1973 Fuel tank and rear springs

[Steven Harris]

Remember to blow back through your fuel lines before installing the new tank to clean out your lines as well.

All should be well!

[SWOMACH1]

I successfully replaced the fuel tank and I'm now awaiting the rear springs to arrive tomorrow. As per your advice, I blew back through the lines and also ran some sea foam through it. Looks like clean fuel going into the carb. I'm now having an issue with tuning my carb.(bogging) I'll start another thread with that though. Thanks for all of your advice! Hopefully I'll be tackling the rear springs in the next week or so.

[Steven Harris]

Glad to hear that you were able to resolve that issue - one down.

[Rare Pony]

Thanks for the update. Sounds like your making great progress.

[SWOMACH1]

I just finished replacing my rear leaf springs today. Not a tough job, but I definitely wouldn't have minded an extra pair of hands. The Mach seems to be sitting lower than before though, seems to be about an inch or so. I ordered the same type (4 leaf, same eye) but when I took the old springs off the arch was significantly higher on the old ones than the new ones. I figured the new springs were stiffer and would make it sit higher, but when I lowered the car back down it was noticeable. I wish I would have done some initial measuring to see how much lower it is. I wasn't planning to lower the rear end, but what's done is done. I guess I'll just lower the front end a bit. Has anyone had this happen before?

Also, I'm looking at the front suspension as the next project. Very loose to say the least. I had seen a suspension kit on one of the mustang parts site for around $650. It comes with upper/lower control arms, springs, tie rods, idler arm, etc. I was debating on whether I should attempt something like this or just take it to a shop and have them install the parts. I would be venturing into new territory with this project. Any thoughts or advice on parts or the project would be greatly appreciated!

[Steven Harris]

Not sure what to say on the rear spring issue. These Mach 1's sat notoriously low from the factory and that stance supposedly due to better handling. Maybe some previous owner had springs re-arched so that the car would sit higher.

As to tackling the front suspension - my advice, go for it. It is not really a hard job and other than a spring compressor does not demand special tools. My son replaced his on his own with just a few comments from good old dad at 18. And he did a tremendous job. I don't have any recommendations as to a specific kit.

You will need to take the car to an alignment shop when you are done but that should be the extent of help you will need. Clean everything, paint it if needed, grease what needs to be greased and you should notice a vast improvement to ride and handling. I have been looking at and listening to what others comment on the bearing spring perches and you might want to consider that investment as well. The talk is that it does improve both handling and ride quality.

[turtle5353]

I bought a complete front end kit for my 71 from laurel mountain mustang and installed it myself this winter and it worked great. i was really pleased with the fit and how the car handles now. They have a few different kits depending on what all you want.