I am hoping to take possession of my Aunt's 69 fastback as soon as I build a shop to restore it. My '63 vette (I know but at least its not a camaro) is taking up the garage.

The car was purchased new in 69 and was a daily driver until probably late 90s. Its been well maintained and garage kept but it has seen snow and has some bubbles/surface rust on the lower quarters. Car has been under a cover with stuff piled on it for years so I have not been able to get a good inspection or under the car.

My plan is to fix what needs to be repaired and get it back on the road then maybe do some upgrades and paint.

Some basic questions:

(1) I assume I should buy all of the assembly manuals/service manuals for this year. Any thing that I dont need right away. Anything I am missing?

(2) Who are the best parts suppliers for good repro parts?

(3) I assume the engine is a 302...I know its a V8 and pretty sure its not a 351. It doesnt run and not sure if it turns over. My thought was to pull it and put in something else---maybe a 351 that I could get for reasonable and save the original engine. Anyone who has done this have any 'watch out for' tips on this? Any other thoughts on an engine swap that might be better? Not taking it to the track but would like to smoke the tires every once in a while.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Welcome, no need to apologize for owning a '63 vette (split window or convertible?) of course if you are ashamed I will take it off your hands

Definitely get the service manuals. Don't bother with Haynes, mine is completely worthless, from what I've heard Chilton's is just as bad.

I always shop around for my parts. I have bought from CJ Pony Parts, Mustangs Unlimited, California Mustang and West Coast Classic Cougars (they can be more expensive but they are local for me so no shipping). Others have mentioned Glazier Nolan but I haven't bought anything from them yet.

I can't help with the engine swap but there are lots of people with a lot of experience here that can.

 

Thanks Houndstooth. Not ashamed about the vette but you know how some guys are territorial and its a chevy....

I'll check out those vendors and start ordering some catalogs. The vette (its convertible) is the 2nd. My first was a body off restoration and I wont do that again....dig hole, throw money in....

This car holds lots of memories for me so I'm looking forward to getting my hands dirty with another project.

 

if it's been sitting up for years, gas may have turned to varnish, was it drained before it was laid up?

 

Every fluid in the car should be replaced.

Get the Factory Service Manual. Makes the others look like mulch.

 

Good question on the gas. Not sure. I see the car once a year at Thanksgiving and have been asking about it for years. I think we've finally come to an agreement.

My plan would be to replace all of the fluids, drain the tank, maybe replace all the lines if they look like they need it. Tear down the suspension, media blast and replace all the bushings, ball joints, shocks etc. Not sure what brake set up is there....would like front discs if not too expensive to upgrade.

No on the body, chassis and engine asym manuals? I like pictures.

What are some thoughts on engine rebuild? My thought would be to find a short block that I could use the existing heads, maybe upgrade intake and carb and store the original block for later.

 

My plan would be to replace all of the fluids, drain the tank, maybe replace all the lines if they look like they need it.
You'll know when you flush the brakes.

Tear down the suspension, media blast and replace all the bushings, ball joints, shocks etc. Not sure what brake set up is there....would like front discs if not too expensive to upgrade.
If you just want the car for pleasure drives, there's really no need. If it's manual drums, you might consider adding power boost.

No on the body, chassis and engine asym manuals? I like pictures.
Sure, There's no AIM, but there are excellent collections in separate booklets for Engine, Interior, Chassis, Electrical, etc.

What are some thoughts on engine rebuild? My thought would be to find a short block that I could use the existing heads, maybe upgrade intake and carb and store the original block for later.
The 302 and 351W are very similar in appearance, show us a photo and we'll tell you. Either way, you can turn the engine into a real screamer with surprisingly little effort and expense. The trick is to wade through the over-priced, under-effective stuff they try to wow you with in magazine articles.

 

thanks everyone for all the helpful info. I'll order some reading material and some catalogs and start wading through it.

Hopefully I will have some pics to post in the next month or so.

 

69Volunteer welcome to the forums. It's sort of ironic. I had an uncle that had a 64 convertible vette that I drove occasionally when I was 16. Now I own a 69 Fastback. Really wish I could have gotten that car from him before he passed on.

Glad you will be getting the mustang to restore since it has sentimental value. My 69 has a modified 302 with plenty of power. The engine also has the 351 heads. I would recommend the power boost and I went ahead and did 4 wheel disc brakes. I would suggest changing all the fuel, brake and other lines since it has sat for so long. I did braided hoses since it was actually cheaper than buying the rubber ones.

Good luck with your project and post pics when you can.

 

I'm with 2+2 Gt.

I'd keep the 302 if that's what it has, just in case you want to sell it to someone who wants to restore it with a numbers matching engine..

The 69 V8's were either a 302 2V at 210 horsepower, a 351 2v with 225, or a 351 4 barrel with 290 horsepower

see: http://www.onlymustangfords.com/1969-mustang.html

There were also big block options.

Along with draining the gas tank, you should change all fluids as 2+2 said. The master cylinder and wheel cylinders are probably shot, either full of rust, or deteriorated brake fluid. ( my master looked like it had molasses in it).

Flush a whole lot of brake fluid through your brake lines or replace them.
The parking brake cables may be seized and have to be replaced.

Lubricate slides, make sure the parking brake adjuster isn't frozen.

If the engine is ok, most of the oil should have drained long ago to the pan or thickened up, so you should drain it out, lubricate the cylinders and valve train (do the old drill trick to spin the oil pump and get new oil into the engine.

Open up the top of the carb, it probably had junk in there from old gas and varnish.

Check all your grounds and clean them up.

Replace the battery, cause it will be deceased.

Oh yeah, check around shock towers for rust. Chances are, too that the battery box area will be in bad shape. I was looking at a '71 not long ago and not only had it rusted through the inner fender, it had actually destroyed the front frame member below!

Get a real Ford Manual. It's a lot more detailed than your garden variety chilton's.

And if you don't decide to keep it, message me.

Good Luck