And it's time to get this going:
Now to add an Eibach Pro Spring kit, 8.8 w/3.73's, an intercooled turbo 2.3 @ 18psi, w/a4ld, fresh paint, weather stripping, emblems, a little interior freshening up, 255/50/15 on the Turbine wheels and Texas Classic Vanity License Plates
Well this has been just one crazy week, I won't go into it but Junior and I did make a tiny bit of progrees on this, so let's roll out:
So anyone who has tried to hand sand an engine compartment knows it damn near impossible to get to every nook and crevas, so looks like we're goona make a big mess and make sure it get it all nice and clean to lay down some primer and paint:
As mentioned in a previous post, that while hanging out at the hospital, I was able to escape and go pick up all the paint and supplies:
And here is the color I decided on to paint the car
I had already started making areas of cosmetic damage that need to be addressed to get it all smooth:
Jumior and I took the 7.5" rear axle with 3.08 gears out and stuff an 8.8" rear axle with 3.73's in it after we converted the hydralic lines from the 7.5 to the 8.8, cause the rear soft line connection was on the other side of the under body, we also stuffed Eibach Pro drop springs in it too:
I do want to make note, that we mentioned restoration, well I believe that this context can be taken many different ways.
From this stand point, lets fill in a few stop gaps that you may or may not have questions about on this.
Most of the heavy line parts such as the drive train, are things that I have wound up collecting from pruchaces, that I had either had other ideas to do things with, knew they were a good deal so it was silly not to pass them up, clearly had in mind for use on this project, or just had ramdomly sitting around and figured hey I can use that on this.
Plus, all the new parts that I have purchaced came from Latemodel Restoration Supply, unless it was like equipment or paint, which of course was sourced from places like The Parts Connection, or Tractor Supply.
Tires will be a toss up, if LRS can obtain a set 245-50-15's then great, other wise I can get them from my local Discount Tire.
The reason I took a momant to talk about this, cause like you, I didn't really like the idea of shoving a nasty 8.8 rear axle inder this car, but point in case, you won't really see it once it's on the ground, two, I really don't have the time, let alone or desire to lie upside down painting the bottom of the car.
We're mainly going to freshen up the areas that can be most easily seen, interior, exterior, and engine compartment, I will be shooting the door, and trunk jams so they match.
Ultimately Junior is probably not going to keep this for more than his term through college, so that means we'll get the car back.
The other part of this, is the molestation of a factory correct 2.8 v-6 car, well since everything about this car with the exception of the drive train, has been changed I didn't feel as though it had to be put back together correct, even myself as a purist is still having second thoughts, but we're too far along at this point.
What I mean is, the exterior of this car new was a charcoal grey, the interior was a canyon red, someone went to the other ends to change the carpet, reupholster the interior in blue, swap out the door panels for blue ones, and died all of the rest of the interior including the dash assy blue, that's quite an effort.
The epic fail, besides the interior, is they had a very cheesey blue paint job put on it.
Basicaly it was the equivelant of an Earl Sheib $99 scuff and squirt paint job, and a hasty one at that, none of the trim was ever removed while sanding or painting, so some of the trim has jitter bug sanding marks on it where they over ran and hit it, scuffing the trim, and the trim, plus seals, splash shield, and other areas have bad over spray on them.
All of which will have to be fixed, repaired, or worse, and impossible to almost find, replaced
We're not looking to make this a perfect car by any means, but if we can get it to be a fantastic 5 footer, then we will be truely happy.
There is also the "Back of your mind" factor, my wife and I are giving this to a first time driver, now he may like Mustangs, but unlike most of us he doesn't car about how fast it is, BUT there is the possibility that if could be destroyed in an accident, so a 100% tear down and restoration just wouldn't be prudent in this case, maybe after the college years.
Ok enough rambling
Jeff - :navajo:
