Resurrection of the Red Turd, Bob's '86 SVO Mustang

[Beagle]

congrats on not dropping anything on the country dirt with your trip down the country mile!

[SuperBuickGuy]

A Yup.

It comes slow to some of us, but its getting there.

honestly, I think it starts with arguing that a 6 cylinder (or 4) is better than an 8

[Bob Holmes]

I don't think I've ever argued that its better, just different.

I like the challenge of doing something different.

[Bob Holmes]

The Ranger from Hell has occupied my time the last couple of weekends. We think we've finally whipped it today. So far we've gone back and fixed some miswiring, discovered that the Cat was basically a broken up brick (should be a bit more careful about how we treat parts, son...) the dipstick was leaking oil and...right now...that the thermostat was leaking.

I'm ready for the learning experience to be done. Although if I had patience when they were younger I probably wouldn't have to be teaching now.

STILL LEARNING

[SuperBuickGuy]

so what's left on the SVO?

[Bob Holmes]

Not a hell of a lot, mostly tuning stuff.

I'm probably just stymied by my disgust with the heater core failure. Pulling the dash again is currently a psychological impediment.

Then its a "nut & bolt" session. A bit of wiring for a proper radiator fan, completion of the interior and trim, and a trip to the smog Nazis. Oh, and need to realign. Someone went out instead of in when we were setting toe, so the steering wheel isn't centered. Nothing tough, just time consuming.

[mike343sharpstick]

Sounds like you Fox-body mustang guys need to attach your dash board with Dzus fasteners.

[SuperBuickGuy]

Sounds like you Fox-body mustang guys need to attach your dash board with Dzus fasteners.

be easier to badge engineer - pull the "Ford" oval off the front of the mustang, drive a Corvette underneath, attach Ford emblem.... most problems would be solved

[Bob Holmes]

Alright, my deep disgust with the heater core failure has simmered down to a roux of irritation. So its about time to get back on this piece of Furd.

In other important news, related to this car's (lack of) progress, the Ranger From Hell ("RFH") has finally turned the corner and been driven by son #2 to work for a couple of days in a row. After punting on a fuel pressure problem (his punt not mine) to the local Wilton Garage, the replacement of a hammered Cat (to the tune of $300+), the tightening of an alternator belt and the fixing of a thermostadt housing lead, things look tidied up for the moment. RFH has been a huge learning experience in mechanical aptitude for #2, and patience for Dad. I'd say that its been a bonding experience, sort like sticking your lip to a pole in subzero weather.

[SuperBuickGuy]

go Bob go!!!!

maybe take son #2 racing with you for a better bonding experience? working on cars is cool and all that, but I still driving them fast is better

[Bob Holmes]

Just so its clear, I'm really proud of my son for working through all the issues with the RFH. Blown engine, engine swap, then cracked heads, wrong heads sent, took care of that and then persevered through a number of other issues.

It was a big experience for him, and I'm glad he stuck it out.

[SuperBuickGuy]

It was a big experience for him, and I'm glad he stuck it out.

we'll know you raised him right when he starts bench-racing a turbo on the aforementioned truck

[BBR]

we'll know you raised him right when he starts bench-racing a turbo on the aforementioned truck

A junkyard T3 from a 2.2L Chrysler really wakes those 2.9's up!

[SuperBuickGuy]

A junkyard T3 from a 2.2L Chrysler really wakes those 2.9's up!

but I hear you can put a 460 in them too...

[Bob Holmes]

I've got T3s hanging out on shelves. I'm not sure that he wants to do anything but drive it around for awhile.

We've talked about tossing one of my extra 2.3ts in it. That was the direction we were going to go if we didn't get the 2.9 back together.