87GT Drop Top's slow build

Shaolin Crane said:

i love everything about your car minus the headlights, but work is

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Thanks
I'm not 100% on them either. I still have the other one in my attic. I've been debating putting them back on.

Subframe connectors are being welded in on Monday. I will have more pictures then.

I did all of the prep work and lined everything up for the sumbframe connectors. Now when I go to my buddies shop tomorrow all he has to do is weld them on.

Here are the seat braces bolted up.


Here is the front frame rail grinded and ready for welding.


Here is the rear one prepped and ready. Since I have a convertible it has a factory reinforcement. Instead of removing them I just removed the 3 rivets that were in the way and ground the lip off so the subframe connectors would sit flush and could be welded up to them.

5.0Droptop said:

I would not weld the SFC to that plate. I would notch the plate so the SFC can be welded directly to the frame rail. Personally I removed the plate on my 87droptop

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Ya know...I asked the question in the tech forum if I should remove them or not & no one answered. I removed one side and though to myself it would be stronger with them. The I called UPR. That's were I got the connectors from. They told me to leave them on. I like your idea better. Man and I just took a shower. I guess it's back outside to do more cutting. The worst part is putting the car on the stands. Thanks for the advice!!

I bolted the one side back in that I removed. I notched it out like you suggested. I will have him weld up everything tight tomorrow. More pictures tomorrow. Now back to the shower.

5.0Droptop said:

That will be much stronger. Car looks realy clean underneath.

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Thanks again for the advice. The car is actually very clean underneath.

OK I had the subframe connectors welded in today. It was done at my buddies shop in Lkae Worth FL. Custom Exhaust. They do some of the best quality exhaust work anywhere. No dangling tailpipes here. If you go see Don or Doug, trll them Frank from Bennett Auto Supply sent you.
Man I forgot my camera so I had to use my phone. I'm surprised what good pictures it takes.

Custom Exhaust


Here's the car on the rack.


Here's Julio lining things up.




Him welding.


Some of the finished product.

One of the projector headlights had water in it. I was on the fence weather I liked them or not, so that swayed my decision to put back these. If I do get it replaced for free, which I hope I do. They are only 4 months old. I'm going to sell them.

SScott said:

Man, you have really done a lot to improve the car. Minor changes that come together to create a major improvement. Looks really good!

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Thanks.

I've changed directions on the engine. I'm going to have Fordstrokers.com build me a 347 stroker long block. It's going to come with everything, except an intake, valve covers and water pump. It will include a timing cover, harmonic blancer, 7qt Moroso oil pan and a flywheel. That way there is no guess work or miss matched parts.....just lots of power!!

5.0Droptop said:

NIce. Make sure you paint the SFC's and Welds so they dont rust.

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Thanks
He painted them with some silver paint that they use on exhaust. I'm going to get under there and redo them in flat black.

New update.

Tomorrow I will be mailing off the money for my Fordstroker long block. I can't use a credit card so my wife doesn't know how much money I'm spending. I have to send a bank check. I have all but $1000 to send right now. I need to send them what I have so I don't spend it. As long as we are still busy at work & I keep getting good bounus checks I should have the rest in about 2 months. They told me it would be 2 to 3 months lead time anyway becasue the are so busy. They seem like really nice people. They answered every one of a million questions I've asked. They answer emails very fast, even on Saturday night at like 8:30PM. Everytime I call someone answers the phone. All I will have to do is add the intake, injectors, fuel rails distributor, plugs, wires and the water pump. Then it will be a complete drop in turn key engine. After I get the engine it will probably be 4 to 6 months or so before I put it in. I need to save more money for all of the supporting parts.

Here is the build sheet for the engine.

347 Liberator Complete Longblock -
Roller 302 Machined Block
Scat Cast Steel 3.400 Crankshaft
Scat Forged Steel I Beam Connecting Rods 5.400
Probe SRS 2618 Forged Pistons (Flat, TFS) 4.030
Perfect Circle Moly File Fit Rings
Clevite 77 Main Bearings
Clevite 77 Rod Bearings
Clevite 77 Cam Bearings
Screw in Oil Galley Plugs
Fel Pro Rear Main Seal
ARP Main Studs
Freeze Plugs
FordStrokers Custom HYD Roller Camshaft
SA Gear Billet Timing Chain with Torrington Bearing
Melling Oil Pump M68
Moroso/Canton Oil Pump Pick Up
ARP Billet Oil Pumpshaft
Fel Pro 1 Piece Pan Gasket
Moroso/Canton 7qt Oil Pan - Fox Body
Timing Chain Cover
Mr. Gasket Oil Pan Bolts
Fel Pro Timing Chain Cover Gasket
Fuel Pump Eccentric?? Mechanical Fuel Pump?
TFS Twisted Wedge Fast as Cast 190cc Cylinder Heads
Comp Cams HYD Roller Lifters
Comp Cams Ultra Gold Rocker Arms 1.6
4130 Chromemoly .080 Wall 1 Piece Formed End Pushrods
ARP Head Bolts
Fel Pro 9333 Head Gaskets
Professional Products NON SFI 28oz Balancer - 80006
Professional Products .95 Spacer - 81007
157 Tooth Billet Steel Flywheel 28oz
Block Painted the Color of Your Choice -
Machine Block
-OvenBaked
-Shotblasted (Remove scale, rust)
-Magnafluxed for cracks
-Cylinders bored on Kwik-Way Boring Bar and Table
-Finish honed on Peterson Powerstroke Hone with BHJ
Aluminum Torque Plates, Fel Pro Head Gaskets and ARP
Hardware (.0001-0002 Taper MAX)
-Plateau Brushed (Provides Instant Ring Seal)
-Main Bearing Bores Align Honed on a Sunnen CH-100
Hone
-Deck surfaced on a Winona Van Norman CBN surfacer (Ra
Finish compatible with MLS Gaskets)
-Screw In Oil Galley Plugs
-Lifter Valley Oil Drain Backs Chamferred
-Oil Filter Inlet Chaferred
-Threaded Holes Chased
-Lifter Bores Honed
-Crankshaft Balancing done on Hines Dominator XP Digital
Balancer - Balanced to 28oz

I've been with my wife for 21 years so I must be doing something right. I know what is best. I told her it would be about $2000