Bob's Mustang

Bob's 1969 Mustang came into the UK sometime in 1972 through an American serviceman based in Suffolk. The previous owner had carried out an extensive overhaul to the body, with major repairs to the floor pan, the inner and outer door sills and the inner wing panels. The interior was completely re-upholstered and re-carpeted in black. The whole process culminated in a complete re-spray in Lincoln Green, close to the colour used on the “Bullitt” Fast Back Mustang.

 Obviously the previous owner was not mechanically minded. Lots of things just didn’t work due to niggling faults. The fuel and temperature gauges wandered aimlessly from high to low limits, giving no true reading of the correct values, and the steering was diabolical, bordering on the terrifying to drive!! Bob also needed new shock absorbers and road springs all round. The car in general was suffering from these, and other trivial faults, most of which Bob is pleased to say have responded well to liberal helpings of TLC!

The car has a 302 cu in V8 with a Two Barrel Holley Carburettor. Bob’s engine refurbishment activities have included an electronic ignition module for the distributor, a new water pump, and a 16” Kenlowe Electric Cooling Fan. All the engine fluids and relevant filters are changed regularly, usually prior to the winter standby period, and again after the first longish run at the start of the following year.

The engine drives through a standard C4 Automatic 3 speed transmition, and a standard rear axle. Currently the stopping power relies on drum brakes. These are excellent for keeping the brake dust away from the wheels and tyres, but not very good at bringing a 16’ 4” long motor car, weighing around 1.5tons, to a stop in a hurry!!

hoses etc, have been fitted to the front. A servo was also included to improve the braking and the rear brakes were overhauled at the same time. A new set of tyres was added, the old tyres had been on the car for around 15 years, and the cracked areas in the bottom of the treads was beginning to worry me! As can be imagined the improvement to “driveablility” has been dramatic. You can actually drive the car now without having to judge a massive braking distance at all times!!

The C4 gearbox had a persistent fault. It slipped into neutral at about 35 mph on the overun. The vacuum solenoid and all external controls were operating properly. So it was gearbox out and full overhaul. Where necessary new components were fitted, and every oil seal changed. All the functions were checked operational. The result is a very smooth changing gearbox and no oil leaks.

Next came the Engine - Heads, valves and guides were fine. - Every piston had a broken or jammed oil scraper ring!!! bores were scored. Two Conrods completely knackered. Big end shells were turning in the rod bottoms. So No money spent on the heads other than new valve springs - monies transferred to bottom end Crank Grind and Rebore with New Pistons. New camshaft and valve lifters, also new oil pump, starter motor over haul, new timing gear and chain and of course gasket sets. A “jiffy Kit” overhaul was carried out on the carb, and the tired fuel pump was replaced. The rebore done to the outer tolerance, in view of the fact that we were faced with a fairly long run straight off the blocks (440 miles home) - other than a 20 mile local shake down cruise.

I drove it home at a gentle meander of 50 mph ish!!! Net result is a very smooth running engine and car, that stops properly, and can almost be driven like a modern car. There are no engine or gearbox oil leaks. The engine uses no oil at all between oil changes.

The next job is a refurbishment of the exhaust system. The car is currently fitted with Cherry Bomb mufflers. Which are fine for “street cred” at 30 mph, but at 55 to 60 mph they produce a booming roar in the car which is very tiresome on a long journey. So a new “H” Pipe and silencers have been procured, and will be fitted this year, along with other necessary pipe work.

The car is both a “hands on” working project and a fun car for driving. It also fulfils a 40-year dream of one day owning a Mustang.