Wish list - 2017

• install torque box front passenger side
• firewall to shock tower to monte carlo bar bracing
• upgrade rear drum brakes to larger drum brakes  - 66' Shelby mod
• replace entire rear suspension - competition springs - replace all rubber with poly
• replace rag joint with a poly unit
• replace steering box with new unit
• install shock tower outer bracing -  68' Shelby mod
• install for to act structural bracing - 66' shelby mod
• install driveshaft loop
• install steel plate to seal trunk from rear/front interior
• 
  

26 October 2017 - front fuel bowl - Holley 600

The sight plug has apparently had a slow leak for the past few months.  Today it was noticed, so I replaced the sight plug seal and tightened it.

19 October 2017 - Rear Bumper Guards

I received the rear bumper guards and mounting brackets.  The brackets are in bad shape, but the bumper guards look good.

I am looking into fabricating my own brackets or just go ahead and buy OEM style with mounting hardware.

18 October 2017 - Front Bumper Guards

After 15 years I finally installed a set of front bumper guards.  They are in fair/good shape but, they look good installed.

This is an older photo, its the only one I could find that was a front view of the bumper without the bumper guards

18 October 2017 - Front Grille, Front & Rear Bumper Mounting Info

15 October 2017 - General

The car has been starting like it should for some time now.  That neutral safety switch was the issue.

Recently I purchased a set of front bumper pieces.  They are the pieces that look like "teeth" on the front bumper of the Mercury Cougars.

They are in fair/good shape.  But there is a bit of rust on the inside of the pieces.  I have painted a rust converter/encapsulator on those areas.  Once that has dried/cured I will install the hardware.  I am in the process of finding installation hardware for those parts.

I was preparing the inside head liner area to paint.  There is surface rust but not bad for 50 years.  I had seriously considered using Rustoleum Rust Reformer spray can.  But I think I will instead go with a brush on coating.  Looking at Eastwoods to see what they have for that application.

I painted a coat of the Rust Reformer on the inside of the bumper pieces, says to wait 24 hours before repaint!?!?  So I will do so...

While I was cleaning up, I found a headlight bracket that needed attention.  At some point I started to work on it and it has become rusty.  Cleaned it up and painted it with Rust Reformer, so I'll see how that goes tomorrow.

Corrosion control - inside roof / headliner area

Since most of the headliner material has been removed, I can see that I need to deal with surface rust on the inside of the roof.

I purchased two cans of Rustoleum Rust Reformer.  Its supposed to convert the rust and provide a primer surface for painting...

Tomorrow I plan on taping/covering the inside of the car and spray a couple of coats of the rust reformer.

I am also going to remove the back seat and package tray, so there will be no concerns of overspray on those pieces.

Hopefully this works as advertised...

7 October 2017 - Headliner stuff

Well I finally got to a point that I can begin to deal with the headliner.  Last year or so the middle section unthreaded and was in the way.  At that time I cut that section out.

Today I removed as much of the headliner and insulation as possible without removing the front and rear windows.

1 October 2017 - General

Here is the current level of the coolant level -  it is even with the FoMoCo logo

1 October 2017 - ignition coil...

While doing hardware checks I noticed that the + and - wires to the ignition coil appear to be hitting/bumping into the oil pressure tubing.

So I am in the process of shortening the + and - wires and generally making that area less cluttered.


Below are images before and after the cleanup

Top view of the coil wires, they drop down and around then back up - not liking that

another shot, easier to see how the wires route, they are just too long and cluttered.

Here is a shot after a little cleanup.  I like this routing better

1 October 2017 - hardware/chassis/wheels/tires checks

Started hardware/chassis checks today.

• tires - pressures, condition
• wheels - brake drag, wheel bearings
• hardware - anything I can think of... 
• chassis - front suspension & steering, fenders/body work looseness..

Currently checking the braking systems.

So far I've checked for external fluid leaks on all brake components...