Restoring a 66 coupe

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Offline Fifi_Sutho

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« on: January 04, 2010, 12:11:42 am »
HI all

Im about to start on the expedition of restoring my recently departed husbands Mustang, a beautiful 66 coupe called Christine.

It was recommended that I join here to get some quality advice on how to source parts for various items and advice on how to go about things...

I am sorta car minded and understand a bit, so please bare with me if I come across as being a real dumbo.

I am very passionate about restoring this beloved Mustang and its the love I have for my husband that wants me to be involved with every aspect of her rebuild.  

My husband was killed whilst riding his motorbike to work very early on Sunday 11th Oct 2009, so its still a very recent thing Im dealing with, however I can honour his life by restoring our beautiful mustang to her original beauty.

Ok here goes my questions.....

1.  How do I source new rubbers for around door trims etc....

2.  When it comes to changing the brake system from drums to discs, is there anything special considerations that need to be thought of before heading down that track.

Im sure there will be more questions as my journey starts, I hope I dont annoy too many people here.  I want to do the right thing by Christine and my loving husband Mark.

Cheers and thanks for taking the time out to read this post.  Sorry if I have put this post in the wrong place moderators.

Fifi

;{

Offline 66RedRagtop

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2010, 12:32:58 am »
Sorry to hear of the dreadful loss of your husband.

Help is easier if we know which State you are from, and if you are in, or roughly how far from a capital city.

Then those with local knowledge can chime in.

For instance the door rubbers are available in Victoria from a few suppliers such as Mustangs of Melbourne and East Coast Mustangs. Both will send interstate, but you might have a local supplier and save the freight.

Front disc brake conversions are common using a combination of readily available parts, and rear discs are achievable too if wanted.


Offline Fifi_Sutho

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2010, 12:36:53 am »
Thanks for that.  Yeah stupid me should have said where I was from.

Im from NSW at a place called Bowen Mountain, near Richmond which is roughly about 1hr from Sydney itself.

I want to do as much of this resto myself so there is indeed a lot to learn..

Thanks again for your kind words and for your response.

Cheers

Fifi




Offline 66RedRagtop

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« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2010, 01:12:03 am »
OK, then I'd suggest that you get a good 66 Mustang restoration book. Perhaps chase one down on line from a motoring bookshop in Sydney.

That book will tell you what tools you'll need, if you don't already have them, and things such as a trolley jack and safety stands.

Then start making a list of the things you want to achieve, and break that down into sub-sections on the bodywork, trim, drive train, mechanicals etc. Then you have a written plan, which you can update if needed as you go along.

Have a digital camera and PC handy, and take heaps of photos of everything before you dismantle it and file them.

Collect some boxes for storing parts, and clear plastic bags for individual bits. A packet of sandwich bags from the supermarket takes care of all the small things. Label each bag with a texta as to what and where from. Keep all the old parts until you get new items, so you can assemble from the old labelled parts.

Believe me it's impossible to remember how it all goes back together again after a few weeks.

Establish an adequate budget, and prepare for unexpected costs. There's nothing more frustrating than seeing a nearly finished car awaiting those last few dollars to complete. Rebuilds always take longer than expected too.

That gets you started until some of the Sydney people take up the running.


Offline Shermatt

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2010, 03:04:45 am »
Agree 66RR ^ +1

Good luck with your restoration. Sorry to hear about the situation behind it. Hope your doing OK

All the best


Offline MustangMedic

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2010, 04:29:19 am »
Hi Fifi.
Try Capital Classics(Canberra based) Mark provided me with a manual and frequent advice to restore my 67 coupe, with the help of the forum members I am slowly progressing with the resto. Capital classics do most stuff overnight or be able to source it fairly quickly. I also purchased several American mustang restoration/restomod company catalogues to help identify individual part requirements so I could chase up the actual parts required and not end up with the wrong stuff sitting on the workbench. As was said to me many times by many people "it is better to ask a silly question, than make a silly mistake" this is why we have forums.
Hope this helps.
Ashley M
Always work smarter not harder....

Offline moe

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2010, 09:58:33 am »
Fifi, also try and get along to a club run to meet other mustang owners and see and compare notes with cars already completed.  Scary thing is it might give you more ideas for Christine.  Nothing better than being able to talk to a fellow mustang owner and ask how they did a particular job on their restoration.  Can save yourself a lot of hassle and learn from others.  

Offline seany-boy

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2010, 10:03:30 am »
The thread below that Fozzy started has a couple of great sites for info would be worth a read if you have time as well.
http://www.mustang.org.au/forum/viewthread.php?tid=8828

Good thoughts from 66RR.. as well. we always wish we had taken more pics and labelled thnigs a bit clearer :_

also good threads in the importing car parts section that can save you some $$ but having a local supplier to ask questions of is also a good idea.

good luck.

Offline Fifi_Sutho

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2010, 08:05:57 pm »
Mark and I were in the Mustang Club for a while but life got so busy that we stopped going...  Still know a few people in the club but sadly dont get to see them as often as I would like.

I will start looking for that book so thanks for the advice on that.

Thanks MustangMedic for your tips appreciate it muchly.

Am looking forward to setting this in motion.  Thanks again for all your kind words and advice.

Fifi

ps..  found a couple of books from The Pittstop Bookshop in Perth....  the two titles are:

Mustang Restoration Handbook

and

Ford Mustang 64 1/2 to 1973 restoration guide.

Have any of you seen these books and are they worthwhile buying???

Cheers

Fifi

Offline GT Sally

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2010, 08:45:11 pm »
All the best Fifi, you sound like one very determined young Lady. I have a 66 GT coupe which I bought restored, have added a few extra bits, I drive it with pride even tho' i didn't build it. Mark will be watching you, & I know you will make him proud. You have come to the right place for advice & help,
"This forum
 Is awesum"  
Cheers
GT SALLY
If you haven't grown up & matured by the age of 55, (65 now & nothin has changed) YOU DON'T HAVE TOO.....Gary

Offline GT Sally

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2010, 08:53:24 pm »
Hey Fifi, I have the "64 1/2 to 1973 resto guide" by Corcoran & Davis 2nd edition, not a bad start, more of a parts manual but will show you how parts go together. I bought it for my son about 9 years ago when he was looking at Mustangs, now 2 years ago I bought my coupe off his boss (in the trade) who used this book, my son still hasn't got his Mustang, well, maybe he has!!!

I also have a book by Colin Date called "Original Mustang 1964 1/2 - 1966". It does't tell you what to do but more on the originallity aspects, more picture perfect/concorse maybe.
if ever your out the airport way, Sydney that is, your quite welcome to drop by & take a look at what I have
If you haven't grown up & matured by the age of 55, (65 now & nothin has changed) YOU DON'T HAVE TOO.....Gary

Offline MustangMedic

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2010, 09:25:14 pm »
Fifi.
There is a All Ford day to be held at Castle Towers(roof top carpark)of the shopping centre on the 17th of January, a large number of forum members will be present on the day with their cars. If you are available it might be worth the drive and bring Christine too. A great place to meet a heap of owners and view their cars and ask any questions you may need answered. I hope this helps.
Cheers.
Ashley M
Always work smarter not harder....

Offline Fifi_Sutho

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #12 on: January 04, 2010, 09:32:37 pm »
Thanks Ashley..  Its been years since Ive been to the All Ford Day.... As I said before Mark and I were members of the Mustang Club, but dropped out when life got very busy..

I wont be in Sydney at the time its on but thanks for the update on that....

Christine isnt registered or roadworthy right now, she hasnt been driven in over 2yrs, hence the resto needing doing... Am about to change all of that though...

Cheers

Fifi

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #13 on: January 04, 2010, 10:02:54 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by GT Sally
I also have a book by Colin Date called "Original Mustang 1964 1/2 - 1966". It does't tell you what to do but more on the originallity aspects, more picture perfect/concorse maybe.
if ever your out the airport way, Sydney that is, your quite welcome to drop by & take a look at what I have


That book is not very correct in its descriptions. All the pics of the "original" red 66 Mustang convertible (I think about 18 pics), are pics of a car I built around 2000. It was a nice car, but had a few issues, still owned by a very good friend of ours. It is a typical "coffee table" book, nice pics but not accurate. A couple of other cars pictured also went through my shop.

Another good book is "How to Build a Ford Restomod", fairly accurate book that also features a 65 Cyclone I fitted shock towers & set up a TCP front end.

Fifi if you need any help or advice, my contact details are in my bio., only too happy to help.

Offline GT Sally

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #14 on: January 05, 2010, 08:44:07 am »
Quote
Originally posted by ozbilt
Quote
Originally posted by GT Sally
I also have a book by Colin Date called "Original Mustang 1964 1/2 - 1966". It does't tell you what to do but more on the originallity aspects, more picture perfect/concorse maybe.
if ever your out the airport way, Sydney that is, your quite welcome to drop by & take a look at what I have


That book is not very correct in its descriptions. All the pics of the "original" red 66 Mustang convertible (I think about 18 pics), are pics of a car I built around 2000. It was a nice car, but had a few issues, still owned by a very good friend of ours. It is a typical "coffee table" book, nice pics but not accurate. A couple of other cars pictured also went through my shop.

Another good book is "How to Build a Ford Restomod", fairly accurate book that also features a 65 Cyclone I fitted shock towers & set up a TCP front end.

Fifi if you need any help or advice, my contact details are in my bio., only too happy to help.  


Thanks Kerry, I did notice a few things out of place hence the word "MAYBE"
If you haven't grown up & matured by the age of 55, (65 now & nothin has changed) YOU DON'T HAVE TOO.....Gary

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #15 on: January 05, 2010, 01:13:07 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by GT Sally
Quote
Originally posted by ozbilt
Quote
Originally posted by GT Sally
I also have a book by Colin Date called "Original Mustang 1964 1/2 - 1966". It does't tell you what to do but more on the originallity aspects, more picture perfect/concorse maybe.
if ever your out the airport way, Sydney that is, your quite welcome to drop by & take a look at what I have


That book is not very correct in its descriptions. All the pics of the "original" red 66 Mustang convertible (I think about 18 pics), are pics of a car I built around 2000. It was a nice car, but had a few issues, still owned by a very good friend of ours. It is a typical "coffee table" book, nice pics but not accurate. A couple of other cars pictured also went through my shop.

Another good book is "How to Build a Ford Restomod", fairly accurate book that also features a 65 Cyclone I fitted shock towers & set up a TCP front end.

Fifi if you need any help or advice, my contact details are in my bio., only too happy to help.  


Thanks Kerry, I did notice a few things out of place hence the word "MAYBE"


Not critical of you GT, just years of looking at original "unmolested " cars has me shaking my head when I read these books. Even the Recognition Guide is now dated in its info, but still a vey accurate publication. I have a whole library of books (probably over 100) on the type cars I build & the only ones I use for reference are technical publications such as interchange manuals, specialised parts manuals or workshop manuals.

Getting back to Fifi's request, the best information is right here on this forum & it is all "up to date". Lots of people here doing similar things & happy to share the journey. All you have to do is ask & remember there are no stupid questions.

Offline MustangMedic

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #16 on: January 05, 2010, 03:21:54 pm »
Hey Fi.
The manual I use as my reference guide is called,1967 Cougar Fairlane Falcon Mercury intermediate Mustang shop manual. I have seen the 1966 version of the  book on the shelf at capital Classics, so they are available for between 80 and 100 bucks from memory.
hope this helps you.
Cheers.
Medic
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Offline GT Sally

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #17 on: January 05, 2010, 03:49:06 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by ozbilt
Quote
Originally posted by GT Sally
Quote
Originally posted by ozbilt
Quote
Originally posted by GT Sally
I also have a book by Colin Date called "Original Mustang 1964 1/2 - 1966". It does't tell you what to do but more on the originallity aspects, more picture perfect/concorse maybe.
if ever your out the airport way, Sydney that is, your quite welcome to drop by & take a look at what I have


That book is not very correct in its descriptions. All the pics of the "original" red 66 Mustang convertible (I think about 18 pics), are pics of a car I built around 2000. It was a nice car, but had a few issues, still owned by a very good friend of ours. It is a typical "coffee table" book, nice pics but not accurate. A couple of other cars pictured also went through my shop.

Another good book is "How to Build a Ford Restomod", fairly accurate book that also features a 65 Cyclone I fitted shock towers & set up a TCP front end.

Fifi if you need any help or advice, my contact details are in my bio., only too happy to help.  


Thanks Kerry, I did notice a few things out of place hence the word "MAYBE"


Not critical of you GT, just years of looking at original "unmolested " cars has me shaking my head when I read these books. Even the Recognition Guide is now dated in its info, but still a vey accurate publication. I have a whole library of books (probably over 100) on the type cars I build & the only ones I use for reference are technical publications such as interchange manuals, specialised parts manuals or workshop manuals.

Getting back to Fifi's request, the best information is right here on this forum & it is all "up to date". Lots of people here doing similar things & happy to share the journey. All you have to do is ask & remember there are no stupid questions.


You're not wrong there Kerry, this site has a wealth of info, especially from guru's like yourself.
If you haven't grown up & matured by the age of 55, (65 now & nothin has changed) YOU DON'T HAVE TOO.....Gary

Offline Herman

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #18 on: January 06, 2010, 08:59:13 pm »
Hi Fifi

You could also use the 'Mustang Restoration handbook' by Don Tayolor & Tom Wilson or 'How to restore your Mustang' by Larry Dobbs and Donald Farr

Herman
Have now converted the other half into doing some of the Concours washin, cleaning & polishing stuff!!!!!!!!

Offline Fifi_Sutho

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« Reply #19 on: January 07, 2010, 12:31:09 am »
Thanks everyone...  I started pulling some of her apart tonight to start assessing what needs to be replaced and what can be salvaged....

I took some pics so I can post some here if you like.  Not sure if this is the right place for them though...

Cheers

Fifi

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« Reply #20 on: January 07, 2010, 06:17:59 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by Fifi_Sutho
Thanks everyone...  I started pulling some of her apart tonight to start assessing what needs to be replaced and what can be salvaged....

I took some pics so I can post some here if you like.  Not sure if this is the right place for them though...

Cheers

Fifi
 


If you have a photobucket site, just post the link.

Offline GT Sally

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #21 on: January 07, 2010, 07:26:13 pm »
I get the gut wrenching feeling this is going to be another long long long & very informative thread
If you haven't grown up & matured by the age of 55, (65 now & nothin has changed) YOU DON'T HAVE TOO.....Gary

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« Reply #22 on: January 07, 2010, 08:00:50 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by GT Sally
I get the gut wrenching feeling this is going to be another long long long & very informative thread


That we will all be part of....:(

Offline MustangMedic

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Restoring a 66 coupe
« Reply #23 on: January 07, 2010, 08:56:21 pm »
Boyz, I think we are all right!. And we will see the results of a combined effort, and I would be betting one very proud and grateful mustang owner.
This is a great example why these forums are so interesting to follow and be part of, because we all have something to contribute.
Cheers.
Medic
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Offline soc123_au

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« Reply #24 on: January 08, 2010, 02:08:56 pm »
Before you go too far in pulling it apart I would suggest you get some pics up & seek some advise on how far you need to go. These sort of projects can be easy to get lost in if you get too deep without the right help. Bowen Mountain is only 20 to 30 mins from me, I would be happy to come & have a look at it for you.