Flying Ace's 1970 Convertible Restoration Project

[Flying Ace]

OK, folks. It's time to start the work. I figured that I'd follow suit like others have done here and start a thread on my progress. I've turned my outbuilding into a garage. I've been preparing for the past year and a half to turn it into a good workplace by pouring cement, adding a lift and all the stuff I need to work on the car.

Here she is now before I get started. She sure doesn't look bad at first glance.

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0326.sized.jpg

[Flying Ace]

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0327.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0328.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0329.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0332.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0333.sized.jpg

[Flying Ace]

Some Interior Pics..

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0339.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0338.sized.jpg

Here's the ORIGINAL COLOR, chestnut metallic:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0341.sized.jpg

And the Engine Compartment:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0343.sized.jpg

Kinda scary seeing her up in the air. I was worried about lifting a convertible, but she seems solid enough not to cause any concern.

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0385.sized.jpg

[SlimeGold 69]

Good job on your garage. Nice lift! That will come in handy for sure. The car looks nice in the pictures. Does it have hidden rust problems or do you just want to start from scratch and build it your way? Good luck.

[Flying Ace]

Now for the ugly stuff...

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0349.sized.jpg

Passenger floorboard seems solid:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0351.sized.jpg

But the driver's side needs replacing:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0352.sized.jpg

And checkout the expert work done on the trunk dropoffs...:blink:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0362.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0363.sized.jpg

The lower rear quarters look like they need some work as well.. I did the magnet test and there's definitely some bondo in there. Also the lower corners of the passenger door have some bubbles. Otherwise, that's all I've found so far that really stood out.

I'm pulliing the interior next to see what's waiting for me.

[Flying Ace]

Good job on your garage. Nice lift! That will come in handy for sure. The car looks nice in the pictures. Does it have hidden rust problems or do you just want to start from scratch and build it your way? Good luck.

Well, I'm starting with the basics and getting the body clean and straight. I figure by then, I'll decide what to do. I definitely want to take her back to the original color. Still undecided as to whether I'm going to do any mods.

[Pakrat]

Looks like you have a great place to work and a really soild car to work on, most folks would be happy with it the way it is and half of the garage. I only have a single with hydraulic jack and stands.

Odds are you will find even cleaner examples of that original paint behind that back seat. Have you set a budget and decided on a game plan yet? Are you doing a complete disassmble and rebuild?

[Pakrat]

BTW, have you ever checked the cowl area out yet? By the looks of the floor that may become first on the list if it is rotted like most are.

[Flying Ace]

Odds are you will find even cleaner examples of that original paint behind that back seat. Have you set a budget and decided on a game plan yet? Are you doing a complete disassmble and rebuild?

Thanks. Actually, I just started to check it out I haven't set a budget, but have a few grand set aside from a recent bike sale (my other hobby). I'm thinking a complete disassemble and rebuild and toying with whether or not I should invest in one of those rotisserie stands. I haven't checked the cowl area yet, but it sure looks like the passenger torque box needs replaced too.

I can't wait to see what the tear down reveals..:crying:

[burritoboi5]

Wow man, I would love to get a lift but can't put it in the parents' garage. Maybe someday. It looks like you've got a really nice setup. The rotisserie would be nice but shit with a lift and as little rust work as your car apparantley needs you may find that money better spent elsewhere. Oh and what are your plans for the motor? Rebuild/revamp more power?

[SlimeGold 69]

Looks very solid for a vert. It should make a nice car when you get it done and it will be a color you don't see very often. You think your dropoffs have some ugly repair work? Trust me, it could be alot worse. Example..... The guy I got my car from promised me it had the original quarters. Well it does but someone installed full quarter skins overtop the originals. To add insult to injury they used pop rivets. So both rear quarters have all the rust they did before plus about 100 1/8" holes drilled in them:fuk2: . I plan on doing the body this winter and I dread to see what else I'll find. They used the same expert technique of rust repair on the trunk drop-offs. New pannels pop rivited over the rusted originals. Lucky for me the rest of the underside is very solid. While your at it, go for some mods and have fun!

[Flying Ace]

Wow man, I would love to get a lift but can't put it in the parents' garage. Maybe someday. It looks like you've got a really nice setup. The rotisserie would be nice but shit with a lift and as little rust work as your car apparantley needs you may find that money better spent elsewhere. Oh and what are your plans for the motor? Rebuild/revamp more power?


Not sure what to do exactly, I sure have some time to figure that one out. Definitely a rebuild/restoration...still thinking about the mod thing.

[burritoboi5]

If it were me I would atleast cam up the engine and maybe put on new intake/cylinder heads/carb. Make it go fast :tooth:

[Flying Ace]

OK, Got started on removing the interior today..

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0392.sized.jpg

So far, not looking too bad..

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0393.sized.jpg

I almost didn't want to lift up the sound deadener..:sweatdrop:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0396.sized.jpg

When I pulled up the Driver's side, I found the build sheet!!! Can't hardly read it though. It was sitting on the left side of the tunnel. Looks like I pulled up half the floor with the Deadener too!!:scared:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0399.sized.jpg

Yikes!!

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0407.sized.jpg

[Flying Ace]

All in all, it was better than I expected. Other than the front, which I knew I was in for some work, everything from the seats back look pretty good..

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0405.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0406.sized.jpg

Here's a close up of the driver's floor, pretty much gone as well as the foot panel.

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0401.sized.jpg

Passenger floor. Not so sure it's salvageable yet..:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0404.sized.jpg

From the seat pans on back, the floor looks very solid with only surface rust. Next on the list is to pull the fenders and check out the cowl area.

[Pakrat]

By the look of the floors the cowl is probably not in great shape but you never know. Scary to think you could have used Fred Flintstone type brakes to stop if you had to all this time you have been driving it eh?:sweatdrop:

[Flying Ace]

By the look of the floors the cowl is probably not in great shape but you never know. Scary to think you could have used Fred Flintstone type brakes to stop if you had to all this time you have been driving it eh?:sweatdrop:

That's what I'm afraid of, but time will tell. Yeah, there wasn't much between my feet and the road. I was surprised how it pulled apart when I pulled the sound deadener.

[bnickel]

i'm betting the cowl is in good shape. the cowl panels on our cars are much less to prone to rust than the earlier models, in fact it's actually fairly rare to see a 69/70 that has a rusted out cowl. i know there are a couple on here that have some pretty severely rusted cowls but i believe those are life long east coast cars too.

[Flying Ace]

Well, I have all of the front sheetmetal off now.
http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0444.sized.jpg

These are shots of the cowl area and through the plug holes in the top of each end. It looks mostly like surface rust. When I pull the vents out, I'll know for sure.

Passenger side:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0447.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0455.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0464.sized.jpg

Driver's side:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0450.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0454.sized.jpg

[Flying Ace]

I think just the floor pans, foot panels and torque boxes need replaced. You can see the hole in the panel above the passenger torque box:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0456.sized.jpg

The driver's side doesn't look as bad on the outside but has a hole through the foot panel and torque box rusted through on the inside.

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0452.sized.jpg

[dlinebar]

Hey, you have some work in front of you but it is not so bad...How did you take those pictures of your cowl???? I want to see mine....Anyway My very was way worse and I had to replace all the stuff you are talking about i documented it if you have not seen it

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/classicstang

Keep up the good work!

Dan

[Flying Ace]

I poked the camera lense into the plug holes at the top of the cowl to take the pics.

I also had a LED light stick shoved into the bottom of the drain hole so I could see what was going on in there.

[Flying Ace]

Hey, you have some work in front of you but it is not so bad...How did you take those pictures of your cowl???? I want to see mine....Anyway My very was way worse and I had to replace all the stuff you are talking about i documented it if you have not seen it

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/classicstang

Keep up the good work!

Dan

Nice site and documentation. How and where did you support your car when doing the frame rail and floor work? I'm most worried about cutting out the torque boxes and the floor. I have a rotisserie and door and cross braces, but am still unclear as to how much work I need to do before I put it on it.

[Flying Ace]

Well, I'm almost there, the engine and tranny and driveshaft are out..
Doors and windshield came out next.

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0544.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0598.sized.jpg
http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0597.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0594.sized.jpg

Parts are everywhere!!

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0599.sized.jpg

[Pakrat]

Ha, I'd kill for a work space like that to scatter parts everywhere. I don't think there is a room in my house right now that doesn't have some Mustang parts in it. Plus I have to roll my car out into the driveway and up on jackstands every day I want to work on it.

[Flying Ace]

My "garage" started as a dirt and stone floor outbuilding that we kept a bunch of stuff in. It took me a couple of years to get it to this point (and a few $$) but I'm happy with the way it turned out. It is a very nice workplace. I had this project in mind for many years and finally I'm underway!

[mustangmanny]

Ace,
If you dont mind me asking. How much was the lift you bought? What is your ceiling height? Im looking to purchase a lift myself in the near future. thanks for any info.

Your doing a great job. Keep up the good work!

[Flying Ace]

Ace,
If you dont mind me asking. How much was the lift you bought? What is your ceiling height? Im looking to purchase a lift myself in the near future. thanks for any info.

Your doing a great job. Keep up the good work!

It's a Rotary A10ip and I got it for $3,200 installed. I could have gone cheaper, but I know Rotary is a quality and safe product. It even has a LCD screen that shows pick up points for all models of cars and trucks and Preventative maintenance schedules that alert you to safety check stuff.

Here's the brochure: http://www.rotarylift.com/library/webPost/marCom_Materials/14.pdf

It's an asymetric two post lift capable of lifting 10,000 pounds. If you're looking to get one, get an asymetric lift. It allows you to open your doors all the way without dinging them. It also has 110vac gfci outlets as well as compressed air ports on each side.

My ceilings are only 10ft. high but the unit is configurable from 11 1/2 to 13 1/2 feet, and I have the uprights going through the rafters. I could modify the rafters, but I didn't, it lifts most cars up to get under them with only a slight bending over and it's high enough to do anything I need. There's also a safety bar/switch (that it comes with) that I installed on the rafters to shut it down before crunching any roofs.

[mustangmanny]

WOW! Thats a great price.:thumbup: Who installed it? I'd like to get there number. I dont live too far from Reading, Pa. i'm in Broomall, Pa. right outside of West Chester. I've gotten quote's from 5k and up. Were you happy with there work? I was also looking into Mohawk lifts. but that is a great price for a topp of the line lift. I'd rather buy a Rotory brand lift. We use them at work and there awsome.

Thanks for the info,
Manny

[Flying Ace]

WOW! Thats a great price.:thumbup: Who installed it? I'd like to get there number. I dont live too far from Reading, Pa. i'm in Broomall, Pa. right outside of West Chester. I've gotten quote's from 5k and up. Were you happy with there work? I was also looking into Mohawk lifts. but that is a great price for a topp of the line lift. I'd rather buy a Rotory brand lift. We use them at work and there awsome.

Thanks for the info,
Manny

Manny,

I'm an idiot. I posted the wrong price ( I went back and checked the receipt). Your post made me think twice. I had it installed two years ago and the lift cost $3,865.00 (apparently I forgot about the deposit I paid on it). Anyway, I think I remember him cutting me a break on the delivery and install and it was around $4,200.00 installed. A big difference. Sorry.

Anyway, I got it from Spatz Hydraulics in Fleetwood, PA just north of Reading. 610-944-9166. Good people to deal with.

[mustangmanny]

Not a problem. I'll give them a call anyway.

Thanks for the info.
And keep us updated on the project.

[reaper]

Nice car as per your dropoffs, this type of work is usually done by a regular body shop and not a restoration place. I have seen butcher jobs on vintage cars that the owner paid good money only to find out when they decide to repaint the car down the road (recently on a shelby, it's crimminal !). Anyway your car from your pics looks solid, I'm sure that you might have to cut out and replace the floor pans like most stangs and take car of those dropoffs. I hope that will be the extent of your surprises with the car, Good Luck !!! ( P.S. you should place plastic sheets on your garage floor before beginning your project, only kidding it's an awesome work place.

[Flying Ace]

Got the braces on and most of of the stuff out. Only thing left is suspension:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0670.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0669.sized.jpg

With the dash out, I can clearly see the damage to the footboards and firewall, the cowl turned out to be OK..

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0671.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0672.sized.jpg

[Pakrat]

Cool braces, I like those. Everytime I see a floor board pic of these cars I become more and more amazed that some how my car escaped this common problem and still has it's originals in tact and solid.

[Flying Ace]

Cool braces, I like those. Everytime I see a floor board pic of these cars I become more and more amazed that some how my car escaped this common problem and still has it's originals in tact and solid.

I got the braces from Accessible Systems. They should do the trick..

It is amazing you have good original floors! I got replacements, but am a bit annoyed that they don't make 69-70 floor pans with the proper ribbing..

[Pakrat]

Yeah I was pretty freakin surprised, just a little surface rust that cleaned right up. I was totally bummed not to find a build sheet though.

[burritoboi5]

not fair, you have far too little rust.

[Flying Ace]

Yeah I was pretty freakin surprised, just a little surface rust that cleaned right up. I was totally bummed not to find a build sheet though.

Damn, that looks great!

[70vert]

yes, far, far too little rust. This is me:

http://homepage.mac.com/jbauder/PhotoAlbum69.html

the during: http://homepage.mac.com/jbauder/PhotoAlbum73.html

and some after, with beefy through-the-floor subframes, the way ford SHOULD have done it: :)

http://web.mac.com/jbauder/iWeb/6970clutchpedals/tinmansubframes.html

[Flying Ace]

yes, far, far too little rust. This is me:

http://homepage.mac.com/jbauder/PhotoAlbum69.html

the during: http://homepage.mac.com/jbauder/PhotoAlbum73.html

and some after, with beefy through-the-floor subframes, the way ford SHOULD have done it: :)

http://web.mac.com/jbauder/iWeb/6970clutchpedals/tinmansubframes.html


Wow!! Nice Recovery! What is the SEM product you refer to in your pics?

[Flying Ace]

Finally got the suspension off!! I didn't have problems with any of the hardware up until this point, but the right leaf spring front bolt was frozen in it's collar and required the sawzall to rectify.

Anyway, she's finally on the rotisserie!!! Woohoo!!

It was kinda funny and a little scary at first but when I rotated it, 37 years of loose crud found it's way to the floor..

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0701.sized.jpg

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0700.sized.jpg

[burritoboi5]

You really have too many toys for a simple floor pan replacement.

Here's a similiar product to the SEM. It's what I used.

http://www.stoprust.net/

[Flying Ace]

I wish it was just a floor pan replacement!

So far it's looking like:

Left & Right Floor Pans, Torque boxes and toeboards
Right outer Wheehouse
Right Rear Quarter
Left Rear Quarter
Right Front Fender Apron
Left Rear fender Apron


It was interesting to find that the Right rear fender was replaced from an accident early in it's life and there's also a lower patch on the outer wheelhouse. I could tell by the part number and tag on the inside of the fender. You can now see the seam where it was cut in at the top body line. Sometime after that the repair rusted out and was patched behind the wheel.

I'm also finding traces of body filler on the various parts of the body. I'll know for sure now that I'm getting ready to strip and media blast it.

I'm fortunate to have the tools, I know, it sure makes things a bit easier and I also know it's going to be quite some time before she's back on the road.

[Pakrat]

It is amazing and almost scary at times what you find on a car once you start digging. I would have never guessed by the before photos that your car needed all that, it really looked like a nice solid driver. A very wise and old time original owner on the Stangnet forums that went by the name of SuperDave used to say "A little bondo and a little paint can make a Mustang what it ain't".

Even though it's a been a long and trying nearly 4 years now to get my car back on the road after the accident it was nice to actually totally disassemble and strip it and finally know for sure that it was as solid as I always suspected. I could have easily moved on to another car that appeared a better prospect and turned out not to be. With your ultimate work space and tools though this car is going to be more than you ever hoped for when it's done no matter how long it takes. I've had some serious depression times being off the road for so long but going through the total build stage has been alomst as fun some times too, you'll never have the chance to be so personal and part of a car you love as you do now.

[Flying Ace]

I agree with that 100%. I haven't had one moment yet where I was really pissed off or anything like that. I'm taking it easy and slow trying to do the right things. I like the fact that soon I'll know the whole story on what was done to the car and the satisfaction of what I have done and will be doing to it.

[Flying Ace]

Started a Media Blasting session over the weekend after I removed most of the undercoating. The process took a bit longer than I expected, but taking my time. I got most of the rear floor area clean and then I treated it with Picklex 20 (http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=6RCC) to hold off on any flash rusting:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0741.sized.jpg

Not too bad. I found a couple of very small holes in the rear floor, now I'm contemplating rear pan replacement or just plug welding the holes. The floor itself is pretty solid in the rear otherwise:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0742.sized.jpg

Here's a close up of one of the holes:

http://www.1969stang.com/albums/Scotts-1970-Convertible/IMG_0743.sized.jpg

[Pakrat]

Looking good, I don't think I'd go thru replacing a whole pan for something like that.

[Flying Ace]

I'm still here guys!!

It's just been a bit slow. I've done two more media blasting sessions since my last post. Hope to get some more pics up this weekend..