65 Fastback Build

Mustang Australia

Author Topic: 65 Fastback Build  (Read 5996 times)

Offline frenchy68

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65 Fastback Build
« on: June 18, 2020, 10:21:12 am »
Hi, i'm from Ballarat and I've been surfing the forum for years.  It's time I shared a post about my Mustang project and by doing this it'll motivate me on to finish the job!

The car is a '65 Fastback, i bought it as a roling shell and have built it the way i want with a modern drive line with all of the mod cons- power steer, air, cruise, power windows central lock and seat heaters.

Here's a run down of the current specs :

BODY: Standard, welded rear panel, boot lock removed.

SUSPENSION: Front: Power Rack & Pinion steering , DIY coil-over Strut conversion, standard 1 " Sway-Bar.
Rear: Borgwarner 3.23 with discs from AU Ute.

BRAKES: VT Calipers and discs front, rear AU Falcon

ENGINE/ Gearbox: AU XR8 EFI full electrics, standard engine. 4 Speed Auto BTR.

Cheers
Andrew



Offline AussiePhil

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #1 on: June 18, 2020, 10:29:40 am »
Hi Andrew,
It looks lovely, interested in your engine intake, have you changed anything.
I have an 89 roller engine in my 68 Mustang with Edelbrock efi manifold,  Edelbrock elbow and 90mm throttle body.
Enjoy your ride when you get it going!

Before and after photos.

Cheers Phil
« Last Edit: June 22, 2020, 07:59:01 pm by AussiePhil »
If you've never buggered anything you've never done anything!
But if you've buggered a lot maybe you're not very good at it!

Two for one is good but four for two is better!

Offline frenchy68

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #2 on: June 18, 2020, 02:10:00 pm »
Hi Phil
Nice mods, i will look into some upgrades in the future.

I just have the standard AU XR8 setup. Having trouble posting pics at the moment, i will try again soon.

Cheers

« Last Edit: June 18, 2020, 05:53:35 pm by frenchy68 »

Offline 67FBGT

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #3 on: June 18, 2020, 06:57:39 pm »
Both very nice! Great results for no doubt a lot of hard work and very careful planning.

Offline AussiePhil

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #4 on: June 18, 2020, 11:17:26 pm »
Hi, Fastbacks have great lines! :omg:
Chhers Phil
If you've never buggered anything you've never done anything!
But if you've buggered a lot maybe you're not very good at it!

Two for one is good but four for two is better!

Offline Bitty65

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2020, 12:34:04 am »
Very nice Andrew. Looks like lots of work although from the photo's it appears as you are heading to the home stretch.
Interested to hear more about your DIY strut conversion.
Chris

Offline frenchy68

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2020, 08:50:43 am »
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the feedback.
The struts conversion is based on a VS Commodore, i adapted the lower ball joint from the VS to the mustang lower control arm. Then the hub assembly is VS, the strut is an aftermarket CS unit with adjustment for caster.
I used VT Calipers and discs.
Steering  uses a VS Commodore rack, which fits the hubs. The control arm pivot needed to be moved to reduce bump steer issues.

Cheers

Offline frenchy68

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #7 on: June 19, 2020, 12:23:53 pm »
Hey all,
Some more pics, will start with the interior, i have a bunch of pics.

 AU Fairlaine Dash, full ECU, BCM with smart shield, was going to use a J3 but decided against it as the AC plays up with AU's.

Air-con/ heating is Ford Laser- fits nice into the factory air duct, some tweaks for the heater unit with air ducts to replace the original radio. Uses AU factory sensors etc

Console is Commodore- the 2 switches are for the seat heaters- we are in Ballarat!

Running Horse courtesy light- had to have some bling :)

cheers

Offline Bitty65

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #8 on: June 20, 2020, 08:01:52 am »
Thanks for the pic of the strut conversion. You can see in the whole car that you have done lots of research to create the car in the way you want it. It's quite the journey when you head down that path, but immensely satisfying as each part comes together.
Please keep us updated on progress.

Offline 65 Fastback

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #9 on: June 20, 2020, 04:49:30 pm »
The car is a '65 Fastback, i bought it as a roling shell and have built it the way i want with a modern drive line with all of the mod cons- power steer, air, cruise, power windows central lock and seat heaters.

Here's a run down of the current specs :

BODY: Standard, welded rear panel, boot lock removed.

SUSPENSION: Front: Power Rack & Pinion steering , DIY coil-over Strut conversion, standard 1 " Sway-Bar.
Rear: Borgwarner 3.23 with discs from AU Ute.

BRAKES: VT Calipers and discs front, rear AU Falcon

ENGINE/ Gearbox: AU XR8 EFI full electrics, standard engine. 4 Speed Auto BTR.

Cheers
Andrew
[/quote]

Hi Andrew,
Love your upgrades. Very similar to the longer term plans I have for my 65 FB.

I note with the engine conversion you kept the fuel injection, we’ll done. Others on this forum have suggested you couldn’t keep the injection intake under the standard hood but is seems you’ve done it. Can I assume you haven’t changed anything? Did you use standard engine mounts etc? Does your V8 and overdrive auto fit the standard mustang gearbox cut out in the cabin or was modification required?
Thanks
Tony

Offline frenchy68

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #10 on: June 20, 2020, 09:00:15 pm »
Hi Tony,
It all fits just! The TPS is close, from memory I used a 6cyl IAC. The inner brace on the bonnet needed a minor tweak, i have a standard steel bonnet and now a fibreglass one with the scoop just for the look.
Engine mounts are standard; the gearbox is 4 speed BTR standard AU XR8, it fits to the standard tunnel needed to trim the gearbox bellhousing ribs only minor.
The gearbox mount is fabricated.
Shifter is a Lokar cable using the standard shift mount.

Cheers
Andrew

Offline 65 Fastback

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #11 on: June 22, 2020, 01:02:10 pm »
Good to hear Andrew. The XR8 engine from late 90s early 2000s is still a bargain so a worthwhile engine swap and no need to cut out the towers!

Offline peter9231

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #12 on: June 22, 2020, 07:43:23 pm »
I have done the same.
Great conversion drives fantastic with great fuel economy and bullet proof reliability.
"If you are not prepared to be part of the solution you forfeit your right to criticise"

Offline frenchy68

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #13 on: June 23, 2020, 09:35:31 pm »
Thanks for the pics, very nice, looking forward to cruising.

Offline mwizz

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #14 on: June 24, 2020, 08:02:27 pm »
Great work

Offline frenchy68

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #15 on: June 25, 2020, 08:28:55 am »
Thanks for the reply, getting closer.
Here are some pics of the interior. Have added sound deadening mat throughout, custom air vent covers, 3 point seat belts.

Offline AussiePhil

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Re: 65 Fastback Build
« Reply #16 on: June 25, 2020, 11:21:47 am »
Gee that's nice, you like red hey! Just like a sofa
:pepper:
Cheers Phil.
If you've never buggered anything you've never done anything!
But if you've buggered a lot maybe you're not very good at it!

Two for one is good but four for two is better!