Ford The Brentstangs.....68 Mustang build

[JackA]

Everything is mocked up and the belt seems good. Need to pull it all back apart and add gaskets and sealer. Then do final torque.

 

[JackA]

All back together with plenty of gray gasket maker. Need to torque bolts after 1 hour for max sealage. Replaced the thermostat as the one that was in there was no good.
Add belt and coolant tomorrow and hopefully......test drive?

 

[JackA]

Everything buttoned up and starting to add coolant. The upgraded alternator came with some new leads and this maxi 200 Amp fuse. I squeezed it in with the rest of the added wiring. I also added a large engine to chassis ground wire.

 

[JackA]

First test run at idle seems good. Alternator is now putting out 14.4 volts not like the 13.2 down to 12.4 like before. One leak so far was just a loose hose. Need to cycle it a few times to add coolant. More to come......

 

[JackA]

No water leaks......hung win. Drove it around the block for the first time. All good except the brakes feel like they need more bleeding. Steers good and rides firm but good.....at least for this short ride.

 

[bobm]

We need sound

 

[JackA]

Yeah....a running vehicle video would be sweet.

Small victory this morning......I had to shorten the trunk catch in order to have to correct position and latching. Cut, weld, paint and bolt in place......it works.

 

[JackA]

I got the shifter base adjusted so it starts in park again. Evidently when I secured the shifter base it was not letting the shifter arm go far enough forward to engage the neutral safety switch.

I also began troubleshooting the lack of brake lights and turn signals. I may have a few leads in the turn signal pigtail mismatched......not sure yet. I am getting power at the brake light switch. I can jumper the leads and light the brake lights. Might need a new switch or to adjust it?

 

[JackA]

I found there are 2 different brake light switches depending on power or manual. I converted this to power disc and rear drums. I not only had the wrong switch, but it was broken as well.
Picked up new versions of both this morning. There's a clear difference. The old incorrect switch was tough to remove, so hopefully the new one installs easier and functions properly.

 

[JackA]

Installed the correct switch and have it working now. We have brake lights.
Now I need to find out why the turn signals aren't working???

 

[JackA]

More fiddling today. Adjusted the rear brake shoes which made both the regular brakes and parking brake work better.
Still have no turn signals. Been working on that.......

 

[JackA]

Got the spare tire today. Sure makes the trunk look small. I had the original spare tire hold down hook. I made a spacer and screw on handle to hold it in place.
I also got the drivers door all together. New door panel, arm rests and more weather strip.

 

[JackA]

Thanks to friends Steve and Steve, stuff got done this morning. Steve did a great job and installed the stereo. Then other Steve and I got the scoop mounted on the hood. Still need to finish that up.....the hard part is done.
During the stereo install, we discovered a dirty fuse holder causing intermittent power issues. Once fixed, the turn signals now function. The sequential turn signals are now working. WIN

 

[bobm]

Don't need turn signals for a Burnout

 

[JackA]

Cleaned and painted the scoop grille. Then bolted the scoop to the hood.

 

[JackA]

All electrical circuits seem to be functioning as intended. Still need to button up the gauge cluster. There's 2 buttons to trigger gauge read out stuff. They need a home. I will make a small piece that will bolt in next to the column and house these buttons. They need to be easy to use from the drivers seat.
Also need to run the ac vent hose and mount the vent for it. Funny how small this car seems now......lol

 

[JackA]

Today is a big day. The owner of this pony is coming to see it. Some friends and family are also going to take a look.
It's not 100 % yet.....but you get the idea. I got it staged in the driveway for the best impression.....lol

 

[JackA]

Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures.....but today went really well. Betty was more than happy with her new 1968 Mustang. My friend, Brent.....that past , was the reason I did this build. His daughters were also here to see the car.
Everybody was really happy with the car.....which was the pay off for me. Great day.

 

[JackA]

Passenger side door all together. None of these windows roll up and down very well. Despite or maybe because new weather strip and parts.

 

[bobm]

WD40 makes a silicone spray that helps. Used on rear window in 55.