Build thread - 1985 Mustang Saleen (clone?)

[wraithracing]

I know! I know! Unfortunately I don't have anything new and exciting to show right now. We were cutting and buffing the car and I found some extremely minor imperfections, but being the anal retentive guy that I am . . . I couldn't let them go, so we did some additional blocking, a little more work, and worked out those imperfections and re-shot the car this morning. So the pictures don't look any different than before, but I am much happier with the results. We will let it back in the still hot as h#ll Texas sun for till Tuesday and then we will do the final buff before we spray all the charcoal trim.

[flyin5-o]

That sucks. I feel your pain, been there. How bad , like re-block and prime? Or just a re-clear?

[wraithracing]

That sucks. I feel your pain, been there. How bad , like re-block and prime? Or just a re-clear?

Honestly there were 5 spots that I wasn't happy with. One was the smallest little dent just below the driver's door lock where I am sure someone's key chain dinged the door. Most of the others were minor imperfections that were either areas that needed to blocked a bit more, or maybe just a slight solvent pop. There were 2 spots that ended up priming to save time and blocking.

Again, very minor imperfections, but too much time has been spent making the car d#mn near perfect to leave those imperfections. So, touched up as needed, 3 coats of HOK UC35 Clear. Some drying/baking time in the Texas Heat and with a final buff, the Saleen Clone will be looking Awesome! Well once we install the Saleen parts, and get the charcoal grey painted it will look Awesome! Until then it will have to do with looking GREAT!

[Davedacarpainter]

I bet it'll look damn near perfect Trey. I wish I could see it in person.

[erratic50]

David - once it’s done and I’m passing thru Oklahoma that could be arranged. Let’s see what works out. I’d love to see your car with everything you’ve done as well.

I might eventually buy a real Saleen of some sort. Maybe a Saleen truck — time will tell.

[Davedacarpainter]

David - once it’s done and I’m passing thru Oklahoma that could be arranged. Let’s see what works out. I’d love to see your car with everything you’ve done as well.

I might eventually buy a real Saleen of some sort. Maybe a Saleen truck — time will tell.

That would be great.

I'm getting ready to move in about three weeks though. So if you come around then, my house will be disastrous.

Still, I would love to get to see your car in person though.

[erratic50]

That would be great.

I'm getting ready to move in about three weeks though. So if you come around then, my house will be disastrous.

Still, I would love to get to see your car in person though.

theres no way the car will be done before you move. It’s been a long ol pull - we put the project in Trey’s shop in February. I started on it by chasing parts a year ago now. I don’t even want to know how much time is in it so far.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. I’m almost going to hate to drive it when it’s done if it’s too damn nice. But that for sure won’t stop me, that why a person builds a car like this one.

[erratic50]

Duplicate

[erratic50]

Like with any build - it’s always something.... trim nuts MIA, trim broken, etc. started ordering stuff....

[erratic50]

door frames in charcoal now.

[Davedacarpainter]

Woohoo! Looks good man!

[dagenham]

Now for the fun part. Putting it all back together. Oooh wait. Stripes are missing yet.

[erratic50]

Ground effects kit needs final install, charcoal trim parts needs paint, wiper arms and cowl need paint, door handles need installation, stripe kit, etc.

Some under car work is left to do also. 8.8 buildout and install, front a arm and balljoint and spindle updates, etc.

Interior install needed.

Oh - that and engine and trans and exhaust, etc.

[wraithracing]

Ground effects kit needs final install, charcoal trim parts needs paint, wiper arms and cowl need paint, door handles need installation, stripe kit, etc.

Some under car work is left to do also. 8.8 buildout and install, front a arm and balljoint and spindle updates, etc.

Interior install needed.

Oh - that and engine and trans and exhaust, etc.

WHOA! That sounds like a TON of work! Dang I am tired already just thinking about it!

[wraithracing]

Took some time today to overhaul the Evap Case. I forgot to get some pictures of the before, but here are a couple.

The case after cutting the top as needed thanks to Ford sealing the case originally.



I forgot to take pictures of all the leaves, dirt, etc. that was inside the case that I had just vacuumed out. You can see the interior is still dirty.



I washed and cleaned the entire housing inside and out. I like to use some Bathroom cleaner with bleach to help remove the dirt, scum, etc. and give it a nice fresh clean smell. Then I installed the new Evap Core and Heater Core.



I will post some pictures of everything back together, sealed up, and installed hopefully tomorrow.

[dagenham]

Trey, where did you get a new heater core that isnt a pos non fitting aluminum replacement??

[wraithracing]

Trey, where did you get a new heater core that isnt a pos non fitting aluminum replacement??

I didn't get it, James did. I believe it is a Motorcraft unit. I can double check the box tomorrow.

[kfxmatt]

a guy in town i know has 85 saleen #84.its black with a sunroof...30,000 original miles.still has he radar detector on the dash!

[snavesa]

Did the same thing to my HVAC box a few weekends ago. I think my car might have been under water at some point as the metal damper doors were rusted. I replaced all the foam on the damper doors. Ended up splitting the HVAC box to get to everything, after I cut the access hole for the evap core. Total pain in the ass.

[erratic50]

WHOA! That sounds like a TON of work! Dang I am tired already just thinking about it!

lol Trey!

[erratic50]

a guy in town i know has 85 saleen #84.its black with a sunroof...30,000 original miles.still has he radar detector on the dash!

SWEET! Is it nice? Honestly at some point I’ll buy something that doesn’t just have the pedigree it has the bloodline.... but for now this one is getting built out.

Who knows — it could be the very last car to get built out with so many of the original Saleen parts the 85 cars had.

[wraithracing]

Sorry no updates, this week has been filled will 3 Dialysis trips for Dad, a surgery for Mom, and another surgery for Dad tomorrow at 5:30AM. I have been nothing but a Taxi and Health Care Nurse all week. Glad I can help out when they need it, but DANG!

[kfxmatt]

[QUOTE=erratic50;1892257]SWEET! Is it nice? Honestly at some point I’ll buy something that doesn’t just have the pedigree it has the bloodline.... but for now this one is getting built out.

Who knows — it could be the very last car to get built out with so many of the original Saleen parts the 85 cars had.[/QUOTE


its in very nice shape.

[erratic50]

Beautiful

[wraithracing]

Later than I had planned, but making some forward progress.





Hood lifts installed





Some Real Progress . . . . We have grey trim!