Build Thread 1978 Mercury Cyclone. The pig is in the pen.

I'll admit to being in a slump.

On another open tab, there is the entire written copy required to sell this car on C/L.
While writing it, I realized (as if I didn't already know ) the extent of just how heavily modified the car is.If I write out the list of what has been done, and what was required to do it, then turn around and read it aloud to somebody, It'll either be a detriment or a bargain to somebody who even remotely considers buying it.

That is if they're still awake when I finish blabbing about it.

I mean what would somebody have to pay a shop to build this stupid thing? It's stupid to even consider it.

I become disinterested with the project when I no longer use it, or have fun doing it. Using this car is easy, all I have to do is get in it, and turn the key.
But then the belt squeals. No rhyme or reason for doing it, it didn't do it the last time I started it,..but here that noisy btch is, sounding like two pieces of metal running against each other w/o the benefit of any oil between them.

I watched a YouTube video that detailed the diag process to determine the source of the noise( belt, or bearing) and I’m sure it’s the belt. I guess I’ll attempt to tighten the thing some more and see if that will fix it. All I can say is that if I run the engine and get it hot, “sometimes” that noise is terrible, and “sometimes” it’s not.
Nonetheless, getting to the tensioner adjustment requires that I put the car in the air, and finagle an open ended wrench up in there to try and adjust it... it’s a pain in the ass. So, last night I bought a set of crowfoot wrenches to see if that’ll make the process a little easier.
I actually needed the open ended versions, and not these, as right now, I don’t know how I’ll even get the stupid wrench on the Clevis to adjust it because of the little “ crow foot” part...( I’ll probably have to modify the freakin wrench to turn my modified tensioner....I shoulda just cut up an old open ended wrench, and welded a socket onto it, as a custom made tool and saved the money I spent on the set).
You can see the almost finished valve cover,...I need to order a nicer looking 3/4” pipe plug instead of that dorky brass thing, and finish the lines coming out of the oil/water separator in black. I have that stuff.

And the other end of the dash is capped now,....it didn’t turn out as nice as the drivers side, but it’ll do pig,....it’ll do.

As for the slump,....I don’t know...after writing the ad copy to list the thing,...I just stopped and left it. I thought “What would I replace it with if I sold it?”
I don’t know,....there’s nothing I want. And anything I’d get will end up putting me right where I am now...
Bored with it....bored with my usage options..( cruise-ins, car shows,....hell,...just driving it)
I know that any form of track is out, to me nothing would be more detrimental to the future resale of a car that has been set up as a race car.
If things were different, and I hadn’t already leased a new replacement for the mini, I might have considered using the proceeds as a down payment on a slightly used M3.
Or try to find a Triumph TR6,....or some equally obscure and not as collectible muscle car....( that I know I’d hate almost immediately)
I could do the responsible thing, and buy down the house, or conversely go on a once in a lifetime big vacation,...

But then there’d be this excellent air conditioned/ heated man cave with a see through garage space.......sitting empty.

I think people would label me a “ malcontent”........ never happy with anything I do, am part of, or own...
I’m so unworthy.

90sickfox said:

Ther wil be none of that....

Just cause you're losing interest doesn't mean we are. If you don't like it turn the monster into something else. Make him an aussie utility vehicle... or ....

Believe me ( in my Trump voice ) we've all been there. It usually happens when you start looking at all the little things that " you" think need to be redone. Looking at all the little do overs makes the scale of the project look too great and zaps energy just looking at it. Makes it seem like time wasted. That's all cured by actually driving the thing.

Fix what you need to drive it without the noise or wafts of smoke ( unless it's from the tires ). Be there for the Monster.... he was there even when the cat wasn't.

If you sell him now it's because you're just an immortal person, Mike. The kind that just bails out when the times get tough. The type that'll just walk away from an argument withot voicing your opinion..... the type we know you are not

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Now I gotta tell ya.....I’m far from an immortal...so don’t go trying to prove me wrong by sending me a pipe bomb or anything along those lines...

It’s not the little things,...I know they are little things. If I wanted to drive the thing , the sometimes squealing belt...obscure bubble bodywork, potential oil leak would be the last things stopping me.

The point is I don’t care that much.

I went down there last night before writing this and looked at the car long and hard,.....I’ve said it before, and I’m not too ashamed to do so again,....im proud as hell of the end result.

That don’t change the fact that I’m bored with it.

RaggedGT said:

For shtz & giggles-can we see the clist ad?

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* cut from the C/L preview posting
For sale is my 1978 Ford Fairmont. There are so many custom items on this car it will take pages to describe.
Car is/was hand built by me in my garage. The body has had the bumpers integrated, the rear tail lights are 1968 Shelby pieces. Engine is a combination of US/Australian/German pieces that started life as US 250 I-6 out of a 1978 Maverick. The head is Australian, and comes with all new internals using SBC, and BBC pieces. The throttle bodies are from a BMW M3, and have been adapted to fit, The engine is distributorless and uses EDIS, it is roller cammed, turbocharged, fuel injected, and water meth intercooled. Horsepower is estimated to be in the 350-400 range at 7 psi. Several items are all hand fabricated, and as I've said, too numerous to list here. The trans is a 4R70w converted to shift fully manual. It uses 3 gears that you shift, and the 4th and converter lock up are enabled with buttons.
The fully rebuilt rear has a traction loc rear diff, and is a disc brake 8.8 with 3.73 gears. The brakes are off of a 95 Cobra Mustang.
The interior is fully custom built, and is made from chromoly steel tube, and 18 ga. plate, covered in leather.
The car is controlled with a MSII ECU, and has New Vintage instrumentation.
Wheels are 17x8/17x10.5 torque thrust with 245/315 Sumitomo rubber.
Car is painted in Ford Competition Orange.
The car is a Fairmont, but it's badged as a Cyclone.

Pay attention here please...

I do not want to trade.
I cannot Finance it.
It is hand built by me,..it is very good, but far from perfect. (and I've priced it that way)
I am selling it because I don't drive it.