Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

My 1968 Mustang Rustang

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    My 1968 Mustang Rustang

    Thought I'd start a thread to post about my 68 Mustang. I am a member on several Mustang forums, but I don't actively anything on them because Mustang people, especially online Mustang people, are not generally people I share any interest with other than the car body.

    I bought this car in 2013 and have been working on it since, when time allows. Between the birth of two kids, taking care of a family, house, a job, and life in general, there hasn't been much time.

    I don't expect I will post the entire saga, but here it is fresh off the rollback in Summer 2013

    Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0373.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	114.5 KB
ID:	1305232
    Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0374.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	110.3 KB
ID:	1305233
    Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0375.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	107.8 KB
ID:	1305234
    Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0376.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	99.4 KB
ID:	1305235
    Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0377.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	108.4 KB
ID:	1305236
    Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0378.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	100.7 KB
ID:	1305237

    Got the Marti Report today. It looks very different here than when it did new. Apparently, it was a rental car in Florida.
    8F01C191017_dlxrpt.pdf
    1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
    1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

    GMN Box Panther History
    Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
    Box Panther Production Numbers

    #2
    I dug into it a bit. The goal was to get it running and driving for a fun beat around car for a little while.

    The motor was not original. It is a 302 from a 1970 F100, or at least that is my best guess. It ran when it came here but not well.

    I had to retime the engine. The distributor was stuck and it was out of time, someone rotated the wires to make it run.

    No PCV. Instead the valve cover was hooked directly to vacuum at the carb. No wonder it had no visible blowby.

    Fix that, rebuilt the carb, and tune up stuff. It ran fine and sounded fine but had virtually no oil pressure. Maybe 30psi cold at 2500rpm. About 10psi hot at same rpm. Guess what it was as idle... that would be zero. Trans shifted good.

    Did the brakes all around.

    Found the floors looked like this. I bought it from an area in Virginia called Rustburg. Literally. I should have known. These floors looked decent from underneath. I should have lifted the carpet when purchasing it.

    Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0515.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	135.1 KB
ID:	1286726
    Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0516.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	152.6 KB
ID:	1286727
    Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0517.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	123.2 KB
ID:	1286728
    Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0519.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	102.7 KB
ID:	1286729
    Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0522.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	127.8 KB
ID:	1286730
    Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0533.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	66.2 KB
ID:	1286731
    1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
    1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

    GMN Box Panther History
    Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
    Box Panther Production Numbers

    Comment


      #3
      Last post for now.

      I got it running and all back together. It ran and drove like this for a few months but ran very hot all the time. Me and the wife spent some time on the side of the road, overheated and boiling antifreeze, and I decided it was time to make this thing a real project.

      Here's the pictures I sent the insurance company, Winter of 2013. They ensured it for $2500.

      Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0579.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	124.0 KB
ID:	1286732
      Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0571.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	114.0 KB
ID:	1286733
      Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0572.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	124.2 KB
ID:	1286734
      Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0573.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	106.7 KB
ID:	1286735
      Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0574.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	104.7 KB
ID:	1286736
      Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0575.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	115.4 KB
ID:	1286737
      Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0576.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	103.8 KB
ID:	1286738
      Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0577.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	123.5 KB
ID:	1286739
      1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
      1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

      GMN Box Panther History
      Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
      Box Panther Production Numbers

      Comment


        #4
        Nice project! Are you gonna garage that Stang? A quick look on NPD showed that most any part (floor boards, etc.....) can be bought for that Mustang. Take your time and build it up.

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by packman View Post
          Nice project! Are you gonna garage that Stang? A quick look on NPD showed that most any part (floor boards, etc.....) can be bought for that Mustang. Take your time and build it up.
          It quarantined in the garage from 2014 through this past November. I am currently working on getting the front suspension and steering back under it. But more on that later.

          So Spring of 2014, I started cutting. The floor was the first item. Keep in mind I knew very little about sheet metal fabrication and nothing of welding, so the floor was chosen because no one really sees the finished product.

          Both floors got cut out, one at a time.
          Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0063.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	114.1 KB
ID:	1286741
          Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCI0067.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	90.6 KB
ID:	1286740

          I didn't take pictures of the left side, but it was replaced as well.

          I also had to repair the area under the rear seat on the left side.
          Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0345.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	118.7 KB
ID:	1286742
          Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0370.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	92.4 KB
ID:	1286743

          The right side had to be patched as well but wasn't as bad.
          Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0387.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	95.6 KB
ID:	1286744

          The inner wheelhouses needed patched at this same time since the rust had gotten into those (they touch the floor in the area where it rusted).

          Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0376.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	101.6 KB
ID:	1286745
          Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0386.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	87.7 KB
ID:	1286746
          Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0369.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	130.4 KB
ID:	1286747
          Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0372.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	77.8 KB
ID:	1286748
          1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
          1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

          GMN Box Panther History
          Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
          Box Panther Production Numbers

          Comment


            #6
            I don't remember exactly what happened next.

            I made more patches for the trunk floor. Mainly the area around the bottom. These cars have drop in gas tanks that make up the majority of the trunk floor, and the area around that was pretty soft in some areas. I don't think I have pictures of that.

            By spring 2015, I felt confident enough to work on a small barely visible area. Both sides had rust like this which was cut out and replaced with more metal patches.

            Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0538.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	88.0 KB
ID:	1286749

            Some of these are turning upside down even though they are right side up on my computer...

            Now my welding was functional if not pretty. I discovered some nasty cracking in the shock towers. Come to find out, it's common on these cars with lots of miles and/or hard use, especially with power steering which this car has.

            Stuff had been patched and screwed around with. Long story short, the shock towers needed replaced, and I would find out the frame rails would need patched, and one inner fender portion needed replaced where the A/C drips (think typically panther frame rust area). Both sides got replace one at a time.

            This was more than a 120V MIG was going to do. So, my dad brought over his stick welder and I learned that. Not many pictures here once we get to installation because I was more focused on learning to really burn in some metal.

            Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0708.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	79.5 KB
ID:	1286750
            Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0718.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	103.1 KB
ID:	1286751
            Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0725.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	108.8 KB
ID:	1286752
            Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0775.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	96.6 KB
ID:	1286753

            The PO's bad repair job:
            Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0786.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	88.1 KB
ID:	1286754

            Removal of that bad repair job:
            Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0797.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	84.3 KB
ID:	1286755
            Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0799.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	70.9 KB
ID:	1286756

            The car remained without an engine and front suspension to present day...
            1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
            1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

            GMN Box Panther History
            Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
            Box Panther Production Numbers

            Comment


              #7
              Thanks for finally sharing. Just been hearing about it for the past few years with no pics to show.

              Definitely a project car.
              ~David~

              My 1987 Crown Victoria Coupe: The Brown Blob
              My 2004 Mercedes Benz E320:The Benz

              Originally posted by ootdega
              My life is a long series of "nevermind" and "I guess not."

              Originally posted by DerekTheGreat
              But, that's just coming from me, this site's biggest pessimist. Best of luck

              Originally posted by gadget73
              my car starts and it has AC. Yours doesn't start and it has no AC. Seems obvious to me.




              Comment


                #8
                All that rust and metal work was not planned. I knew the car needed quarter panels when I got it, I mistakenly thought the rest was fine. Haha... Rustburg was such a great place to buy this from.

                The hood and deck lid were trash. Those are easy bolt on items. I also installed a door skin on the left side to correct some heavy accident damage.

                The quarters were holding me back. It was time to get to the point of no return. The cut off wheel came out. I left enough at the top to flange, if desired, for a skin, and I did end up doing that.

                The back end of the skin incorporates the area where the rear valance mounts. It is vital to rear valance fitment. The repop skins were horrible. I ended up cutting off the rear of the original quarter and grafting that to the skin. Luckily, the front edge of the skin was pretty good.

                The outer wheel houses were too bad to patch. I cut those out as well and put new ones on. That was a dice roll but it worked. They were butt welded because the thought of any overlap in the wheelhouse area just made me smell rust.

                I don't have any pictures of the reattached quarters except for the last one. The top edge was flanged and welded very slowly.
                Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0141.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	72.5 KB
ID:	1286760
                Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0142.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	70.3 KB
ID:	1286761
                Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0143.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	71.5 KB
ID:	1286762
                Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0145.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	82.4 KB
ID:	1286763
                Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0173.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	102.1 KB
ID:	1286764
                Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0177.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	76.0 KB
ID:	1286765
                Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0084.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	76.7 KB
ID:	1286766
                1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
                1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

                GMN Box Panther History
                Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
                Box Panther Production Numbers

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by 87gtVIC View Post
                  Thanks for finally sharing. Just been hearing about it for the past few years with no pics to show.

                  Definitely a project car.
                  SOOOO much more project than I ever wanted!
                  1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
                  1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

                  GMN Box Panther History
                  Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
                  Box Panther Production Numbers

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Definitely the era of Mustang I hope to own someday. Heck of a project and an undertaking. Lots of work ahead of you. Does Rustburg equate to Lynchburg VA?

                    Pretty funny to see it has power steering, and AC...but no power brakes?! Weird.
                    -Nick M.
                    Columbia, SC

                    66 Squire, 89 Colony Park, 90 TC, 03 TC, 06 TC, 07 TC (2x)
                    03 BMW 540iT, 07 Toyota Tundra SR5 Dbl Cab/5.7 2WD

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Great project! I wish I could get a Marti report for my '66. Ford didn't retain any detailed records on cars until 1967.

                      If you're needing some advice or pointers on sheet metal replacement, look up Jo Daddy's Garage on YouTube and Facebook. He has a lot of videos that have helped me and is more than willing to offer advice to DIY restorers if needed.

                      The floors on my '66 were in a similar state. So much so, that I ended up just going with a one-piece replacement floor pan. Mustangs probably have more aftermarket support than any other classic vehicle. I'm definitely glad for that!
                      —John

                      1985 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat
                      1990 Mercury Grand Marquis LS (POTM March 2017 & May 2019 - gone, but not forgotten)
                      1995 Mustang SVT Cobra coupe (cream puff)
                      1966 Mustang coupe (restoration in-progress)

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by Tiggie View Post
                        SOOOO much more project than I ever wanted!
                        Isn't that the truth!

                        When I originally planned to do the CV engine swap; I was just thinking of engine swap and nothing else. Then things got out of hand after the lopo came out. Still chipping away at it LOL

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by TecNickal View Post
                          Definitely the era of Mustang I hope to own someday. Heck of a project and an undertaking. Lots of work ahead of you. Does Rustburg equate to Lynchburg VA?

                          Pretty funny to see it has power steering, and AC...but no power brakes?! Weird.
                          Yes sir just outside of Lynchburg. It still doesn't have power brakes. I would have expected to see that option in a rental car, but maybe times were different back then. The A/C is fairly rare for a '68, and was expensive at the time. I guess that's there because of the Florida location.


                          Originally posted by Giraffe View Post
                          Great project! I wish I could get a Marti report for my '66. Ford didn't retain any detailed records on cars until 1967.

                          If you're needing some advice or pointers on sheet metal replacement, look up Jo Daddy's Garage on YouTube and Facebook. He has a lot of videos that have helped me and is more than willing to offer advice to DIY restorers if needed.

                          The floors on my '66 were in a similar state. So much so, that I ended up just going with a one-piece replacement floor pan. Mustangs probably have more aftermarket support than any other classic vehicle. I'm definitely glad for that!
                          I wanted a one-piece pan. They had just came out and were expensive at the time - like $600, compared to about $80 in patch panels. I think it would have been easier to go the full route and would have certainly looked better from underneath. I do wonder how they work if the car has been twerked a little in an accident and the rockers aren't square. Times were lean back then and $600 just wasn't gonna happen!


                          Originally posted by packman View Post
                          Isn't that the truth!

                          When I originally planned to do the CV engine swap; I was just thinking of engine swap and nothing else. Then things got out of hand after the lopo came out. Still chipping away at it LOL
                          Project creep is a serious problem. I know you've been working on the CV a while. What seems like it's only going to take a few months turns into years at my house. I am getting older and wiser about choosing projects but that doesn't stop the want to make old worn out junk into something nice and useful.
                          1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
                          1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

                          GMN Box Panther History
                          Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
                          Box Panther Production Numbers

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Thanks for sharing. Enjoying reading about it!
                            2020 Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum (Ice White / Blonde)
                            2022 Ram 1500 4x4 5.7 Etorque, Built to Serve Edition, (Granite Crystal / Black)
                            Past Panthers
                            1989 Grand Marquis LS (Cabernet/Grey), 1989 Lincoln Town Car SS (White/Blue), 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis Ultimate (White/Black)

                            Originally posted by Lincolnmania
                            if its got tits or tires it's bound to give you trouble

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Last project of 2016 included getting the bottom side ready for red oxide as original. Everything was scuffed with 80-grit. Oh this was a pain. I honestly think that if I ever get cancer, it will be from cleaning all the nasty junk off the bottom and being in such close contact with the epoxy as it went down. All this happened on jack stands. I have access to a rotisserie but it didn't fit in my garage. I wore a respirator, but the eyes and skin were still open.

                              Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0252.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	93.7 KB
ID:	1286769

                              2017 bought work on the quarters to make them look nice. Lots of filler but it's all thin. About 1/8" is the most, at the top of the quarters where they blend into the old metal.

                              Lots and lots of blocking. Then two coats of of black SPI epoxy just to see if it was slick enough. I was pleased. You have a short window to get the next coat on, if it's not epoxy. I did a little more filler work where needed, another coat of epoxy, then SPI regular build urethane primer. The engine compartment also went SEM Hot Rod Black at this time (finally something was in its finished state).

                              Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0865.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	120.9 KB
ID:	1286770

                              Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0869.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	116.1 KB
ID:	1286771

                              Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0889.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	91.0 KB
ID:	1286772

                              Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0890.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	109.8 KB
ID:	1286773

                              Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0894.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	102.5 KB
ID:	1286774

                              Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0896.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	98.0 KB
ID:	1286775
                              1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
                              1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

                              GMN Box Panther History
                              Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
                              Box Panther Production Numbers

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X