After a most successful semester in Loyola, time to come home. The Christmas season was very pleasant and I hope y'all enjoyed the holidays as well. Now that I'm back: what to do next????
My dad came up with the idea of doing something major to the car while I would be away for the spring semester. When I come back, it would be ready for me.
I start talking to many different people about what I can do next. Engine? Performance? Interior/Exterior? Cosmetics? I decided that, like Ricky Bobby, I want to go fast! I have headers, intake manifold, and new valve covers that's a pretty good start. After listening to many different options from: bringing the engine back to stock, getting a 5.0 engine to replace, or turn the current engine into something special. I choose to keep the original engine (for originality factor) and make it something special.
I have also been interested in upgrading the transmission. The goal is to achieve better gas mileage and do better on the highway, and possibly handle new power. I was interested in the idea of a AOD Transmission, a 4-Speed automatic. It would take some slight modification to fit but it can work.
Looks like everything planned out but I know that I could improve the car without spending lots of money.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thanksgiving 2011
Back in beautiful Southern California! It was sure nice seeing my friends, family, and I even ran a 10K. But I had been away from Karen (name of the Mustang) for too long and it was time for some bonding. Like before I didn't even think of venturing out of Orange County. On the other hand I had to hit PCH for the best driving. On my down south towards Newport Coast, I stopped by Ruby's Shake Shack to take a look at the Pacific. Some folk say that Lake Michigan is just like the ocean but I disagree. No waves.
More important than that was going back to favorite place on Saturday mornings. Remember Terry? I told him that I was back in California and agreed to give me the parts previously mentioned. Score! We met at Donut Derelicts and I got those parts. Smile from ear to ear. I'm getting parts to make the car go faster, which makes me happy. After getting my donut fill for the day, I headed over to the Wedge.
It has really come a long way from April. That crooked bumper still gets to me though.
More important than that was going back to favorite place on Saturday mornings. Remember Terry? I told him that I was back in California and agreed to give me the parts previously mentioned. Score! We met at Donut Derelicts and I got those parts. Smile from ear to ear. I'm getting parts to make the car go faster, which makes me happy. After getting my donut fill for the day, I headed over to the Wedge.
During School. But how?
At the start of this semester I get a call from my parents saying that they bought tire covers. I already had a car cover to help protect the... er, paint but now that I have a nice set of wheels(rims) it is worth protecting. The Mustang was usually parked next to a public sprinkler system so it would get sprayed. I had the same problem with my 66 Mustang, the entire left side of the car had total oxidization. It is extremely difficult to remove, but easy to prevent.
Late in October I get another call. The male parental unit decided to clean the garage out of the blue. And I seriously mean clean the garage. He made enough room so the two car garage can now have two cars in it. That was incredible news. And the tire covers that were just bought now have even more important job: protecting the wheels and tire from dog "pee pee".
Before I came back to California for Thanksgiving, I composed a quick list of things that needed to be taken care of. No real big changes, more practical if anything else. Installing mirrors, getting the turn indicators fixed, flux capacitor, and so on. And putting one of the hub cabs back on.
Back at Ford's Only
Late in October I get another call. The male parental unit decided to clean the garage out of the blue. And I seriously mean clean the garage. He made enough room so the two car garage can now have two cars in it. That was incredible news. And the tire covers that were just bought now have even more important job: protecting the wheels and tire from dog "pee pee".
Back at Ford's Only
Monday, January 30, 2012
Before Chicago
Since my birthday was coming up soon, I was able to pick one part that I can put on the car. Not much thinking was involved in this decision. My friend, Gerry (previously mentioned), had some tri-y headers that I have had my eye on for a while. I got the money from the family and drove over to get those headers. There they were and then they were mine. Too my further surprise, Gerry picked up a steering wheel from a swap meet that is meant for my car. It's the right color red, original manufacturing, and I can get it in exchange for the wooden steering wheel on my car. That transaction will have to wait.
One day before I head back to Illinois I went back to Donut Derelicts. While there I met an incredibly nice man who was also a Mustang enthusiast, named Terry. He had a 1966 Coupe that was all done and it looked pretty darn good. I was telling Terry my plans for making the car better and he said that he could give me some parts that could really help me out. He would give me his Edelbrock Performer Aluminum Intake and Aluminum Valve Covers for free!
But I was flying out the next day, so that would have to wait until I got back from Illinois.
One day before I head back to Illinois I went back to Donut Derelicts. While there I met an incredibly nice man who was also a Mustang enthusiast, named Terry. He had a 1966 Coupe that was all done and it looked pretty darn good. I was telling Terry my plans for making the car better and he said that he could give me some parts that could really help me out. He would give me his Edelbrock Performer Aluminum Intake and Aluminum Valve Covers for free!
But I was flying out the next day, so that would have to wait until I got back from Illinois.
August 2011
Now that the car was safe to drive, I drove it everywhere! Just as any kid with a new toy would. I stayed in Orange County, I didn't want to push the car too hard. People would look at me when I go past on the highways. I had one problem with all these looks: as the pictures may reveal my car is not the most visually appealing. On the flip side I have America's favorite body style of the Mustang (consensus of people I have talked to).
My favorite place to drive the car is to a donut store on saturday mornings. It's called Donut Derelicts, on the corner of Magnolia and Adams Ave. Every saturday morning whole bunch of old guys show up in their hot rods to get donuts and talk car with other motorheads. I like checking out other people's rides and learning about what I can do to my own. I've actually made some friends and met plenty of good people.
When I am finally able to go, I was very curious to see what the reaction would be. It was a very pleasant experience, lots of folks were checking out the car. Fastback Mustangs always attract attention and mine was no exception (even though it's not finished). One feature of my car that is always shocking to any Mustang guru is the bench seat. I've come to learn that only 5% of Mustangs ever built have bench seats.
Parked next to me is 08 Mustang and 67 Galaxie 7 Litre (rarish car).
After the donut store, my dad and I decided to go to the beach. We wanted to watch the waves before I head back to Chicago.
My favorite place to drive the car is to a donut store on saturday mornings. It's called Donut Derelicts, on the corner of Magnolia and Adams Ave. Every saturday morning whole bunch of old guys show up in their hot rods to get donuts and talk car with other motorheads. I like checking out other people's rides and learning about what I can do to my own. I've actually made some friends and met plenty of good people.
When I am finally able to go, I was very curious to see what the reaction would be. It was a very pleasant experience, lots of folks were checking out the car. Fastback Mustangs always attract attention and mine was no exception (even though it's not finished). One feature of my car that is always shocking to any Mustang guru is the bench seat. I've come to learn that only 5% of Mustangs ever built have bench seats.
After the donut store, my dad and I decided to go to the beach. We wanted to watch the waves before I head back to Chicago.
Early July
I did finish polishing the rest of the wheels and they looked very good. One of my fellow motorheads says that wheels can make a POS into something worth looking at.
Now that the wheels were all taken care of, it was time to make the car safe to drive. After I had accumulated enough funds it was time to rebuild the front end. My dad and I took the mustang to Fords Only. The owner has always treated us well and does exceptional quality on all his work. We dropped the car off and let him do his thing. One of the most important things I've learned: never call to ask if it's done, he'll call me. Below is all the old equipment that was on the car, most of that is original to the car.
I got the call, all done. When my dad and I arrived the car was still on the lift, he wanted to show us all the improvements that were done. Replacement of springs, shocks, control arms, motor mount, and too many things for me to remember off the top of my head. While the car was having the front end, he put new brake pads on the front discs. He told me that when I need to service my brakes, I'll need to replace the rotors as well.
Look at those new parts! He even painted some of the parts to make it go with the car.
Now that the wheels were all taken care of, it was time to make the car safe to drive. After I had accumulated enough funds it was time to rebuild the front end. My dad and I took the mustang to Fords Only. The owner has always treated us well and does exceptional quality on all his work. We dropped the car off and let him do his thing. One of the most important things I've learned: never call to ask if it's done, he'll call me. Below is all the old equipment that was on the car, most of that is original to the car.
I got the call, all done. When my dad and I arrived the car was still on the lift, he wanted to show us all the improvements that were done. Replacement of springs, shocks, control arms, motor mount, and too many things for me to remember off the top of my head. While the car was having the front end, he put new brake pads on the front discs. He told me that when I need to service my brakes, I'll need to replace the rotors as well.
Look at those new parts! He even painted some of the parts to make it go with the car.
It's been too long
It is now 2012 and I have not been updating my blog whatsoever. I shall attempt to update it as best as I can.
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