I have been posting about my one of two, 1967 Cougar XR7 cars, for a long time now here and on MC.net. Most recently about clearance for the oval air cleaner, but lots of questions over the years.
Well, it came back from sheet metal a week or so ago, and now begins the nearly impossible task of finding all the pieces, all the hardware, all the new parts, and trying to put it back together. I have most of the big items for it, but the devil is always in the details- Which way is this, does it go this way up? That kind of stupidity. I thought I should start a new, long term thread, as this is going to take me a long time to get back together. But, I have to hurry up, as I need the car to at least be âyardâ driveable before the end of the year, as a I am planning on moving back to Idaho by November. Just because itâs the plan, doesnât mean itâd going to happen, but thatâs the goal. Anyway, hereâs some pictures of it, as it sits right now-
The car has new rear leafs, or slightly used at least. I got them from a guy here in Denver, 5 years ago. The rear end has been rebuilt, with a locking center section and 3.55 rear gear in the 8 inch diff. I have a freshly gone through toploader 4 speed for it, and the still waiting to be started fresh engine. That is a .030 over, 302 with a comp .500 lift magnum cam, and flotek heads. F4B intake, and my fetish carb 3259 715cfm Holley. I agonized for years, literally about what headers to use, and finally pulled the plug on the stainless tri-yâs. Just because the car is ârareâ by color combo doesnât mean itâs more valuable- nobody cares about a 2V 289 C4 car. So I am taking liberties with the drive line. It will get paint and interior back to stock colors, but I want to enjoy driving the stupid thing, too. I have accumulated a lot of parts over the years, now I just need more time, and more money, to get it all together.
Another upgrade planned is to add factory power disc brakes. I have a complete KH 2 piston set up from a parts car when I was in Idaho. The low fuel sending unit has been repaired, and I have a new tank already also. I guess I will learn how to recover seats, as I have new foam waiting on a box, too-
One other thing- I had the pink panther shift knob on my watch list for a very long time. I didnât need it, as I have other knobs available. But in a moment of weakness, I bought one. I didnât see the âuniversal â fitment, until it was too late. So if you think you want one, you will have to get a bolt to fit, and then drill and tap for your shift lever thread pitch.
I can relate to the âhow does this goâ, or âwhere did I put thoseâ after being a basket case for 26 years. I was lucky enough to have bought another almost identical cougar without the Q just for the purpose of having a reference on how to reassemble and not as a parts donor.
