Just paid a visit to my mechanic, who is still installing my motor. We finally got it running today after 3 weeks of radiator problems. I have learned to never go the cheap route. I went to a "discount" radiator place in California and was sent a radiator which was WAY too big. They sent me another one which was about 1/4 inch too big. So I just decided to re-core my original and have it put back in.
If you go to the link, you'll see that the paint job on the motor is disgraceful. I figured the paint on the exhaust manifold would burn off, but it really looks ugly! I'm sure as time goes on it will only look worse. Also, while tuning the motor he spilled gasoline on the block, and it took the paint right off! Shouldn't he have put some type of primer on it or something? If it came off this quick, what's it going to look like in a year or so?
Also, I ordered that chrome air cleaner from NPD, and was dissapointed to find that it's a 14" performance cleaner--not what I wanted. My only other choice is to go with a stock cleaner and have it chromed. I'm more than a little dissapointed at this point.

I have a question, also. When he installed my radiator, he had to move it forward a little bit on the bracket (by welding it--another reason I'm not happy) I took a picture of where the motor mounts to the transmission and it seems too far forward--does this look right to you?

Any feedback on where to go from here?

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/robthe...gRgCFBixw8K06a

 

Be easy on the mechanic.
Sounds like you are taking him the parts YOU ordered and he is forced to deal with them.
Primer a block? No.

I am not trying to be harsh, but, too many mechanics are forced to take the "cheap" route then the customer is not satisfied with the "cheap" results.

"You get what you pay for".......Always have always will!

 

I feel your pain. been through some of that bs before as well. try to find someone next time who knows older Mustangs or you will end up having to do things two times vs. once.

radiator - there is a lot of junk radiators out there. best advice is to buy as much stuff as possible from a good vendor like NPD. the parts were made for your car vs. your local parts store plus they generally have better quality but not usually cheaper. it's really a "you get what you paid for" adage. also, if installed correctly and nothing is wrong or missing with your radiator support, there is no reason for him to be welding anything. it is supposed to just bolt in there and it doesn't sit exactly flush to the support. mine at least sits about an inch away.

motor paint - it needs to be degreased, power washed, stripped of old paint, cleaned, primed and painted with like a plastikote engine enamel. your situation really depends on "how much you paid" and what specifically was discussed w/ the mechanic. my opinion is that if someone does some half assed work, they are going to re-do it correctly or we are going to discuss money taken off the bill.

air cleaner - i would have the original one if in good enough condition, bead blasted, primed and repainted or find a good one on ebay that you can repaint. the I6'cyl. looks better to me at least with it's original cleaner set up. (matter of taste from one to another).

motor mounts - hard to tell, but your radiator fan should only be around an inch from your radiator. i bet your new radiator is deeper than your original and caused the radiator fan to hit the radiator so he mounted the radiator closer to the support to accomodate for clearance. if that is the case, he should have instructed you to get a smaller fan spacer instead of welding it forward for space. i think 65 6cyl. should have a 3" spacer but 66 had 1.62", 1.91" and a 3" spaces for whatever reason.

good luck and hope this helps.

 

I think you are right about the motor being too far forward. Take a look at this pic from a 6 banger. Looks like you are going to have to tackle the rust issues pretty soon.
http://mustangmonthly.com/techarticl...der_engine.jpg

 

Wanna sell the air filter assem. you got? Or did you return it. I wonder if it'd even work with mine setup though.

 

wow bro, is this your DD? you got a nice looking ride, but same prob as me. in way's i'm a little better of, but in way's you're better off. just curious, where's your export bar? or was that taken off cause of the rust?

 

He probably didn't have an export brace. If he had anything, he had a shock tower to cowl brace. Those are 3 piece deals, whereas the export brace in a one piece affair. But, yeah, that would be one of the first things I would put back on it, along with a monte carlo bar.

 

The mechanic knows that I'm not being stingy with money. I want only the best. This rebuild is costing me about 5 grand.

That being said--when it came ot the radiator, I figured I could save a hundred bucks and get the same quality. I was wrong. I've paid the price and it won't happen again.

Should I pull the motor and primer/repaint? What do I do with that exhaust manifold?

The shock tower to cowl braces were taken off when the motor was installed--just haven't gotten it put back on yet.

19stang66--I've got to return the air cleaner to NPD. The shipping cost alone was $45 (making the total around $85), so hopefully they will pay for the shipping return on this one.

My problem is that there are no "mustang guys" here on the island. I've got to take what I can get. I'll be going to the next mustang club meeting to see if there are any trusted places around.

Thanks for your help.

Rob

 

Strip off the paint from your exhaust manifold. Don't paint your exhaust manifolds, even with hi-temp paint, no matter HOW COOL it looks! The paint burns off under the bolt heads and relieves bolt compression. Iron exhaust manifolds were never meant to be painted.

 

+1

it looks better where the paint came off anyway.