The big day Oct.2

Well it's that time,the time that most girls dream of ,and most guys dread. I didn't think this day would ever come for me. I was always quick to avoid it like the plague. Now almost thirty my goals have changed so much. I no longer see marriage as a death sentence. I now see it as so much more, it is a chance for me to relax. There is such a weight lifted knowing someone else is their to help you now. Knowing that when times get hard you will not be sitting there alone in the dark. There is just something about the way you feel when someone reaches down to grab your hand, only to tell you it will be okay. That is only the half of it their are also the good times. Everyone should know this feeling its when you sit around with your friends and talk about what you all did, but with a wife it never ends. You get to share every story and remember together how you felt when you did even the simple stuff, like the walks in the park or trips with the kids. Either way you get to share your emotions without the fear of rejection. Plus they keep us in check, truth be told some of us need that extra help.

saving a buck

This week was a total bust for me on the car.I just couldn't seem to get anything done.The only day that I had a chance to work on the thing it rained.So I spent most of the week thinking about what is next and window shopping so I could get the best prices.You can literally save thousands of dollars off a project just by calling the sales representative and asking what kind of deal can they can get you.Most of the time they will tell you it depends what are you looking for.The mark up on most parts is a minimum of 50% so for them to take of 10-20% it wont hurt at all.If they don't want to or say they can't ask if you could at least get a promo.Heck a free shirt or hat is never a bad thing, either way it works for both of you because they get free advertising and you get the swag.Also a big determining factor in this is how much you will be spending.I have also found that buying from one company a lot pays of because you can remind them that you are a repeat customer who just spent $6000 on your last project.Even if it was 3 years ago.Most of the larger companies keep records of that now days any way.They will value knowing that they are building a long term relationship with the customer.Remember to always write down who you deal with so next time you order you can ask for them by name.Most of the time they are paid on commission so they will be more apt to help you knowing they are making a buck.Well I hope this helps you next time you order something for your car it also works with buying other stuff give it a try, there is no shame in saying.

1979 mustang pacecar restomod prodject.part 3

Week three has found its way to me and with it has come nothing but headaches. I guess if it was easy every one would do it.first I went to install the coil over conversion kit and it would not fit. So I had to modify the strut by taking my grinder and grinding the dust cap off.Now this heated up my strut enough to boil the paint of around it.No one will ever see this and I could get away with not painting it again. I'm sure if I don't paint it the thing it will surely rust and then it will run down the strut staining it for everyone to see.So after I get all that done and repainted I realize that the strut shaft that goes up through the caster camber plates is to short when I use the coil overs.Now I need to order after market plates because they are not as thick.Not every thing was doom and gloom though I did manage to get some of the wiring done.I got the power distribution wire in place and zip tied down.I also figured out where I need to run my E.C.M. harness.It will have to be stretched out about eight inches so that the computer is located inside the car.I may also relocate the P.C.M. into the car.I just don't like the stock location of under the finder. I'm just afraid it will get wet and leave me stranded on the side of a highway.I also managed to get the break lines and master cylinder out of the car I had to leave the break boaster in place though because the four bolts that hold it in place double to hold the peddle Assembly in place.that about as far as I got hope to have more fore you next week.

1979 mustang pace car restomod project. step 2

Well I have a lot done since last week. I managed to remove all of the front suspension. I plan on reusing the stock spindles and struts so I pressure washed them. When I was done I taped off the strut shafts and the spindle shafts and sand blasted the two pieces to remove any surface rust. Then I prep them for paint with some self etching primer. I also did the same thing with the rack and pinion. The last thing you want on a nice restoration is to look under the car and see rust. It’s the attention to detail that wins car shows. With the stock components out of the way I started lining up the new k-member I doing this without the engine for now just to make sure it lines up without a hassle. I decided to get the bolt kit with the new k-member and I'm glad I did because I snapped off several of the old ones.30 years tends to seize them good even with PB-blaster their a pain. Once I got the k-member in and the A-Arms mounted I installed the spindles and struts. I went to install the rack and pinion but I couldn't my bushings were pretty worn out. So I had to order new ones along with new engine mounts, transmission mount, and, tie rod ends. Once I get these in the mail I should be ready for a test fit with the engine attached. Tomorrow I will have to finish removing the last of the stock components. I still need to remove all the brake lines and the master cylinder/brake booster. then I’m going to start laying out all the wiring from the fuel injected car into mine .I think that the easiest way to do this is to find someone with a 96-97 cobra and see how the factory laid out the wires. I would think that even if you don't know anyone with a car like this you could still find some good pictures online to work from. I will also try to get the fuel tank out this weekend and get the 97 one in. I will have to modify the brackets some because the new tank is larger. I’ve seen pictures of someone else who did this and it looks simple enough. It’s just a matter of making the straps that hold the tank in place longer. I’m also going to have to cut out the floor pans now as well. I removed the carpet to find some pretty rancid rust. So I will just put in full length pans to avoid any future problems. This should be a good spot to stop step two more next week weather permitting.

1979 mustange pace car restomod prodject.STEP 1

I am currently starting a new project.I have a 1979 Indianapolis 500 pace car replica.I plan to remove the current drive train a 2.0L turbo 4 cyl. with a 4 speed manual transmission and replace it with a 4.6L dohc cobra engine out of a 97 mustang cobra with a 5 speed manual transmission.There are a few ways to go about doing this I prefer the easy way of just buying the parts already made for the conversion.However it is not always that easy.You need to start with removing all the parts that need refurbished .Remember to keep every thing organized.I bought several large tubs to keep things in and on the outside of each one wrote what was in them.I also put all of the bolts and screws in small baggies and wrote where they were taken from.Since I am restoring my car from the ground up I have started removing everything on the car.I have removed the hood, fenders, front and rear bumper, doors, dash, seats, carpet & wiring.I still need to remove the drive train and rear differential.Once I am done with that I will start doing my mock up for the new setup.Since I went the easy route I ordered a new tubular k-member from UPR Products $699 it will be a strait forward bolt in setup no cutting or welding. you could also modify a 96-04 stock one by elongating the back two bolt holes then you also have to deal with the A-arm location being to far forward .Someone probably makes a kit to move it back two inches but Its still easier just to buy a new tubular k-member plus you get added clearance for headers.I will start my mock up with bolting my engine/trans. combo to the k-member and attaching the stock spindles and struts.I will then lift the front of the car enough to slide the setup in from the bottom.Much easier this way .Once every thing is lined up I will lower car into place and bolt every thing in.I then move on to the trans mission end of every thing.If you use a TKO transmission every thing should line up but if you use a t45 our a t56 you will have to move the trans Mount back.A junkyard is your best bet just buy a set of mounts that are cut out of another car .Just grind yours off flush and weld the new ones in.I will also be installing a double hump cross member into the car now for the dual exhaust.This looks like a good place to stop step 1 I will be starting step 2 next week.