11/04/2005
This is my 1968 Mustang California Special. I am in the process of doing a full restoration, so stay tuned, I will post pictures showing the progress.

This is its former home. I bought it off of eBay from a guy in Shreveport, LA.

 

 

11/04/2005
First things first...get it home safely. Turns out these old Mustangs get GREAT gas mileage (when traveling on the back of a trailer!)

Home Sweet Home!

 

11/04/2005
Kristin and I go for our first ride, well we didn't actually go anywhere because it's not running...but we pretended!

 

11/04/2005
Custom Interior...Mmmmm....Mmmmm!

 

11/04/2005
"Nice" Motor, I don't think it's indulged on gasoline since they stopped putting lead in it. Yeah, incase you couldn't tell, it doesn't run. :-)

 

11/06/2005
Turn a bolt here, loosen a wire there, and waa-laa, motor and transmission no longer in the car.

 

11/18/2005
Well, the entire front suspension is completely removed. Thanks to Kevin for helping out. Arriving Dec. 5th is a completely new polygraphite suspension!

 

11/20/2005
Now, it’s time to see what’s hiding inside. One little, Two little, Three little, rats nest... Luckily all tenants checked out a long time ago. We removed the seats, carpet, dash, and heater. Mom would be so proud, it’s all clean! Unfortunately we found a lot of rust, looks like those floor pans are going to need replacing, they're a bit rusty. It’s always great to have a helping hand, thanks John AKA "Cold Pitcher!"

 

11/25/2005
The floor pans are gone!

 

 

11/25/2005
Yaa-baaa-daaa-baaaa-doooo!

 

12/02/2005
The battery doesn't work but it did rust out the entire battery box and inner fender well. We had to get replacement metal and weld it in place.

 

12/02/2005
All the firewalls, fender wells, floor pans, and the trunk is sanded and ready for POR-15. POR-15 is a rust preventative and paint.

 

12/04/2005
The POR-15 is on!

Fender well

 

Firewall

 

Trunk

 

Floor

 

12/30/2005
Kristin working on the suspension

 

1/1/2006
Kristin is greasing up the wheel bearings.

 

The floor pans are complete! Welded, sealed, and painted.

 

A start to a great new year for the Mustang, new suspension and disk brakes!

 

2/12/2006
DOC, WE HAVE A DONOR!!! It's a bone stock 92 Mustang convertible, looks great and runs great...it's almost a shame we are taking it apart.

 

 

 

 

2/18/2006
My buddy Erin and I pulled the motor and replaced the rear engine seal, because there was a minor oil leak. Along the way we found the pilot bearing was chewed up worse than I have ever seen on the transmission input shaft, so we replaced it. I can imagine the damage that could have occurred if we had not replaced it.

We also had to switch to a front stump oil pan, since the double hump pan out of the 92 would not fit over the steering box and cross member. While we were there we replaced the oil pump and pickup tube.

Here is the final product:

 

She sure looks good sittin' there!

 

Thanks Erin for all your help (and thanks to Julie too for letting me have her boyfriend for the afternoon) :-)

 

3/19/2006
We picked up all sorts of goodies from Summit: Comp Cam, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge Heads, FMS Lifters, Trick Flow Chromoly push rods, Trick Flow rocker arms, and a few other goodies.

 

The engine is completely disassembled and ready for the goods.

 

4/22/2006
The goods are installed and it’s starting to look like a motor again.

 

 

7/4/2006
Ok, so I know it’s been a while since we have updated the website, I apologize, but for the most part we have been rewiring the entire car and that’s not fun to look at. We purchased a Painless wiring harness for the body. It’s a great harness that has everything pre-measured from headlight to taillight. Since we are installing the 92 Mustang drive train we needed also use the engine and computer harness from the 92. So we have spent a lot of time trying to figure out what wires we need to splice together, it was kind of a headache but it’s behind us for the most part now.

These are our long tube headers. We had to order headers for a 68 302 even though the engine is a 92 and of course in 68 they had no idea what an O2 sensor was, so we had to drill our own hole and weld in bungs.

 

Here is how it looks installed.

 

Since we are going fuel injected we need a completely new fuel system. We’ve decided to go with an Aeromotive setup. This system is overkill for now, but someday we are going to put a supercharger on it, which will require more fuel flow. Here is the heart of our fuel system, it’s an Aeromotive A1000 fuel pump, which is huge, as you can tell it’s much larger than a DP can. Below the pump is our inline filter.

 

With the larger fuel pump we also need a larger fuel pressure regulator.

 

7/23/2006
The fuel system is now 99% complete, the few minor items remaining are hooking up the inertia switch and putting in the sending unit. We decided to run a -10AN feed line and a -6AN return line, using Aeroquip socketless hose. I took the tank to a radiator shop and they were able to weld in fittings for the feed and return lines.

 

We had to fabricate a bracket to mount the fuel pump underneath the gas tank. So I went to the hardware store and picked up some angle iron.

 

Here is how it looks underneath the car, with all the connectors and plumbing.

 

Here is a look at the fuel rail connectors and hose routing.

 

We put the upper intake on just to see how it looks, we still have to adjust the valves and bolt on the valve covers.

 

7/28/2006
Ok, so I know its a little early for some new wheels when the car doesn't even drive yet, but we got a great deal on these. They are off of an 06 GT Mustang, 17x8" with Pirelli P235/55R17.

I need to get some spacers because the front wheel hits the lower outer tie rod and the back wheel hits a bracket too.

 

 

 

8/12/2006 IT'S ALIVE!!!
After a full day of working on the Mustang it came back to life!! The day consisted of testing the fuel system, fixing some leaks, adjusting the valves, and adding fluids. After a small delay and troubleshooting the coil we had ignition. We intentionally left the exhaust disconnected so we could get the full enjoyment of hearing it roar, it was GREAT!! I'll try to get a sound clip posted, so everyone can enjoy.

9/20/2006
We needed a new rear end for the car, it came with an 8" that would barely roll in and out of the garage. I've heard that 8" rear ends are notorious for being weak, so it was pointless for us to rebuild the one we had, plus we could get disk brakes on the rear if we went with a different setup.

The rear end we selected came out of a 97 Mustang GT. It’s an 8.8" limited slip, disk brake rear end with stock 3.27 gears. I picked it up at a junk yard, it came with everything from rotor to rotor. 97 Mustangs are setup for a coil spring suspension so I had to cut off all the brackets and weld on new leaf spring perches.

Overall the rear end is 2" wider than a stock 68 rear end, this is perfect for the rims we are putting on the car. I've got a little more welding to do, but so far it’s working nicely.

After I cut off the coil spring perches.

 

Painted.

 

10/3/2006
The perches are tack welded in place and the car is sitting on its own 4 wheels. I'm really pleased with how it sits, it has been dropped 1" all the way around.

 

A look from the under side.

 

10/13/2006
Here is a look at the shortened drive shaft, overall it had to be shortened 2" from the stock 68 length. Its now 48.75" from U joint center to U joint center.

 

12/20/2006
Hey everyone, sorry for the long delay in updating the web page, we have been traveling fools lately.

I decided it would be wise to remove the cowl and repair the rusted fresh air vents. This was a PAIN! There were about 180 spot welds we had to drill through. Here is a look once the cowl was removed.

 

 

Here is a close-up of the rusted fresh air vent on the driver’s side of the car. There were some places that had rusted completely through.

 

 

This is after I cut out the rusted vent area, you can see in the top of the picture the replacement, pre-formed sheet metal that I will be welding in place.

 

 

1/1/2007
Happy New Year everyone!

Work continues on the cowl, have I mentioned yet that it’s a pain in the butt? I used POR-15 to paint all pieces of the cowling. I used POR-15 on the floor pans, trunk, and engine bay and I have been very pleased with it. So, I decided to use the same on the cowling. I purchased a “Starter Kit” that came with cleaner, metal prep, and the rust stopping paint. Its good stuff, just takes a while to get through all the steps.

Here is a picture of my lovely assistant

 

While taking a break between coats, I decided to work a little on the clutch pedal. I took the original 68 clutch pedal and bolted on the cable clutch arm from the 92 mustang. For the center bolt I had to drill and tap out the pedal arm, since there is no room for a nut on the back of the bolt. I also had to weld a cut U bolt onto the back end of the pedal arm. The stock 68 pedal has a 1/2 circular hole, it lined up great with the 92 piece, but I could not tighten a bolt through it because it would slip out. So I welded a piece in to complete the circle and allow me to anchor a bolt through it.

Here’s a picture of it before it was painted, you can see on the left where I made the weld.

 

Back to the cowl and the fresh-air vent repair. It is necessary to seal all seams, including the ones in the new sheet metal, I used “3M Brushable Seam Sealer” it worked pretty good, however there was some cracking as it dried. I’m not sure if this was because I applied it too generously. When I painted it over with the POR-15 it filled all small cracks and it is sealed fine.

Here is a look at the unpainted sealed fresh-air vents.

 

1/14/2007
The new metal is welded in place and ready for POR-15.

 

 

1/28/2007
Everything is sealed and painted, it is now ready to be welded in place.

 

Kristin grinds as I weld.

 

2/9/2007
Took a trip to the muffler shop and I am very pleased with their work! It’s a full 3" exhaust with an H-pipe and dual Flowmasters.

 

 

4/14/2007
After a few months break, it's back to work on the car. We took it to the country to make a mess. Soda blasting took about 7 hours, 350lbs of soda, and 2 cases of beer.

 

 

 

 

6/26/2007
I know it’s been a while since the last update, the car is in the paint shop, there is a good amount of body work that has to been done, and the primer is being shot. More to come as it progresses....

 

 

 

8/29/2007
Here is the latest from the body shop. Mike is doing a great job and I am very pleased. This is the final sand then he will begin painting.

 

 

 

 

10/11/2007
Ok, here is the first look at the new paint job, its practically still dripping wet. The clear coat has not been applied yet, so the paint is dull, almost like a flat black. More to come in the next few weeks...

 

 

 

10/19/2007
Clear coat is on, and its being wet sanded. After the polishing and buffing, it will be ready to come home.

 

11/1/2007
Still polishing and buffing, here is a little preview.

 

 

11/8/2007
Still polishing.....

 

11/21/2007
Home Sweet Home

 

 

 

11/29/2007
We are still missing the fog lights, they are being re-chromed, but here is a look at the front end with most everything else installed.

 

Mike, our painter, also sprayed the firewalls with bed liner, it was a great idea and provides a very nice contrast.

 

12/10/2007
It's been a little while since the last update, I've been busy playing with the car. I'm working to get everything put back together, so I can take it for a spin. So far I've got the glass, weather stripping, tail lights, head lights, turn signals, front bumper, and several other items installed. Here is a current picture of the progress.

 

 

12/24/2007
I found some electric fans at a junk yard that are almost a near perfect fit, so far I have just wired them to the accessory 12v, but eventually I plan to hook them to a thermostat.

 

 

Today I had hopes of taking her for a spin around the block. We have insurance, plates, and I even put the other seat in. We did about 15 min of engine testing and everything looked good, so we started out the driveway and noticed the engine temp was running high, so we put her back in the garage. My guess is that the thermostat is in backwards.

 

 

 

 

1/6/2008
Happy New Year Everyone!

The car is still progressing, not driving it yet, but getting closer by the day. We decided to change up our exhaust and go with shorty headers, instead of the long tube headers. With the lowered suspension the long tubes sat lower than what we wanted. Hopefully Friday we can get the car to the exhaust shop and also get the alignment done too.

Here are some current pics:

New pop open gas cap

 

I also decided to change up the parking break, I've always hated the stock location (under the dash by the drivers left leg) it’s a pull bar, and just annoyed me. So, the wife and I decided to go hunting in the junk yard. Since our rear axle is out of a 97 Mustang we started there and liked the look and setup. After much "convincing" and "persuading" (mostly with a screwdriver and large rock) we were able to free all the pieces we needed to install it in our 68. Some drilling, measuring, drilling, and its in and fully functional. It’s going to look great once the interior is in and there is a center console.

 

1/30/2008
So after getting a bunch of crap from people, I realize that I have not updated my page in a while...my apologies!!

Not much has changed, we have been driving the car on the weekends when the weather is nice. Little things here and there have popped up, like the voltage regulator behind the dash. It's busted and is not properly powering the gauges. The car runs and drives great, it’s really a blast to finally get to drive it. In the next couple of weeks it will go across town to my uncle’s house for upholstery. Luck for me he owns his own custom upholstery business and he makes killer stuff, so I can't wait to see what he has planned for our California Special!

2/10/2008
So I laid down a little Dynamat....ok about 72 square feet, and I have about another 36 sq ft to go.

 

 

 

4/27/2008
It's been a while since my last post, but not too much has changed. The Mustang has gone to my Uncles upholstery shop, he is the owner and operator of RPM Designs in Haltom City, Tx. He has done some amazing work and is coming up with something great to finish off the Stang.

I'll post some progress pics when it gets interesting, for now it still looks about the same.

6/14/2008
Progress has been slow lately, but not to worry, its going to be worth the wait!

Here is a preview of the interior, this is the seat frame we will use, but it will be recovered with a different pattern and different materials.

 

Got the windows tinted also.

 

 

Time for its first bath in 15+ years

 

 

 

12/31/2008
Well the end of the year brings good things for the Mustang.  It's ALIVE once again!!!  Between Thanksgiving and Christmas we added a few goodies to the engine.  It's now equiped with a larger MAF, Throttle Body, and Injectors.  There was a little hold up fabricating the intake tube that connects the MAF to the TB, once we got that worked everything fell into place and the car started right up.  A drive through the neighborhood yielded great rubber burning results.

 

Here is a look at the new intake, MAF, and TB

 

 

 

8/16/2009

Well it HAS been FAR too long since I have posted update, but I haven't been working on it too much.  I have been working little uninteresting items, like fixing leaks, straightening up wiring, etc.

This past weekend was the most work I have done on it all year.  She got a new steering gear box, which I have to admit was NOT the most fun thing I have ever worked on, nonetheless it needed to be done so I found some motivation and an extra $450 and did it.

The steering gearbox is not so conveniently wedged on the driver’s side firewall down at the bottom.  To reach it you have to remove the exhaust, including the driver’s side header.  Then you can remove the pitman arm and drop the box. 

Again, not the most fun I have even had working on the car, but it was much needed and is a huge improvement in safety and drivability.

This is the hole once you pull the steering box out.

 

The new and the old steering gear box. 

 

 

 9/7/2009

Labor Day was just that for me...working on the Mustang.  I put in a new windshield wiper motor and new LED tail lights.  I gota say these new LED lights are a HUGE improvement over stock, and its way cool they way they sequence when you hit the turn blinker.

Here is a look at the new LED boards that are installed in the tail light bucket.

The new tail light lenses and bezels are on back order, I will post more pictures when they arrive.

 

11/27/2009

Happy Thanksgiving, here is a current video of the Mustang running.  Nothing new to report on, just good to hear an old car run!