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  1. #1
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    Default 1981 Mexican Mustang Restoration Thread

    Hi all, been absent for awhile, but the full restoration of my 1981 Mexican Mustang has begun. In general the greatest news is that the carīs body is in great shape, thereīs very few rust, the carīs floor is in great condition thanks to the original owner having sprayed a rust protectant many years ago. It will be a PITA to remove it but it has kept the floor in great shape

    So far they have been doing all the paint removal and bodywork, suspension and front end restoration. I have decided to go the "keep original" route meaning I will keep the original engine and original suspension setup, replacing parts as needed.

    Engine will be rebuild, carburator will be swapped for a rebuilt 2V motorcraft, radiator rebuilt, etc.

    The front facia has been restored and it looks awesome! Iīm happy how it looks, still has some things to work on but overall looks great.

    So here are some pics of how the car looked when I got it and the progress so far.







    Last edited by blueandsilver; 04-16-2013 at 06:33 PM.

  2. #2
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    Some more pics...

    This panel Iīm not so sure, they still have to do a lot of work on it.




    Door panels are new, because the original ones were pretty beaten up.



    The "rust fear" zone of the car... actually looks in great shape!



    And here is the front end, let me know what you think





    Hatch and hood, in excellent condition both!




    Next week the engine will be sent to be rebuilt, and most of the components will be either refurbished or replaced with new oem rebuilt ones.

    Question on transmission: The C4 shifts smoothly except for reverse which doesnīt engage properly. Rebuilding transmissions is often a problem because they donīt work well on the long run, so Iīm thinking about getting a new rebuilt one, but I donīt know if I should get another C4 or if I should go with a 4 speed auto trans from a 94-95 Mustang.

    My other problem is going to be the restoration of the infamous body side mouldings...

    Tail lamps are my personal project, I will work on polishing them during the weekend.

    Thanks for the comments and suggestions (greatly appreciated please)

  3. #3

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    You really have a diamond in the rough there! The panels are in excellent shape.

    Who did the front cover restoration? Nice work.
    No longer visiting. Cheers.

  4. #4
    FEP Senior Member holtzer1's Avatar
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    What's the issue with the side mouldings?
    85 GT: bbk headers and H pipe, 3" flowmasters, k&n, bbk springs, eagle alloys, msd ignition system, a/c delete...currently at body shop receiving some fresh copper metallic pearl paint

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  5. #5
    FEP Super Member 79mustangcobra's Avatar
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    Good work! The car looks really solid! Keep us posted. I would love to see pictures of the engine rebuild, maybe before and after. I like that you are keeping it original. That is a rare car! The C4 is an awesome transmission! I would have the original C4 rebuilt if it was me. Thanks for the pictures and updates!
    Last edited by 79mustangcobra; 12-09-2011 at 10:25 AM.
    1979 Mustang Cobra 5.0
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  6. #6
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    Thanks all, the same people that are doing all the car (I originally used them for all body work on all my other cars, you know fixing little things, repainting bumper covers etc).

    They helped me check out the car before I bought it, and the guys who own the shop are brothers, one is a specialist in paint and bodywork and the other one works on all the mechanicals, so it was easy to give them the chance to do all the car. I know for bodywork and paint they are very good (at least they have always done a great job on my other cars).

    The side mouldings hereīs the problem: Instead of using tape to adhere them to the body they perforated them and screwed them to the car. Iīm missing the right rear section (between the back bumper and the wheel) and one of the door moulding is missing a good chunk...

    Then thereīs the problem of them shrinking as soon as you take the metal stripe on the back off... These mouldings are one of those things that can totally spoil the looks of the car if they donīt look good. I need to start seriously searching for some.

    Iīm amazed no one has started making reproductions, they look very easy to reproduce... Iīm actually thinking about doing it, there are several companies here in Mexico that specialize in car mouldings for O.E. and aftermarket... I might see how much it would costo to build the mould and start making repros... Iīm sure thereīs a market for them, thereīs a bunch of us crazy people looking to restore early foxes.

  7. #7
    FEP Power Member SRM351's Avatar
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    Iīm amazed no one has started making reproductions, they look very easy to reproduce... Iīm actually thinking about doing it, there are several companies here in Mexico that specialize in car mouldings for O.E. and aftermarket... I might see how much it would costo to build the mould and start making repros... Iīm sure thereīs a market for them, thereīs a bunch of us crazy people looking to restore early foxes.
    I'm amazed about this too, it seems the one thing that really needs to be reproduced is neglected. I know I'd be interested in some new ones as I'm not crazy about finding and refurbishing old ones either.
    1979 Base Model Coupe- 351w, C4, 3.73s, the fun machine- Now getting a lot more well deserved mileage put on her!
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  8. #8
    FEP Power Member LTDmasta GT's Avatar
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    looks great! I love extensive builds like this. I hope to see more pics! Buena suerte!
    hello, my name is Epi and i'm addicted to four-eyes
    '86 Mustang GT convertible - restomod
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  9. #9

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    That is a cool ride,it looks like a mix between a cobra and capri.keep posting pics.I like looking at all foxes, can"t wait to start fixing my 84 RS TURBO,times are tough here in N.C.,no work or jobs.

  10. #10
    FEP Super Member dburdyshaw's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blueandsilver View Post
    And here is the front end, let me know what you think



    How 'bout some information on your prep process for the grille/bumper cover? What did you do to get it ready for paint? Did you sand it or media blast it? Any details are appreciated.

  11. #11
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    Sure, let me ask the shop manager what they did, Iīm really not sure what they did but it looks great.

    They are having a hard time with the back bumper cover though, apparently it is pretty damaged and the material is very soft. Iīll have to find one in better shape.

  12. #12
    FEP Super Member dburdyshaw's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blueandsilver View Post
    Sure, let me ask the shop manager what they did, Iīm really not sure what they did but it looks great.

    They are having a hard time with the back bumper cover though, apparently it is pretty damaged and the material is very soft. Iīll have to find one in better shape.
    That'll be great. I appreciate it.

    Continued good luck with the progress.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by dburdyshaw View Post
    That'll be great. I appreciate it.

    Continued good luck with the progress.
    I asked him how he worked on the bumper cover, he basically told me it was old style work with new materials. All the old paint was removed via sanding by hand. For the damaged parts (the holes) he used a special material like a little grid thatīs placed on the inner section of the bumper cover. then on the front part he applied a material thatīs basically some sort of rubber / urethane stuff that is "artistically" molded to reshape the cover and fix the holes. Then the cover receives the modern treatments to harden it a little bit and finally the primer to leave it ready to receive the paint.

    Sorry if Iīm not very technical, but hope it helps.

  14. #14
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    Time for an update. After being out on job related travel for 10 days, yesterday I went to check on the progress. Overall Iīm very pleased on how motivated they are with the car. They finished all the old paint removal and straightening of the body, and the car received its first primer spraying. Although not noticeable in the pics, they need a lot of work on some areas to smooth things out and fix some things, but hey it still WIP...

    The great news is that there wasnīt ANY rust on the roof edges, what appeared like rust on the front corner was just old paint scraping off. No rust on the hatch area either, no rust under the cowl grille, no rust under the car at all. Only rusted area was behind the rear right wheel, and they replaced that section.

    The bad news: the rear bumper cover is crap. its broken on several parts and its all soft. They can fix it but I do need to find a replacement in better shape if I want it to look good.

    On the mechanicals: Today they are getting back the engine which was totally rebuilt, the carburator was exchanged for another 2V motorcraft, radiator was just cleaned and serviced, and most peripherals will be new. The transmission, I decided to rebuild the original C4, so it will be sent to a specialty transmissions shop next week. Suspension is done, brakes are done. A new complete exhaust all the way from the manifold is being built.

    So far, going great. Next week I will work on finding a replacement rear bumper cover, new headlamps, body side mouldings and I will work on restoring the tail lamps (thatīs my personal project LOL).

    Since the car was originally black and Iīm restoring it to its original condition, I decided to repaint it black.

    The hardest part of the job is still about to come. They have to clean up all the undercarriage (it had an anticorrosion treatment applied many years ago, which actually kept the carīs floor pans in perfect shape, but its a petroleum product that is going to be a PITA to remove)

    Here are more pics of the progress

















  15. #15
    FEP Super Member dburdyshaw's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dburdyshaw View Post
    That'll be great. I appreciate it.

    Continued good luck with the progress.
    Quote Originally Posted by blueandsilver View Post
    I asked him how he worked on the bumper cover, he basically told me it was old style work with new materials. All the old paint was removed via sanding by hand. For the damaged parts (the holes) he used a special material like a little grid thatīs placed on the inner section of the bumper cover. then on the front part he applied a material thatīs basically some sort of rubber / urethane stuff that is "artistically" molded to reshape the cover and fix the holes. Then the cover receives the modern treatments to harden it a little bit and finally the primer to leave it ready to receive the paint.

    Sorry if Iīm not very technical, but hope it helps.
    No apologies necessary. You answered my question.

    I am somewhat surprised that he sanded the bumper cover by hand. I was expecting you to say that he media-blasted it. Nonetheless, it looks excellent and ready for paint.

    Thanks!

  16. #16
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    Tomorrow I will go check out the progress. I just received a package with 6 mouldings all in great shape, all straight! (just need a repaint). Iīm closing on a deal with a guy from Puerto Vallarta who will ship the door mouldings as well as the front right side wheel well cover. Pretty much the only missing parts.

    Engine has been rebuilt and delivered, transmission is being rebuilt, carburator was traded for a rebuilt one, radiator was serviced... coming closer coming closer...

    Tomorrow I will take pics of the "new" engine and the progress of the car. If they fixed the little details I told them about the bodywork two weeks ago, it will pretty much be ready for painting. I decided to repaint it in its original color: BLACK! since I am pretty much restoring it to its original condition.

    Iīm excited, canīt wait to see it completed, though I know it will take some more months to get to that stage. I havenīt done anything to the interior.

    Hereīs a pic of the left tail lamp which I worked during the holidays. I just dissasembled it, gave it a thorough washed with an electric thoothbrush and polished it with a meguiars clear plastic polish.


  17. #17
    FEP Super Member dburdyshaw's Avatar
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    Looks good!

  18. #18

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    nice car, looks like everythings coming along nicely. i dread tearing my car down to that, as i will be doing most if not all of the work. but that a ways away. cant wait to see it back together and all finished. good luck

  19. #19
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    Thanks, I just got back from checking the car. They have started the painful process of removing original anticorrosion treatment that the original owner applied to the car. It was a messy petroleum (actually looks like asphalt...) based stuff that they are scrapping off. Though it is a PITA to remove, it has preserved the floors of the car in great shape. We checked it thoroughly and thereīs not a single rust spot.

    Mechanicals: I have a "new" engine! Yay! They just picked up my engine, it was rebuilt and looks great. They also showed me the new (also rebuilt but looks new) motorcraft carburetor and the water pump.

    The auto trans is also ready from the rebuild process but they have to go pick it up.

    Rest of the bodywork hasnīt advanced much after my last visit because of the holiday week and them working underside the car.

    I found a replacement rear bumper cover that although not in great shape, its a lot better than the one I had, and the shop manager told me he can leave it looking new, and based on how good he left the front one, Iīll just give him my vote of confidence.

    I also found 6 piece of mouldings, including one that I was missing. They are shrunken but I will try to stretch them back following the guide to moulding restoration.

    Iīm happy with how things are going. The way it looks, Iīll probably have the car re-assembled and painted by the end of month, and then start working on the interiors (basically re-upholstering, and finding many lost trim pieces which fortunately are all available at Fox Resto), with a goal of finishing up (if you can say that) by the end of february, where Iīm planning to throw a little party at home to show off the car to friends and family.

    Here are pics of the engine. I took one that will be very interesting for Americans, this is the "Made in Mexico" seal in the engine block.


    More pics of the Engine, Carb and Water Pump






    This one still needs to be restored... gas tank. I found it a little bent in a corner... and still have to check for any signs of rust above the gas tank in the trunk area...

  20. #20
    FEP Super Member 79mustangcobra's Avatar
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    Looking good! Thanks for posting. Never seen an Mexico block before. Very cool.
    On the motor behind the intake manifold. Is the engine stamped with some of your VIN? I wonder if those blocks are stamped different. Thanks Buddy and Happy New Year!
    1979 Mustang Cobra 5.0
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  21. #21
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    Let me check it out, I didnīt see anything besides the "Made in Mexico" seal.

    The carīs title doesnīt have an Engine Number, which is pretty common in many car brands, it just says "Made in Mexico", but I guess if it does have one its serves to document that the engine is the original...

  22. #22
    FEP Senior Member tcruise's Avatar
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    WOW, looking GOOD! My 83 Mexican Mustang has the exact same carburetor. Can you tell me for sure what model number it is? All the Motorcraft 2100/2150's I've seen (that were labeled) do not have the extra butterfly valve at the top. I want to order a rebuild kit for it and want to be sure I get the right one. Thanks!

  23. #23
    FEP Senior Member tcruise's Avatar
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    Default Engine Number

    Quote Originally Posted by 79mustangcobra View Post
    Looking good! Thanks for posting. Never seen an Mexico block before. Very cool.
    On the motor behind the intake manifold. Is the engine stamped with some of your VIN? I wonder if those blocks are stamped different. Thanks Buddy and Happy New Year!
    My Mexican Mustang came with the original invoice from Liz Motors S.A in Mexico City. Near the bottom, it says "MOTOR NUMERO" followed by a 6-digit number. This number is not on the build tag on the door jamb. As far as I can tell, there is no VIN number on the dash. There's a little cutout in the windshield glass tint, but no sign there was ever a tag.

  24. #24
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    The VIN can be found in the door tag, and also on the firewall, on the right side of the car, but its usually painted over so its hard to know if its there.

    The engine numbers are a funny thing here in Mexico, some cars list it in the invoice (equivalent to the title document in the US) and some just say "made in..." like in my case.

    Thereīs no VIN on the dash either.

    For the carburetor, let me check it out in detail and will send you the specs of the model.

  25. #25
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    OK time for an update... I am not happy with what I saw today, the front end looks like total crap. If anyone can help out pointing out what the problem is and how to fix it will be greatly appreciated.

    Hereīs the re-assembled front end. Even though the metal bumper is not bent or anything, and the bumper cover and air dam were pretty straight when off the car, when re-assembled they deformed like they originally looked in the car when I got it. The middle portion of both the air dam and the fascia fold down and towards the hood in the center section. Is there a central part that gives support to this part of the car? it just looks horrible.





    The upper part of the bumper cover also looks ondulated now that itīs mounted back to the core headlamp support and even though the hood is aligned thereīs a horrible gap in the middle section... Ughh ... really need the guys at the shop to start fixing this up.

    Doors.. still work in progress, they are working on aligning them, so here Iīll give them more slack... but they also look terrible



    Air dam extensions look fine... they were bent when I got the car.



    Engine is looking good. Transmission has been completely rebuilt and ready, those are the good news of this week




    On the carburetor. I checked it thoroughly and the only codes that I could find were these... hope they help.


    The final bad note are the side mouldings. I measured the door mouldings and they have shrunk a good 2 inches...

    Frustrated... I wasnīt expecting it to be easy, but here in Mexico we have a saying that goes : "The Devil is in the details", and those "details" like the crooked front bumper cover and shrunk side mouldings are the ones that spoil the looks of the car.

    Any advice on what to do with the cover?

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