Car's a pos...

tranny rebuild, new bushings, new alternator.

you are looking at $400 if you do the work yourself, so you arent far from cruising the streets again. C-4 is an easy rebuild too.

First, let me say I've been where you are... That said, wow Speed_Demon1965, your attitude has really 180'd since you've come to this board. I remember your first posts defending those taillights, the wing, the bug catcher scoop, and you were so hyped on the car. Of course, you were being unfairly attacked at the time, so your defensiveness was understandable. Still, its amazing the way our tastes change, even over such short periods of time. Same thing happened for me over the year after I bought my Mach. The sidepipes, tacky blue and white paint job, cheap chrome wagon wheels I thought were so cool became ugly momentos of the car's past. I repainted the trim, removed the pipes, got a set of ratty Cragars, and it was better.

Now, to deal with your current problems, you've got to maintain a bit of perspective. While everything you mentioned is certainly frustrating, it's all manageable with a bit of time and money.

Tranny rebuild can be done in a couple weeks of casual work and should cost less than $300 in parts. This won't get you a super high performance tranny, but it should shift solid, give years of problem free service, and you should be able to do a shift kit at the same time for no extra money really. If you don't feel up to doing the rebuild, get a local shop to do it for $500-$600. That's a bit of change, but pretty reasonable really.

Engine rebuild can be expensive or cheap, you decide. A cheap (but often effective) way would be to do a quicky home hone/re-ring/re-seal job. Should cost less than $200 in parts and supplies. However, if you pull it apart and find a severe ridge, cracked pistons, etc, etc, etc, the you're in for a full on rebuild. Done on the cheap, you can do it for under $500 including very basic machine shop work (dip, cam bearings, bore/hone, pistons fitted to rods). Done right, it can be $800 or more. At that point, you might think about going with a rebuilt engine from your local autoparts store, or a place like http://www.ford-motors-engines.com/index.html?ford-engine-id=36102156069.92 .

A basic but complete suspension rebuild is under $300 if you use your original arms but replace bushings and ball joints.

Alternator is $60 or less.

Figure out why the tank is leaking... vent tube, bad cap, rust hole? You can pull it and use a tank seal kit for under $30, or you can replace it for $100.

So, to sum up, sure, you've got some serious work to do and it'll take a couple months, but you can do it. It'll cost some cash, but if you do it on the cheap, you're into it for less than $1200. On the expensive side, you'll be into it for $2000. And you won't be able to buy those wheels you've been wanting for a while, but think about what you'll have: it'll run good, be reliable, be safe, and will continue to maintain its value. And it's still cooler than whatever else you've been driving.

Hope this helps... Good luck!

Post a pic of the spoiler, just curious.

Good luck getting the car on the road. Get your priorities straight and spend your money on that so you can enjoy your car.

Don't fret. put the money into it, and you will be pleased. Put in 1,200. to 1,500 into it, and you will have a better car than if you would of bought a beater for that amount of money.
That is the way I look at it.

Or just give that troublesome car to me. I'd be glad to take that "headache" off your hands!

DarkBuddha said:

First, let me say I.........[there was a lot of stuff here]............................................Hope this helps... Good luck!

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DB,

I think you need a title of "Longest replies ever". Seems like every time I read one of your replies it's like reading a thesis paper; well thought out and long.

I hope these scanned copied of 65 Mustang wiring diagram helps you with your electrical problems. It sure helped mine.

http://www.tocmp.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wiring diagrams/Ford/MWire5765-234.jpg

http://www.tocmp.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wiring diagrams/Ford/MWire5765-235.jpg

Personally, I've ripped out the external voltage regulater with the associated wiring and will be goin with the one-wire setup. Get your alternater tested at the local chain parts store (Checkers, AutoZone, etc) and you're more than welcome to have my old unit if your's is bad (had mine checked out at Checkers and passed).

Speed_Demon1965 said:

DarkBuddha, your right my taste in stlyes have changed. Right now, I, personally, think my car looks tacky.
Here is how it looks now:
http://hobbiecars1.homestead.com/files/65stang.jpg
Here is what I want it to look like:
http://hobbiecars1.homestead.com/files/65stangafter.jpg

Click to expand...

just take the wing and fake hood scoop off and go. its an awesome color, clean car. BUT, if you do have to have the TT2's (which i dont like cuz everyone has em) Id be delighted to be first inline for your current wheels

67 Shelby tail lights would probably cover the double-stock setup nicely.

gp001 said:

DB,

I think you need a title of "Longest replies ever". Seems like every time I read one of your replies it's like reading a thesis paper; well thought out and long.

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Thanks.









notice ironically short reply...

Have heart! Everyone owning a classic Mustang has had the blues over its 35 year old condition, its aches and pains. Ask any rodder, the story is the same. Or any boat owner, Or a Corvette owner...etc.

It takes a real concentrated effort to restore a classic car and make it run well. To quote my sister (brother-in-law is a street rodder), you gotta have deep pockets and a real sense of humor to own one of these.

Stangnet exists so we can all talk about our joys and troubles with our baby cars.

If you want to keep a classic be prepared for everything going wrong with it; be prepared for some big dollar expenditures; its part and parcel to having one. Thats why others admire it so much...so hard to achieve!

Try lowering it about 1" all around. Ditch the chin spoiler & put a "Talbot" mirror on it (instead of the black). Then, "de-badge" the fenders and the quarters. (along with the flame sticker thingy). I for one, would like to see what some clean lines and a different stance would do for your car. I also like Blakes idea to fix your current tail light problem. (cheaper than replacing the entire panel too!)

In this case, less could be more!

P.S. I'm a photoshop novice at best, or I'd do it.

how about everyone stop telling him what to do and let him do what he wants. everyone has an opinion, but there's no need to in-force it.

and please remember that it IS a 65 MUSTANG that is going to look good no matter what he does to it. classic lines can't go wrong.

none67 said:

how about everyone stop telling him what to do and let him do what he wants. everyone has an opinion, but there's no need to in-force it.

and please remember that it IS a 65 MUSTANG that is going to look good no matter what he does to it. classic lines can't go wrong.

Click to expand...

How about you read his first post?

Someone, please, help me. Enlighten me, get me interested in this car again.

Click to expand...

Perhaps suggestions to change the things that he doesn't like about the car will get him interested again.

And I personally have seen too many instances of someone taking those "classic lines" and totally ruining them.

As Blake said, he asked for suggestions. Personally, I could care less what he does with it. He asked for ideas, I gave them. Simple as that.

hey take it easy guys, i'm not trying to offend anyone.

i'm just saying that i would support him with anything that he did to the car. i just really like the car, thats all.
i mean, i think that it was stupid that everyone picked on his car because it doesn't comform to what most other people are doing to theirs. diversity is good, and should not become a scape goat for anything.
not saying that any of you guys are like that, just making a point.

I agree, different strokes for different folks. To tell ya the truth, i kinda like the car how it is, but this is the opinion of a 19 year old who is into the drag race look....but what do i know lol