Project Wheeler Dealer

[DinoStroker]

I already own two cars (see sig.) but my infection with projectitis became incurable so I went and bought myself another car as a late birthday present. It isn't a Jeep though. It's actually another 1995 Mustang GT automatic, but this one's vibrant red with a black leather interior and is bone stock apart from a big K&N air filter and an aftermarket shifter. It came with a long list of faults so I only paid 6500AED.
Not one to let the grass grow under my feet, I've already got stuck into it and rectified some of the faults. I have plenty more work to do yet so you can stay tuned by visiting http://www.angelfire.com/my/fan/Wheeler ... ustang.htm

[DesertDawg]

Dino,

So you could not resist and you bought it!!!

Good luck with the build up!!

Dave

[DinoStroker]

Yup. I've already fixed the following problems:

1. Non-functioning brakes: replaced faulty brake booster.
2. Automatic transmission fluid leaks: replaced oil pan and tailshaft housing gaskets.
3. Exhaust system: repaired leak in passenger side downpipe, replaced rear mufflers.
4. Replaced blown headlight and interior light bulbs.
5. Glued rear view mirror back onto windscreen.
6. Scrubbed the oil-stained carpets clean.

There are many more faults to rectify and I'm going to spend the weekend doing a few things on the engine. It still runs a bit rough (but much better since I fixed the exhaust), has oil leaking from the valve cover gaskets, needs some perished rubber hoses to be replaced, and a cooling system flush.
The car was a sow's ear when I bought it but I'm confident that I'll eventually turn it into a silk purse.

[Mac]

Brilliant, keep us up to date, enjoyed reading the tale so far .

[DinoStroker]

I've been a busy boy this weekend and got quite a bit done in the engine compartment. This was my problem list before I started:

Engine running rough and lacking power.
Leaking valve cover gaskets.
Oil blow-by.
Perished upper radiator hose/vacuum hoses and broken plastic vacuum lines.
Rusty-colored coolant.
Leaking thermostat water neck.
Non-functioning oil pressure gauge.

What I've done:

Disconnected negative battery terminal.
Disconnected lower radiator hose from radiator & drained cooling system.
Removed & discarded perished upper radiator hose.
Removed thermostat water neck, scrubbed it clean, did epoxy repair, and painted it in red hammerite.
Flushed engine cooling passages and radiator with garden hose.
Reattached lower radiator hose.
Removed coolant overflow reservoir and washed sludge out from inside.
Removed air intake assembly (will reinstall later).
Removed original drivebelt.
Removed smog pump assembly (won't be reused).+ associated vacuum lines.

Removed EGR valve (won't be reused) + associated vacuum lines.

Removed upper intake manifold/throttle body (will reinstall later).
Removed and discarded perished hoses/lines.

Removed PCV valve + mesh screen (valve was working normally but mesh screen clogged & probably the cause of the excessive crankcase pressure and oil blow-by problem/valve cover leaks). PCV valve cleaned and mesh screen left to soak in diesel overnight (a lot of dirt came out already).
Removed driver's side valve cover, cleaned it, cleaned gasket mating surface on head, reused gasket (undamaged) with smear of silicone on both sides, and bolted clean valve cover back on.
Removed heater hard lines/hoses (won't be reused).


Remaining engine-related tasks:

Remove alternator mounting bolts and set aside alternator.
Remove passenger side valve cover, clean, reseal, and reinstall.
Replace spark plugs.
Add new vacuum line from heater core to vacuum tree.
Add new vacuum hose from charcoal canister purge valve to upper intake manifold.
Reinstall PCV valve, mesh screen, and add new vacuum hoses from PCV to upper intake manifold.
Cut heater hard lines to bypass heater core, reinstall with ECT sensor, attach hose to water pump.
Block off passenger side header EGR bung.
Reinstall upper intake manifold/throttle body and reconnect wiring harness to IAC & TPS.
Fabricate and install EGR block-off plate to throttle body elbow.
Reinstall thermostat water neck, water pump bypass hose, and new upper radiator hose.
Reinstall air intake assembly and reconnect wiring harness to MAF & ACT.
Install shorter drivebelt.
Reinstall coolant overflow reservoir.
Add fresh coolant.
Reconnect battery & fire this puppy up.

[SSS]

true gear head passion!
thanks for sharing ... very encouraging ... especially for the "new comers"

subscribing

actually the sub standard situation with most work shops here make this place a real treasure box for nice classic car findings and DIY restoration projects !

[ossme]

Looking forward to see the project completion !

[Millhouse]

I admire this.

Give those headlights a polish - with some (very fine) emery paper and rubbing compound - you'll be amazed

[wolle]

Hallo,

if you need to replace the leather insde, I could supply you with new leather, also camel if you want.

Regards


Wolle

[DinoStroker]

Thanks guys. My plan is to make the car mechanically sound first so that it'll pass the vehicle inspection, and then I'll work on the other bits including the cosmetics. Hopefully I'll have the engine work finished this weekend.

[ossme]

The car looks like a solid Donner for Cobra Project !

[Chuck]

Dear Dino,

why am i not surprised to read that two cars in fine condition are not enough for you to be happy

I would like you to be my mechanic on my Jeep so if you have some spare time, please do not hesitate to ask me to bring it to your "workshop" for curement

Nice to read about the developments on our new toy. Unfortunately i can not see any pics on my LT.

Cheers

Uwe

[iguana]

Nice work Dino ... I love this kind of projects ... Good luck

[DinoStroker]

Thanks.
It looks like I'll have the engine work finished ahead of schedule. I've done most of the tasks from my last "to do" list and I've almost finished. This is all that I have left to do which will only take me a few minutes:

Reinstall air intake assembly and reconnect wiring harness to MAF & ACT.
Install shorter drivebelt.
Reinstall coolant overflow reservoir.
Add fresh coolant.
Reconnect battery & fire this puppy up.

Uwe, whatever's wrong with your Jeep bring it over here so I can take a look at it.
Ossme, you can buy the red Mustang from me if you want after I've finished with it and you can swap in a Cobra engine/gearbox. I saw a Cobra engine/gearbox for sale in Dubizzle for 19,000 AED http://tnydu.biz/DOiNWX

[ossme]

The car looks like a solid Donner for Cobra Project !

I mint this ..