My dad's 69 Mach 1 After 30 years

[mike9812121298]

Im a new member and new to mustangs. I was just trying to learn anything possible before i start restoring my dads 69 mach 1. Its been sitting for the last 30 years and he always said he was going to start working on it but never did. After doing some research it looks like im just going to rebuild the 351 w that came with it. i wanna put it back to stock. in the next week im going to start pulling the engine. any good cheap engine rebuild kits out there for a 351w? im kind of on a tight buget, just had a baby girl. well heres some pics.

---

[JTS71 Mach1]

Welcome, Wow except for being dirty, and normal wear and tear, it looks like you got a damn solid start! It looks like it got froze in time. Good luck with the restore. If you look throught the site there is a ton of info here, and if you can't find something. Just ask, were all friends. JTS 71 Mach1

[Steven Harris]

Very Nice!

Don't go cheap - you'll regret having to do the job twice. Take your time and go quality on each move.

I would suggest starting with baby steps. First - clean the car from top to bottom, inside and out. Start with the original survivor that you have just clean everything. You'll enjoy the work, you'll enjoy the outcome and you'll not regret having done something you should not have down the road.

You have in your hands the envy of the site!

[Mach 1 Club]

I agree with Steven! Clean the car from top to bottom. Welcome to the club! Your a lucky man! Don't cheese on this car it will be something you'll want to enjoy in remembrance of your father. I love its originality. If it were mine I would put it back to exact specs, except for maybe some internal upgrades to give it a little more performance. If you cant give it a garage give it a car cover. The elements will eat that car if you don't. Worst case you could sell it to me!

[mike9812121298]

it should be a project, do you think upgrading the cam and other internals would be bad if im going for stock? or should i just rebuild back to stock? im new to the muscle car world so im just trying to get a feel for what would be the best route. as far as paint, stick with the color it came with or would any of the stock colors work? the car should all be numbers matching and only 60k on the car.

[Mach 1 Club]

Your making me waaaay to jealous!! Mike be sure you have someone that knows what they are doing to help you. Don't turn this potential awesome project into something you will hate. Don't disassemble anything on the car period unless you have an exact plan!!!!! Anything you take apart take photos of things so you know where stuff goes back and label everything! All small parts need to be bagged and labeled as it is removed from the car.

If this is something you don't think you can handle I would suggest maybe putting the car in storage for awhile until you have a good plan. This car is valuable the way it sits!

Id be willing to give you a pretty good offer if your wanting to get out of the car. Id want to know some things first but Id be very interested as I'm sure a lot of the members here would be.
I'm assuming your Dad has passed, keep this in mind he left you a treasure from the past, honor and respect it as it should be, they are only original once!

[mike9812121298]

I cant sell it, lol. But what do you think this car is worth the way it sits and when restored? My dad actually passed away 2 days ago. hes been sick for a while. I already started restoring his 74 h1 500, that had tags on it since 83, lol. But i think for now im gonna pull the motor on it and take that to the machine shop. im sure that will take a couple weeks so it will give me some time.

[chutsonjr@yahoo.com]

I cant sell it, lol. But what do you think this car is worth the way it sits and when restored? My dad actually passed away 2 days ago. hes been sick for a while. I already started restoring his 74 h1 500, that had tags on it since 83, lol. But i think for now im gonna pull the motor on it and take that to the machine shop. im sure that will take a couple weeks so it will give me some time.

I am sad at your loss of your dad . Its nice to see you have something that he is apart of in your life . If you can fix it up the way you and him planned . This will be a labor of love . Just give yourself some time to get things in order . Good luck

[BLACK JADE 69]

MIKE,
DEFINATELY DECODE THE NUMBERS ON THE V.I.N. TAG ON THE DOOR. LOOKS LIKE WHAT I BELIEVE THEY CALLED AZTEC AQUA FOR THE COLOR. YOU DON'T SEE THOSE AT CAR SHOWS VERY OFTEN AND IT WOULD STICK OUT IN A SEA OF RED CARS. YOU COULD GET A MARTI REPORT TO SEE HOW RARE THAT COLOR IS. AS FOR YOUR ENGINE INTERNALS...IF THE BLOCK NEEDS BORED, IT'S BETTER TO DO THAT THEN GET RID OF THE ORIGINAL. BESIDES WHO SEES THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE AT SHOWS, IT CAN LOOK ALL ORIGINAL BUT THAT LOBEY IDLE OF THE BIGGER CAM WILL BE THE ONLY THING THAT GIVES IT AWAY. LIKE STATED BEFORE TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES DURING TEARDOWN. TAKE IT FROM A GUY ALSO RESTORING A 69 MACH 1 STARTED WITH MY FATHER (WHO ALSO PASSED 3 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH) YOU WILL BE GOING THROUGH YOUR PARTS AND LOOK AT SOMETHING AND SAY "NOW WHERE DOES THAT GO ON THIS?" BEST OF LUCK TO YOU.

[Steven Harris]

Mike,

Let me present my philosophy of leaving it alone for the time being, one more time. The ONLY thing you should do at this time is a super clean from top to bottom from inside to out.

Once it is clean, if the motor can be made to run as is then do that. If some brake or other chassis parts need replaced then do that but only if it is needed and by all means keep EVERYTHING you take off.

After it has been cleaned and is running then and only then begin to think about restoring. Guard every factory piece with jealousy.

Sure in due time think about internal upgrades for the motor but face that in time.

Evidently your dad was keen to keep it "factory" but it is your car. It's your choice. You make the decision for your car, mine and others comments and counsel are just our opinions. Just make sure your plan makes sense and can be accomplished.

My condolences on your dad's passing. You have been given a tremendous treasure of his memory. Cherish it.