Ponies on The Run!
Swanson update...
Danny called me this morning with lots of news, some good, some bad.
Motor is in... but not easily.
Apparently, MMR did NOT sell me a S197 Mustang specific aluminum block. What I do have is a general Ford Racing Aluminator block. Remember the anti-knock threaded bosses that were missing? That was the first clue.
Problems: The power steering pump could not bolt up without hitting the lower Vortech pulley.
Coolant inlet (for hose) on the block is in a different location.
Solutions: Danny had to fabricate a custom spacer and use (I think) a p/s bracket off a Lightning in order to mount the p/s pump. Doing this lined everything up correctly, but now made my Vortech provided belt too long.
Coolant hose had to be cut down for proper fit.
As of 9:20 this morning...
Waiting for a shorter replacement belt (he ordered 2 sizes) to be delivered, hopefully this morning.
After the belt goes on, install the radiator, fill with fluids, bleed the clutch, then first start.
If all goes smooth from here on out, he said it should be ready to take home today.
All I can do now is
.
Danny called me this morning with lots of news, some good, some bad.
Motor is in... but not easily.
Apparently, MMR did NOT sell me a S197 Mustang specific aluminum block. What I do have is a general Ford Racing Aluminator block. Remember the anti-knock threaded bosses that were missing? That was the first clue.
Problems: The power steering pump could not bolt up without hitting the lower Vortech pulley.
Coolant inlet (for hose) on the block is in a different location.
Solutions: Danny had to fabricate a custom spacer and use (I think) a p/s bracket off a Lightning in order to mount the p/s pump. Doing this lined everything up correctly, but now made my Vortech provided belt too long.
Coolant hose had to be cut down for proper fit.
As of 9:20 this morning...
Waiting for a shorter replacement belt (he ordered 2 sizes) to be delivered, hopefully this morning.
After the belt goes on, install the radiator, fill with fluids, bleed the clutch, then first start.
If all goes smooth from here on out, he said it should be ready to take home today.
All I can do now is
.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: May 24, 2006
Posts: 7,409
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Swanson update...
Danny called me this morning with lots of news, some good, some bad.
Motor is in... but not easily.
Apparently, MMR did NOT sell me a S197 Mustang specific aluminum block. What I do have is a general Ford Racing Aluminator block. Remember the anti-knock threaded bosses that were missing? That was the first clue.
Problems: The power steering pump could not bolt up without hitting the lower Vortech pulley.
Coolant inlet (for hose) on the block is in a different location.
Solutions: Danny had to fabricate a custom spacer and use (I think) a p/s bracket off a Lightning in order to mount the p/s pump. Doing this lined everything up correctly, but now made my Vortech provided belt too long.
Coolant hose had to be cut down for proper fit.
As of 9:20 this morning...
Waiting for a shorter replacement belt (he ordered 2 sizes) to be delivered, hopefully this morning.
After the belt goes on, install the radiator, fill with fluids, bleed the clutch, then first start.
If all goes smooth from here on out, he said it should be ready to take home today.
All I can do now is.
Danny called me this morning with lots of news, some good, some bad.
Motor is in... but not easily.
Apparently, MMR did NOT sell me a S197 Mustang specific aluminum block. What I do have is a general Ford Racing Aluminator block. Remember the anti-knock threaded bosses that were missing? That was the first clue.
Problems: The power steering pump could not bolt up without hitting the lower Vortech pulley.
Coolant inlet (for hose) on the block is in a different location.
Solutions: Danny had to fabricate a custom spacer and use (I think) a p/s bracket off a Lightning in order to mount the p/s pump. Doing this lined everything up correctly, but now made my Vortech provided belt too long.
Coolant hose had to be cut down for proper fit.
As of 9:20 this morning...
Waiting for a shorter replacement belt (he ordered 2 sizes) to be delivered, hopefully this morning.
After the belt goes on, install the radiator, fill with fluids, bleed the clutch, then first start.
If all goes smooth from here on out, he said it should be ready to take home today.
All I can do now is
.
Thanks guys.
Very true. I for one am very familiar with crushed hopes from the onset of this project. So don't worry, if it happens today, great... but if he needs a couple more days to iron everything out, so be it. 
I'm pretty pumped, but trying to remain chill at the same time. 
Tell you what though.. it's brighter than a ****!
Tell you what though.. it's brighter than a ****!
Last edited by TacoBill; Aug 14, 2008 at 02:55 PM. Reason: revised pic link
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Joined: May 24, 2006
Posts: 7,409
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From: San Diego
Team Mustang Source
Joined: September 14, 2005
Posts: 3,477
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Congrats Bill. got my fingers crossed for ya !!!!
Although now that you're so close the wait has to be worse. But a long-painful 6 months is about to close.
so when are we doing a photoshoot with all three blown cars burning out at the same time ??
Although now that you're so close the wait has to be worse. But a long-painful 6 months is about to close.
so when are we doing a photoshoot with all three blown cars burning out at the same time ??
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: July 29, 2004
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 5
From: SoCal
