$5000 budget Mustang by Ron S

5 minute(s) of a 178 minute read

Got home from work early today,and desided to dig into this ls7. Needed to change the reluctor wheel to a 24 count, because I couldn't find a translator.

Used the poor mans main cap puller to pull caps, but i did buy the Goodman Reluctor ring installer. Had to heat the reluctor to 450 degrees in my powder coat oven, but it went on like butter.

Can't deside what color to paint it though. I'm either going to be true to the engines heritage, and paint it orange using the Chevrolet valve covers, or paint it Ford blue and run 351 Cleavland black wrinkle valve covers.

Will be running the Nascar carbon fiber air cleaner, won't set as high as it does in the pics (have it spaced to clear the linkage). Will use differnt linkage on car.

3-25-2010

Got the engine painted,should test fit it tonight for dry sump etc. Can't wait to get this thing fired up.

3-26-2010

Set the motor in tonight, and can't find the room for the dry sump tank, thought of every possible location, and there just isn't the room.

I think I'm going to build a custom tank. Mocked one up out of cardboard to fit behind the radiator.(the only place that it will fit).

The radiator sets at a 45 degree angle, so the pusher fans kind of push the hot air at the ground. If I put a baffle between the two to divert the air off the tank. Can anyone think of anything else that may be an issue with this set up?

The tank will require alot of baffles and bungs, but you I can put them where I want, and it kind of fits the car.

3-28-2010

Well I figured out how to make the tank fit ,change everything. It does seem the round tanks are the way to go, and I got that one off ebay for $40. The problem was the roll bar down bars didn't leave room any where for that tank.

I desided to change all the down bars, and recess the tank into the firewall. I'm going to arrange the bars so that I can eliminate the core support all together, should save at least 100 lbs. I figure the tank,oil, and lines are probably 60 lbs.,so I should still be able to shed a few lbs.

Worked out pretty well, the tank fit good in that location, the fitting point right where I need them, and the fill,dip stick and drain are still easily accessible. I will tig a fin on each side of the tank, and bolt it directly to the firewall.

Here are some pics of the firewall being butchered. Its funny I watch Rupps build thread all the time, and his Penny pics never look so primal. Ron

3-29-2010

Got the tank jacket built and welded in tonight. Not looking forward to the firewall clean and paint. Ron

4-16-2010

Got the engine set down in tonight. Can't get over how much higher this set up sets in the chassis, the carb spacer will probably have to be adjusted to get the hood to close. Will be kind of cool that the air cleaner element will be seen from the drivers seat.

The dry sump set up is a pita, but turned out pretty clean. I still have to finsh tigging the front structure, make some hood hinges, and get the thing tuned. Can't wait to drive the thing. Ron