Starting a restoration

Go easy on me I am a "Cheery" at this. I just bought my first Mustang (1965, 289) and don't know where to start. I want to make sure I do things right the first time and in the right order and prevent doing things more than once. The body is about 70%, rear quarter panels rusted on the inside, can see in the trunk from under the wheel wells, good rust on the frame where the rear leaf springs bolt on, engine seems to run fine (definitely needs a good tune up).
 Any suggestions will be much appreciated, I live on a military base and have an auto craft shop readily available with all of the tools and lifts required.
 Are there any good books on the market for a novice who is just getting into something like this?  

Welcome aboard and thanks for your service!

First, tell us what you define a restoration as. This will help with the advice the board members can offer. Are you planning to fully strip the car, repair all metal, paint it, and reassemble, or are you looking to keep it on the road and do little projects? Things like that will help us point you in the right direction...

HTH...
Mark  
Mark Houlahan
Editor
Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine

1965 FFR Roadster 427W/TKO-600
1966 Mustang 289-4V/C4
1968 Mustang 4.6L Three-Valve/5R55S auto
1990 Mustang 347/AOD
1998 Escort 2.0L SOHC/F4E-111 Auto
2002 Explorer Sport Trac 4.0L V-6/5R55 Auto

Mark,
  I guess i would classify myself as wanting to keep it on the road and do projects as i go. I know i want to finish all of the metal work, body work and paint. I would also like to ensure the engine is running properly, then begin looking at major projects. Right now the car runs well but needs a tune up for sure, I want to replace the glasspacks and I have to fix the rear inside quarter panels that are rusted out. Since I have no maintenance records I was planning on draining and flushing all fluids this weekend to see where I am. Please let me know if i am going about this all wrong.

Chuck  

hey there, im pretty much looking for the same information you are. I just bought me a 68 mustang with a 289 that seems to be running ok right now. I really want to work on the engine and make sure i dont have any major issues with it later on in the future. I know I want to make sure that the cooling system on this 289 is sufficeint enough to keep my car cool in this south florida heat. So im going to be looking at the Radiator, water pump, fan, hoses, and coolant fluids but is there something else more important that i should look into right away? I know this car has been sitting in a garage for almost a year now. If you could provide me with any info you may have found that would be great. I will be doing the same.

I was also wondering if anyone could recommend which brand of motor oil on the market would be best to use. My research tells me I would need some oil with zinc (ZDDP) in it. Im also looking for which coolant fluids would be best to run through the radiator.  

You definitely want to flush all fluids in the car since you have no idea what's in there and for how long (both of you)...

That goes for the trans and rear end as well. These are more "hidden" to the casual observer and get even less maintenance than the cooling system and oil...

Have the radiator checked for pressure and blockage. If you have a weak or partially blocked radiator you're not going to cool properly. Flush the block until the water comes out clear, inspect the water pump for shaft bearing play/leakage, and inspect the impeller for corrosion (which requires removing the pump and a fresh set of gaskets). If need be, replace the pump, all hoses, flush, and refill. As long as the 289 hasn't been bored over too much it should cool fine (my 289 at .030 over here in Central Florida with a h/d radiator and seven blade A/C fan cools fine.)...

As for oil, if you run a flat tappet cam then yes, you need an additive package to keep the cam and lifters happy. You can either get it right in the oil (look for oil for older cars/high mileage cars) or you can buy the additive in a separate bottle and add it to your favorite oil at the oil change.

Doing projects as you go, while still driving it, is tough, I tried that with my '66 in high school, which was my only car. If you have something else to drive so you're not rushed it really helps. Just bite off a little of the project at a time and you'll see progress. Good luck guys!

Mark  
Mark Houlahan
Editor
Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine

1965 FFR Roadster 427W/TKO-600
1966 Mustang 289-4V/C4
1968 Mustang 4.6L Three-Valve/5R55S auto
1990 Mustang 347/AOD
1998 Escort 2.0L SOHC/F4E-111 Auto
2002 Explorer Sport Trac 4.0L V-6/5R55 Auto