1966 Mustang GT
filed in 1966 Mustang
Question:
It is time for me to do some serious repair to my mustang and I have some questions. I want to perform three major taks to upgrade the road-worthiness of my GT. My lists follows with any and all help, comments, tips, pointers and references greatly appreciated!
1) My mustang has very loose steering and pulls to the right very badly. I think the problem is old, wornout steering parts. I have seen 3 places that sell front-end rebuild kits. Kanter, Just-Suspension, and PSP (?). Does anyone have a feel for which supplier will have the best product and provide help if needed? Can anyone recommend a good how-to article, book, or magazine on this type of repair?
I’m not the most experienced mechanic but if I can do a good job I would prefer to do it myself. What tools might I need to get? I have power steering as well. A few people I know have suggested that I purchase the rebuild kit and take it to a local shop to have the work done! The trouble is that I take the chance of getting poor workmanship and I don’t get any experience in doing it myself. Is this a repair I should leave to the experts, assuming I can find one? If I do find someone who says they can do the repair, what might a fair price be?
2) My engine and engine compartment are a mess! I would like to pull the engine out and clean it up as much as possible. I would like to take the engine apart, as much as my experience permits, and clean and paint the parts. I would like to replace the water pump, valve covers, oil pan, and whatever else I can take off and replace safely. I do not want to get the engine in a state where I have to take all the pieces to a shop to have it put back together! Are there any good books on this type of maintenance?
While the engine is out I want to replace the wiring harness (mine is an accident waiting to happen), the plastic/rubber clips, repaint the engine compartment and get the thing looking respectable again! There should be some literature that would help me with this as well. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
3) I have asked about my clutch problems before on this list and have gotten a nice note from Calvin Sanders. Thanks Calvin! I’m kinda ignorant about how the clutch disc, pressure plate, throwout bearing and transmission all work together. Is there a good technical book/ manual on how these work on my 66 mustang? My clutch slips/chatters real bad, especially in 1st gear. I think I can handle this repair and I think I want to replace the clutch disc, pressure plate and flywheel. If I’m going to attack this problem I want to get it fixed as good as new. Calvin said he used a Hayes Clutch Disc (mild performance model / 8 springs) and I was wondering what are the best replacement parts and where is the best place to order them?
As I’ve said before I’m not that experienced a mechanic but I’m no dunce either. If I can do the repair myself then I have saved myself money and I’ve gained valuable experience for further repairs. A long time ago (20 years) I used to get hot-rod magazine. Hot-Rod (Petersen Publishing) used to publish a set of technical references on clutches and transmissions, engines, and other automobile topics. Does anyone know of anything available today that would help a beginner? I do have the Mustang Shop manual but I don’t feel its geared for the beginner!
What are some of the better suppliers of mustang parts?
Thanks in advance for any and all help!!!!!
Answer: There are all the “How to restore your Mustang” books. I have one at home (from when I owned a 1966 6-cyl) and it has lots of good info. Also, Consuer Reports put out a book a while back called “Mustang Encyclopedia.” In the back of it, they did a inexpensive restoration of a 65 6-cyl fastback. I got a lot of good info from that. I never did major repairs on mine (well, I guess replacing the front fender, valence panel and all that counts as major) – at least not engine wise major. Try the Mustang magazines that are out now. Most have good How-to articles in them. Check them out.
Want to give your own answer? Want to comment?