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| WHAT'S THAT BURNING OIL SMELL?: 1966 FORD MUSTANG COUPE | |
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This car was purchased in 1998, and over the past four years, I've banged enough gunk and dirt and old dried-up sealant out of it to make a life-sized mud-man replica of myself. I've named him "Mud-Tom" and I'll hopefully be posting pictures of him real soon. The ol' stang (or "Mustank", as she is often called) was a Connecticut car; a Tasca Ford. Yes, that means I should've probably known a little something about cars before approaching this rust-whore, but I bought it anyhow. It was a saggy-ass mess. Springs were sprung, metal was rotted. The rear valance was rusted in two, the lower quarters were lumpy and bloated, the rear end slightly pushed in. It looked like the trunk had pooped its pants. But all that really mattered was that I had a '66 gascap I'd held onto since I was 14 or so, and I'll be damned if this car didn't need one of those, too. Someday, I hope to have brakes.
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ESSENTIALS:
YOUR SHOPPING LIST
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POR-15, some great rubber stuff. get it on your hands, wear non-removeable gloves for a week. Your girlfriend/wife won't love you for it, but she probably doesn't love you anyhow. Sorry, dude. Anything from the Solder Seal Gunk Company. - whatever is in a particular can, you will probably need it. A Big Hammer - hitting things fixes most problems Metal Tape - It's classier than duct, with just a hint of solidness. It is farce & illusion, of course. A Catalog. Any Catalog. - I think I learned more from my Mustangs Unlimited catalog than I did from my Chilton's. Especially useful when you can't figure out the name of a part. And where else are you going to get your fake "Ford Parking Only" street sign for your driveway? Or your "Ford Racing" keychain? Or your Commemorative Mustang Throw Pillow? Or some other embarrassing piece of crap? A Wrist Support - Be prepared to wave at every other guy that drives by you who is driving a car similar to yours. I swear, I never realized how many Mustangs were around my neck of the woods until I started driving mine around. Now I'm waving all the time. You have to wave. It would be rude not to. I feel like the goddamned Pope. |
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DOs
and DON'Ts
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DO replace absolutely every part, regardless of price. DON'T ever ask for help from a more experienced mechanic, because it makes you look weak and feeble. DO hit any part that isn't working with a hammer (see above shopping list) DO take deep full breaths when working on brakes. This will minimize the possibility of suffering from exhaustion. Avoid the use of masks or airfilters, as they will constrict oxygen flow to your large hungry brain. DO save money when you can. Instead of buying the high-grade gasoline, try Hawaiian Punch. DON'T ever rev the engine until the oil pressure has risen to the proper level. DO rev the engine when you're at a stop light next to a low-riding Honda Prelude. Just don't race him. Your car will explode. DON'T drive near people. Your car will explode.
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THE GOOD : |
THE BAD: |
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(new/replaced items) HEATING/COOLING: ENGINE STEERING/SUSPENSION EVERYTHING
ELSE: WORK
I'VE HAD DONE BY MECHANICS: |
(problems that need addressing) windshield
leaks between glass & rubber seal |
| WHAT'S THAT BURNING OIL SMELL?: 1966 FORD MUSTANG COUPE |
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