Gary's Red Vert
 

Thanks to Nathan for saving this first post off of Google. :hail: You are a true friend. :nice:

So here it goes...again.

************************************************** ********************



Well I finally got me a Fox Mustang. It only took 21 years, but she's mine.

The car...

1991 LX 5.0 Convertible
64,xxx miles.
Automatic transmission
Red exterior, Black top, red interior
Cloth sport seats
All 100% completely stock!
Power mirrors, door locks, windows, manual seat, AC, stock cassette deck works.
Bought it off ebay, and drove it home from Florida this past weekend. Drove 1,100 miles like a champ with no problems.

Problems...
Top won't work. A piece on one of the pneumatic rams broke and I've got to get it welded back together or get another one.
Overdrive is shot. Overdrive gear just slips and will not catch at all. All other gears work flawlessly for now at least.
Needs a new front bumper cover. This one has cracks on the corners.

Pictures...

These are cell phone pics from Florida the day I bought her. I'll get newer, better ones after I have time to clean the bugs off her front and get her a proper wash.
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/images.../wol_error.gifThis image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x768.https://themustangsource.com/images/.../wol_error.gifThis image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x768.http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/o...1249917343.jpg
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/images.../wol_error.gifThis image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x768.https://themustangsource.com/images/.../wol_error.gifThis image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x768.http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/o...1249917303.jpg
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/images.../wol_error.gifThis image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x768.https://themustangsource.com/images/.../wol_error.gifThis image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x768.http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/o...1249917271.jpg

Awesome!! :grin: Post the pics of your plates again. :poke:

http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/o...cs/photo-1.jpg
http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/o...cs/photo-2.jpg

YEAH! I get to see my frames again. :banana: What does it say behind the horse?

Did you see the picture above that one? :p

I'm officially an idiot. :doh:

Blue Notch
I just want Arin on top
https://themustangsource.com/images/rank.jpghttps://themustangsource.com/images/rank.jpghttps://themustangsource.com/images/rank.jpghttps://themustangsource.com/images/rank.jpghttps://themustangsource.com/images/rank.jpg

https://themustangsource.com/image.p...ine=1231631815

Join Date: December 5, 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 7,083
Images: 238


I'm officially an idiot. :doh:
__________________

You call that a quote. :p

I'll let you slide since you have more posts than me. :p

:nice: it's back

:woot:

C/T material I guess :devil: Hey Paul, are you watching this? :grin:

Quoted for truth (so he cant edit it) and also for c/t material :)

:lol: This is how Nathan's face will look like when he reads this
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...chopofDOOM.jpg
:jester:

oh bother :doh:

bwahaha

sure you're not blonde dude?

:rofl2:

For the records...

Nathan had a blonde moment!

I'm sure we've all had at least one!

Me, I only have senior moments now! Soon, I will be able to hide my own Easter eggs :shame:

I like to play hide the cannoli myself. :p

MMMMM I prefer my with chocolate topping and xtra whipped cream on top :jester:

I bet you hide it in the carpet too! :poke:

My brain was pretty much gone by then. I'd say it's better than my last one. :p :grin:

:lol: :lol: :lol:
you two old farts crack this guy up

we're here for you anytime!

Wife and I went to a comedy club on Saturday, A comedian picked on me(of course)
He took a look at me and proceeded to explain to others that he wasn't sure if he should mess with this big white dude with the glasses on his head. He thought I would F*** him up later......














in scrabble :dunno:
I know I could take him on, my vocabulary is bigger than his :grin:

haha, good job mike! you should have told him you work at NASA...and watch his facial reaction

and start with the rocket scientist jokes??? no thanks.

vert looks great Gary. :nice: what'd you think of mine?

:rofl3:

Good choice man - thats a great looking 5.0! :nice:

What's up on the mod list?? :poke:

First mod is subframe connectors. Well I've got them and they are in the attic, but I doubt they'll make it on anytime soon.

However, this weekend I am going to try to get the top working. I'll start tinkering with it and see what the deal is. I've been told the passenger side is in perfect working order, so I'll just try to get the drivers side to look like the passenger side. Then put some hydaulic fluid in in the lines, bleed it, plug the motor harness back in, and see what happens.

And the driver rear window won't roll down, though the motor works. Must be a track thing. Plus I think the passenger rear window doesn't go down all the way. :banghead:

So that's my weekend.

After that a 5 lug conversion is planned. Though I haven't decided on 4 wheels disc or not.

Sounds like a fun weekend :grin:

I'd be down to help if I were a few states closer. Been learning a bit about ragtops myself lately, though don't know much has changed in 15 model years...

Someone posted up a shot of theirs behind the seats and stuff and I gotta say it looks almost exactly the same. I think that with the exception of the size of the top and such, the mechanics of the '91 and the '94-'04 are the same. Its got a an electric motor in the back middle and a hydraulic cylinder on each side that pushes. :dunno:

Sounds about right to me...

The famous power window issue on Fords is easily dealt with, at least repairing the motors themselves. Removal & replacement on foxes it's a bit tough :panic: most of window motor troubles are due to the plastic "beans" inside the rotor. They become brittle & crumbly due to age and wear and eventually fail. Remove that SOB from the door, disassemble the gear cover, clean the old grease and plastic shreds from inside it, add new grease and replace with 3 nuts of 7/16 " outside diameter inside the rotor and the gear. It has a trick to position it, but it's not that tough when you hold them with a little grease, reassemble and enjoy trouble free motors for as long as they don't burn out. :grin: If you need help for bleeding the hydraulic system of the top, just ask :nice:

Thanks Eduardo. And I will need help with bleeding the system for the top. At least I hope I get that far.

It's not that difficult. Just put the hydraulic line ends inside a quart of auto trany fluid or a pot with oil and run the motor in both directions to purge out the air. Be aware of spills, so you may need assistance on this one. We made an additional step just in case on my friends white vert, we moved the top manualy up and down to be completely sure the air was all out of the hydraulic cylinders. It will start to get harder to move when it's done.

I havent even attempted to put the top down on the 83.... So I take it yours has power windows all the way around. My 83 has power on the door windows, but the quarter windows are manual?

Yes. Power all the way around.

So from the way I read Eduardo's post, since my cars top has no fluid in the system, I should be able to open it manually?!?!?

wouldn't you still have fluid on the passenger side?

I'm pretty sure the guy drained it out of the entire system. We shall see. Right now I'm stuck cleaning out the pantry, refrigerators, and freezers.

That's women's work :p

Nah. Laundry is women's work.

I just got back from dropping Regan off at a B-day party. Unfortunately I ran out of gas in the vert on the way there. I guess 209 miles is as far as I can go. I was on the freeway no less a couple of miles from home. Been a long time since I ran out of gas. My first though was that my transmission was blowing up. The wife had to bring me the lawnmower gas. Luckily I had some so it was pretty quick. So new rule...don't go over 200 miles on a tank. No matter what.

I've yet to run out of gas. I've come pretty close, but never actually had it happen. :doh:

:yup: My friends car was some time on manual vert top mode.

Does the gas gauge work on the vert?

Yeah it works.

I just didn't know how far it would go. Now I do.

It's quick from full to 1/4 tanks and then slow to E.

Mine acts the same way :dunno:

Well thanks to the information from Eduardo and I drained the oil out of the top and put the top down.

First of all I am a complete idiot for not doing this the day I got her home. :doh:

Second. Convertibles are AWESOME! I've rode in them, but never actually driven one with the top down. I mean it is complete and utter WIN. I love it. Definitely worth the price of admission.

So I put the top down and the drivers rear window wouldn't go down, which looked stupid. So I could hear the motor working, so I pushed it down a little bit and it went down. I raised it and it came back up. But to get it down I have to push on it. So its on the track, I 'm sure I've just got to reattach it to the motor arm mechanism.

I put the cover on it, again the original red cover to match the interior, and it is again all WIN. So. I'm just gonna leave it parked in the garage with the top down and drive it on good weather days until I fix the top mechanism.

Now all I need to address is the transmission. I can't stand not having DO anymore, and the other gears are slipping now too. So I'm staying with the AOD auto. I've got a line on a rebuilt one that supposed to be more solid than the original. If I get a complete transmission, how hard is it to swap out? Is this something I could do. Would I need to pull the motor? My dad's got an engine hoist I can use if I need to.

If I can put a SC and headers on an '07, can I do this?

if peter can pull his trans, you can pull yours. and i don't think you need to pull the motor either, just get under and drop it out. i would imagine installing headers is far more difficult than this is.

and man.. 200 miles to the tank is disappointing lol. thats a bit less than what pete gets i think

Glad you figured it out :nice:

Taking off the trans doesn't require pulling the engine (thank God!) It's time consuming and a little messy, but since you've done complex stuff already, it would be a walk in the park for you. Just remember to loosen the torque converter bolts BEFORE the trans to block bolts, fluid lines and kick down cable. A beefed up AOD with a recalibrated valve body, red or blue clutches and other minor stuff will just be alright.

Anybody have any advice on removing and painting the window trims.

What do I do clean them, sand them down, hit 'em with a primer, and then hit 'em with some flat black or satin black, or some special trim paint. :dunno:

The windshield trim? I used a special tool I found somewhere, and you kind of have to pop up these little clips holding it down. You'll probably break a few, so get a package if you order the tool. (no more than $10 for all the stuff) Also be careful if you're sanding the plastic. Mine got scratched somewhat, and it was a pain to get it looking normal again. :doh: I used some black trim paint I got at 50resto. It's kind of pricey, but it looks nice. I can explain it some more later if you have any questions. I'm about out for the night....

The vert has the trim going all the way around the top of the car. It's around the windshield, then at the top of the doors where the windows come up, then all the way around where the cover mounts for the top when its down. Plus the luggage rack. Someone tried to touch these up and the crappy paint job they did is peeling off. I'll get pics tomorrow.

The upper trim around the doors isn't removable, or at least on the notch. Mine could stand to be repainted too. :doh:

Well that the other problem then. It's coming off on the driver side. Popped up like someone tried to remove it before. :doh:

There is a little strip in there that I think comes off, but the unit itself is part of the door.

Are you driving it in 3rd all of the time because of the OD? There is something really wrong there. That's like 13mpg. One of my LXs that was bone stock always went over 300 on a tank in mixed city/highway driving, and would go almost 400 on an all interstate road trip if you were careful, but it was a 5 speed.

Yup. No overdrive. Driving in third. Weird thing is when I did all highway driving I got about 16mpg doing 75 in third.

Now it's all city driving mainly and I'm getting like 13. You are correct. Of course I get 11 in my truck, so I just figured it was me.

I'm guessing she could use a tune up but I just haven't figured out how far I want to go with her yet and have yet to actually tinker with her.

no its not.... I'll have to check on how it comes off, but I had it off the notch and the Capri....

Duplicolor makes a trim paint that is perfect for that... its like 7 bucks a can around here....

That's what I thought. It's a different color. Therefore it wasn't painted with the door, it was put on later. I need to pull the door panels off and peek around in there anyway. Maybe I can see something from inside and underneath.

Does it hold up?

its been on my verts mirrors, rear bumper cover, hood vent inserts, and cowl cover since June with no issues....

I think there is a bolt on the inside of the door, at the back... If I remember correctly, it should come right off. Maybe the mirror has to come off too... I'll try to take mine off tomorrow, then let you know for sure.

My friend has painted the whole trim on 2 white verts without removing them, just really, and I mean REALLY good masking tape around them and paper all over the car to keep overspray at bay. He used duplicolor flat on one, semi-gloss on the other. They have been around for years on the semi-gloss one without any issues. It's a very good rattle can paint.

It was recommended to me by somebody on foureyed forums....
http://thm-a04.yimg.com/image/4ef17db337cb3046

whens the performance mods going on?

When the performance fairy drops the parts at my door. :p


Seriously. I need help in which direction to go.

I want NA and am looking for about 300rwhp maximum. Plus the tranny is setting me back dollar wise for the short term.

So what should I do?

Which CAI?

Which throttle body?

Which upper and lower intake?

Which coil, spark plugs, wires?

I'll figure out the exhaust myself.

Will all of that plus heads get me there?

Just tell him to find other clients for now. You can always hire him back after the fox has 300rwhp.

copy my old foxes setup, was good for over 300rwhp.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y15...hris/19904.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y15...hris/19903.jpg

:arin:

She prefers to be called a her. :screwy:


:p

Nice post arin, those are are all good answers.

My car had E303 with 1.6 or 1.7 roller rockers can't remember. But my had a heck of a time idleing and a smaller cam would prob be better.

I want smooth and reliable. :nice:

Now the Bronco, that's gonna be a different story. :metal:

So how do I go about this?

Can all of this be done with the motor in the car?

Well that's stupid of course it can. But is it easier to pull the motor put the headers, heads, and cam on then finish the rest up?

Remember I'm a newb. The only reason I did the LT headers, all the suspension work, and the Saleen install so well was because I had good instructions and a butt load of picture and how-to's from this forum and others.

everything i said can be done in the car, but ive never installed LTs so i dont know how hard..

well actually thats a lie. i isntalled LTs in an effin ford galaxie, but that kind of engine bay space doesnt apply here lol.

also, i dunno about cams. ive never installed one myself and it feels like itd be kinda hard to remove the old with the engine still in, unles youb pull the radiator and stuff (which isnt really that much trouble.

but if you've got a hoise, its not a bad idea to pull the motor, install all the parts, and stick it back in. it was a little crowded in the SN95 engine bay when we were doing heads, and i dont imagine its much different in the fox.

if this was your only car and you had no access to a hoist, id say leave it in the car and mod as you go.. but its not and you do (i think) so pull it and build it :D

and remember, everything listed in my post is stuff i can do. so if Arin can do it, Gary can do it. :p

I can't see how removeing the engine would make it that much easyer to be worth doing.

Gary is old. even my back starts to hurt leaning into the engine bay :p

Think how the poor old fella is gonna be after a while. I mean sure, the AFRs are aluminum, but this is Gary!

sometimes its nice to do everything on a stand and then just drop it all back in. thats my plan fo the IIs future boosted motor

I agree its nice, but you have extra work disconnecting the driveline and such to get the engine out. Seems like a lot of effort when its all top end engine work.

I have never done a cam either but I'm sure there are a ton of guides online for the 5.0 to follow.

i dunno, it seems like the combo of cam and LTs, and the fact that gary is probably doing this all at once, that makes it more convenient

plus iirc isn't the trans slipping or doing something less than good gary? if the trans is already gonna be outta there, why not?

fine have it your way arin. :p

:woot:

:nixon:

I've had my door panel off hundreds of times, and I've never seen a bolt in there. Make sure you take pics. :poke:

Maybe next time we could debate what color shirt Gary will wear tomorrow. :jester:

red!

No, blue is better.

:agree:

OK.

Arin is correct in that I'm already replacing the transmission.

So I'd like to pull the motor anyway, change the mounts, put on the headers and do the engine work and then stick her back in. Plus I could throw some paint on the block and it's be fun. I've always wanted to pull a motor out so why not now. It's not like its my daily driver.

Also I wore a blue shirt today...so tomorrow I'm gonna go with the red. :nice:

:panic:

Hundreds, really. Seriously. Maybe you should look into doing it right the first time. :poke:


:p

That's the more common 5.0L setups that are used that produce good results. The car will pull quite strong with those mods. :drool: For cams, either the E303 or have made a custom grind. Also the stocker works best with 1.7 roller rockers. It will outflow the Cobra cam due to the higher lift and duration.
:idea:

I don't think I'll ever find the perfect pair of speakers. :banghead:

none.:poke:


speakers are just weights.

TRUF

My kappas were actually lighter than the stock speakers. :p

Do they weigh more then 0?

We should find out how much spearkers, subs, amps, wiring, headunit and everything does weigh. I'd be curious.

Take it elsewhere you audiophiles. :p

But 0 is no fun. :p
You sound like Arin. :p

We like to PW in King PWs thread.

Revenge for all the PW'n you did in my thread before the crash. :devil: