Black Gold 380R's 65 Mustang Build Thread

[Black Gold 380R]

That's more good news!

I was reading your comments about getting photos printed for a photo album. Sounds like you're thinking of first getting the photos printed out and then build a tradition photo album with printed documentation. Why not create a digital build document with photos, with Word or Publisher. You'd have complete control over the page layouts/content. Then when that is complete, you can get it printed out on a color laser printer on heavier paper stock in booklet format. Just a thought. That would make for a nicer quality booklet that can stay with car for shows, and you could always print another one should you ever need to. Again, just a thought.

Thank you Bob. Yes, I think that is a better idea. This way if I loose the photos or they get damaged or stolen all I need to do is reprint the electronic file.

And, again, this is why I love interaction/feedback. I don't think if everything and you guys have great ideas.

Thank you!

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Okay everyone,

Sorry for the late post. SVTP has been giving me fits with my work computer. I can not access the site through my work PC or laptop. I keep getting a 1020 access denied error code. I cannot figure it out. And it's a problem because my work computer is where I upload pictures to this thread from.

The good news is my phone app and personal computer work great with the new SVTP site. However, I do not like how photos are uploaded through the phone app. So, I like using a PC for uploads. Therefore, I needed to wait until after work to post today. I'll get this figured out LOL.

Since my personal computer is working I had to transfer the photos to my PC, resize them, save them in a folder and now they are ready to be uploaded.

Got to love progress in the tech world LOL.

Okay enough of the trials and tribulations story. On to the good stuff LOL.

I got a lot accomplished this weekend. First thing I did was go backwards and disassemble the front end. Funny how going backwards can be seen as progress LOL.

I removed the front fender. I just installed it to see the color match and graphic alignment.

Next thing I did was remove the radiator, radiator cover, upper and lower radiator tubes and front grill cover. Don't think my fabricator would be happy ...

I also disassembled the upper portion of the engine. Removed the stacks and valve covers.

Then it was time to fill the engine with oil and prime the system. I purchased an oil pump priming tool for this as I did not want to risk using a socket.

WOO HOO we struck oil LOL. I'm using Amsoil break in oil. I know I don't need too as I'm running a roller cam, but wanted the added protection for my cam, crank and rod bearings.

And most importantly we have oil pressure. SWEET !!!!

 

[Black Gold 380R]

After I primed the system it was time to install my distributor. My brother came over for a short visit on Saturday, so I asked him to help me get the engine to TDC. After we did that the distributor instructions say the engine must be set to 50 degrees BTDC. My computer and distributor are a dual sync set up. This allows the computer to control my timing.

Set the engine to 50 degrees BTDC and then got my distributor installed, oil pump engaged and rotor pointing to a position I'm happy with calling #1.

I then connected the distributor wiring harness to my computer harness and turned the key to the "run" position. We have power!!!!

I then had to phase in the crank sensor with the computer. This is done by having the engine set at 50 degrees BTDC and then rotating the base of the distributor counterclockwise (as that's the direction a 351W distributor rotates) until the crank sensor light goes out. Done....

Then I had to rotate the distributor base clockwise until the crank sensor light came back on. The computer will set the timing to 15 degrees base timing now. I can adjust the timing through my hand held in the car now. Now this is amazing technology as compared to my struggles with the new SVTP site LMAO!!!

I got everything set up for Sunday as it's time to finish up the distributor install. These are my old wires off the 347. I need the remove the wire holders for the installation on this engine.

I just thought this was a cool shot. I love the shine on the top of the radiator support and top of the firewall.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Then on Sunday I got my spark plugs, distributor wires, valve covers and air breathers installed.

All I need to do now is finish up a few more electrical connectors (02 sensors, TPS sensor, etc.), install my throttle linkage, initialize my computer settings and add fuel and technically I can try to start it. Holy crap it's getting close .

Got my spark plugs installed and my wires laid out. These wires are labeled 1-8.

Passenger side routed to distributor.

Driver's side routed to distributor.

Here it is with the wires up to the distributor. What a mess LOL. Time to cut them to length and get a custom look.

Here it is with everything done. Man, getting the boots over the electrical connectors was a bit challenging. Had to use a heat gun to heat up the rubber boot so it would slide over easier.

I really like the routing. Much cleaner look go around the valve covers vs. over.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

And here is where I ended on Sunday.

Got my valve covers cleaned up, installed my breathers and set the stacks back on it. And yes, the valve covers are permanently mounted now. I put cork gaskets with a little bit of RTV to keep it from leaking. Don't want oil to get on my headers and burn.

Almost looks like a complete engine LOL.

 

[RunninHorse]

Getting close!

 

[Grabber70Mach]

That's some great looking engine porn, she's looking great.

 

[geoffmt]

I would imagine it fires this weekend? It’s look great!


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[ToddW702]

Looking really good.


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[biminiLX]

Tons of progress since I check in! Awesome build keep it going!
-J

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Getting close!

That's some great looking engine porn, she's looking great.

Looking really good.


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Tons of progress since I check in! Awesome build keep it going!
-J

Thank you guys! Really appreciate your comments and feedback!

I would imagine it fires this weekend? It’s look great!


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Oh man geoffmt, you must be clairvoyant my friend. I was "SO" close LMAO!!!

I'll explain in the update below......

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Okay everyone,

I have good news and bad news. Damn, I've been saying that a lot lately on this build. Must be my new motto or something LOL.

Instead of breaking it up into good and bad I'll just run through everything that happened.

First, I could not work on the car at all on Saturday. Had a family emergency and had to drive my wife to Phoenix to help her oldest daughter with the grandkids. Everything is good now, but I had to drive 6 hours up, drop the wife off and then drive 6 hours back. Damn, what a long day LOL.

Then on Sunday I was pushing it hard. Was trying to make @geoffmt prediction come true LOL.

I got up early and went to get some premium fuel. Then when I got home I decided to fill the transmission and rear-end with oil.

I purchased this power filler specifically for adding the fluid to the transmission and rear-end. This is the oil that American Powertrain sent with the transmission.

Found the filler access on the transmission and loaded the power filler and filled the transmission until I seen fluid start to run out. Good to go.

I did not receive any gear oil when I purchased the rear-end. So, I bought this from Currie for my 9 inch. Damn, is this stuff thick. Took a little bit for my power filler to push this stuff into my differential. Rear-end has a a filler hole at the top on the back and then a level hole near the pinion. So, I removed the plug near the pinon and filled until it started to come out. Rear-end good to go.

 

[CobraBob]

So the “bad” was the 6 hours up and back? I was concerned you had a setback of sorts with your Mustang. Awesome that you’re nearing the end.


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[Black Gold 380R]

After all the fluids were added (It has engine, transmission and differential oil) I decided to finish the upper portion of the engine.

So, I got to work on the stacks and fuel injector wiring.

I flipped it upside-down and attached the harness. It had labels, but I removed them and just labeled the harness 1-8. It's on the bottom so you will never see it. I also zip tied everything to keep a cleaner look.

Then I put it on top of the engine and tightened everything up and connected the injector harness to the computer harness. I attached the TPS and fuel pressure sensors and installed my fuel lines.

Then I went in the car are turned the key to the on position and finalized my computer settings. Had to do a TPS sensor adjustment/calibration. Got that done. Everything is set to start according to the instruction manual.

So, I grab my 5 gallon jug of premium fuel and poured it into the gas tank. Checked my fuel level gauge. It's a 16 gallon tank and 4 gallons should be 1/4 tank. We have just above 1/4 tank. Looks like the fuel gauge is reading correctly.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

So the “bad” was the 6 hours up and back? I was concerned you had a setback of sorts with your Mustang. Awesome that you’re nearing the end.


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I wish that was the "ONLY" bad news Bob. LOL. Keep reading my friend.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Then it was time to get under my dash and connect the wiring harness that controls my starter and fuel pump. I did not want those things running every time I put the key in the run position to do my initial set up of the computer.

Once the wiring harness was hooked up I turn the key to the run position and I hear the fuel pump come on for 5 seconds. I cycled the key a few time to ensure the entire fuel system was primed. My fuel pressure would go up while the pump was priming, but as soon as the priming was done it would read zero.

So, here it was time to turn that key to start. I was VERY nervous and was having second thoughts on turning that key LMAO. But, no guts no glory.

I turn the key to start. She is cranking and cranking and no, I mean zero, pops or sputters. DAMN IT!!!! What now? LOL.

So, I do my testing and come to find out she has zero spark. Now the power from the computer to the distributor is purely to manage timing. It has nothing to do with spark. Spark comes from my coil and MSD 6AL box.

I run my checks. Spark plugs, no spark. Check my coil and no spark. Check my positive and negative wires connected to the coil and no power. So, I go to my 6AL box and it is not sending power to the coil.

So, my MSD 6AL box is bad. Damn it! And she is buried deep under the dash. Going to be a little chore to get it out.

Oh well, time to order a new digital MSD 6AL box with built in Rev limiter and LED light to indicate if it is working or not. I have the old dinosaur box that uses the rev limiter chips.

Oh, and while I was trying to start the car my throttle cable snapped. G _ _ Damn it!!!! Now I need to take the stacks back off in order to fix that. S#!T!!!!

Even though I'm off today I'm just going to take a break and relax after the 12 hours of driving on Saturday and 12 hours of trying to get the car to run on Sunday.

And there you have the good and bad news LOL. It really is nothing major, but it's just going to take time to make these repairs ....

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

ugh, so close!

Any idea why the cable snapped? is it binding on something?

 

[01yellercobra]

Definitely good to take a break and regroup after stuff like that. Next weekend it'll all fall together.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

ugh, so close!

Any idea why the cable snapped? is it binding on something?

Hello DSG. When I did not have the upper stacks on, which have the springs to close the stacks, it felt fine, but I did feel my routing could have been a little better. Once the stacks/springs were installed it did feel a little tougher than a carbureted cable system. So, I'm not sure if there was binding after the stacks were reinstalled or if the cable itself had a bad spot in it.

After everything I went through yesterday the cable was literally the straw that broke my back. So, I really didn't take a close look. I closed shop and went inside very frustrated LMAO. And by then it was 7PM and I normally end my day at 4PM. Was really hoping to fire it up. The good thing is it was not anything I did wrong. Just a bad part.

Definitely good to take a break and regroup after stuff like that. Next weekend it'll all fall together.

You are right Bob. I was so close. It was very cool to hear it turning over. Definitely nothing wrong with the starting system LOL. The engine sounds good turning over too.

Oh, the other thing I forgot to mention was there are ZERO leaks. No fuel leaks, no leaks at the third member on the differential, no oil pan or drain plug leaks and no leaks at the transmission. Granted I still have a cooling system, hydraulic clutch and brakes to install, but knock on wood with the no leaks so far! So, there is that for good news LOL.

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

no leaks and all is a win for sure.

I've definitely gone in the house in frustration plenty of times.

Other times I finished things up and went inside without trying to start it/turn it on/whatever. This way I can assume it's working for now and not end my day pissed off lol