1967 Cougar build (over 700 pictures and videos)

[Jaden Young]

I am looking at the recent photos and it seems like it a long way to go before you can say that this restoration build is over. The progress looks nice, I am excited to see more of your work for this classic Cougar.

[andrewb70]

I returned from LS Fest on Monday and am finally getting back to my regular schedule. What a trip!

I was gone for ten days and a lot of things happened, so bear with me as I get things posted in some cohesive order. The adventure started around the 30th of August with my friend BA, who has this beautiful 66 Fairlane that he built with his father and son a few years back.




On August the 30th he got a care package from Pace Performance. In case you don't recognize this engine, it is a LSx454 GM crate engine.





Out came his LS3...Does my picture of the intake start to make sense now?





This is a picture of the Fairlane after we drove it for the first time and did some tuning on it. Sadly, I do not have any more progress pictures, but this swap was done in a few days.





To be continued...

[andrewb70]

I drove my Cougar from the Kansas City area to the Chicago area on Saturday, September 4th. The next day we rolled the Cougar into the garage to begin the process of removing my 5.3L and installing the LS3.

















With everything removed, transmission pulled, it was time to take out the old engine to make room for more horsetorques...





Once the 5.3L was pulled, we started moving everything over from the 5.3L to the LS3. This included the exhaust manifolds, valley cover, accessories, oilpan, etc...The plan was to reuse my old clutch, but when we pulled the old clutch apart, it was obvious that the disk was a little thin. We managed to track down a new disk and pressure plate locally.





Here is the LS3 with all of the parts bolted to it, ready to go in its new home. We used the new balancer from the LSx454.





Here is BA, doing his awesome best. Without his help, this would not have been possible. He is a beast with the wrenches.





LS3 in its new home, resting between the fenders of my Cougar. Its even Ford blue...BA has a sense of humor.





Everything installed, trans back in, ready for the new intake base with the old upper part.





To be continued...

[ryeguy2006a]

That's killer man!

[Zachalanche]

I like the ford blue LS3 and I dig that Fairlane.

[Rick Dorion]

Great update! Did you move over the Ghost cam too?

[andrewb70]

That's killer man!

Thanks! Overall, I am very pleased with how everything turned out.

I like the ford blue LS3 and I dig that Fairlane.

I always busted BA's balls for painting the LS3, and of course, I end up with it...

Great update! Did you move over the Ghost cam too?

We did not have time to mess around with a cam swap, and there was no reason for it. The LS3 already had a BTR Stage 2 LS3 cam in it with upgraded springs and pushrods. It's a runner...

Besides, I think I have other plans for that 5.3L with the Ghost cam...

Andrew

[FLYNAVY53]

very cool

[DrFraZZy]

How s the cougar doing with the LS3?

[andrewb70]

How s the cougar doing with the LS3?

The LS3 has noticeably more torque and a lot more top end power.

I have been driving it as my primary vehicle and it is a lot of fun. The other day I installed two of the new Holley Retrobrite 5.75" headlights. I only installed them in the outer position, which is both low beams, and high beams. The difference is incredible. I am trying to post some pictures, but hostmyjunk seems to be having issues at the moment. I will post pictures when I can.

Andrew

[Motown 454]

Sweet!

[langleylad]

Very cool , You like to keep busy don't you ? lol

[andrewb70]

In preparation for LS Fest in September, I got a few things done on the Cougar. I was getting a little tired of the bug catcher and the filters needed to be replaced anyway, so I decided to go for a slightly different look.

The bug catcher was removed and the stud had to be extended a little bit. My buddy Vic whipped up a littler threaded collar and extension added.



These are some Summit brand velocity stacks with 8" filters. Vic also made the nuts out of hex stock.



We'll see how I like this for a while....



Next up was some dent improvement. Vic had one of these hydraulic rams. We braced it against the frame rails on the passenger side.



Here is Vic working out the details...



It is far from straight, but definitely much improved.



More updates to come in a few days.

Andrew

[ryeguy2006a]

Looking great Andrew!

[andrewb70]

I was getting tired of the steel wheels look, but didn't want to spend a fortune on wheels. I found what are basically Cobra replica wheels, made by Scott Drake. I ordered some 15x7 wheels with 4.25" of back spacing. I was a little worried that the 235/60-15s wouldn't fit in the front, but they are perfect!





I ordered two more tires and the back wheels will be on next week.

Andrew

- - - Updated - - -

I was getting tired of the steel wheels look, but didn't want to spend a fortune on wheels. I found what are basically Cobra replica wheels, made by Scott Drake. I ordered some 15x7 wheels with 4.25" of back spacing. I was a little worried that the 235/60-15s wouldn't fit in the front, but they are perfect!





I ordered two more tires and the back wheels will be on next week.

Andrew

[ryeguy2006a]

That's a perfect fitment if you ask me. Love the gold wheels, they really compliment the car.

[Motown 454]

Wheels look great, and I like the new look with the velocity stacks.

[andrewb70]

Wheels look great, and I like the new look with the velocity stacks.

Thanks Wayne. I will post more pictures once I get the rear wheels and tires installed.

Andrew

[David Sloan]

Looks great Andrew!

[andrewb70]

Looks great Andrew!

Thanks David!

I am just about ready for LS Fest 2022 in Bowling Green, KY. The rear tires showed up on Monday and the rear wheels were mounted.






The only thing left to do is move the CalTrak bars to the upper hole to see if I can get a little more traction at the track. I will bring the gold Rocket Racing rear wheels with the MT drag radials to the track.


Andrew