[Ears]

Introducing Aqua Pony

As thread title states; things I’d consider differently:
1. Borgeson or factory instead if EPAS, assuming steering wheel would return to center. EPAS needs LOTS of castor.
2. forget console- complicates a great many things, namely prevents underdash a/c unit.
3. underdash A/C provided above stipulation
4. opt for a Four barrel and manifold instead of original 2 bbl set-up.
5. Dual exhaust, instead of stock single.
6. Black interior instead of a lighter color (unless going for “originality”).
7. original radiator instead of adding cores, etc. complicates condenser mounting.
8. reuse more original parts, rather than re-pop if originals can be “restored”. Repop **** don’t fit for beans…
9. Spend more on insulation and sound-proofing!
10. Invest money instead of buying and restoring an old car. At current rates, even buying a cd with what I have in this project would go a long way toward a complete running similar car in 4-5 years.

So, would I do it again? Hell yes!!! I don’t have regrets; just experiences…

 

[jonk67]

Four barrel/ manifold and dual exhaust vs. what? I'm not sure what you're 'rethinking' there?
So EPAS has a hard time returning to center? I probably won't change my factory PS for years but always interested in knowing the pros/ cons of what's out there.

I haven't done the first start on my '67 yet but already regret not going with a 5 sp. vs. the AOD just for the fun/ nostalgia of it. Car was originally a C4 so the 5 sp. conversion would have $ a lot more and more work 15 yrs. ago when I started.

 

[Ears]

Four barrel/ manifold and dual exhaust vs. what? I'm not sure what you're 'rethinking'

Edited…

love the EPAS except the centering aspect. Install is a breeze and effort is easily adjustable. Also, no more junk hanging off of the engine, and no additional hydraulics/oils…

 

[Road Racer]

I wouldn't have made my wife's car faster than mine. I lost my first race with her, what was I thinking.

 

[nrowles]

I wouldn't have made my wife's car faster than mine. I lost my first race with her, what was I thinking.

 

[nrowles]

Putting a 570hp+ motor in is something I'd rethink because in addition to the motor everything it led into has cost me a small fortune. I highly doubt I would change my mind though, I smile ear to ear every time I push the skinny pedal.

Something I would rethink and change is the passenger side frame rail needed replaced which I did. However, the driver side trunk floor was in rough shape and I was so stressed about the time it took me to get that out on the passenger side I let it alone on the driver side. Now it's completely coated in Lizard Skin so it's staying that way. Should have installed the new one.

Another thing is I should have removed all the paint in the engine bay when the motor was out so when I painted it there wouldn't be visible chunks of prior layers missing here and there.

 

[69RR]

Would have either bought my 347 from Blueprint or Tristar Motors instead of having it built locally. Would have used a 5.0 block instead of an older block.

 

[Mustang_Charlie]

Looking back, we changed my Dad’s 73 from a white interior to black. He preferred the darker color. Now he is gone, and it is too hot in the summer. I don’t have any original pieces because I did this in early 80s.
Edit: My car I should have started many years ago, instead of letting it sit!!

 

[4digital]

View attachment 1006313
Introducing Aqua Pony

As thread title states; things I’d consider differently:
1. Borgeson or factory instead if EPAS, assuming steering wheel would return to center. EPAS needs LOTS of castor.
2. forget console- complicates a great many things, namely prevents underdash a/c unit.
3. underdash A/C provided above stipulation
4. Four barrel and manifold instead of original 2 bbl.
5. Dual exhaust, instead of stock single.
6. Black interior instead of a lighter color (unless going for “originality”).
7. original radiator instead of adding cores, etc. complicates condenser mounting.
8. reuse more original parts, rather than re-pop if originals can be “restored”. Repop **** don’t fit for beans…
9. Spend more on insulation and sound-proofing!
10. Invest money instead of buying and restoring an old car. At current rates, even buying a cd with what I have in this project would go a long way toward a complete running similar car in 4-5 years.

So, would I do it again? Hell yes!!! I don’t have regrets; just experiences…

Sorry for being confused, but to clarify, are you saying you'd consider staying with the 2bbl, or are you saying you did stay with the 2bbl and should have considered doing the four and manifold? I'm considering that change on an otherwise stock 289.

 

[Ears]

Sorry for being confused, but to clarify, are you saying you'd consider staying with the 2bbl, or are you saying you did stay with the 2bbl and should have considered doing the four and manifold? I'm considering that change on an otherwise stock 289.

Things I'd reconsider...
opt for a 4 bbl and manifold instead of staying with 2 bbl original set-up...

 

[New2me]

I would not have put in kick panel speakers. My feet don't have ears. Instead I would have gotten an upgraded replacement for the in dash speaker.

Also, every now and then I think I shouldn't have reused the explorer cam in my 5.0 and instead went with something that didn't run out of breath at 5k rpm and put a lower gear in the rear end. Then, I remind myself that it already goes fast enough to scare me.

 

[richardsimon52]

Things I'd reconsider...
opt for a 4 bbl and manifold instead of staying with 2 bbl original set-up...

Easily remedied...

 

[Blues Power]

Calling summit back in the 80s for HP stuff. Fancy dizzy, oversized 4v carb, big yella coil, huge 9mm wires, MSD ,pertronix, fancy manifolds etc etc

Car never ran right until i put it back to bone stock 20 yrs ago. With points.

 

[AZHTR]

Would have either bought my 347 from Blueprint or Tristar Motors instead of having it built locally. Would have used a 5.0 block instead of an older block.

AGREE a 100% (I did use a 5.0 block - one piece rear main is awesome)

 

[69RR]

AGREE a 100% (I did use a 5.0 block - one piece rear main is awesome)

Grrr I hate you! Just kidding

 

[myfirstcar66]

I have ZERO regrets on what I've modified because it has all been to add safety, reliability, power, comfort and sportiness using only stuff available when new - exception being the radio has modern guts and I have 6 hidden speakers...
The only thing I wish had never happened was my crash in 1995 because they're only original once and in spite of the body man's best (?) efforts, the bottom of the quarter isn't right and some right front fender rust he "repaired" came back after 25 years.
I LOVE my car and now I'm even partial to its imperfections.

 

[Master Hack]

All my mulligans involve motorcycles.. or females

 

[rthouck]

I would not buy from Mike Maier inc - it took over 16 months for my parts to arrive (and they arrived wrong and I’m still waiting).

 

[Nailbender]

6. Black interior instead of a lighter color (unless going for “originality”).

Out of economic necessity most of my old cars have ended up with black interiors. I refused to do it on this car although I did run black racing seats for a while and I hated them, blink’in hot! Currently trying to make various Palomino's get along with my new Mr. Mike's Fiero seat upholstery. It’s an ongoing pain in the butt to get right but I will prevail in the end. Sticking with the interior color I want is an idea that I'm following through with so that in the end I don't regret taking the easy way out with black. With SEM products and proper prep you can change your interior to black or any other color and the color will last as long as the materials that is applied on do. All vinyl or leather is dyed at some point.

I appreciate your comment #3 on under dash air. I have totally changed my tune on the aftermarket air conditioning systems because all the aftermarket vents look dopey under the dash on 65-66 cars. Might as well go with the original dopey under dash system and keep the factory fresh air vents. If the aftermarket systems had fresh air capabilities, I would be more likely to consider them.

 

[Clinto]

EPAS needs LOTS of castor.

Like how much? I bought EPAS because I got a screaming good deal on a brand new kit. I have a Chocko 16:1 box and I reckon I am gonna' buy the low friction ball joints in the hope that they'll help. Back injury and muscling that manual steering w/ sticky 225 tires just aren't compatible.

How much caster did you have to plug in?

Thanks

In terms of mistakes on my cars:

• Buy the closest thing to what you want. if you want a red 4spd, don't buy a green automatic and think "well, I can also change it"
• Buy the best car you can afford
• Don't cut corners. Every time I've cut corners, or tried to save money, I've regretted it.
• Don't buy a coupe if you really want a fastback