Seems like every year I end up with a major project over the Memorial Day weekend. This year is no different, and in fact several months ago I decided that this was the weekend I was going to revamp my 68 Mustang fastback. I've owned this car for about 10 years now, and never really done anything with it. My first car, back in 1976, was a 67 Mustang fastback with the deluxe interior, 289 and automatic. I bought my 68 Shelby convertible in 1978, and always regretted that I had to sell the 67 fastback to be able to afford the Shelby. So, I bought the 68 fastback as kind of a replacement for my first Mustang. Shortly after I bought it I acquired all the parts necessary to convert the interior to the 67 deluxe interior that I liked so much way back when, and its been sitting this way ever since.
Here's some pictures of the car as it sat in my driveway today:
Right now this car has several problems. The major one is, that being an FE guy, I can't stand the small block that is in there. I'm used to the effortless acceleration of the FE, and this engine labors mightily under acceleration despite its headers, aftermarket intake, and Holley double pumper. Small blocks are for punks! This thing has GOT to go:
I also have some issues with the electrical and charging system in the car, and the engine is now leaking a little antifreeze from the bypass hose, the carb needs to be rebuilt, the brakes (4 wheel drum) suck, and so does the suspension.
So, over the last few years I've been collecting parts to do a wholesale drivetrain, suspension, and brake swap in this car. I took today off work so I had a four day weekend to accomplish as much of this as I could, and I started out by putting all the parts I'm planning to use in one area:
The engine is my old reliable 428CJ dyno mule, which makes around 440 horsepower on the dyno with the Edelbrock Torker intake and Holley 750 double pumper carb. Two years ago I picked up the T56 Magnum 6 speed transmission and installation kit from American Powertrain, and I'm planning to do whatever is necessary to get that combination installed in the car. This part is going to be new to me, because I'll have to convert the clutch pedal to a hydraulic one, and use the hydraulic throwout bearing that came with the kit. Plus, I'm figuring some floor modifications may be required. But I'm looking forward to the overdrive gears in the transmission, and the smooth shifting that these things are noted for.
Also visible is a 57 Ford rear axle housing, an N-case with 4.11 gears and a Detroit locker, and the Mark Williams Masterline axles I had in my Mach 1 back in 2004 and 2005; these are going to have to be cut back a little because the 57 Ford axle housing is slightly narrower than the stock Mustang axle housing. I'll also need to cut off the spring perches and weld on some new ones I got from Currie, to fit the leaf spring position in the Mustang. I also have all new front suspension components, including upper and lower control arms, all the tie rod end pieces, and a 1" front sway bar. Finally, there is a complete 4 wheel disc brake package from Wilwood for the car, including the master cylinder.
I'm still waffling on the rear suspension pieces; I'm really tempted to go with the Cal-Tracs and monoleaf springs again, because they work so well on my Mach 1, but I think I want to drive the car with the stock rear suspension in it first before I make that decision. This is not going to be a track car, pretty much daily driver street duty in the summer, so if I can tame the wheel hop with some cheap traction bars I might just leave it as is. We'll see after I drive it for a while.
I'll post updates throughout the weekend as I get going on this project. I'm hoping to have all the parts installed by the end of the day Monday; I will still need to get a driveshaft and screw around with the electrical system, finish all the details, etc., but if I can get that all accomplished the heavy lifting will be done, and I can kind of tinker with the car over the next couple weeks to get it running and driving correctly.
I may be asking questions about the T56 install, so if anybody has any advice for me on that, I'd love to hear it - Jay
