My new project! (pics)

[68stang351]

Well, I got the new motor and tranny in. I picked up a C4 and a torque converter Monday.

I still have some engine bay cleaning to do, and I still need to figure out what I'm going to do about pulleys, because the 221's crank pulley is a 3 bolt. I need a matching set of v belt pulleys with a 4 bolt crank pulley. I have fox Mustang stuff I could use but I wanted to avoid that because I want V belts on this one and I don't want to change the water pump. I'm also going to change the valve covers to the mid 80's finned "Powered by Ford" covers that I have sitting around, after I paint them aluminum. I'm also going to repaint the air cleaner, probably blue, and order a 221 sticker to put on it.




Oh, here's a before pic.

 

[StreetsideStig]

That's awesome! I love the copper color!

 

[68stang351]

I'm about to go see if I can mess with the wiring some, make sure it's okay, and fix whatever I need to.

I'm going to rob the harness for the alternator and voltage regulator off my other 68 coupe and put it in the Fairlane so I can get away from that generator.

 

[tx65coupe]

I kinda like the new engine colors too. I'm glad your planning on rebuilding the original engine for later.

 

[julieloiuse]

Im looking forward to see more updates about this...
Love it... are you going to change the body paint?
Im a fan of ford but not really with Fairlane.. but I have seen couple of Fairlanes when I visited my uncle. A 1965 Ford Fairlane that was transformed into a new AWESOME car and hey I love the color of it!

 

[68stang351]

Well, I made some good progress today.

I had to lift the engine back up to replace the top two trans to engine bolts I was using. The ones I used the first time were too long so I put a spacer on them, but last night I realized that the bolts were hitting the firewall which was causing problems getting the trans, trans mount and crossmember aligned and bolted up for good. I got all that stuff fixed and finalized.

I also got the exhaust manifolds installed. I started trying to fab up some new throttle linkage but ran into a snag. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about that.

I'll probably post up some pics of my before and current throttle linkage situations tomorrow and see if you guys have any ideas.

 

[CarMichael Angelo]

What the hell kind of engine is that? a 351 Man-ser or a 351 man-land?

 

[68stang351]

What the hell kind of engine is that? a 351 Man-ser or a 351 man-land?

Lol! It was the easiest way to get to what I was doing without killing my back.

Today I took the gas tank out, and I'm taking it to be cleaned and sealed along with the radiator to be checked, cleaned, and/or repaired tomorrow.

 

[68stang351]

I dropped off the tank and radiator this morning, then spent over half the day and 100+ miles on my truck to find a stupid water pump pulley I could use.

I also made my own arm to attach to the original throttle bellcrank (I didn't want to modify the stock one because I want to go back to original one day) and also made a linkage rod from it to the carb. Works great, looks pretty good, and it doesn't bind or anything, it feels like it should.

While I had my confidence up, I also ended up successfully making my own pivot for the shift linkage since the 91 block doesn't have a place for one. It allowed me to use my original pivot bar for the shift linkage with the new engine.

 

[68stang351]

Well today I put a battery in to see what all was wrong with the electrical. I only had to extend two wires to the solenoid that mice ate. It's been sitting since 82 or 83, and all the lights still work except the turn signals and brake lights, and the horn still works great too. I think a flasher and brakelight switch will probably fix that.

I don't have a fuel pump on it yet but it fired right up with a little gas down the carb.

I also made the shift linkage from the trans to the pivot arm. So now that's all done too.

Also, yesterday I put the radiator and fuel tank back in.

 

[68stang351]

If anyone is still reading this.................

Well, today I ran the fuel line and hooked up the fuel pump. Last weekend I worked out the pulleys, belt, and fan, and so today I started it and really let it run for a while.

I know it's a new"er" motor (91 G.T. 5.0 H.O.), but tonight was the first time that the key was turned and it started right up for the first time in almost 30 years since my Great Grandmother last turned the key. With all of 47k original miles, I'm the 3rd owner, and I have a copy of the title that I just gave up from when she bought the car from the original owner in 1968, it was cool as hell to see it go again

 

[StreetsideStig]

I still read it! That sounds pretty awesome, Dusty. Keep up the good work!

 

[StangDreamin']

Still reading, too. Nice pics, was glad to see even the '68 make an appearance. But, with a name like that, I was hoping to see a '33 Ford "Eliminator"

I can imagine the grin on your face when that engine first rumbled to life and sorted itself out.

 

[hungrymonkey]

Moved per OP request.

 

[jlangholzj]

doin work! I always have kinda had a soft spot for fairlanes....

 

[armand67Fstback]

Thumbs Up

Nice car man, keep up the good work and pictures of the progress.

 

[68stang351]

My original radiator that I had fixed has 3 leaks in it I'm about to go pull it back out to take it back to the shop. I'm also ordering my new fuel sending unit tonight. Then it should be ready to roll.

 

[68stang351]

I think I may have it painted early next year. The husband of one of my co-workers is a painter, and he offered to really hook me up on a paint job because he likes the car so much.

 

[68stang351]

Tonight I bolted the exhaust back up, and put the radiator back in. Thankfully it doesn't leak.

I let it run for a while with the exhaust up, and that thing is as quiet as a new car! I kinda like it. I also found out that the original temp gauge works great still too. I just let it run for a while, and adjusted the idle and this thing starts quicker and easier than my 04 GT. The engine is so smooth you can't even feel it, like a sewing machine.

I think this is going to be a great cruiser.

I'm just waiting on my sending unit to come in and I have to make one more trans cooler line, and it will be rolling.

I also ordered an orignal style key blank, and a 221 emblem for the air cleaner, though I'm not sure if I'm going to use it yet or not.

 

[68stang351]

I just drove it up and down the road a couple of times. It runs great but I think I have issues with the rear brakes. I'm working on that now. It kept locking up the tears. It felt like the park brake was on, but when I pulled it and.released it nothing happened so I think it was stuck. I just disconnected the cable for now and adjusted the rear shoes all the way in so I'm about to see what happens.

I have pics of it after the first trip, and one with me and it that I will post when I get done with it tonight and get home to my computer instead of this phone.