71 Mustang Donor Ute AKA Mustchero
With the Truckstang 2 project moving along, I came to a point where I had to figure out how to approach the messed up A-pillars and missing floor on the body, along with the ratty rear quarter panels. We ended up running across a 71 Mustang body that was in pretty damned good shape. Unfortunately the car didn't have a title so the seller was looking to just get rid of the thing. We grabbed it with the intention of cutting it up to provide all the body parts we're looking for to repair Truckstang 2. Even if I just used the doors, I would've gotten my moneys worth as we only paid $500 for the car. After looking at the car enough times, I had to come to the conclusion that I couldn't cut this thing up, it was in too good a shape, from top to bottom. Save for some minor accident damage at the rear right quarter and a minor dent in the right quarter panel, structurally the car was A-1. I decided that I would have to save this car. I'd have to go through the proper channels to get a title for the thing but in the process I also figured that since I have enough regular cars and I was going to hack this one up anyway, why not go ahead and turn this one into something that I can at least utilize and call unique. What is more unique than a Ute?
In the process of turning the car into a Ute, I had to repair the accident damage. This involved removing the bumper, which itself needed straightening out, and the window regulator for the rear side window. I used a 2x4 and hammers to tap and work the metal to get the quarter panel dents straightened out as much as possible while straightening the crumpling of the corner, especially around the taillight so that can be put back in as straight as possible. Nothing is ever perfect when it comes to accident repair, especially when new sheet metal is not being grafted in so I couldn't expect too much here.
In the process of turning the car into a Ute, I had to repair the accident damage. This involved removing the bumper, which itself needed straightening out, and the window regulator for the rear side window. I used a 2x4 and hammers to tap and work the metal to get the quarter panel dents straightened out as much as possible while straightening the crumpling of the corner, especially around the taillight so that can be put back in as straight as possible. Nothing is ever perfect when it comes to accident repair, especially when new sheet metal is not being grafted in so I couldn't expect too much here.
With the accident repair done in the rear, I moved forward with the ute conversion part of the project, which consisted of chopping out the panel between the rear window and trunk lid, and also removing the trunk lid. Using scrap truck bed pieces, I was able to weld up a short pickup bed, and rear panel in place of the rear window, allowing me to still retain the rear seat while still having the open space of the rear bed. Of course this car won't have a pickup bed like Truckstang 2 since the taillights and fuel tank are still in place, so a panel was fabricated to make the area along the inside of the taillight panel flush, concealing the fuel filler tube and taillights, while being removable so the bulbs can be replaced on the taillights when necessary.
With the body work done, the next thing was to start piecing the rest of the car together, given what was included with the car inside. I was able to do a crude installation of the ratty grille pieces to at least fill in the front, save for the front valance panel and bumper that I will still need to source later on. Since this car still had a lot of the original hardware inside, I moved forward and inspected the fuel tank, finding that it was in rather good shape so it went back in, along with the filler tube, concealed behind the bed/taillight panel. I did a test for S&G and found that the brake system was still able to hold oil, and after bleeding the four wheel cylinders (this car is 4 wheel drum brakes), we managed to revive the brake system without any investment in parts, save for the oil.
With the good news of the brakes, I moved on to the electrical system, which for all intents appeared to be pretty intact. Most of the pigtails were present, just needing to be plugged up to the different components that were present or will be present when the engine and other components are installed. I plugged up what I could and routed the loose sections of cable along different routes in the engine bay, securing things to keep the wiring as neat as possible. After the electrical was done, I took a moment to install the interior components back in, which included the ratty front seats. After getting the rear window panel in place, I was able to lock down the rear seats, along with the interior panels for the rear interior as well. At some point I may either replace these seats with aftermarket buckets or just put seat covers over these just to be pleasing to the eye.
With everything done on the car itself, the next thing is to get the powerplant ready. I removed a 351W from an 84 F150 a while back for just this kind of project. I had a C4 transmission that I salvaged from the EV powerplant that was removed from the Robo-car project prior to scrapping that chassis. After replacing a few modified components on the C4 and sourcing a replacement flywheel and torque converter, I managed to get the C4 bolted to the 351. Before installing this powerplant, I wanted to test the system on the ground to confirm all is well and make any corrections while the powerplant is out so as to save on work and headaches. Just like with the Dodge, taking the time to do this step, while time consuming, is less physically taxing than installing the powerplant only to have to pull it out again to make repairs then reinstall again.
While getting the engine running and tuned, I ran into what seemed like a problem with the transmission going into reverse. Even after pulling the transmission and breaking it down on the ground to see if there was something that wasn't engaging or otherwise functioning right, I reassembled the transmission and bolted it back to the engine. After a little research, I determined after getting the same results that the transmission only operated the way it did because the C4, unlike the 727 Mopar transmission, needed to have a load on it for everything to function properly. I went ahead and prepped the powerplant for installation into the body so we can get things wrapped up.
Installation of the powerplant was pretty easy, with the aid of the tractor to hoist and lower the unit in place. Because most of the components existed due to this being a V8 car, getting the powerplant fully hooked up took no time. The exhaust went in with no problem as did the driveshaft. The fuel line was already present so I only had to get a line up to the carburetor. A fresh radiator and hoses topped off the cooling system. I had to install a universal throttle cable since the old one was broken on the car. With everything hooked up, fluids in and tires ready to go, the car was finally taken for a drive. With the aged condition of this engine and even the carburetor, our performance was pretty weaksauce, to say the least. The 4 wheel drum brakes were pretty weak just as well. This could possibly be corrected with a touch up bleeding, but then again the system could be worn, due to age. I didn't do anything to the brake system other than add fluid and bleed the system so there may be something else that's worn in the system that is taking away from the system's ability to stop, even for drum brakes. With that, Mustchero is running and driving, for all intents. Will we do anything else to this car? Will we keep this car? Maybe and maybe not, respectively. There might be a couple other things I'll do to this car to make it a little better but the reality is that this car will probably be hitting the lot soon enough since we have too many vehicles to be keeping up with.
