clowe1965

Unless they switched out the whole cooling system its unlikely, but something to check. Looking at the pictures, from what i can see is correct. Cant see in the pictures, but you do have a shroud right?

Al Newman

Kick the timing up to the 15-16 inches of mercury level. The 13 inches really seems too low. You can always back it down an inch later if you hear or feel detonation. 21-22 inches seems unrealistic for an engine with any kind of performance camshaft.
Best,
Al

Diputado

OK...I'll bump it up a notch to around 15-16 inches of merc., and see how she goes. As for the water pump....don't know brand,etc. or even how old it is, but doesn't look too old. And yes...I'm almost certain the bottom is from a 302 (or 5.0) because it has a 50 oz. balancer on the front with a 1984 part number (E4..etc.). In fact...I saw this exact same balancer listed in a chart in the book "High Performance Ford Parts Interchange".

Thinking about changing the water pump anyway, when I change out the radiator. Since the motor has been run for a long time with only straight water, I'm sure the pump is pretty abused. When I changed the intake a few weeks ago, it was full of scale and there was plenty of rust in the water passages on the heads. Has one of those aluminum-blade "flex fans" on it, too. Maybe a slip-clutch fan would be better? And yes, it does have a fan shroud on radiator right now.

clowe1965

What are your plans for the car, slowly work on it here and there or strip it down? Daily driver, weekends, or just whenever? Glad yours has a shroud, mine didnt. If its got a newer water pump the outlet, I believe, for the radiator should be coming out of the driver's side bottom, and the inlet on the pump pointed towards the driver's side. If thats the case you probably have a reverse rotation pump.

Diputado

Plans are to improve on it little by little...don't have the $$ to do all at once! Have started with engine issues...almost done. And yes...the water pump is a left-hand outlet...but don't think it's a reverse-flow. Last week also got all lights to finally working....only headlights worked when I bought it. Couldn't find a replacement fuse block anywhere locally that day...so went to West Marine and got one for a boat...worked perfect...and waterproof, too! Next step is brakes and front suspension. Has front disc brakes, but look like a poorly-done retrofit job....no dual master cylinder or apportioning valve. Brake pedal attachment is screwed up,too....pull all the way up on it and it completely disengages from master cylinder rod. Then you have to connect it back by hand....NOT something you want to happen in traffic!

No plans for converting back to "original" condition. This is a hotrod, and I'm going to keep it that way. Once I get all engine and safety issues (brakes, suspension) worked out, it's going to be a weekend "nice weather" ride for cruising around on the island. The few times I have had it on the street, it gets plenty of looks. Old Mustangs aren't common here, and hotrod Mustangs even less so. I love it when I pull up to a traffic light next to one of the locals with his Mitsubishi Mirage running loud pipes and the oversize fancy wheels. He thinks he's got a hot ride until he hears my cam resonating through the headers and Flowmasters!!

clowe1965

Check the thread about the dual bowl master cylinder, some of them have a clip that holds the push rod in. You can always get the gt350 side exhaust if you really want to shut up other drivers!