Hey guys,

A buddy of mine recently lost his home in the tri-state during hurricane sandy. Along with the house, his 66 mustang took on water. Needless to say, he's over it. Won't start, interior's shot, and he's done. He asked me if I could take it off his hands and I'm on the fence. A classic 60s form mustang is my dream car and the asking price is extremely low...I guess my question is: in the event that the car was fully submerged, what are the chances that the motor (an original 6 banger) and the tranny (I'm assuming an original c4, but I could be wrong) are salvageable? The car has some rust, but nothing new quarter skins and media blasting can't fix. Frame is pretty solid and many parts have been replaced (front and rear end, new carb, spark plugs, radiator, exhaust, heads, wiring, etc.) Regardless, not sure if all of those components, despite being new, held up post storm. I'm an amateur to car restoration, but I'm learning. Wondering if I should try to turn the motor by hand/the precautions I should take to ensure its water free. That being said, I'm a huge fan of this forum and would appreciate some input before I make the sale. Thanks a lot!!

 

Cylinders will rust pretty quick but its probably salvagable. Don't turn it over as you will stir up the oil and water. Start by pulling the oil plug. Oil floats on water so first you will get water. Have 2 drain pans ready. Use the first for water then when you see oil switch pans. It'll get goopy near the end. Leave the plug out and pour a gallon of k1 in the oil filler in the valve cover to help rinse out the engine. Replace drain plug and replace oil filter and fill with oil. You may want to filter some used oil since its so expensive and will have to be drained again. Now remove the trans pan and allow it to drain along with the torque convertor. Don't put anything but trans fluid back in after changing filter. Now remove spark plugs and disconnect fuel line at pump coming from tank then you're ready to turn over. Stand back as water may shoot out of cylinders. Clean rust from plugs if any and reinstall. Pour a splash of gas in carb and see if it will fire. Prob going to have to go through carb. This should get you started on deflooding. Don't forget to drain fuel and service differential. Good luck

 

Thanks for the walk through, kennyg! Def more confident about the buy. I'll update the thread and def keep the pointers coming!!

 

By K1 you mean kerosene? So 1 gal kerosene then top it off with oil - so the mix is thinner for some quick lubrication while cranking?

I also liked the other guys tip about Marvel's Mystery oil in the cylinders via the spark plug hole so the rings get some lubrication direct before cranking by hand with a breaker bar. Perhaps kerosene would work too but I don't think it has as much lubricating qualities as does MM oil.

 

I meant to let the K-1 just run straight through the engine with the oil drain plug out to wash out any residual goop. Marvel Mystery oil in the cylinders is a good idea too. I picked up some ketchup/mustard picnic squirt bottles at the dollar store and some small clear tubing to use for that purpose on one of my projects.

 

FWIW, I'd look into replacing all the wiring. Vehicle's age plus water intrusion would warrant it.

 

UPDATE: bought the '66. Motor was not seized and turned by hand, which is great news. Quarter panels need to be replaced (rust and bondo), interior needs to be fully restored, not sure what condition the tranny is in, etc. And so it begins....

 

Why not just swap the engine for a v8?

 

I'm a big fan of the straight six. Gonna hang onto that for now and sometime in the future go back and probably throw in a 289.

 

Congrats on your purchase. Take the seats, carpet, and instruments out andhose the car out real good. You want to get the salt water residue out of all the nooks and crannies. After what it's been through some clean water won't hurt.

 

Thanks guys! Started working on the motor and so far things are looking up. I'm going to be ordering some new full quarters and possibly a fender. There's some rot, so I want to do it once and do it right. Any specific aftermarket brands I should look out for/ reliable parts sites?