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Car Forum / Ford / Ford Mustang / April 2006My kid just bought a '79...
My name is John, and my 16-year old son just bought his first car. A 1979 Mustang, basically a POS that has a good body, is dry inside, and it runs. :-) Seriously, it's gonna need some valve guides replaced, some exhaust work, brakes, and we're not sure what else. Are these cars worth the time and expense to fix 'em up, or should we just keep it rolling? -John O ..who's first car was also a 'stang, a green '73 that nearly rusted to pieces. 25 years ago. > My name is John, and my 16-year old son just bought his first car. A > 1979 Mustang, basically a POS that has a good body, is dry inside, and [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > ..who's first car was also a 'stang, a green '73 that nearly rusted to > pieces. 25 years ago. Do you feel comfortable with doing mechanical stuff, and helping him learn? Start with the brakes... take all the old crap off and replace with the system from at least '87. 79 brakes were barely worthy of the name. It's worth the satisfaction gained while learning. Never recoup the money spent, if that's a concern.  SignatureYeh, I'm a Krusty old Geezer, putting up with my 'smartass' is the price you pay..DEAL with it! >79 brakes were barely worthy of the name. Now compare that to non-power drums on all 4 corners as was standard just 10 short years earlier. EESH! SignatureScott W. '68 Ranchero 500 302 '69 Mustang Sportsroof 351W ThunderSnake #57 http://home.comcast.net/~vanguard92/ >>79 brakes were barely worthy of the name. > Now compare that to non-power drums on all 4 corners as was standard just 10 > short years earlier. EESH! Front drums were standard on mustang even in 1973... Mustang II was the first mustang with standard front disc. Other fords continued with four wheel drum standard through 1975... >>>79 brakes were barely worthy of the name. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > first mustang with standard front disc. Other fords continued with four > wheel drum standard through 1975... To be more clear, Some other fords (ie maverick) continued with four wheel drum standard through 1975. > Do you feel comfortable with doing mechanical stuff, and helping him learn? Yeah, I can do that. I've dinked around with little stuff on my cars for 25 years. With good direction, such as a Chilton's or a manual or something, (and groups like this one) I think I can handle just about anything. I will need to buy some better and more specific tools. What book or other resource should I get? > Start with the brakes... take all the old crap off and replace with the > system from at least '87. 79 brakes were barely worthy of the name. Good to know I'm on the right page. I told the kid, first thing is we make sure the car goes straight or turns when you need that, and that it stops. Later we worry about it "going." So, you're talking about replacing the complete system? Does this mean a trip to the local junkyards, or should I be buying....what exactly? > It's worth the satisfaction gained while learning. Never recoup the money > spent, if that's a concern. Yeah, it'll be a mini-money pit. But it is a Mustang, and if we get some things fixed, it could be decent. A couple specific questions. (and here's where I show my inexperience :-)) The left front suspension needs something. There's a vertical rod/bracket (whatchamacallit?) that's about six inches long. The top is attached to a bar that goes to the right suspension. (I want to call that a sway bar, but I'd be guessing.) That rod is obviously loose, the top rubber parts are wasted. I'm thinking this part needs replaced asap so we keep the car going straight. Part two. The joint between the left exhaust manifold and the first pipe seems leaky. This needs a gasket, right? Bigger part two...right behind that is where the steering column goes through the firewall, The boot is new, but the hole is far too big, I can see through it. What should I do here? I'm going to have lots of questions, is this the right place? -John O >> Do you feel comfortable with doing mechanical stuff, and helping him learn? > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > buy some better and more specific tools. What book or other resource > should I get? A Haynes or Chilton's manual is a good start and will get you through most of the basics. I was going to suggest getting an official shop manual from Helm Inc., but unfortunately it doesn't look like one is available for '79. You might try eBay; they frequently have manuals on CD available that cover multiple years and models. >> Start with the brakes... take all the old crap off and replace with the >> system from at least '87. 79 brakes were barely worthy of the name. > > Good to know I'm on the right page. I told the kid, first thing is we > make sure the car goes straight or turns when you need that, and that > it stops. Later we worry about it "going." Always a good plan. > So, you're talking about replacing the complete system? Does this mean > a trip to the local junkyards, or should I be buying....what exactly? Good information about FOX brake upgrades, junkyard and otherwise: http://www.svo73mm.cjb.net and click on the first link. >> It's worth the satisfaction gained while learning. Never recoup the money >> spent, if that's a concern. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > attached to a bar that goes to the right suspension. (I want to call > that a sway bar, but I'd be guessing.) They're commonly called that, but a more accurate name would be an anti-sway or anti-roll bar. :) > That rod is obviously loose, the > top rubber parts are wasted. I'm thinking this part needs replaced asap > so we keep the car going straight. Well, it'll help keep it from wallowing and plowing in corners... You can get new polyurethane bushings from just about any Mustang supplier. You can buy just the replacement for the rubber, or a kit that includes new mounting hardware as well. Just be sure to get the right size that matches the diameter of your anti-sway bar. > Part two. The joint between the left exhaust manifold and the first > pipe seems leaky. This needs a gasket, right? Dunno; never done exhaust work... > Bigger part two...right > behind that is where the steering column goes through the firewall, The > boot is new, but the hole is far too big, I can see through it. What > should I do here? Duct tape comes in all sorts of lovely colors these days... :) > I'm going to have lots of questions, is this the right place? Definitely! Signature/ Garth - '83 GL V6stang Hatch <Former MW #7> \ | My V6stang: http://www.v6stang.com/v6stang | | RAMFM Merchandise: http://www.cafeshops.com/ramfm | \ ~~ Ventis secundis, tene cursum ~~ / > > I've dinked around with little stuff on my cars for 25 years. With good > > direction, such as a Chilton's or a manual or something, (and groups [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > available for '79. You might try eBay; they frequently have manuals on > CD available that cover multiple years and models. I think I overbid on a Chilton's on ebay, and found a Haynes for $7 delivered. The spread of model years covered by the various books seems to vary, and I'm thinking that my chances are better having two references and a narrower range of model years. > >> Start with the brakes... take all the old crap off and replace with the > >> system from at least '87. 79 brakes were barely worthy of the name. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Good information about FOX brake upgrades, junkyard and otherwise: > http://www.svo73mm.cjb.net and click on the first link. Cool, I was just about to ask for a link like this. The front brakes look fine. The lines are clean and dry, the pads have lots of life remaining, and the rotors look great. If our rear repair goes well, we need to pull off the calipers and make sure they're not sticking. Should be OK for now. The rears...the car came with two new cylinders and we need to install them. The right isn't working at all, and the left is leaking. A fine first project. > > A couple specific questions. (and here's where I show my inexperience > > :-)) The left front suspension needs something. There's a vertical [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > They're commonly called that, but a more accurate name would be an > anti-sway or anti-roll bar. :) Ahh, well, that would make more sense. > > That rod is obviously loose, the > > top rubber parts are wasted. I'm thinking this part needs replaced asap [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > new mounting hardware as well. Just be sure to get the right size that > matches the diameter of your anti-sway bar. The left side has wear on the metal part, the right looks OK. Maybe bushings on one side, a new part on the other. It doesn't *look* expensive....the nice thing about digital cameras, I can take a photo with me to the parts store. > > Bigger part two...right > > behind that is where the steering column goes through the firewall, The > > boot is new, but the hole is far too big, I can see through it. What > > should I do here? > > Duct tape comes in all sorts of lovely colors these days... :) Another easy first-weekend project. The exhaust is "less-than-ideal" but luckily I don't have to deal with any holes in the floor. We close this boot, it should seal up the car fairly well. > > I'm going to have lots of questions, is this the right place? > > Definitely! Trust me, I'll be back. :-) Thanks Garth, I truly appreciate the advice. And hey, if anyone here is in SW Michigan, give me a holler. -John O >> > So, you're talking about replacing the complete system? Does this >> > mean a trip to the local junkyards, or should I be buying....what [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > them. The right isn't working at all, and the left is leaking. A fine > first project. I thought you got the idea; best is to upgrade the brakes. Doesnt matter how good they 'look'... Whatever. SignatureYeh, I'm a Krusty old Geezer, putting up with my 'smartass' is the price you pay..DEAL with it! > I thought you got the idea; best is to upgrade the brakes. Doesnt matter > how good they 'look'... OK, ok, I did get the idea. :-) I understand the front brakes aren't a great design, but are they ok for another month after 27 years? Seriously, if not, then we'll get busy on that right away. The other thing is I haven't found good brake upgrade instructions, or somebody else's pictures and description of the process yet. Some of the links are little more than "get the parts from a 5.0 and put them on, you might need new wheels" and that's not enough for me, given my limited experience at this stuff. In the meantime the rear is up on stands now, I've got a jug of fluid, and replacement cylinders and shoes. And good instrux. :-) By sundown, the rears will be working. > Whatever. Stay with me, alright? I'm a rookie at this stuff and I'm going to need some help. -John O > My name is John, and my 16-year old son just bought his first car. A > 1979 Mustang, basically a POS that has a good body, is dry inside, and > it runs. :-) Does your son like drag racing? The Ford Motorsport catalog sells motor mounts that allow you to drop in a 460. There's actually a lot of room in the engine compartment........ > > My name is John, and my 16-year old son just bought his first car. A > > 1979 Mustang, basically a POS that has a good body, is dry inside, and [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > that allow you to drop in a 460. There's actually a lot of room in the > engine compartment........ Yes there is a lot of room, and no we won't be going that route. :-) I'm hoping the kid makes it to his 20th birthday, at least. Then he can buy whatever engine he prefers. It does sound like fun, and at some point after we get the stoping and steering in good order then we may be looking at a different engine. But not just yet...he just got his license yesterday. >> > My name is John, and my 16-year old son just bought his first car. A >> > 1979 Mustang, basically a POS that has a good body, is dry inside, and [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > steering in good order then we may be looking at a different engine. > But not just yet...he just got his license yesterday. I assume you read my recent post on Mustangs for younger drivers... so you'll gather I'm in favor. Just have more patience than I did.. point out to son what to do. Dont just do it and have him watch.. he'll get bored and remember little. Part of reason I'm on here is I'm paying for that sin. And yeah... get all the brake stuff from junkyards and part-out, but new/rebuilt calipers and new rotors.. replace ANY lines with cake-rust. You really only need concentrate for now on the fronts... look up 'brake upgrade' on various Mustang sites or use google mustang brakes. Much research time, relatively little money. SignatureYeh, I'm a Krusty old Geezer, putting up with my 'smartass' is the price you pay..DEAL with it! > I assume you read my recent post on Mustangs for younger drivers... so > you'll gather I'm in favor. Yeah, I did see that...before I knew what a Fox was. :-) That makes me feel a whole lot better about this project car. Frankly, I'm impressed with the body. The doors close well, the locks and dome light work, and it's solid. The blinkers and brake lights work, and the hood release is good, too. Otherwise... > Just have more patience than I did.. point out to son what to do. Dont > just do it and have him watch.. he'll get bored and remember little. > Part of reason I'm on here is I'm paying for that sin. There's no way I'm bustin' my own knuckles while he sits there sippin' a dew and laughing at me. :-) The boy is going to learn about grease under his fingernails. And besides, the more it's up on blocks, the less he's out with chicky-babe or the gang. > And yeah... get all the brake stuff from junkyards and part-out, but > new/rebuilt calipers and new rotors.. replace ANY lines with cake-rust. > You really only need concentrate for now on the fronts... look up 'brake > upgrade' on various Mustang sites or use google mustang brakes. > Much research time, relatively little money. Super, that's great advice. Thanks. -John O >> Just have more patience than I did.. point out to son what to do. Dont >> just do it and have him watch.. he'll get bored and remember little. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >under his fingernails. And besides, the more it's up on blocks, the >less he's out with chicky-babe or the gang. Hell yeah, that's the way I learned. My dad and I built a '30 Model A when I was 12 or 13, and applied a lot that I learned to my 68 Mustang I got when I was 16 (in 1980). I remember him giving me direction on how to install a power steering hose and keeping it away from the headers and letting me go at it. Then I remember him laughing at me when I bought a second power steering hose, saying 'tol' ya so'... -- lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere? > >There's no way I'm bustin' my own knuckles while he sits there sippin' > >a dew and laughing at me. :-) The boy is going to learn about grease [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > when I bought a second power steering hose, saying 'tol' ya so'... > -- Tonite, we bleed the rear brakes and replace the power steering belt. The pulley wobbles, so I suspect there's a replacement pump in our future. Two good tasks for a kid. :-) -John O |
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