Posts: 1
Threads: 1
Joined: Aug 2013
08-13-2013, 10:54 AM
Hi everyone. Im seriously looking at a 1971 mach 1 351 car project. I have not gone to see the car but in pics. Im am a autobody and paint guy and can do all that stuff but im unfamilar with the older mustangs. What engine markings and whrre are they located at to comfirm this is a origional engine to the car. I know the interior is a tan color but someone painted the body a horable black and kinda pink color. I will be painting it. What are problem areas i should look out for in this year mustangs.any info will help greatly .thanks paul
Posts: 4,181
Threads: 46
Joined: Jan 2011
Welcome Paul,
The vin will tell you the proper engine size. For 1971 your 5th vin digit should be a letter H for a 351C 2V or a M or Q for a 351C 4V. Now as to whether that is the exact engine that came with that car you will find a partial vin stamp on the drivers side just above the bell housing and below the head. The factory stamp will be haphazardly stamped and hard to read.
For rust issues you will find the normal areas of floor pans and quarter panel extensions but the most notable is the inner cowl around the "hats" for the a/c and vent. To fix one correctly the outer cowl needs to be spot weld drilled and removed which includes removing part of the fender bracing as well as the windshield.
Depending on it's life the lower shock towers may also be either cracked and or rotted. Those are your basic hidden areas.