awake after 7 or 8 years

[Scott H in Wheaton]

I can't remember the last time my 66 Mustang GT was running, but I suspect it was about 2007, a year after I bought a rural property and thought it would be a good idea to store my 'toys' out there.

Country life was hard on this car, even being under a cover and inside a 2 car garage with a concrete floor. The building would have a lot of moisture during humid weather when temperatures were changing.

Now I've got some surface rust on the chrome, mildew in the interior, and of course the inevitable mouse nest.

Now the car is in my home garage and I'd like to get it to some cruise nights this year. Car was restored over the course of 10 years from 1991 to 2000. Original 289 was rebuilt and now has under 1000 miles on it.

Today I drained the old gas, blew out the fuel line, and took the top off the carb. Inside the tank looks clean, thank goodness, and so did the inside of the 4100 4 barrel carb. So I put in 5 gallons of corn-free gas, then filled the bowls on the carb and used a MityVac hand pump to suck fuel from the tank to the pump.

On to the dead battery...stupid things just don't last like they used to. Date coded June 2004 LOL. Put in a brand new Optima, cleaned the corrosion off the cables.

Only took a few cranks of the key to get it started and keep it running!
Gas gauge works...
Oil pressure gauge works and shows good pressure...
Ammeter shows charge...
Temp gauge moved to the middle after about 10 minutes...

Problems to fix:
1) disc brake proportioning valve was leaking, had another one rebuilt by White Post Restorations. Just need to swap it out and bleed the brakes.

2) Electric fan didn't turn on, even though the engine was at 190 and the radiator seemed to be 210. Fan should turn on at least by 180. Hooked the wires direct to power and fan still didn't turn, looks like I need either a replacement motor or a whole new fan kit.

3) Tail lights work but no headlights...might just be bulbs or could be an old tired headlight switch.

Overall a fun few hours getting reacquainted with my old friend...I've had this car since 1991.

 

[streetdreams]

Question: why does what sounds like a basically stock 289 Mustang with a fresh rebuilt motor need an electric fan to keep it cool ?

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Question: why does what sounds like a basically stock 289 Mustang with a fresh rebuilt motor need an electric fan to keep it cool ?

Well, its not stock.
It has CompCams 270s solid lifter cam, roller rockers, cobra intake, headers, electronic ignition, windage tray. Reciprocating assembly was balanced. Also ran true braided fuel line from the tank to a Holley fuel pump with regulator and pressure gauge.

Suspension and weight savings mods include a trunk mounted battery, fiberglass mono leaf springs, Calvert traction arms, and a driveshaft safety loop. The rear is 3.55 equilock with Mickey Thompson 235/60R/15 street drag radials and Weld wheels front and back, 90/10 shocks in front.
Future plans for the front include 6 cyl coil springs and roller spring perches. Probably also strut rod bearings.

Each little modification adds a bit more to the performance. The electric fan is actually lighter than the stock original steel fan and doesn't create any drag on the engine. Makes the front belt and pulleys look cleaner. And since its thermostatically controlled it can continue to run even after I shut off the engine, helping dissipate underhood temperatures that can contribute to fuel boiling.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Headlights all straightened out. No power from the dimmer switch, because no power to the dimmer switch.
Replaced headlight switch and now power flows as it should through the dimmer and out to the bulbs.
Had to replace one sealed beam and one 1157 turn signal.

Ordered new tail light doors (bezels) from NPD and also a new electric fan mounting kit. I was able to get the fan motor to work by cleaning up some corrosion.

Now to tackle that disc brake valve..

 

[5851a]

Don't forget to check engine belts. My experience with cars setting along time and high rpm wasn't good.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Don't forget to check engine belts. My experience with cars setting along time and high rpm wasn't good.

Good point.
Single belt goes to crank, water pump, and alternator. It seems new and pliable. Probably not enough heat-cycles on the engine to really damage it that much.