On Christmas of 2020, my family bought me more car parts, mostly stuff for under the hood.
Before the work began
Since I got the car running, it has never idled quite right. It does have quite a large cam, causing a lopey idle (which is very cool), but it would eventually stall, and would also buck and jerk at part throttle when driving down the road at about 1500 RPM. I had checked about everything that would cause these issues without finding anything, when one day, while reading an article about someone making a similar car run better, found that the air cleaner was exposed under the hood (like this car)
Well, apparently what happens is that the cooling fan–which is driven by the belt on the front of the engine–causes air to be pushed into the air filter and effects how the Mass Air Flow Meter reads incoming air and causes the ECM (engine computer) to have conflicting readings. It sees the RPM’s at one range and shows too much air flow in comparison, causing the drivability problem.
Cold Air Intake
The fix is to install a cold air intake that pulls air from inside the fender, where the air is calmer and not effected by the cooling fans, which is what the ECM is expecting to see. Now it idles much better; power is great and there is no bucking.
Once I figured out the running problem, I decided to install a new aluminum radiator and electric cooling fans to reduce drag on the engine which equals more power.
Aluminum Radiator
The electric cooling fans Evan bought me for Christmas
I removed the old fan and shroud
While I was in there, I found damaged wires.
More mouse stuff!
While I had the radiator out, I also replaced all the hoses and the thermostat. The alternator was also in need of an upgrade from the 65 amp unit to a 135 amp unit. The original unit was barely large enough for the car in stock form, and if you were to add a big stereo and electric cooling fans, it would no longer work.
Cooling fan and radiator removed
New alternator installed
New fans installed
To get the AC working, I pulled all the line connections apart, replaced all the o-rings, and recharged the system. It worked for about a month, then all the seals in the compressor failed and it leaked out the Freon. Next year, I will replace the compressor and get it working again.
Under the hood now
Next, I started on the stereo install which included the following: Kenwood deck, door speakers, rear speakers, tweeters in the dash, and a 10″ Kicker Subwoofer. All the speakers are pushed by amps except the tweeters, which run off the deck. It sounds excellent. I contacted Crutchfield (Scotts favorite catalog and place to buy equipment), and they helped me design the system with parts that would work well together. I also ran all new speaker wires to all locations.
Infinity tweeters
Kicker 6×8’s for the rear, these match the Kicker 6 1/2’s that I put in the doors last year
Kicker 10″ powered sub woofer, it has great bass but I might need to add another one!
Kenwood deck; nothing super fancy but it sounds great
While I was installing the stereo, I installed an new center console that had cup holders in it
After scouring the internet between Ebay and Facebook, I found someone with a set of door panels (I only needed the drivers door) in Oregon. While I was installing the stereo I installed the new door panel. The interior is so nice most people are shocked that is original.
New door panel
I also was able to clean and repair the cargo cover
I located a rear hatch and had it painted and installed
Old rusted out hatch
New hatch!
I had so much fun with the car this year. Everywhere I went, I got thumbs up or someone telling me, “Nice car.” For example one day, in front of a local grocery store, a guy of about 65 or 70 was walking in front of me (I was in the car). He looked up at the car, stopped, turned, walked over, said, “Nice car,” gave me a thumbs up, turned and hobbled off.
Another story that Ingrid reminded me of. One day Ingrid, Korbin, and I stopped at the auto parts store I often frequent in the Mustang. Ingrid sat in the car and Korbin and I went in the store and was talking with the parts guy and in walks this young guy who was about 20 or so. Under the counter right next to where I’m standing is a bunch of Matchbox cars, and the guys starts excitedly digging through the cars looking for something. His friend asks him “What are you doing?” He says, “I’m looking for a Mustang Matchbox car to give to the guy that’s driving the one out there.” At this point I chuckle and tell him “Well, you don’t have to go far, I’m the guy! At this point the young fella starts talking with me about the car and how he has one he’s working on and some other cars he has. He reminded me of Scott and I at that age and how we bought up cars that we liked, mostly junk of course. He then handed me the car and left.
The Matchbox
I come up with any excuse to drive it. Once again, thanks Kris, Carol, and Shawn!
Currently I’m trying to decide what to do to it this year. I’m caught between getting it painted or brake and suspension upgrades; I’m leaning heavy towards paint. I’ll keep you guys posted.
Waltham Garage 