1968 Introductions - And bringing one back from the dead

[franklinair]

I stand corrected. You're right. 289 is cast into the Block.

Neil

 

[CougarCJ]

I stand corrected. You're right. 289 is cast into the Block.

Neil

Yes, the engine size is cast into the top on the engine block in the lifter valley.

 

[Jester]

This was my impression as well, same block, different heads, but then again I have never checked the casting of my heads.

 

[Cool Manchu]

Got the block back today. The rebuilding process has begun.

Looks like it will be rebuilt .30 over.

I have tried to figure out "numbers matching" but haven't quite grasped it yet. How can I tell if this is the original engine?

 

[Mosesatm]

Look on top of the block on the rear, just behind where the back edge of the intake manifold will be. If you have the intake set it on the block and look at the flat spot behind it. There will be some faint numbers stamped into the block.

A pictutre is worth a thousand words.
Zoom in on the flat spot on the right side of the photo, the rear of the block, and you may be able to see some faint numbers.

 

[RU_SPCL2]

Cool -- you'll need to flip it over or get a shot from underneath to grab the VIN. Only the last six digits of the VIN will be stamped. The casting date in the photo (8C7) indicates the block was made on March 7, '68. The engines were typically made a few weeks prior to the vehicle build date, so this should be a good indicator, but the VIN is the final authority.

 

[Cool Manchu]

Thank you gentlemen. I will see if the shop rebuilding it can get me a photo.

 

[Mosesatm]

CM,
Can you use a deluxe parchment interior for your restoration?
http://bham.craigslist.org/pts/4462252113.html

 

[SD GTCS]

Cool,
That is a great GTCS! bringing it back from the dead and saving it is the most rewarding thing you can do with a car.

 

[Cool Manchu]

@Mosesatm....while that would be great, my car didn't come with the deluxe interior package. Just the steering wheel and seat belts.

 

[Cool Manchu]

Hi everyone,

Just providing a quick update. The car is running! The engine has been completely rebuilt and upgraded to a 4BBL. I went with the 500CFM Edelbrock. The front springs and sway bar have been replaced with heavy duty ones. The rear end has been rebuilt as well as the tranny.

It has a new water pump, new electronic distributor, new alternator, new heater, and much, much more. Essentially all of the mechanical stuff is now completed.

Right now all that is left to be done is getting the alignment done and then bringing it down to the DMV to get it registered and it will be back on the road

After that is all the cosmetic work. I have already begun cleaning the interior and it's really come along really nicely. I will need to get the car fully stripped and painted, I found a guy who used to work at the San Jose plant that takes one car at a time that is very interested in helping me out as he doesn't get to work on GT/CS's every day. I will also need to replace the headliner as it's splitting at the seams and replace the black vinyl top with the original parchment.

I am very happy and very excited!

 

[stangfan]

Well done!

 

[Ruppstang]

There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishment when you look at a thing of beauty and know all you had to over come to get there.
Enjoy!
Marty

 

[azbeneman]

Cool,

Not wasting anytime. Great job. Keep the pictures coming.

A couple of questions for the group: I really like the deluxe steering wheel on this car and noticed it was on the Marti report. Was this option available from the dealer as well? I am thinking about upgrading my standard black wheel to this during my restoration.

Other than the center pad, is the rim identical to the wheel on the deluxe interior cars?

Any suggestions on where I can get one? The ones I have seen on EBay all have the deluxe center pad and are priced pretty high.

 

[robert campbell]

My favorite thing is breathing life into an internal combustion engine!!!! All of those pieces working in unison to destroy the rubber on rear tires!!!!! To belch smoke and fire with a sound that is second to none!!!!! YAAAAAAA BAAAAAABBBBEEEEE!!!!


Rob

 

[Cool Manchu]

It's truly amazing how you think you know a car. But you realize how much you don't know when you start restoring one. LOL

Not that I know much now, I know much more about GT/CS's and Mustangs now than I did a year ago.

 

[Cool Manchu]

Well, she is home! I drove her straight from the shop to the DMV. I didn't know you had to put in a request for the original plates...it's always something with the DMV isn't it?

Well beyond that, the car ran great. Smooth ride, no issues, no heating up...she's road worthy...now onto the next part...

Here's a picture my wife took of it before it left Mustang Fever.

Doesn't look too shabby with the hood up like that. It's amazing that the original paint is as good as it is (where its not been rubbed off completely that is)

 

[Cool Manchu]

Here are some more recent pictures. As you can see, I really need paint. But considering the car is almost 47 years old, I think that it has held up well.

 

[Mosesatm]

You don't need paint, just clear coat it!!!

 

[p51]

I didn't know you had to put in a request for the original plates...it's always something with the DMV isn't it?

I noticed that there are new plates in the later photos. Are you going to re-register with the black plates later? Were those black plates the original plates the car had when it was originally registered? If so, if you have the old paperwork it should be straightforward to re-register the car with the old plates.