You be the MCA Judge - What is wrong with this Engine Bay

[79mustangcobra]

With the 79 Capri RS Engine Bay on Ebay.

Again, a very nice car. We are just doing friendly nit picking which can help prepare your car for a MCA Event. Of course this engine bay is not show ready. I will show a picture of what it should look like later, after the fun of figuring it out.

[Drg racr]

Why is there a hole on the left inner fender? They didn't have dual snorkel air cleaners, I think.

[79mustangcobra]

Why is there a hole on the left inner fender? They didn't have dual snorkel air cleaners, I think.

Ironically the hole is correct. I thought that was wrong before too.

[tORMENtOR]

Did those early 5.0's come with a serpentine setup? Also the battery is not Motorcraft.

[jeffcrummel]

My 79 has the driver side hole as well.

I obviously saw the battery which I do not think this is what you are hitting on. (I had old Chubbie musclecars so they would jump all over that LOL)

I see the powersteering pump is the newer clear plastic and not the black plastic. I am a little suspicious of the shroud and the washer fluid reservoir.

Keep in mind I just bought my 79 and it is in pieces and not at my house currently so I am going from memory here

Why is there a hole on the left inner fender? They didn't have dual snorkel air cleaners, I think.

[19COBRA93]

The battery and battery cables are the only things that really stick out to me.

[79mustangcobra]

Did those early 5.0's come with a serpentine setup? Also the battery is not Motorcraft.

Yes on Serpentine setup. Correct, Battery is not Motorcraft, but there is more

[jeffcrummel]

according to a book I read the serp setup was an option for 79

Did those early 5.0's come with a serpentine setup? Also the battery is not Motorcraft.

[tORMENtOR]

Looks like that air cleaner lid was spray painted,I notice overspray on the vac hose.

[79mustangcobra]

My 79 has the driver side hole as well.

I obviously saw the battery which I do not think this is what you are hitting on. (I had old Chubbie musclecars so they would jump all over that LOL)

I see the powersteering pump is the newer clear plastic and not the black plastic. I am a little suspicious of the shroud and the washer fluid reservoir.

Keep in mind I just bought my 79 and it is in pieces and not at my house currently so I am going from memory here

Could job Jeff, on the Power Steering pump, a lot of people miss that!! Washer fluid reservoir is correct. Radiator does look wrong. There is still more

[DeraldRice]

Where is the vacuum tree on the firewall that also supports the ws washer hose? Did 79's not use them ???

[Mr. Squirrel]

why is that module I forgot whats called laying down on the engine bay instead of being mounted on the firewall. I thought power steering pumps were black?

[jeffcrummel]

Yeah you are right, it does look nasty and I see the overspray. Good eye

Looks like that air cleaner lid was spray painted,I notice overspray on the vac hose.

[onequickgt]

Radiator hose clamp and radiator cap is not correct. I know more about 85 's than the older Mustangs.

[79mustangcobra]

why is that module I forgot whats called laying down on the engine bay instead of being mounted on the firewall. I thought power steering pumps were black?

The Voltage Regulator is in the correct location. The power steering pump reservoir is black plastic on 79-88. It is off-white plastic on 89-93. What probably happened, the pump went bad and they went to Autozone and bought a rebuilt one with the off-white plastic.

What is wrong with the clamps?

Is there a sticker that should be on the coolant/Windshield fluid?

What about the Radiator Cap?

Brake Fluid Cover - should be black.

Look at the distributor cap. It should be blue on 79-81 Cars. (Hard to find in blue)

82-93 distributor caps are gray.

Here is how it should look, correct at bottom picture (from a 300 Mile Pace Car)

[escogt]

I was thinking the missing 'Motorcraft' decal on the coolant reservoir like you mentioned.

[mrmustang]

A little late to the game today, but can I play

Vacuum hose off the distributor (original does not have a plastic 90 degree elbow)
Distributor cap (should be blue, not gray)
Master cylinder/brake reservoir cap is cad plated (should be black)
Belt tensioner is a replacement (original is natural, not black)
PVC value is incorrect (original is not all black,with or without AC)
Paint dabs and markings on the snorkel are missing (or hard to read due to fade)


There is more that I have not seen listed yet........


Bill S.

[JACook]

Vacuum hose off the distributor (original does not have a plastic 90 degree elbow)

Not even on air conditioned cars? I know the Fairmont 302 with A/C does.

[roush235]

thanks for the post.... I picked up a couple tidbits I can use on my engine compartement, which I have tried to make as original as possible (realizing the car was a daily driver for many years before turning into a show car, some items were likely changed way back when).

[Mr. Squirrel]

I love this stuff. Very helpful

[Bill (ACM)]

I could never be the MCA competitor with a fox body, but it looks like the entire master cylinder and break booster are remaned.

[Lee_Iacocca]

Additional to what´s already been said:

- that white clip for the hood prop rod is missing

I don´t know if it is original but my car had a rubber over the left radiator clamp,
to avoid it from getting scratched by the hood prop rod ?!

Greets
Olli

[mrmustang]

I could never be the MCA competitor with a fox body, but it looks like the entire master cylinder and break booster are remaned.

Booster is original, but worn.


Bill S.

[79mustangcobra]

thanks for the post.... I picked up a couple tidbits I can use on my engine compartement, which I have tried to make as original as possible (realizing the car was a daily driver for many years before turning into a show car, some items were likely changed way back when).

A couple of things to add, and this is controversial, but according to the MCA Rule Book, the Hood Prop Rod on 79-82 cars should be semi-gloss black, like this RS has. On 83-93 Models the Prop Rod is body color.

Also, very important, look at the bolts on the Struts. What color are they?? Almost 100% of the time people who change their Struts don't paint them back the baby blue. MCA judges notice this!

Bob - I agree. I am in the long process of making my 79 MCA compliant. I use the rule book to double check things. I have heard that it is good for friends to look over your car before an MCA judged event - they can help you not be embarrassed or find something you missed. It has taken me awhile to figure out stuff, and I still have a lot to learn!! I just think that we can help each other and that is what this hobby is all about! I appreciate all of you!

[mrmustang]

A couple of things to add, and this is controversial, but according to the MCA Rule Book, the Hood Prop Rod on 79-82 cars should be semi-gloss black, like this RS has. On 83-93 Models the Prop Rod is body color.

Also, very important, look at the bolts on the Struts. What color are they?? Almost 100% of the time people who change their Struts don't paint them back the baby blue. MCA judges notice this!

Bob - I agree. I am in the long process of making my 79 MCA compliant. I use the rule book to double check things. I have heard that it is good for friends to look over your car before an MCA judged event - they can help you not be embarrassed or find something you missed. It has taken me awhile to figure out stuff, and I still have a lot to learn!! I just think that we can help each other and that is what this hobby is all about! I appreciate all of you!

Noticed another for yours, the windshield washer hose should be one piece from the pump all the way to the center nozzle, yours has a plastic connector in it just before it goes through the firewall. If I state at your picture long enough, I'm sure others items not yet found will pop up (paint dabs on the alternator for another one )......


As for the prop rode being body color, not on all of them, in fact, not on most of them.


Bill S.