So here it sat for almost 15yrs.
I aired up the tires, set it on the ground and hooked a tow strap to it. After about 20’ the left rear wheel began to rotate - 50’ later the right front wheel started rolling. Gotta love stuck drum brakes.
With all the wheels rolling, I was able to get it in the garage and on the lift.
The interior is familiar and makes me smile.
Preliminary Assessment
I was pleased to discover the engine turns over by hand. Although after the first rotation, I could hear “tink, tink” for several minutes as the valves snapped back - a litle sticky I guess. After a few more rotation, it seems to have stopped.
I scraped about 5lbs of mud wasps and other debris from under the car. Here’s what we have:
Factory traction bars! I seem to recall these were only available on the ’67 400s and Sprints.
My big rear swaybar. Also note, I had relocated the battery to the trunk.
When I swapped the subframe (over 30yrs ago), I machined solid steel body mounts - I’m thinking aluminum may have been a better choice.
Muncie and Hurst shifter.
Big front swaybar with solid, adjustable endlinks.
Some Ugly
In addition to being hit hard in the front, the car had been hit hard in the rear - to the point that the frame rails are deformed at the peak of their arc - hence the need for washers on the swaybar bracket. We’ll be addressing this.
So where do we go from here? The plan is to build a street legal, G-Machine primarily for AutoX and the occasional HPDE. Having done a project or two in the past, I know myself and what keeps me motivated. I have to be able to enjoy the car periodically during the build. I don’t do well with a torn apart car for years on end. Therefore, this build will be done in stages - focusing on one area at a time. Sure, this can result in some inefficiency, but it allows me to work for a couple months then enjoy the car for a few months - hence The Continuous Build.
First up: pull the motor; freshen it up and get her running! Excited to be working on her again!
CR