72 Mustang Mach1 restoration
Discussion
ZR1cliff said:
Love the varied list of cars that have passed under your ownership. Very impressive!
My first 'Yank' was a 71 Mustang. Always loved the shape and paid 1500 quid for it back in 81. It has remained my favourite shape and in recent years I'd noticed how few and far between they were getting, plus how expensive they were becoming.
When this one came up locally, around 14 months ago, I had to go and have a peek. Knowing these cars and how they rot I was impressed how solid the car was, so fulfilled my ambition of buying another one as a keeper. A rotten one could cost you 5k, just in welding and new panels, so was happy to pay nearly 6k for the barn find.
I've just restored the original 302ci V8 and that will fill the bay for the next 2-3 years until I can catch up financially. Then I have spare LT5 ZR-1 engine, backed by a 6 speed ZF, sitting in my workshop that will eventually fill the bay.
nice....I understand the update engine choice, I guess tht means a lot of electronic updating too? Personally I would go for a big block, '71 engine, but I like the old rattly, chugging V8 sound. Didn't some of those, Mach1's have the equivelant of a 7.1 litre V8 ?My first 'Yank' was a 71 Mustang. Always loved the shape and paid 1500 quid for it back in 81. It has remained my favourite shape and in recent years I'd noticed how few and far between they were getting, plus how expensive they were becoming.
When this one came up locally, around 14 months ago, I had to go and have a peek. Knowing these cars and how they rot I was impressed how solid the car was, so fulfilled my ambition of buying another one as a keeper. A rotten one could cost you 5k, just in welding and new panels, so was happy to pay nearly 6k for the barn find.
I've just restored the original 302ci V8 and that will fill the bay for the next 2-3 years until I can catch up financially. Then I have spare LT5 ZR-1 engine, backed by a 6 speed ZF, sitting in my workshop that will eventually fill the bay.
stormy22 said:
nice....I understand the update engine choice, I guess tht means a lot of electronic updating too? Personally I would go for a big block, '71 engine, but I like the old rattly, chugging V8 sound. Didn't some of those, Mach1's have the equivelant of a 7.1 litre V8 ?
Yes, the 71 & 72's had the 429ci (rated around 370hp) as an option. A late freind owned a 351 Boss (rated at 330hp), that came with mechanical lifters as standard. Both had the familiar sound.I like the drivability of the LT5, plus I've worked on my ZR-1 and am very familiar with the engine. As standard they are capable of reasonable economy as well as power. They take very little work to get to 450hp without sacrificing the original drivability, plus they're capable of 30 plus mpg cruising. Working on the weight of my ZR-1 with all the electronic gizmos and the Mach1's no added extras weight and if I change the rear gearing, I think I can come up with a reasonable cruiser.
Getting over elctronic problems will be a bit challenging though.
ZR1cliff said:
Yes, the 71 & 72's had the 429ci (rated around 370hp) as an option. A late freind owned a 351 Boss (rated at 330hp), that came with mechanical lifters as standard. Both had the familiar sound.
I like the drivability of the LT5, plus I've worked on my ZR-1 and am very familiar with the engine. As standard they are capable of reasonable economy as well as power. They take very little work to get to 450hp without sacrificing the original drivability, plus they're capable of 30 plus mpg cruising. Working on the weight of my ZR-1 with all the electronic gizmos and the Mach1's no added extras weight and if I change the rear gearing, I think I can come up with a reasonable cruiser.
Getting over elctronic problems will be a bit challenging though.
I look forward to seeing that end result, and of course, hearing it. Good luck. What part of UK are you?I like the drivability of the LT5, plus I've worked on my ZR-1 and am very familiar with the engine. As standard they are capable of reasonable economy as well as power. They take very little work to get to 450hp without sacrificing the original drivability, plus they're capable of 30 plus mpg cruising. Working on the weight of my ZR-1 with all the electronic gizmos and the Mach1's no added extras weight and if I change the rear gearing, I think I can come up with a reasonable cruiser.
Getting over elctronic problems will be a bit challenging though.
Matt Harper said:
You are aware, no doubt, that the act of installing a GM engine in a Mustang could quite easily tip the world off it's axis. Some might suggest that this is the worst kind of heresy imaginable.
Some already have. Can't see the problem myself, but it will be good seeing the reaction when opening the bonnet. 
An amalgamation of my favourite car and engine.
ZR1cliff said:
Matt Harper said:
You are aware, no doubt, that the act of installing a GM engine in a Mustang could quite easily tip the world off it's axis. Some might suggest that this is the worst kind of heresy imaginable.
Some already have. Can't see the problem myself, but it will be good seeing the reaction when opening the bonnet. An amalgamation of my favourite car and engine.
Stock LT5's are very reliable, they used a stock unit when setting the world records back in 1990, one being a 24 hour record of an average speed around 176mph. When they stripped the motor they found very little wear. Nicoseal coated cylinder wall liners help.
I will have to get over problems like some wiring issues for the speedometer and such like, however the information is out there somewhere.
I recently saw this conversion of a 70's Granada using a more modern Mustang motor, at a car show near me and spoke with the owner. A lot of what he said went over my head - I couldn't take it all in.
Think you'll agree it's areal professional job.
I will have to get over problems like some wiring issues for the speedometer and such like, however the information is out there somewhere.
I recently saw this conversion of a 70's Granada using a more modern Mustang motor, at a car show near me and spoke with the owner. A lot of what he said went over my head - I couldn't take it all in.
Think you'll agree it's areal professional job.
That Mustang Engine looks good in the granada, plenty of modifying I would think. I had a Rover 3.5 V8 in my Mk3 Cortina, cut the bulkhead and modified the tunnel, so 5/6 of the engine was behind the front axle. Not much room in there, had to fit modified P6 manifolds, remote servo, remote oil filter as I wanted the chrome viscus fan in there.
Your Corvette lump looks awesome. Are you leaving the rocker covers on there or changing those?
These were a couple of my modifed cars, the '71 cortina and the '78 Granada.... Oh, I can't upload any pictures
Your Corvette lump looks awesome. Are you leaving the rocker covers on there or changing those?
These were a couple of my modifed cars, the '71 cortina and the '78 Granada.... Oh, I can't upload any pictures
Edited by stormy22 on Friday 30th November 15:04
Stormy,
The engine I'm using for the later Mach1 transplant will be highly polished alloy to go with the blue engine bay. Everything is ali so I'll make good use of it.
Of course another plus will be, once I've sorted the transplant, I can swap the stroker motor in my ZR-1 into the Mach1 if ever I fancy being daft
That Granny is just as good in the flesh, the owner has done a fantastic job.
Have you got any links to your pics?
The engine I'm using for the later Mach1 transplant will be highly polished alloy to go with the blue engine bay. Everything is ali so I'll make good use of it.
Of course another plus will be, once I've sorted the transplant, I can swap the stroker motor in my ZR-1 into the Mach1 if ever I fancy being daft
That Granny is just as good in the flesh, the owner has done a fantastic job.
Have you got any links to your pics?
I've hosted them on my website....
take a look here
http://stor6188.wix.com/stormpoetry#!pic-host/c1je...
take a look here
http://stor6188.wix.com/stormpoetry#!pic-host/c1je...
hi my name is nick love what you have done to your mustang looks great ,have a 72 grande mustang myself witch i got from australia some time a go and its time to look at how to fix her up ,looking on the net for parts but don,t know were or what to look for just found piston heads by chance but need to find a mussel car club if possible but live in north west uk can you help
nicholas1 said:
hi my name is nick love what you have done to your mustang looks great ,have a 72 grande mustang myself witch i got from australia some time a go and its time to look at how to fix her up ,looking on the net for parts but don,t know were or what to look for just found piston heads by chance but need to find a mussel car club if possible but live in north west uk can you help
Hello Nick, obviously pistonheads is a good start as they have several different forums to interact and get ideas from.One of the first places on your list to register is, http://www.mocgb.net/forums/forum.php
Again there are several different forums on that site that deal with all aspects of Mustangs.
Another good forum is the 71-73 mustang forum in the U.S.A.
http://www.7173mustangs.com/index.php
Real Steel is a good place in the UK for engine parts
http://www.realsteel.co.uk/
Mustang parts can be had from the U.S.A.
http://www.cjponyparts.com/Default.aspx
http://www.npdlink.com/65-73-Mustang/Mustang-Resto...
http://www.laurelmountainmustang.com/
http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/
Hope these links help out.
I'm Interested to know how you came about buying your mustang from Australia?
The Car is now home and on the drive, let the jigsaw begin. I invested in a perambulator as a temporary home, very handy as it folds down behind the car allowing me to get stuck in.
One of the first jobs Ive started on is installing the new suspension starting with the front road springs. A custom spring compressor makes the job much easier.
The spring compressor is installed through the top of the shock tower, using a large plate to winde the washer and nut against.
At the bottom it bolts into the saddle where the shock bolts to. It really does make easy work of road spring installation.
One of the first jobs Ive started on is installing the new suspension starting with the front road springs. A custom spring compressor makes the job much easier.
The spring compressor is installed through the top of the shock tower, using a large plate to winde the washer and nut against.
At the bottom it bolts into the saddle where the shock bolts to. It really does make easy work of road spring installation.
Managed to fold the cover down during a dry spell today and trial fit the old bumper frame, head lamp holders and front valance. Clean up the bolts and fittings and see how it all lined up.
The front valance is an after market part and will need a little work to fit and the bumper frame and head lamp buckets can now be bare metalled and repainted. The old reg plate is now resigned to a place on the shelf.
The front valance is an after market part and will need a little work to fit and the bumper frame and head lamp buckets can now be bare metalled and repainted. The old reg plate is now resigned to a place on the shelf.
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