| '65 Mustang Restoration: Completion and Recap |
| Host Steve Magnante runs provides a project overview for the restoration of our '65 Mustang. |
From "Classic Car Restoration"
episode DCR-510 |
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(Continued from page )
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Allen Shepley of Mustang Central
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We brought our Mustang brakes up to modern safety standards with a dual reservoir master cylinder. The difference in handling, steering and drivability is impressive.When it came to the engine upgrades, Allen Shepley of Mustang Central gave us advice and hands-on help with installing well-chosen performance parts.
Those upgrades included: a lighter weight aluminum intake manifold, for added flow and improved engine dynamics, a performance Holley carburetor, to feed the potent 289 V8, a high-volume water pump and fuel pump to keep the essential fluids flowing, a modern electronic distributor to eliminate breaker point maintenance, and low-resistance performance plug wires to ensure complete combustion. These were all fairly simple installations that any restoration hobbyist could do, and together they make a noticeable difference in performance, power and engine response.
Holley performance carburetor
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Aluminum intake and chrome valve covers
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The upgraded engine
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We also installed complete new wiring harnesses, from the front to the rear, which is always a good idea when restoring a car with original 40 year-old wiring. We continued our modern upgrades with a rear disc brake conversion.
New performance brake rotor
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Upgraded high-flow exhaust system
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Rick Schmidt from national parts depot was key in getting many replacement parts for our '65 classic, and helping us understand the difference between reproduction parts, aftermarket items and NOS ("new old stock") parts. Rick is a highly-respected car collector and has some of the best mustangs in the country.
An actual '65 Mustang a/c console (above), and the new replica
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Five-piston a/c compressor
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With Rick's help we upgraded to Shelby style "bullet" exterior mirrors, installed a vintage style air conditioning system with modern components and 134A coolant and upgraded to a performance exhaust system. The new exhaust system features larger pipes and well-designed dual mufflers, to help our engine breathe and perform at it's maximum.
For the interior, Mustang and Ford expert Chad White brought his years of restoration experience to help us install a new headliner, carpet, interior panels and upholstery. Re-covering the seats was much easier than we anticipated and has made a big difference in looks, style and comfort.
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The replica a/c and radio both look vintage but offer modern improvements.
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Another interior upgrade was our digital dash. The unit looks vintage but adds an exciting high-tech element to our classic mustang, plus more detailed information for the driver. Johnny ray, from classic high performance audio brought us up to modern standards with a hidden audio system that allowed us to keep the look of the original mustang radio but includes a CD player, improved speakers and even a hook-up for an mp3 player.
For our exterior, we upgraded to halogen headlights and GT fog lamps. We also tricked out the rear with T-bird style LED sequential taillights. We also replaced several exterior body panels, installed new reproduction bumpers and replaced trim making sure to add all the correct Mustang emblems.
Halogen headlights
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Sequential LED taillights
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Our new wheels are 17" upgrades to provide clearance for the new disc brakes. Fortunately we found some classic 5-spoke polished aluminum rims that look great on the road and finish off the vintage style. Finally, automotive body and paint specialist Kevin Tetz, showed us how to "color-sand" and polish our classic.
Final AdviceFor any automotive restoration project, among the most important pieces of advice you can follow are: - Select the most solid car you can afford.
- Study up in advance on the available resources for parts and other information.
- Most importantly, take the restoration process one step at a time.
RESOURCES :
Special resources for DIY's Classic Car Restoration 500 series: 1965 Mustang
Mustang Club of America
www.mustang.org
Mustang Central
vintage Mustang parts
www.mustangcentral.com
Motorbooks Publishing
www.motorbooks.com
Class-Tech-Cars
www.class-tech-cars.com
Holley Performance Products
www.holley.com
Flowmaster Exhaust Products
www.flowmastermufflers.com
Genuine Hot Rod Hardware
www.genuinehotrod.com
Revelation Racing Supply
www.rrs-online.com
National Parts Depot
www.npdlink.com
Classic Auto Air
www.classicautoair.com
Pertronix Performance Products
www.pertronix.com
Stainless Steel Brake Corp.
www.ssbrakes.com
Painless Performance Products
www.painlessperformance.com
Loctite Products
www.henkel.com
Paintucation
www.paintucation.com
Dupli-Color Paints
www.duplicolor.com
Norton Abrasives
www.nortonabrasives.com
Dremel Tools
www.dremel.com
Classic High Performance Audio
Product: audio equipment
Direct Source
www.the-direct-source.com
Product: stereo electronic equipment
Dakota Digital Instruments
www.dakotadigital.com
Product: digital dashboard
Mustang Project
www.mustangproject.com
Product: LED sequential taillight system
GUESTS :
Kevin Tetz
paintucation.com
Paintucation.com specialized in automotive body, paint and restoration services and instructional restoration videos.
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