For those that are interested we'll post new photos here periodically and maybe some comments....
http://ppl.ug/ejlXWTV-iiU/12-06-2011 - Mustang complete rear end and front spindles and hubs arrived in nice shape - no rust and complete with all lines and cables intact.
12-12-2011 - got a mud-caked bell housing for $25 plus shipping. Had it boiled and then went at it with a wire brush. Followed up with ceramic grey primer and gloss black engine paint. Bell housings and block plates for C4 automatics are a major learning experience.
12-27-2011 - bunch of stuff has happened: First, car is back from the body shop and the paint looks pretty good except for a couple small drips. Rear end installed and is sitting on the black wheels I've been using for track on the Mustang - we like it so they may stay. Removed the front K-member, A-arms, and struts. Installed the new UPR K-member and A-arms. Installed caster/camber plates. Waiting on a few parts and January 1 we'll hope to have the front suspension buttoned up. If we do then on Monday, January 2, we'll see about assembling the C4 trans to the engine and installing it.
01-01-2012 - finished putting the trans onto the engine and getting the internal linkage set up. Major learning experience. Steering rack is on as are the MM tie-rod ends that should allow us to adjust out any bump steer we might induce.
01-02-2012 - dragged the engine and crane over to Doug's house for the install. Had to make some minor adjustments to the motor mounts and collect some hardware from NAPA and then we were ready to go. Didn't really take too long to get the engine in and sitting on the mounts on the new K-member. Now need to get the cross member in and the trans mount but that's on the list for the next go at it. Looks like the carb and air cleaner are going to be a close fit but if we have to we can drop the K-member up to a half-inch. Don't want a hood bulge or scoop. Fairmont is sitting on it's wheels. Only 2,387 more steps to go.
01-08-2011 - Cross member and trans mount are in. Put the accessories on the engine and added the carb and the air cleaner. Wonder of wonders everything clears the hood - no holes, bulges, scoops, etc. Figuring out the shift linkage will be interesting. There is a cross shaft that right now hangs in space which the column shifter and the transmission both connect to. One end used to be supported by the old stock K member and the other end by the 6-cyl enging/trans both of which are now non-existant. Radiator and fan and shroud all look like they'll be good but until they are bolted down we won't be 100% sure. Progress is slow but steady.
01-17-2012 - Figured out the hard half of the shift linkage mount - the half that goes to the bell housing. The other half should be pretty easy to fabricate. Radiator and fan shroud are in, Fuel line is in. Looking at using the standard Mustang GT brakes so that we can then use the 16" Saleen wheels which are light, look nice, not black, fit well, and are FREE. I'm running the local Advance Auto out of ceramic primer and semi-gloss black paint. Trying to clean up the rusty, dusty, dirty misc. parts. Spent last night disassembling the aluminum bumper inner steel structure and prepping it for painting. I have what looks like some 20 year old mummified Florida June Bugs that were stuck in the bumper. Might want to have one bronzed to use as a hood ornament or to hang of the rear view mirror.
