1979 Coupe-The Tangerine Machine

[Travis T]

That's going to be the nicest 2.8 V6 fox Mustang in existence when you guys are done. Looking good so far, keep it up! Just think, next round of work or modifications on the car, you'll be glad you cleaned everything up this much when you're not up under the car with rust and dirt falling in your face.

[IDMooseMan]

That fan and coolant line came out great, Darran. I'd go with them like that, but I'd also like to see your other attempts with them.

[stanger82]

Nice work so far

[82GTforME]

I've been side tracked for the last week or so with a home project and will be at it for another week or so (I hope). Work on the car suffers unfortunately but I am still picking.

I got the previously polished oil pump lubed, shaft with keeper in and the pick-up back on.

I now have to do the valve lash clearances and had to get the timing gears on. I had a bit of trouble getting the crank gear on. Some polishing of the shaft and gear, filing the key a hair (and a few times getting on slightly and having to use a puller to get it off ) and heating the sprocket in the oven got it on. I am not convinced it is on quite far enough although I could not, with two attempts get it on further. Everything is undamaged by sight. I am thinking when the crank pulley gets installed and torqued on it will slide the gear on if it needs to go more



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[82GTforME]

I had a few of the items blasted out to get ready to put on the engine as they will all be painted while on the block.


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As you can tell above, the lower t-stat housing was corroded through and the blasting just removed all that was hiding it. Judging from the gunk in the coolant it had likely never been changed or it had been a very long time. The car did sit for many years prior to the PO buying it so it may have been well on it's way then and the media just sped it up


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I had noted the corrosion and happened to get a replacement and already have it on hand.


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Quite a difference in the thickness of the cast material from the old (top) to the new. I suspect it shouldn't affect flow or cooling too bad if they sell them like this.


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[conmech]

Darran, you need to start a restoration shop. AWESOME work.

[82GTforME]

Darran, you need to start a restoration shop. AWESOME work.

Thanks Marshall. I think I could do this full time- wait that's alreay the case! (Okay, not quite). Most of it seems pretty straight forward once I get research and then get into it. The actual painting steps: mix, spray, sand, clear process (and repeat) is intimidating me looking at it on the horizon.

The next time, the timeline will be longer. This one is seeming like I have to rush for my son's benefit. I actually should have kept track of hours to see how long it took

[STL79Coupe]

Thanks Marshall. I think I could do this full time- wait that's alreay the case! (Okay, not quite). Most of it seems pretty straight forward once I get research and then get into it. The actual painting steps: mix, spray, sand, clear process (and repeat) is intimidating me looking at it on the horizon.

The next time, the timeline will be longer. This one is seeming like I have to rush for my son's benefit. I actually should have kept track of hours to see how long it took

and for the bill. lol

[conmech]

IF you were enrolled in a Journeymans program, you would have had to maintain a log of times on the job, per area (i.e., body work, paint, etc.).

[82GTforME]

I've been side tracked for the last week or so with a home project and will be at it for another week or so (I hope). Work on the car suffers unfortunately but I am still picking.

Well, the home project is taking a little longer than expected. No picking even this week...

IF you were enrolled in a Journeymans program, you would have had to maintain a log of times on the job, per area (i.e., body work, paint, etc.).

One official trade is enough for me Marshall. Being a Journeyman Steamfitter/Pipefitter and also a certified Gasfitter gives me such better insight into a lot of things and has given me a lot of the confidence to do most of the things I set upon (especially with the cars).

Challenging work environment:


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Late last summer was the interlocking patio, this year is a gas line to the garage and new sod (finally says my wife!). Hindsight would have had me put in the line before the patio, but working on cars 12 months a year wasn't really a thought last summer!



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So far this last week or so (the city is particular for inspection of course so I want to make sure all is good):





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[STL79Coupe]

A quick off topic, but what are you paying for your gas riser and couplers? I'm a landscaper and our gas fire pits get expensive mainly because of the risers and couplers. Pavers look good by the way...nice cuts.

[IDMooseMan]

That is a big improvement in the "looks" department. You can do my backyard installation while grill the steaks.

[82GTforME]

That is a big improvement in the "looks" department. You can do my backyard installation while grill the steaks.

Thanks Craig. We had a large Mountain Ash tree in that spot that became too much for the area. I sure miss the shade but have other ideas in the works.

Oh, and by the way, my wife already has watching the work get done covered!

A quick off topic, but what are you paying for your gas riser and couplers? I'm a landscaper and our gas fire pits get expensive mainly because of the risers and couplers. Pavers look good by the way...nice cuts.

Thanks for the compliment on the patio, it went easier than expected. Hindsight...a little more slope would have been better for drainage.

Keith, I don't typically deal with residential stuff and couldn't even pull my own permit as I am not a "contractor" per se from a liability standpoint I guess. My neighbor has a restoration/renovation type business and he pulled it for me. As to the risers; these are 3/4" IPS X 30" Gastite risers and cost $91 CDN each. Proper brackets were $50/pair for them. They of course have to be "certified" and you have to pay for it... Not sure what other sizes would be for cost. Based on the line size, distance and pressure I should be good for just over 90k BTU for a heater/furnace of some sort out there

[STL79Coupe]

It sounds like we are in the same ballpark price wise. I run mine strictly for fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, and grilles. My first job I used 1" and I now just use 3/4" parts.

[Fordhorsemen]

WHOA! I Guess I Have been Sleeping under a Rock!! Totally Missed This Thread for The Last Year! Car Has Came Along Great! .............I Wish I Could Muster up the Courage to Tackle a Job Like This.... Im Stoked to See the Final Product.

[82GTforME]

WHOA! I Guess I Have been Sleeping under a Rock!! Totally Missed This Thread for The Last Year! Car Has Came Along Great! .............I Wish I Could Muster up the Courage to Tackle a Job Like This.... Im Stoked to See the Final Product.

Thanks for the kind words. Now you know why I've been quizzing you on your 2.8 and Offy intake!

Getting distracted on home projects has honestly been a nice change for the last month!

Courage to tackle a job like this?? When I'm confident I can plod through most things easily. Final prep, primer and paint application have me apprehensive (as that is all new to me). I think I have done all the easy stuff now; it's all uphill from here!

[82GTforME]

This was a week and a half ago. Everything is completed now. I just gave it it's first trim with the mower today. Just a heater to install in the garage (tbd) left to do. Lots of time for that


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[82GTforME]

Progress!! Okay, even though the pictures don't show it noticably, I managed to get motivated and spent a good six hours block sanding and sanding in general (Eastwood says that the rust encapsulator must be sanded again if left to dry more than 24 hours); including in the trunk area Plus I wanted to get everything on the body good that wasn't encapsulated. I priactically hit every square inch with a block and what I didn't got a scotch briting! Everything is feeling nice and smooth!

One door jamb, under the front wheel wells and clean and prep the tunnel and I think I'm ready for primer





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[Travis T]

Getting there....it's looking good.

[IDMooseMan]

Looks like progress to me.

[82GTforME]

Oh joy, more sanding done last weekend. Front end done other than the tunnel. Door jambs all done although I have decided I am going to take the doors off now to clean and paint properly in those jambs. Where do you stop and the grunge begins? Hoping to get to some filler/putty and a block sand this weekend.

Its like the PO went to the old 40 point inspect and lube and they sprayed the hinges every time and the residue (and dirt) builds up. Ah well, it's not like a little more won't kill me. My schedule is shot to hell so it doesn't matter anymore.

I just set the hood on the front because I was getting tired of moving it from leaning on one thing to another.



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[82GTforME]

I answered two Kijiji ads from the same guy (one for the fuel tank and one for "misc. parts". I bought a bunch of random things in total but got these for future upgrades to the coupe. Cheap like borscht!

The fuel tank looks pretty good (I think we would replace the one on the car when we clean up underneath one day) and a very nice factory dual exhaust set up (from an 84 the guy said ) that may come in handy as well!



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[dburdyshaw]

You're doing it the right way ---- and a labor of luv makes you luv it that much more. Thumbs up with respect to you.

[Travis T]

That exhaust looks more like an 04 judging by the tips. A bigger tank would be a good upgrade, but just be warned it will take a little work to get it in. Nice progress!

[82GTforME]

You're doing it the right way ---- and a labor of luv makes you luv it that much more. Thumbs up with respect to you.

Thanks Danny. It's hard to feel the love everyday but you are right; we appreciate it that much more at the end of the day!

That exhaust looks more like an 04 judging by the tips.

Great! Possibly?? I dont know. The guy had bought a trailer from his buddy that had a bunch of parts from three foxes and an aero from the parts I saw. If they don't work out, well, the price was right! I was wondering about the hangers...

A bigger tank would be a good upgrade, but just be warned it will take a little work to get it in.

Was is the size difference actually?

Nice progress!

Thanks Travis! This is getting hard to keep motivated to do. I would rather be working on other things! Honestly.

So close, yet so far...