Original Parts with an Original Fit!

Posts by Lee Walmsley

Mustang Grande

In 1969, Ford introduced a custom version of the Mustang Coupe, the Mustang Grande.  The Grande was available through the year 1973.  The Grande included several deluxe features including the following:

  • Special sound insulation or sound deadening material.
  • Deluxe interior decor group.
  • Clock.
  • Deluxe upholstery.
  • Grande emblems.
  • Vinyl roof (Landau style).  Full vinyl roof was optional.
  • Side body stripe.
  • Vinyl insert on rocker molding.
  • Tail light panel applique.
  • Sport mirrors color keyed in both remote control and manual.
  • Rimblow steering wheel.
Nostalgia

The Future of the 1965 1966 2+2 Fastback

Dynacorn Industries offers complete body shells for 1967-1970 Mustang Fastbacks. We have heard that they plan on introducing the body shells of a 1965-1966 Mustang Fastback and Convertible. They will be introduced at the November, 2009 SEMA show.

The production of these unibody components makes it possible for someone to use parts that were previously difficult to locate.   This makes it easier to restore an original body. It will also re-energize the passion for the early Mustang classics.

A 1965-1966 Mustang has always been my favorite (I guess that’s why I have saved up so many of them!). My vision 20 years ago was to restore one Mustang at a time and do the best quality work, while leaving no hidden rust. Here at FastbackStack, LLC, all vehicles are completely disassembled and mounted on a rotisserie for a complete restoration. All cars receive metal repairs and a sand or media blasting. The cowl is removed regardless of the vehicle’s condition prior to restoration.

If you prefer factory original Mustangs and are looking to purchase a factory original 1965-1968 Mustang Fastback or Convertible, check with us. We currently have a few 1965-1968 Fastbacks in various stages of restoration.  Additionally, if you have been looking for original parts for your Mustang restoration, we have several thousand to choose from.

Mustang Information
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Auto Rotisserie

1967 Mustang Fastback on an auto rotisserie

1967 Mustang Fastback on an auto rotisserie

For a professional quality vintage Mustang restoration, we highly recommend using an auto rotisserie.  This enables the restorer to perform undercarriage repairs and assembly with ease.  It’s also great for repairing inner wheel wells or patch panel welding while the car is upside down.  It eliminates over-head welding and is much easier.  Once you have one, you won’t regret it.

We have built our own rotisserie units, but you can also purchase one from various parts vendors.

Restoration Information

Mustang Electrical System Woes

Back in the 1960’s, Classic Mustangs were popular “ecomony cars” for their time.  Forty years later, they may suffer from some electrical issues.  Here are some items to check when troubleshooting your Mustang’s electrical problems:

  • Turn signal switch (located in the steering column).
  • Voltage regulator (located in the engine compartment).
  • Condenser (located in the distributor).
  • Small voltage regulator (located on the back side of the instrument cluster).
  • Grounding wires (located under the dash).
  • Grounding wire located on the back of the right hand cylinder head (this wire grounds to the firewall).
  • All plugs and other connections.

Make sure to clean all of the grounding terminals with a quality spray corrosion inhibitor and clean every plug connection.  You might also want to replace the parking and marker lights and sockets.  Replace all under-dash bulbs regardless of appearance.  Check all of the connection points for continuity.  You might also want to replace the flashers.  When it’s time to hook up the battery, make sure the ignition key is in the “off” position while the battery is being hooked up.  Failing to do so can overheat the ignition wire from the starter solenoid to the ignition switch.

If your wiring system has seen better days, check with FastbackStack, LLC and see if a better one is available.

Mustang Care
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How to Date Code your Bellhousing


All automatic C3, C4, C6 FMX as well as Ford Top loader 3 speed, 4 speed and peanut 3 speed manual transmission bellhousings are casted with a Ford factory casting number, followed by a date code.

To find the date code, you need to remove the bellhousing from the transmission.  The date code is located on the back side of the bellhousing.  Look for a small circle with a number in it.  For example 64, 65, 66 and so on.  A series of very small bumps appears around the number in a circle.  Each bump numerically represents one month of the year.  A 68 with 4 bumps is decoded April 1968.  11 bumps would be November 1968.

Decoding Tip:  Most cast aluminum engine and transmission parts, as well as brackets, are decoded in this same manner.

Casting, Decoding
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1964 1/2 Mustang 289 D Code 4V Engine

The D Code 289 Mustang engine with the Autolite 4 bbl carburetor is a rare engine.  It was only offered as an option in 1964 1/2 Mustangs dated March – September of 1964.  Some of the characteristics setting this rare engine apart from other early V8’s include:

  • The air cleaner decal was black, white and red in color (rather than black and orange).  It read “289 cubic inch 4-V premium fuel”.
  • The timing chain cover had three variations:  1. an oil filler neck;  2. a hole for an oil filler neck with a plug in it;  3. no oil filler neck or oil filler hole.
  • All D Code engines used an aluminum water pump.
  • D Code 289’s used an Autolite 4100 4V 1.08 Venturi carburetor.
  • D Code 289’s had 5 bolt holes for attaching the bell housing (later engines had 6 bolts).
  • Early D Codes utilized a generator and later D Codes utilized an alternator.
General, Mustang Information
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Power Steering Systems for 1964 1/2, 1965 and 1966 Mustangs

Most 1964 1/2 and 1965 Mustangs equipped with power steering utilized the Eaton-style power steering pump.  The 6 cylinder models used different brackets, but still used the same Eaton power steering pump.  These 6 cylinder models also used a different center link and control valve.

In the middle of the year 1966, use of the Eaton power steering pump had been phased out.  The Ford-built power steering pumps then made their way to the assembly line and replaced the Eaton pumps.  These Ford pumps had a large filler neck (about 1 1/2″ diameter) and were only used for about one year.  Ford then changed to the Ford pump with the narrow filler neck.  These narrow necked pumps were commonly used on 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970 Mustangs and Cougars.

Nostalgia

1969 1970 Mustang Boss 429 Hemi Style Engines

The Boss 429 engine was designed and used in 1969 and 1970 Mustangs.  Ford had to produce at least 500 Mustangs to qualify for the NASCAR Grand National Racing.  Virtually all of the parts on a Boss 429 are unique.  Here are some of the characteristics:

  • The spark plug holes are in the center of the cylinder heads.
  • Boss 429 heads require a very rare, one of a kind, valve cover.
  • Boss 429 had two different length rocker arms.
  • Boss 429 heads had crescent shaped combustion chambers.
  • The exhaust manifold was unique.
  • There was a special oil filter and fittings for an optional drag pack external oil cooler.
  • The air cleaner had an extra long snorkel to bridge the very wide intake and cylinder heads.
  • Used a Carter fuel pump, part number C9AZ-9350A.
  • Used a Rev. Limiter, located on the left hand fender apron.  The Rev. Limiter was set at 6150 RPM.
  • The Autolite battery was relocated to the trunk on the passenger side to better distribute the weight.
  • The spare tire was moved to the driver’s side.
  • The Boss 429 required a Big Block FoMoCo radiator, part number C8ZZ-8005-C.
Mustang Information
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1969 1970 351 Windsor Mustang Engines

All Windsor engines were manufactured at the Windsor plant in Ontario, Canada.  The following is a list of Windsor style engines:

* 221 V8
* 260 V8
* 289 V8
* Hi Po 289
* 302 V8
* 351 W

The first 351 Windsor was first available in 1969, with either 2V or 4V induction.  The 4V induction was not offered in 1970.  The 2V Windsor and the 2V and 4V Cleveland were offered in 1970.

The engine code for 351 Windsor was “H” for a 2V and “M” for a 4V.  The 351 Windsor has a 4.00 inch bore and a 3.5 inch stroke.  The same is true for a 351 Cleveland.  The 351 Windsor connecting rods are longer than the 351 Cleveland rods.

The 351 Windsor looks similar in appearance to a 289 or a 302, but the 351 Windsor has a wider intake and taller cylinder heads.

Mustang Information
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Ford Mustang Top Loader 4 speed Manual Transmission

The Ford heavy duty top loader 4 speed transmissions were, and may still be, the toughest and most reliable manual transmissions ever built.

How have they changed over the years?

The early (1963, 1964) top loaders had a small input shaft with 10 splines and a 15/16″ diameter.  The output shaft on these early transmissions had 25 splines.

In 1965, these early 4 speeds were upgraded to a 28 spline output, while the input remained the same.

During the 1967-1968 era, Ford had to come up with a strong, bullet-proof 4 speed for NASCAR competition.  This became the NASCAR Big Block 4 speed transmission and it had an input shaft with a 1 3/8″ diameter and a 31 spline output shaft.  A select few of these transmissions were used in NASCAR grand national racing.

The NASCAR transmission was also used in 1969 and 1970 Boss 429 cars.

Nostalgia
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FastbackStack, LLC is not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company.