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+--- Thread: bought a project 71 mach 1 (/showthread.php?tid=7186)
bought a project 71 mach 1 - novice owner of a 71 mach1 - 03-25-2021
I don't know anything about classic cars but always had a dream to get a old mustang someday. I realized all I can get is 71-73 fastbacks as 65-70 fast backs are very expensive so I just bought a 1971 mustang mach1 H code car with no engine or transmission. The body is not too rusty, rear quarter panel bottom has some rust and passenger front floor pan has some rust, other than those places it's mostly surface rust I believe. Interior is all there but the rear quarter pieces (the pieces that goes beside the rear seat) are cracked and not salvageable. Shifter is missing. All chromes and glass is in decent shape. Roof liner/dash/gauges are not bad either. Seats has tears but still usable. It was painted at some point in the past with single stage paint, original paint code is yellow.
The seller did throw in an engine which he said is a 351 Cleveland 4V. Problem is it's missing pretty much everything else that goes under the hood.. Starter, compressor, distributor, oil pan, wiring harness/fuse box, transmission, ignition system and other electrical stuff.
My goal is to get it road worthy as soon as possible within a small budget. I don't really want/afford something with lots of hp or showcar, just a weekend driver. I do not know if that goal is achievable or not but at least want to give it a try.
I am also a bit concerned if I have paid to much for the car specially considering that some people really don't like that body style. I paid little over 6000 for the car. I am located near south east MI.
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RE: bought a project 71 mach 1 - Oztrailer - 03-25-2021
It doesn't look too bad. At least being in the US you will be able to access the parts you need easily.
RE: bought a project 71 mach 1 - novice owner of a 71 mach1 - 03-26-2021
(03-25-2021, 06:32 PM)Oztrailer Wrote: It doesn't look too bad. At least being in the US you will be able to access the parts you need easily.Thank you. I am going to do a deep clean to see how it really looks after all the dirt and debris is removed. Btw do you think the engine is actually a 351 Cleveland? I will also remove the heads to see how the cylinder walls look like after cleaning the car.
RE: bought a project 71 mach 1 - JTS71 Mach1 - 03-26-2021
Welcome to the Club! Not to shabby from first impressions. A might expensive for just a basically bare roller. There sure seems to be lots of key pieces missing. The engine pictured is definitely a 351 Cleveland, as noted by the flat spot on the block, next to where the distributor is. That is for the thermostat housing. Windsors have the thermostat housing on the right front corner of the intake manifold. The top 2 bolts for the bellhousing on the back side of the block roughly 4" apart denote, it's an Actual Cleveland, and not a later 351M, or what most call a modified Cleveland. An early Cleveland such as this one was used until 73 or 74. They also used the Modified 351 from about 71 on. As I had a 71 Mach1. and it had the modified Block in it. The 2 top bolts for the bellhousing were 7 and 7/8" apart. The modified was in response to the early "Clevelands" having a couple thin areas in the blocks and they were prone to cracking. So it was to cure a problem and eventually they dropped the early Cleveland, and went solely with the 351M / 400. But all are Cleveland based engines. Clevelands came in 302 Boss, 351C, 351M, and 400 cubic inches. Hope it helps. All in all It looks like you got a really good solid body, and it appears to be pretty straight. I'm looking forward to seeing it after it's all cleaned up. Hopefully it's as good or better.
JTS
RE: bought a project 71 mach 1 - novice owner of a 71 mach1 - 03-26-2021
(03-26-2021, 11:03 AM)JTS71 Mach1 Wrote: Welcome to the Club! Not to shabby from first impressions. A might expensive for just a basically bare roller. There sure seems to be lots of key pieces missing. The engine pictured is definitely a 351 Cleveland, as noted by the flat spot on the block, next to where the distributor is. That is for the thermostat housing. Windsors have the thermostat housing on the right front corner of the intake manifold. The top 2 bolts for the bellhousing on the back side of the block roughly 4" apart denote, it's an Actual Cleveland, and not a later 351M, or what most call a modified Cleveland. An early Cleveland such as this one was used until 73 or 74. They also used the Modified 351 from about 71 on. As I had a 71 Mach1. and it had the modified Block in it. The 2 top bolts for the bellhousing were 7 and 7/8" apart. The modified was in response to the early "Clevelands" having a couple thin areas in the blocks and they were prone to cracking. So it was to cure a problem and eventually they dropped the early Cleveland, and went solely with the 351M / 400. But all are Cleveland based engines. Clevelands came in 302 Boss, 351C, 351M, and 400 cubic inches. Hope it helps. All in all It looks like you got a really good solid body, and it appears to be pretty straight. I'm looking forward to seeing it after it's all cleaned up. Hopefully it's as good or better.Thank you very much. It's very reassuring to know that the engine is in fact a 351C. I am such a newbie that I won't be able to tell if I am looking at a 302 or 351C or W..LoL. whenever I make some progress with the project I will post updates here. Also I will need help from you all locating a C-6 Transmission. Hopefully a working C-6 is sitting in someone's garage somewhere near MI waiting for me...
JTS
As soon as I finish shampooing the interior and polishing the exterior, I will put some close up pics. Once again I really appreciate the info you provided. Thank you and have a great weekend.
RE: bought a project 71 mach 1 - JTS71 Mach1 - 03-27-2021
The C6 transmission you need to look for is a Small Block / Winsor bellhousing. with the 2 top bolts roughly 4 inches apart. It doesn't really matter what it comes out of. I'd look for a pickup with a 302 W, or a 351 W. as it might be a little tougher then a car trans, but they will all fit. It's just a small bellhousing C6. They can be built to withstand just about any horsepower level, it just costs money. LOL!
Good Luck with it, and ask any and all questions, cause somebody here knows the answer. And we are glad to help. The only "Dumb" question. "Is the one that isn't asked".JTS
RE: bought a project 71 mach 1 - novice owner of a 71 mach1 - 03-27-2021
(03-27-2021, 02:10 AM)JTS71 Mach1 Wrote: The C6 transmission you need to look for is a Small Block / Winsor bellhousing. with the 2 top bolts roughly 4 inches apart. It doesn't really matter what it comes out of. I'd look for a pickup with a 302 W, or a 351 W. as it might be a little tougher then a car trans, but they will all fit. It's just a small bellhousing C6. They can be built to withstand just about any horsepower level, it just costs money. LOL!I am so glad I signed up to this group. Already learning new stuff everyday.. found a c6 in detroit craiglist. will go and check it out tomorrow and see the distance between the two top bolts are as you said..
JTS