Can't afford a second car so I'm gonna build on!

Mine had mice in it at my old place. I had been keeping a prettly close eye on it, but they got in it one year and then I put some D-Con in the trunk and didn't see anymore. I do suspect a few wiring issues. Now the problem is the ants. The hubcaps, trim rings and hood lip mldg were completely full of ants.

That pic reminded me, I need a wiper knob!

 

i had a mouse run by my head while i was laying on the floor of my mav messin with something under the dash.... I must have looked like a cartoon character as i jumped out of my skin

 

A few weeks into this and I think my plans have changed due to family and friends. I'm going back with the original Pastel Blue and keeping the Mustang wheels like I had it at first. Maybe add some Grabber stripes and blacked out rear panel though.

I am going to get the suspension nightmare straightened out first. Remove the Granada leaf springs, 67 Mustang rear end and lowering blocks...I have a V8 Maverick rear end and the leaf springs I picked up last weekend. In the front, get rid of those 4 to 5 adapters and for the time being I may just put a set of 68 Mustang spindles and 5 lug drums on it. I also need 1 strut arm. Hopefully the control arms are still ok. Then later I may do the disc brake upgrade but money is a little tight right now.

As far as the driveline goes, I'm not sure what shape the 200 is in now after setting so long. It originally had a 250 but a valve stuck and ruined it. I installed a low miles 200 and it performed flawlessly but it was VERY weak with the rear end gearing. The reverse band is broke in the trans from where I tried to move the car with locked up brakes from storage. I have a good lead on a 250 and trans out of a Maverick that is cheap. That might be my easiest and cheapest shot to get it going. Then maybe later find a donor car (like a big Ford) to get a 5.0 and AOD out of.

I'm heading to the shop today to mount my frt tires so I can get it rolling. Then maybe just clean it up and assess the rear of the car. Maybe throw a battery in it to see if it will crank but I'm fearing some wiring issues.

 

Got the tires and hood on. Washed it really good and was glad to see no water inside anywhere. Time for a beer!

 

Looks great!

 

Just got home from checking out a Maverick I read about on CL. The guy is selling the 250 engine and C4 tranny but it is still in the driveable car. It checked out ok. I paid a deposit and he is going to pull them out for me to pick up next weekend. I'll have to de-smog it and freshen it up a little. This will get mine going till I can save up the funds and parts to get a healthy 302 in it.

The engine and tranny will be complete even with all of the belt driven parts. Since it is a 77 model, I guess I need to get the ign. module too.

 

Picked up the engine and trans today. Just got it unloaded in the garage...now I have to strip off the p/stg pump and A/C compressor plus yank the smog stuff off. I didn't get the ign. module so I may just use my points distributer. When I checked out the engine when it was running in the car, I heard an exhaust leak. I feared a cracked manifold but now that it's out, I can see there is a big tube coming off of the manifold that someone cut and folded over....I'm feeling that was what I was hearing. I'll see if that can be removed and plugged or I can use my 200 manifold.

Wanted to get more done but I am wore out. It ain't easy getting an engine and trans out of a truck without a hoist! Time for a cool beverage.

 

Just for the heck of it....I threw a battery in it today to see if I could get the old 200 cranking (I may use it in a Fairlane) and to see what all works. Got power through the solenoid to the starter so the ign wiring is ok but it wouldn't crank....just clicked. I guess the starter is locked up. I know the engine is free.

Outside lights, inst. panel warning lights, blower motor and radio all worked. No dome light or turn signals though. So that gives me hope on the wiring. As I said before I'm affraid mice had chewed up some wiring.

So I guess the next step is to just get the 250 and trans in it and go from there.

 

Picked thru my frt spoilers and test fitted them to an old valance I have. I chose the one I used to have on it. It's off of a Pinto and I had to glass up the ends to fit. The best thing about this spoiler is how heavy it's made. The fiberglass is very thick and sturdy. I just have to repair a few places on it.

 

I'm not getting much done on the car this week. I bought some engine paint, an air cleaner decal and a marker light I needed badly. I know I'll need some $$$ soon for the brake overhaul, suspension work and radiator so I'm concentraiting on raising funds this week. I'm selling off part of my old school BMX bike collection.....but of course I'm keeping all of the Redlines!

 

I'm shocked you let that great car sit so long...But all is well now looking good!!!

 

I got the 250 and C4 dropped in the Maverick today....man I'm pooped. Time to grill some burgers and have a few cool ones!

 

I really wanted to clean the engine up and paint the eng. compartment but I borrowed an engine hoist and was in a rush. I have to clean my gas tank out (just to be on the safe side) and wire in the Duraspark ign. to get it fired up. I'll make sure it does still start and run ok before I do any more work to it.

 

Got my new radiator from Advanced Auto in the mail today. It looks just like a factory Ford radiator...which is what I wanted. I had to order the right radiator hoses from NAPA so hopefully I can get it running this weekend. Then on to the brakes and suspension.

 

awesome bring that great car back....