I wanted to take some time and show all of you my new project. I have a friend of the family that has had a 64.5 sitting in his Horse barn for the last 13 years. Somehow I convinced him to let me take it and bring her back to life. It is a 289 convertible that is all original. She needs work on a number of things but as far as frame, she is as solid as she comes. I will try and keep all of you posted on progress as I go along, as I know I will be asking tons of questions..

I have checked the car and it isn't rare, a k code or anything to special other than a 64.5. I am going to make it a resto-mod (putting on flame retardant gear as we speak) and want her to look as much stock as possible on the outside, but suspension, brakes, and engine components will get an upgrade. Going to stay with the 289, but definitely going to give her the once over...

Here she is after we rolled her off of the trailer:

[IMG]local://upfiles/91346/F9734FB347A1427BB2BBC3B2B0B11773.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/91346/30E6E4447E344DFEAC0AC6B102433295.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/91346/4A7C48D57FA948D8AF1EC2E42FE2C9CA.jpg[/IMG]

 

congrats and welcome

 

So I took the top off the girl tonight... Figured that since I would be working on her for awhile, she might as well be topless while I did it.

After doing so I took the back seats out.. There had to be something, or a couple of somethings living in there for quite awhile... I have now renamed my shop vac to "poop vac"

Seems the pistons that lift the top are rusted solid in the extended position. Does anyone know if they can be repaired with rust remover? or do I just need to start over with new ones...


[IMG]local://upfiles/91346/9A735B580AF1429081D32AE3268D0FC4.jpg[/IMG]

 

that is a damn clean car to start with...needs more rust if you ask me.

 

^yeah. haha...
that interior dosnt look half bad either, though im sure your going to replace most of it.

 

what about the floor pans??

im curious to know whats under the carpet.

 

She is super clean... That is why I have been jonesing to get her back on the road... I will be pulling the front seats and carpet out tomorrow, and that will be the true test of how good I have it.

If the trunk is any indication, then it will be a somewhat easy rebuild... although the tops of the doors by the windows, and around some of the seams of the doors and panels are rusted under the paint..

Debating on whether to get her sandblasted or acid dipped... any suggestions?

Also did anyone know the answer to the question about the pistons being rusted and froze in the extended position?

 

Nice find!

You "may" be able to free up the top cyl.s but would be better off to replace. I found that mine had been slightly "bent" by someone trying to force it as it was frozen into position by rust, and even though you could not really SEE the bend they would continue to bind at times after being freed up. I did not want the top to jam and tourque as I planned toconvert toa power top so I plan to replace the cyl.s

I do have a Q about the car though - 64.5, 289? I thought most 64.5s were 260s (Like my dad's 63.5 Mercury Comet S-22).

 

Thanks for the insight.. I didn't even think about them being bent slightly..

As far as the 289 64.5, I put the vin and warranty number into a decoder and this is what it spit out... Didn't know that most were 260's

[align=center] Warranty Number: 5F08D115445 Year: 5 1965 (1964 1/2) Plant: F Dearborn, MI Body Series: 08 Convertible Engine: D 289 4v V8 Unit: 115445 115445 [/align] [align=center] Miscellaneous Vehicle Data Body: 76A Convertible, Standard Interior Color: M Wimbledon White Trim: 85 Red Crinkle Vinyl, Standard Interior Date: 17D April 17, 1964 D.S.O: 31 Cincinnati Axle: 1 3.00:1, Conventional Trans: 5 4-Speed Manual [/align]

 

so you didn't pay anything for it