Bought her Aug 2008 for $400. They tried to fix the dash by pulling the windshield and broke it. So they just threw it in the car and let it set for 20 years. Getting her done now. Body shop said 8-10 weeks and took 13 months. I think he only worked on it a total of 10 weeks spend across 13 months. Starter pics and before and after ones.
Some of the pieces look old, that’s because they are the original parts. Right down to small dents and scratches.
I’m second owner on it. 56K miles only. Grandson of original owner cracked a piston and parked it.
Only 13 months in body shop? You got off easy!
Paint looks nice. Is it red or purple?
I really must not be up on times I can’t imagine a shop having it that long and consider it being lucky.
When he told me 8-10 weeks I figured 13 weeks, 3 months, since this was the only vehicle he was going to be working on. Like I said, I had to be putting my foot up where the sun doesn’t shine to get it done.
But now it’s getting done. Got the front suspension in, fuel lines from the tank to the regular, all the brake system from the MC to the wheels, just have to bleed it. Glue the trunk seal on then I can align that. Having the fuel tank out makes that nicer.
Next week when all this stuff is done, put the engine and trans in along with the headers and build around them.
The color, Sizzling Crimson Pearl, wife picked with silver on the bottom.
Had her home for 6 weeks now. Fuel system in, suspension, brakes, trunk all done, electrical almost finished (had t have engine in) engine and trans in.
Making good progress! Looking good
Impressive - we need to hear more about that engine!
Very kool. Nice work looking great.
Very basic engine. 71 460 truck block, CJ polished rods with ARP bolts, Mild hyd cam with 215@.050" .520" lift, Holley 850, Edelbrock Preformer RPM with Jet-Hot coating. ported/polished mildly, 72 460PI heads, ARP studs, Crane roller rocker arms, and a standard points dist for start up and cam break in. Then an ACCEL electronic system. Crites headers with Jet-Hot coating, beefed up C-4, Currie 9" with 3.50 posi, 31 spline axles. SSBC front disc manual brakes. Deepen pan all with ARP main studs.
Had the block squared when at the machine shop. One side was way off from the other. Machinist even checked his equipment 3 times it was so far off. Now .030" over with 10-1 comp an .010" deck clearance. I made my own valley pan since no one else does. Keeps the oil from lifter movement in the valley and draining back also keeps the intake a little cooler. If a pushrod breaks or something happens the lifter doesn’t pop out either. Had that happen once.
Those Crites headers are cool!
Put 7 pipes in today. Only took 2 hours and I wasn’t in a hurry. High quality fit and no issues. But 50 years of doing headers on SBF/BBF sure did come in handy along with all the little “special” wrenches you make to do this stuff. I didn’t put the #5 on so I could do a oil system check for leaks. I’d hate to think what a PS/PB system would take. You’d have to remove the booster and PS pump to do this.
So 460 is same block as 429 - right? I’d say that’s about as much motor as you can reasonably fit in Cougar. Sure gonna be fun to drive. Nice!
Only difference is the crankshaft and the pistons. Everything else is the same. You can actually use a 429 block and stroke it into almost 600 cubic inch. Head setup are the same until you get exotic. Then ports get funky.
Headers in and tight. Not bad at all. Done worst ones, (71 Torino Cobra, 4spd,). I do have a 2" extra drop on the oil pan so headers on a stock pan would be below the oil pan. These are a 3 1/2" collectors also.
