build. 

 

As I take care of the engine and drive train, he is taking care of the interior parts. 

The 347 is close to being completed:

AFR 185 58cc heads

Scorpion Full Aluminum Roller Rockers 1.72

Edelbrock RPM Air Gap manifold

Flowkool Aluminum water pump

1 wire alternator

Shorty headers for ground clearence

carb and cam will be coming soon.

 

Interior:

we will be doing a full restomod style with certain parts retaining their originality 

Autometer Cobalt gauges

B&M Shifter customized to fit center console 

Fold down seat conversion

either shelby style roll bar or 4 point roll bar

no name racing seats

billet style steering wheel

All new wiring by American Autowire

 

The goal is to have her up and running by April for the Fabulous Fords Forever car show at Knotts Berry Farm

 

Thanks for looking sorry for the pictures being sideways. i dont know why the uploads turn them sideways

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My brother the master welder with his finished welding product

 

To minimize any opening on the steering shaft, my dad who is a machinist, built this cap to hide the exposed shaft and make it look factory

 

Finished look to the custom steering column bracket holder

 

IFS is all welded in

 

 

Using my brothers built 302 as a mock up for the motor mounts and clearance 

 

 

B&M shifter will be customized to fit in the center console 

 

 

Birthday present from my brother. Will be adding Autometer Cobalt gauges

 

 

Fold down seat in the making

 

 

Found the build date on the steering column bracket 7-19-1969 

 

How the car looks like with the mock up engine

 

 

[JamesS 10]

Day after my birthday!

[RPM 1,268]

Very nice work! Does your brother need a step-son? Nice work from your Dad. Is the steering column cover made from round bar stock or tubing? And how does it attach to the column? Might just have to copy his design. I have that gauge bezel in my 69, seems to fit fine. I did have to clearance the far left screw mounting area for it to sit flush with the lower dash. Ya gotta appreciate the talents and helpfulness of your dad and brother. 

[El_Matador909 16]

Very nice work! Does your brother need a step-son? Nice work from your Dad. Is the steering column cover made from round bar stock or tubing? And how does it attach to the column? Might just have to copy his design. I have that gauge bezel in my 69, seems to fit fine. I did have to clearance the far left screw mounting area for it to sit flush with the lower dash. Ya gotta appreciate the talents and helpfulness of your dad and brother.

 

I'm blessed to have them as family.

 

My brother made the whole setup, I have pictures of what he did that I can send you. hes is more knowledgeable on the set up because he's done it before on his truck build (he's a machinist as well). I wasn't there for that part of the build but I can ask them the steps they took to make it fit.

 

I'll message you when I get an answer

 

If people draw an interest for that part I can probably start to make them and sell it. It's a small detail but it's one a car enthusiast will appreciate

 

This car build is becoming like a R&D type of build for us.

 

Thanks for the complements RPM

[El_Matador909 16]

Well its been quite awhile since i last posted any progress on my car. Although we were calling the build "Project Orange" i came up with a clever name since she never had one. Her official name now is Jefe347 (Boss 347). Black plates are already ordered and on their way. 

 

Since my last post, my brother and I have been working hard during after hours (mostly him) and long long weekends together. As he worked the interior during the week, we managed to make big progress on the engine compartment on the weekends. I am glad to say that this build has been a great experience for me as this is my first true car build. For my brother, this is his 4th car he as built. 

 

The motor is still under construction. I ran into problems with the first builder who took over 6 months to just do a tear down, but now that i have found a reputable engine builder, it should be done within this month.

 

The photos below are from February all the way till now. 

 

Enjoy and please comment. 

 

header mock up for clearance

 

Working on center console. keeping original console and modifying shifter to fit

 

Brother took care of interior and found all the pieces to convert to fold down

 

Shelby style roll bar

 

My nephew wanting to jump in to help his dad weld

 

New master cylinder pre fit for clearance

 

My dad showing us how easy it is to take out a rusted bolt that broke

 

More on the progress of the shifter. (original center console was not harmed in the making)

 

Filling in the factory holes

 

 

So my initial goal was to make the engine bay look factory but with modern components and fabrication. Most mustangs that i have seen who do the IFS conversion bolt on the new side panels, we wanted to be different.

 

 

Interior almost complete

 

My new gauges and cluster 

 

My Brother found this awesome billet heater hose fitting. 

 

Began mudding the panels 

 

One side almost complete

 

work on panels complete

 

Wanted to hide the engine start button. We decided to fabricate it to the cigarette lighter location

 

 

Speakers pre mounted

 

New valve covers found at pomona swap meet. not like your typical ford covers

 

Began masking for primer and paint. Boss blacked out headlight covers

 

my brother laying down the primer

 

final primer finish

 

Brother laying down the flat black. Paint was from Vintage Flatz

 

Final product after painting

 

 

 

Power booster got the same black finish

 

gauge cluster got the same treatment

 

 

 

A Arms were powder coated to match engine bay

 

New HID headlights by Dapper Lighting

 

A sneak peak at how the lights will shine

 

 

 

This is all for now. Thank you for looking and hope you like.

 

PS. sorry for some pictures being sideways.  I still dont know how they turn up this way when you upload them. if anyone know how to rotate please let me know.

 

 

JEFE 347 to be continued...