Let The Light Shine

As a birthday gift, I received new headlights...er,

OK my Mustang 5.0 received a new set of headlights!

I don't mind receiving car parts as gifts...

It's so much better than going to a spa

and/or getting a mani/pedi

wasting a day away.

At least it's something that will be

used and appreciated for much longer

than one day.

Below, you'll see the transformation

from old, faded, yellow headlights to

new, updated and bright one-piece headlights!

Original 6 Piece Headlights

  

Removing One Piece at a Time - Signal Light Gone

 

No Headlamp

No Side-Marker....

Completed - One-Piece Headlights

Mean Lookin' Lights at Night

These have made quite the difference when driving at night!
The old headlights didn't allow the light to travel
very far since it was diffused by the fading, yellowing plastic.
Now, I can see much more, further ahead,
making night driving safer for me.

I must note that the gift was from my husband who

installed them pretty quickly - after cleaning up the wiring
(hey, it's an old car!)
And, he found them right here in Texas at

Late Model Restoration Supply.

**This is my own opinion/experience and was not compensated for this post**

Cold Temps

This photo was taken 2 days after Christmas.

It's a good reminder to check-out

a few things on your car when

there is a change of temperature.

Check the air pressure in the tires,

antifreeze (if you haven't done so already this winter),

windshield wipers and windshield wiper fluid.

Might as well check the brake fluid and the oil too,

while you're under the hood.

Intake Manifold for 2002 Mustang GT

A few days after ordering the intake manifold,

it arrived in a beautiful box.

We opened up the box to make sure it arrived in one piece

and to inspect it closely.

As a side-note:

An all metal intake would have been preferable,

however there was a great difference in cost.

The fun part was next.

Removing the current manifold.

Sounds easy, but there are many other

parts that must be removed too.

In the photo above, the upper intake, alternator, fuel rails,

fuel injectors along with hoses,

vacuum lines and other connections

(that all should be labeled) were removed.

 

The lower intake has been removed,

and now it's extremely evident that labeling

the connections is very important

before removing any part.

This is a close up of the intake ports to show

the grime that has built up over the years,

as well as the old gasket material.

Cleaning all the ports and removing the old

gasket material is the next step.

The shop-vac was also used to remove

anything that might have fallen into the ports.

It looks funny...seeing a vacuum being used

in the engine, but it's effective.

Before I knew it, the new intake was in place.

I had wanted to get a photo of the cleaned up ports,

but my mechanic (husband) was ready to get this

project finished ASAP, and with the Texas heat 

taking its toll, I didn't blame him.

Once everything was in place,

we started the car and let it idle to make

sure that there were no leaks, or odd noises.

A test drive was also done to ensure that

all was well, even under pressure.

So, for the past few days, the

Mustang GT has been driven

and no longer occupies the driveway 24/7,

all thanks to my husband for taking on this project :)

Things Gone Awry...

In case you were wondering if this

was a case of blog-neglect....

wonder no more!

We've had a series of misfortunate events

occur that have kept us busy....

One vehicle is out for the count.

Although the Mustang GT took the brunt of it,

he was able to walk away.

This sad event was followed by another

incident later that SAME day.

Seems that the 2002 Mustang GT wasn't too

thrilled that her SO was getting so much

attention that she threw a gasket!

Quite literally.

A new intake manifold is on the way

to replace the original, which is

manufactured with plastic

parts that tend to crack.

Then of course the 1987 Mustang 5.0

needed to get in on the action....twice.

One morning the car didn't want to start...

not even turn over. 

Turns out it was a simple fix -

the battery cable needed replacing.

Done.

A few days later, the serpentine belt

shredded to teeny-tiny bits

while I was on the highway.

I managed to limp the car home,

let it cool down and 

put the old belt back on.

Luckily, the engine didn't sustain

any damage....

that we know of.

Somewhere in between

all this craziness, the

Suburban was egged

in the middle of the night.

Sigh.

When it rains...it pours - Morton Salt

Black OPS Power Adders

Also at last weekend's car show in New Braunfels,

we got to bear witness to some clever, and decisively

clandestine  tech and power adders/upgrades.

One specific example was a black 2007 Mustang GT, owned by Josh.

He had recently acquired the car from Mississippi

after flying out there and test driving it. At first glance,

Josh's 2007 seems like an everyday, generic Black Mustang,

commonly seen cruisin' the highway during the week.

Nothing unusual about it....or so I thought.

Taking a look inside revealed a Triple gauge A-Pillar pod,
with AIR/FUEL ratio gauge, OIL PRESSURE gauge, and BOOST gauge.

In the photo above, we can see the intercooler for
the turbo tucked neatly behind the front valance.

Josh's GT has a line lock for his beefed up

automatic transmission, which has a manual valve body.

The gauge for the TRANS temp is centered on the

 console beside the E-brake. Although this setup lacks the additional

space for cup holders, in this case it's probably best not have one in the car,

unless you really don't like that shirt that your mom gave you.

The covered safety switches are for the NOX bottle.

Josh has a hidden camera that replaced the lock on the trunk deck lid,

when activated by one of the smaller switches,

it displays on the DVD/AUX/CD player.

This way he can keep track of

 the competition, and record any unworthy

trendsetters getting punished.

This custom enlarged GT badge adorned the inside of the trunk lid,

and concealed the camera wiring. Josh also noted that it adds a little flair

considering that his 2007 was pushing a dynoed 450rwhp off the bottle,

 and almost 700rwhp with the juice.

We were excitedly appreciative that Josh took

the time to go over his GT, and elaborate on the tech he had.

If you've got some stealth tech on board,

send us some pics, and tell us what you've got going on.

Car Show

Even though it was blistering hot outside,

we made it down to the Harley Davidson in Gruene, TX

for the 2nd annual Benefit Car Show,

which the South Texas ’Stangs Club started in order to

raise money to donate to the Iraq Star Foundation.

We met up with other Mustang owners who were

eager to talk about their cars,

and modifications that have

been completed or are in progress.

Walking into an actual Mustang Alley was just awesome.

This was just the first row of Mustangs.

All in all there were about 80+ vehicles there

from all years including some trucks and 'vettes,

which will be seen in the next few posts....

Until then,

Even though there's a mutual respect between competing vehicles,

a friendly reminder doesn't hurt either.

5.0 Legend Returns

If you haven't seen this video of the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0....well, just where have you been?

I already have the 1987 Mustang GT 5.0 and think it would be great (awesome, really) if I could own another 5.0 from the newest generation of Mustangs. Do I hear any sponsors...? Alas, all I heard was cricket noises (sigh)

I first saw that video from a twitter tweet from MuscularMustangs a few days ago. Watching that video makes me want to pinch pennies and save up...but I'm running out of parking space!

Rainy Day

It's raining.

I'm not complaining, it's nice that the yellow

dusting of pollen that has settled on the Mustang GTs

will finally be washed away.

The rain might mean that the Mustangs

will be spotted with raindrops

or that the dirt from puddles will be visible

once the car is dry.

While driving in the rain today,

I realized that it's probably been over

6,7 or 8 months since the windshield wipers

have been replaced.

I realized this as soon as the wipers were activated

and made that dreaded 'burrrp' noise

as they waved back and forth.

Since the rain seems like it will stick around,

I'll head over to the auto parts store

for new wipers.

Most times, they'll even install

them for you...even if it's already raining.

Keeping the Mustang on the Highway

We were on our way to Austin, in November 2009, in this photo. We opted to go in one car, since the price of gasoline doesn't seem to decrease.

To keep your car as fuel efficient as it can be do the following on a regular basis :

- Maintain optimal air pressure in the tires Grab a tire gauge and check the air pressure in the tires. You can find the optimal air pressure or PSI on the tire itself.

- Use a fuel additive to clean out fuel lines You can go to the local auto parts store and find fuel additives/cleansers. Typically, we’ll reach for a product called SeaFoam. Read over the directions, since some need to be added with a full tank of gas.

- Clean out the air filter Generally speaking, this is one of the easier tasks that just about anyone can handle. Our Mustangs have K&N filters, which can be cleaned out and used again and again.

It’s crucial that the engine receives oxygen, but if your car can’t breathe, then it tends to sputter and/or use up more fuel. Newer cars can have several O2 sensors to maintain the correct oxygen/fuel mixture the engine receives. If one of the O2 sensors goes bad, the “Check Engine” light will appear. Once the code is checked, the O2 sensor can be located and replaced…but sometimes they’re not easily accessible.

The items on this list will help keep your car running efficiently.

What other tips do you have to keep your car running smoothly?

Recall for the 2010 Mustang

Apparently, Ford issued a recall on the 2010 Mustang line, but Ford Mustang owners have known about this issue for years! :)


You can read the whole article here.

In my opinion, they should have issued a wider recall to include models from years past.

Mustang in the Mirror

I see you. I always see you. You're in my rearview mirror. Silently sneaking into the side-view mirror. Whether you have a classic Ford Mustang, Saleen, Fox-body, Shelby or Cobra...I see you. Now, you'll drive alongside me and do one of the following things... 1) Look over at my Mustang and then at me to say 'Nice' or something to that effect 2) Look over my Mustang and attempt to engage me in a NASCAR-like race on the highway 3) Attempt to zoom past me, without so much as a wave All the while, I'm most likely going to do one of the following things... 1) Look over at your Mustang and then at you to say 'Nice' or something like that 2) Look over your Mustang and drop mine into neutral, rev up the ponies, just so I know that you know I'm there 3) Continue on my way, without so much as a wave

Either way, I hope that you make it safely to your destination.

Read My Odometer

This happened on December 23, 2009.

I was on my home from work when I noticed the odometer was close to having consecutive numbers. When it happened, I parked at the nearest place available, which was a gas station, took the photo and drove home.

Clutch, Shift, Go....

After 8 years, it was time to replace the clutch on the 2002 Ford Mustang GT.

It originally started as a project to replace just the throw-out bearing...

The exhaust, starter, shifter and transmission were all removed.

Since the car was in pieces, we went ahead and replaced the clutch too.

The clutch was ordered and we had to wait a few days for its arrival.

Once it came in, we found that it was the wrong

one...sized for a V6 and not the V8.

Lesson: Always check the ordered parts against the originals

before leaving the store!

It was during this waiting period that photos were taken.

Have you ever seen the inside of the tranny?

This is under the car, at night, looking up at where

the transmission would have been.

You can see there were connections that needed to be disconnected too.

Underneath the car, looking toward the back of the car.

Here you can see the disconnected exhaust pipes.

Something's Missing...

Even while undergoing a serious procedure, we still manage to have fun...

My mechanic seems surprised to see me.

Wait...Everything seems good, so far. Yikes! I think something got him! Details at 11.

Fox Body Mustang 5.0

Fox Body Mustangs made their initial appearance in 1979. Ford manufactured this body style throughout the 80's, onto the 90's, until the body style changed in 1994. The photo above is of a 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0. Can you believe that back in the day, the base price for a Mustang GT around $11,300? In the 80's, this was the car that everyone wanted to be seen in. It's amazing how the Mustang holds so many fond memories. While fueling up the car, or sitting a stop light, many have approached or signaled to me to say 'Nice Car' or 'I had a car like that!' They'll go on to tell me their stories, about how they remember cruising with friends, crankin' up the radio, heading the park, the beach or the mall. Whether you had a notchback, hatchback or convertible, it would be great to hear your stories and if you have a photo, even better. Leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

Pressured

As the weather begins to change, from hot, humid temperatures to cooler, fall temperatures, it would be a good idea to get in the habit of checking the air pressure of your vehicle's tires regularly. Weather changes can have an effect on the air pressure within the tires, leading to improper grip on the road, abnormal wear of the tire tread and a decrease in fuel economy. Cooler weather causes air to contract, which decreases the tire pressure. This is why tires go low, even if the tire isn't leaking from a puncture or faulty air valve stem. It's best to check the tire pressure before that first drive of the day, since driving causes the air in the tires to warm up. Keep an air gauge in the car, either in the glove compartment or the center console. Now, imagine if you've been running on an under-inflated tire... Under-inflation causes drag, since the weight of the car rides on less air and increases the footprint of the tire as it pancakes. This increasing pressure on the tire, requires more power to overcome, thereby decreasing fuel economy, and introducing more strain on the drive train of the vehicle. The tire with low air pressure will have more contact with the road, leading it to wear down faster than the others. And, if the tire is extremely low, it could damage or even break the rim if a curb, railroad track or pothole were driven over. Be safe, not only for yourself and the passengers in your car, but for other drivers as well. Don't let something this easy cause you pain and misery in your wallet later. Check the air pressure in your tires, today.

Car Show in San Antonio

The San Antonio Mustang Club is hosting a car show at Bass Pro Shops in San Antonio, on October 25, 2009, from 11am-4pm CST. The car show is open to all makes, models and years. You can register early, through Oct 17 and save a few dollars or register the day of the show from 8am-11am. We attended the car show last year as spectators and depending on the weather, will most likely attend this year, too. There were a lot of cars with owners eager to talk about the latest upgrade completed, and future projects they had in mind. The car show benefits the Dare to Love program, which is a non-profit organization. If you'd like more information or would like to pre-register, please visit the San Antonio Mustang Club's site.

Brakes 101

First the ABS warning light appeared on the dashboard. Then, terrible grinding noises were heard with each push of the brake pedal. It was time for new front brakes for the 2002 Ford Mustang GT. Saturday was spent on this task and it would have gone by faster, but I was there taking photos of EVERYthing, slowing down the process somewhat. But, it was conveniently done for you! After jacking up the car and removing the tire, the brake assembly is visible. There are a couple of bolts to remove so that the caliper can be moved out of the way to check the brake pads and rotor. Make sure not to pinch, break or twist the brake line when moving the caliper out of the way, and it's best to support the caliper during the process, that way the brake line doesn't collapse internally. This would be an ideal time to make sure the line isn't cracked or leaking any brake fluid, and also provides ample opportunity to clean the Wheel Speed Sensors. These are the probes that read a magnetic signal off the sprocket shaped wheel inboard of the Brake assembly. Usually they just accumulate metallic flakes from the rotors, and it's wise to clean them with brake cleaner. Should the WSS get dirty, or be damaged the Electronic Control Unit will display a ABS light on the dash when everything is reassembled. If the WSS is damaged, be sure to replace it. The rotor was worn and there was no meat left on the brake pads. Metal on metal just isn't a sound that anyone wants to hear, plus it's just like welding two pieces of hot metal together. It's just not safe, and very annoying. A quick trip to the auto parts store was needed. In order to get the correct parts, be sure to have the year, make and model of the vehicle. It also doesn't hurt to know the engine size (5.0, 4.6, etc). Taking your vehicle to a dealer, or to a location that performs brake work, can be costly and very expensive. Doing the work yourself, can be rewarding, as well as enlightening. After hearing the selection for brake pads, we settled on the ceramic option. Ceramic pads displace heat a lot faster than any other material available for brakes, and they produce less brake dust, thereby keeping the rims clean and presentable. Sometimes, you can have the rotors "TURNED" so that you can reuse them, other times, they need to replaced altogether. This was one of those instances where they constituted being replaced. Rotors are available standard disc, drilled, slotted, or both. We opted to replace the standard undrilled, and unslotted rotors. Drilled and slotted rotors have increased ventilation in the rotor surface, allowing rapid heat dissipation and more effective cooling. Brakes that do not heat up as quickly provide for faster deceleration, and help eliminate brake fade, and glazing. Depending on your driving style, and application, it's wise to select the best option for your vehicle. Deciding to spice up the brakes a bit, we took a little longer by painting the calipers using a hi-temp caliper paint. Keeping with the black/red theme of the car, the calipers were painted red and can be seen easily behind the rim, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the car. After the paint had dried it was time to reinstall the caliper. Prior to fitting the caliper onto the brake assembly, we had to clamp the pistons so they are fully retracted. Clamping the caliper allows clearance for the new pads, and the new rotor. We used large "C" clamps, and the old brake pad, which give us a surface over the pistons. Once the pistons are fully retracted, discard the old brake pad, and carefully reinstall the caliper. If not installed quickly, the pistons will re-extend, and the process will have to be repeated. Usually, depending on what model Mustang you own, you may encounter a caliper that has more than 2 pistons, this is a High Performance caliper, and they come standard on the Cobra and Shelby. If you have brake drag and the vehicle pulls to one side while driving, this is generally resultant of a stuck piston, or air in the brake line. Replacement calipers are available at your local auto parts store, so take the faulty one with you for comparison, unless your performing a upgrade. Be sure to bleed all the brakes for residual air, regardless of whether or not you have replaced the caliper. Bleeding the brakes requires 2 people, one person to depress the brake pedal and another to loosen the set screw, or bolt on the inboard side of the caliper, normally where the brake line attaches. Once brake fluid comes out consistently, and there are no air bubbles, or pockets, tighten the bolt or screw, and the job is complete.

Big and Small Mustangs

I bought the small Mustang to be used as a cake decoration for my husband's birthday, one year ago. After receiving it in the mail, I promptly took it in for minor modifications...from green paint with yellow stripes to red paint and black stripes to coordinate with the life-size version.

So while big brother gets to cruise in the street, the pint-size Mustang is parked on our computer desk, serving as a reminder that the bigger the toy is, the more expensive the mods are.

CraigsListers!

We're constantly searching for parts and since we are, we're sure you are too. This isn't a advertisement for Craigslist.com, but I'm sure posts like these will help if your looking and can't find something. Do you have a need for an auto part that is costly or just plain hard to find? Once you've looked at the usual places (salvage yards, auto parts stores or even the dealer), cruise on over to the Craigslist site. The Craigslist site enables someone to post an ad, for free, whether they are selling an item or want to buy (WTB) something. Select your state and city (or nearest city) and click on either the Auto Parts or Cars+Trucks section. In your city or a city near you, there just might be someone selling that part or even the whole car that you're looking for. Usually the cheapest way to find anything around is to just keep looking, if you can wait. There's no guarantee that the item your looking for on any particular day will be listed or even near you, but it's worth a shot. Searching on CraigsList, also encourages person to person interaction. If you have the gift of gab, and can talk a mean deal, you might get what you're looking for at the right price. You might even meet someone who shares the same enthusiam for cars, or who knows the best mechanic in town or where you can get a good deal on tires or other parts. Once you find the item that you're looking for, ask questions, lots of questions: 1. Does it work? 2. How old is it? 3. When was it last used? 4. Any signs of rust? 5. What year/make/model did it come from? 6. Any additional photos? 7. Are all the parts/pieces included? 8. Can I see it and the condition it's in? Once you've determined that it's worth looking into further, always, make safety for yourself priority one: 1. Meet in a public location, if possible. 2. Get a phone number and a description of the vehicle they're driving, so you know what to look for. 3. If at all possible, take someone with you, or at least let someone know where you'll be meeting. 4. Take your cell phone. 5. Don't take more than what you've already agreed upon, since you might find the particular items condition less appreciable. 6. It never hurts to haggle, talk them down, or simply bargain a fair price. Take into consideration the distance your going to get this item, that way you'll have gas money for the return trip home. Don't feel pressured to buy an item just because you've inquired about it or saw it in person. Make sure it's exactly what you need, do your homework. (Trust me, it's all good that you bought twin turbos for an application, but if you discover they're smaller than what you need, your shafted.) If it's not, just let them know it's not going to work for what you need it for and thank them for meeting with you. If you have Mustang parts or a whole car that you're selling or looking for, let us know. We can also post it on this blog for more exposure. Good Luck and be Safe.