My First Ever Project Build.

[wfo guy]

If you can't go to the pub, bring the pub to you! I've heard stories about repro parts for ever. Somebody might be able to help you but all the mustangs I've done were years ago with Ford parts.

[craigF]

Hi everyone.
Just a quick question about steering columns.
I am looking at fitting an Ididit column into my project. Does anyone know the best length for a 67 Coupe with a Total cost involved power rack and pinion?
Or does anyone have any better options.
Thanks.

[DForez]

Amazing build thread, definitely subscribed.

I really like how you've laid everything out. Really respect the serious DIY aspect as well.

[craigF]

Hi All. Just a quick update as we are still awaiting my wheels to arrive so i can get my axle sized up.
The rear suspension arrived and the quality from chassis works is as good as the sway bar that arrived earlier. We have fitted the suspension cradle, chassis rail connectors and the cross support. It looks great and looks like it will be as stiff as a board.
We have started to tackle the dreaded front fenders and are making great progress. We released the fender supports and adjusted the position of the top of the fender and how it sits. After a day of adjustment and fender on , fender off, cutting, welding and adjustment i am beginning to believe we are making great progress. We have cut the bottom of the fender completely off for now just below the rocker panel line with a view to a possible customization which could involve lengthening the rocker panel to the wheel arch.
We have seen this done on a Ring Brothers car and its one of those mods that has people scratching their heads wondering what looks different about the car but can't put a finger on it. Ring Brothers did a great job on theirs but they are also very skilled and have a multitude of tools and trades at their disposal. We are but two people with a passion and a spare garage.
If we could pull this off it will solve the problem of unusable aftermarket fenders that are literally too short. We also have the option of welding and extension piece in but the former option is rather exciting.
Enough rambling for now i'll post some pics.
Craig.

[craigF]

Rear suspension cradle from Chassisworks.

[craigF]

Chassisworks Rail connectors and stiffener.

[craigF]

This is a before shot of the fender.

[craigF]

This is after many adjustments. Nearly there but not quite!!

[craigF]

Another shot.

[craigF]

Did I mention how bad aftermarket panels are, even the qtr panel ornament brackets are welded in the wrong position. We have had to release the welds and move the mounting bracket accordingly followed by the required amount of panel beating to get them to sit any where near acceptable.

[craigF]

Qtr Panel Ornament weld release.

[craigF]

I feel we have actually made a little progress with our project but after the excitement of these little advances dies realization set in that a huge amount of work still awaits. As we make one thing fit and work forward something else raises its head and says look at me i really don't fit that well. I for one will be glad when the body work side of things is complete but it seems to fight us every step of the way. I really believe the the reason we are having so many issues is just plain and simply bad reproduction parts. We have decided to completely build the car prior to any paint application ( except for putty/primer) due to the ill fitting bits and pieces. I tried to fit the front qtr glasses today and the width of the doors will need adjustment due to the welded tabs just being welded where they touch and no care of measurement being taken.
By the time this project is complete i could of been driving a brand new Shelby Mustang but they really don't have the passion some of these old cars do. That goes for all makes and models and i suppose it why we do what we do.
Bye for now.
Craig.

(Rail connectors and frame stiffeners are brilliant)

[craigF]

Wheels have arrived from Boze and look great. The service i got from Zak at Boze was outstanding even though i am all the way down here in Australia. A big thanks and a recommendation to any one looking for a quality product with good service.
I have married the wheels with some 305 Nitto Invo tyres on the rear and the result is looking good.
I'll post some better pictures over the weekend.

[craigF]

Hi all, here's a better of the look I am trying to achieve. The wheels an a real good fit under the original guards with no flaring. The rear di require a little trimming of the boot floor but no rail modification has been required. I will now measure the correct distance required for my axle length.

[craigF]

We are making progress with the badly fitting aftermarket fenders as well. Taking inspiration from Ring Brothers Split R build, we are going to extend the rocker panel to the bottom edge of the wheel arch and cut the fender short. Tis will give the look of the lower door edge gap going all the way to the wheel arch and the fender sitting on top of it. I am aiming for a mod that is subtle and will take people a while to realize whats been done. It's early days but it looks promising. Not sure how we are going to get a nis neat bend in the lower edge of the fender yet but i'm sure we will work it out.

[craigF]

Also started to test fit the glass into the new door shells to see how they fit. As I suspected they will need some adjustment to get them right but i would rather do this now prior to paint!!!

[craigF]

Hi All. Just a quick update as to where we are in the progress stakes of things. In terms of project creep this thing has freaked me out. What started off as a quick tidy up of a 67 Coupe for my wife quickly became an expensive project build that shows no sign of slowing down. My initial estimations of around the $50k soon became a distant memory and we still haven't gone through the engine build. After an emergency budget meeting with the minister of finance and war, she was concerned that we would get to start getting sick of pouring money and time int a build that really is just a big toy. I agreed to a certain extent but i must admit it's very addictive building these things which is why the cost easily gets away with you. Having said that even my wife , who after all the car is being built for, is starting to appreciate the way it's coming along.
pretty soon it will back onto it own wheels as a rolling chassis.

We did more work on the fenders and have started to get some good results. The gaps only need to be tidied and the results we are starting to see are impressive, even if i do say so myself.
I have placed and order into a local axle fabricator to make me a 9'' axle housing and fully floating axles along with Willwood brakes and a Strange center.
I am not sure on the gearing for the center but plenty of people seem to be saying a 3:5 ration will be a good street car. Any advice on that one is welcome.
I have also visited an engine builder and i think i'm settled on a 427 Windsor Dart block with some AFR heads. Again nothing to lumpy remembering that this is primarily a street car but something with plenty of torque.
I'll post some pictures of our progress but there aren't that many.
Again any advice is welcome.
Craig.

[craigF]

Here is a picture of the rear axle i have ordered with slightly different brakes. The one i want have the emergency brake built in interally.
I have got them to weld the Chassis Works brackets onto the axle tubes which will enable me to fit it to there suspension without using the u bolts.
The company building it is based here in Brisbane and are call Race Products. The export heaps of axles and housings to a lot of Nascar people and currently build the axles for the Australian V8 Supercars.

[craigF]

The front fenders and rocker panels are coming along. Just fix up the gap and align it with the door gap and it will start to look nice.



Once we close off the end it will look a lot more like a factory finish

[craigF]

Does anyone know if the rotors on my Willwood brakes can be replaced with larger ones and the calipers replaced with some six pot ones. The current rotors are 12.19" and after seeing the size of the wheel on them on think they would look better with bigger rotors.