Nick's "lvndpst" Restoration (and Slight Modification) Thread

[95BlueStallion]

The car is back together and running. I ended up breaking the stock quadrant adjuster to get it out. I saw no other way, lol. The new quadrant is in and the clutch feels good. I have it adjusted so that the slack is just taken out. I started the car while up on stands and ran it though the first three gears and reverse. All feels good, I am happy with the clutch engagement, the engine idles and revs nicely. I am going to change the oil and see how it looks with all my assembly, reassembly, and reeeeassembly. With the little run time it has had since I put it all together, I am hoping to see pretty fresh oil with no signs of metal or coolant.

I ordered a plaque for the intake cover, but it may look a little too nice. I think I'll have to "age" it a touch.

My engine bay needs a good detail. Look how dirty the firewall is. I also need some black or gray plug wires.

Lastly, look what I noticed today while reinstalling my starter. Looks like it was previously filled with something, too. Hopefully it stays together long enough for me to get my chassis and suspension done before I have to shell out for a transmission.

 

[General karthief]

Drill a hole at the end of the crack then jb weld it, do both sides just for fun.

 

[95BlueStallion]

Drill a hole at the end of the crack then jb weld it, do both sides just for fun.

Meh, I am leaving it alone. Its just around the starter. If it were around a bellhousing bolt hole, then I'd be a little more concerned.

 

[95BlueStallion]

I tell ya what, that $25 Ford Performace plaque sure wasnt what I was expecting. From the pic, I made the assumption it has a we bit of thickness. Turns out $25 gets you a paper thin stamped aluminum sheet. I feel like its a flattened quarter from an amusement park.

But regardless, it fit the space nicely, and the dark gray print matches my color scheme, so on it went.

Now I just need to slowly detail my engine bay. New tape around the looms, a good scrubbing, some nice CC plates and a body colored radiator cover plate.

 

[CarMichael Angelo]

How do ya spose that crack got there Jeeves? Crack's just don't show up for no reason. Granted, the crack is on the opposite side of the bell housing where i would expect a stress crack to appear, as it is on the other side of where the engine torques against. But If I looked up there, and saw a crack like that one, I'd have to scratch my head and ask what caused that crack then?.......What else besides engine torque?....What else would create enough of a "twist" to start, and cause the crack to walk like that?.......Hmmmmm...... What would cause a crack on the "starter" side of the engine?.....

Ya figure it out yet Iowa Nick?

You have a starter that torques there. I'd bet if you watch that crack when somebody hits the key,...

 

[Mustang5L5]

That crack would give me the worries.

 

[95BlueStallion]

Well fellas, I have driven the car all of 20 miles in the last year and half, so maybe I'll be able to afford a new transmision by the time I drive it enough time that it totally breaks. I figure the engine plate helps keep the starter from from moving too much, so maybe the PO had the trans out and dropped it on the floor? Who knows.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I'd probably draw a few marks with a perm marker on the crack to mark it's extent right now and then monitor it.

 

[BlakeusMaximus]

Stumbled on some wheels that struck a cord with me. In high school I had my red/silver GT on turbine wheels, while a friend of mine had a black GT on chrome Cobra Rs. I have always had a soft spot for Cobra Rs, as "played out" as they are. Now if you remember my engine colors, I have used a dark gray on my VC's, and will be using it in other areas as my accent color.

The 2010 GT wheels I bought just dont sit right for me. I really like the rear 18X10s, because they are concave, however the front wheels are so flat, they just seem odd.

All that being said, I have also always like wheels with a lip front and back. So, in you guys' opinion, am I on crack to scoop these up for cheap, toss a mustang center cap on them and run them? They are 18's, so my tires will swap over, and I think they match my color scheme well...

Should be able to sell my 2010 GT style for the same price as the knock off Cobra Rs locally.

I love the way that engine looks!

 

[95BlueStallion]

I love the way that engine looks!

Thanks man. Too bad my engine bay is never going to be shaved and tucked to fully show it off. I just dont have the desire.

 

[BlakeusMaximus]

Thanks man. Too bad my engine bay is never going to be shaved and tucked to fully show it off. I just dont have the desire.

Me neither, it’ll look good though.

 

[BlakeusMaximus]

I'd do things for a set of 17" ROH ZS rims. I wanted those badly in the 90s

I could have bought a set of those for $300, 4 lug a few years ago. Didn’t have the money and passed on em. Too bad.

 

[95BlueStallion]

I took the afternoon off because we had a dry 68 degree day today, and tomorrow its supposed to start heading back into winter.

I changed the oil in the car, and took it out for its first drive with the new clutch. I made a short video showing that it now cruises pretty smoothly since fixing the PCV leak. Definitely still needs tuned, but isnt all tha unpleasant as is.


View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g4x6EEpN1aE


I have no tail pipes yet, but surprisingly the video isnt horrible sound wise. I blipped the throttle, but couldnt push the car with 10 miles on the new clutch.

I stopped and grabbed an idle walk around to show off my lack of finishing the silver paint around the bottom of the car. I adjusted the camber and toe quickly before driving the car, and it actually feels good out on the road, and I like the way its shaping up to look and run. Ive decided for now that I am going to keep my wheels. The car needs so much more work, wheels are the last thing I need to spend time and money on. Sorry, I held my phone incorrectly for making a vid.


View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-0ZUV8rquFc


Lastly, when I pulled into my driveway which has a short curb, my small radiator leak grew into a running coolant faucet. Was barely a drip before, and that curb twisting the body did it in (I dont have SFCs yet). So radiator is next on the list, and then SFCs and suspension.

 

[95BlueStallion]

I know for a lot of guys on here this is the same ol same, but for me this is a big deal. This is my first engine swap, my first real restoration where I have to plan it out because I can only afford so much at a time, etc. Just being able to cruise today with the windows down, loud ass droning mufflers and all, was absolutely great. I feel a big sense of pride and accomplishment so far. Today was a good day (and needed one) for me. This car is a learning curve for me, and feeling some small payoff is very motivating. Bring on the warm weather so I can keep on with it!

 

[Mustang5L5]

Honestly I like those wheels. You don't see them everytday. However I can understand when a wheel looks good to others but you just aren't feeling in.

Car looks good. Your weather is heading my way tomorrow/sat but it looks like rain is coming with it. Gotta hold off on my nice weather cruising a couple more weeks.

What SFCs are you going to run? Installing yourself? I actually need a set myself. Going full lenght MMs but I don't have anyone locally to install.

 

[95BlueStallion]

Honestly I like those wheels. You don't see them everytday. However I can understand when a wheel looks good to others but you just aren't feeling in.

Car looks good. Your weather is heading my way tomorrow/sat but it looks like rain is coming with it. Gotta hold off on my nice weather cruising a couple more weeks.

What SFCs are you going to run? Installing yourself? I actually need a set myself. Going full lenght MMs but I don't have anyone locally to install.

I plan on the full length MM SFCs as well. I am going to try to weld them on myself, so long as my subframes are straight enough that everything fits together correctly.

 

[BlakeusMaximus]

I plan on the full length MM SFCs as well. I am going to try to weld them on myself, so long as my subframes are straight enough that everything fits together correctly.

I went with the MM full lengths recently and love em.

 

[BlakeusMaximus]

Honestly I like those wheels. You don't see them everytday. However I can understand when a wheel looks good to others but you just aren't feeling in.

Car looks good. Your weather is heading my way tomorrow/sat but it looks like rain is coming with it. Gotta hold off on my nice weather cruising a couple more weeks.

What SFCs are you going to run? Installing yourself? I actually need a set myself. Going full lenght MMs but I don't have anyone locally to install.

Have a reputable body shop install em Mike.

 

[hoopty5.0]

I know for a lot of guys on here this is the same ol same, but for me this is a big deal. This is my first engine swap, my first real restoration where I have to plan it out because I can only afford so much at a time, etc. Just being able to cruise today with the windows down, loud ass droning mufflers and all, was absolutely great. I feel a big sense of pride and accomplishment so far. Today was a good day (and needed one) for me. This car is a learning curve for me, and feeling some small payoff is very motivating. Bring on the warm weather so I can keep on with it!

That is a big deal. I'm jealous, hopefully I wont be too far behind you. Congrats on getting it running!

 

[95BlueStallion]

I went with the MM full lengths recently and love em.

I put them on my '95 years ago, and what difference they made. Honestly, I feel like they are the only real option worth doing. They are not any more expensive than others on the market, and are the most robust. Why would buy anything else?