1981 Fox Project

Ross302 · Jul 11, 2009

I recently acquired a 1981 Coupe. My cousin bought it with plans to restore. It was originally a 4.2 2 barrel. Not sure if it was an automatic or manual.
The guy who owned it before put in a 302, a clutch with a T5 and a 8.8 rear-end. It was not driving when he got it, the drive train was basically laying in place.

I am going to start a tread so I can post updates as to where I stand in getting this Fox back on the road...and so people will know what i am working with when I ask for advice, since this will be my first build I will need all the help I can get

My Back ground:
Army Vet - 1/5 INF Fort Lewis WA 99-03
State College MA 03-07
Business Banking TD Banknorth 07- current
As you can see I have no real automotive experience, but have done some back yard mechanics. Friends and family (cousins) have owned Mustangs and have always wanted one of my own...

Ross302 · Jul 11, 2009

pics...

How do I post more pics? I can only figure out how to post 2 at atime...

Ross302 · Jul 11, 2009

motor is in.
I had to chase down all kinds of bolts, as 80% of the hardware was missing. but its in.
put in clutch kit and connected the clucth cable.
I am missing the bolts to connect the drive shaft to the rear-end. But a friend is getting those for me.

I need to figure out how to connect the throttle cable to the carb

BigDanTheMan · Jul 11, 2009

sweet bronco too!

i post more pictures by having them hosted by another site. I use photobucket.com.
Once the other site is hosting them take the direct link to the photo. The direct link will be listed.
Then when you post surround the direct link with this text:

where x is the direct link.
That might be a little confusing, but PM me if you want more in depth instructions.

Coast2CoaStang · Jul 11, 2009

Here is a couple pics of what the original color was.

Coast2CoaStang · Jul 11, 2009

These are pics of the car before any work was started. The car had a crappy flat black rattle can paint job. The interior was also given the no prep, and spray treatment. The car was originally a light gray/pewter color, with a red interior. We have a clean Carfax report that shows this car was last on the road in '06, and has 66k original miles.
..

Coast2CoaStang · Jul 11, 2009

Started disassembly. My brother was going to run this GT nose, but he is keeping it for another project, so it won't be installed on the notch.

Coast2CoaStang · Jul 11, 2009

We removed the front clip and the doors, as well as the interior, to give the body a good once over. The engine compartment was thoroughly wire wheeled, and all cleaned. One of the previous owners just sprayed the car with rattle cans. They must not have even prepped the surface, because the paint came off easily with a D.A, and hand sanding. The body is very solid , but the toe boards need a little work. The bottoms of the doors were bad, however we scored a super clean set of 1990 doors with zero rust. Just need to splice the wiring harness for the power windows, locks.

The car will be going back to 79-86 quarter windows and trim, so the door the doors have already been addressed to accept the older moldings and trim. The car has some self etch sprayed, and is ready for high build primer, and blocking. The redish color on the trunk and rear quarter areas is some sort of factory oxide primer. Surprisingly there is no rust or rot on the rocker panels at all.

Coast2CoaStang · Jul 11, 2009

The car is being built on a budget, so no high dollar parts, or show car touches here. The project came with a rebuilt 302, so we cleaned it up painted the engine with Rustoleum BBQ paint, and some Hammerite, and painted the cleaned up engine bay with Rustoleum semi gloss black. As of now, the drivetrain is installed, and Ross302 is starting to connect all the fuel components, ignition, etc. More pics and updates to come.

Coast2CoaStang · Jul 11, 2009

If possible, could a moderator please move this to 5.0 talk, and make it a project sticky? Thanks.

Ross302 · Jul 12, 2009

Thanks for posting all the pics and updates, as I am not much of a writer.
I am off the the bone yard today to see what I can find...

Need the drive shaft bolts and random alternator bolts.
Hopefully I can get some more done to the car today.

Coast2CoaStang · Jul 12, 2009

Engine and transmission are installed. The car is now in the garage where most of the work will take place.

QUICK91LX · Jul 12, 2009

Sweet project im glad you ditched the aero nose...will you be going back to a 4 eyed nose, 81 or otherwise??

BigDanTheMan · Jul 12, 2009

so much potential here. this is a great thread.

1991notchbackLX · Jul 12, 2009

Very nice, I'll be following this one!

Ross302 · Jul 13, 2009

I wanted to go with a early 90's GT nose and also add a scope to the hood to compensate for the 1 inch spacer on the carb/air cleaner.
But am always open for sugguestions.

nisreo · Jul 13, 2009

Please keep it a 4 eye.

FYI: Everetts pick and pull in Brockton MA has an early 80s 4 eye with a decent nose on it.

stykthyn · Jul 13, 2009

the GT nose would look funny and not match the body lines. keep the LX aero nose or source a 4 eye from somewhere...

Jaym14 · Jul 13, 2009

nisreo said:
Please keep it a 4 eye.

FYI: Everetts pick and pull in Brockton MA has an early 80s 4 eye with a decent nose on it.

+1 FOR 4 EYE.... Since your restoring the rest to original trim might as well restore the entire thing.

Coast2CoaStang · Jul 13, 2009

Ross302, I have another pace car/GT air dam, fender extension, and headlight panel, etc., that I will donate to the project if you want to go 4 eye. You will need the upper cover and hood though. Tossies Mustang farm in Wrentham has a bunch of 79-82 cars.

Otherwise if that's not in the budget, an LX cover will do just fine, and you already have a hood for that.

1981 Fox Project

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I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

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