Getting Your Mustang Ready for Spring

This should be the year you go PerTronix in your Autolite or Motorcraftpoint-triggered distributor. The PerTronix Ignitor or Ignitor II willmake a difference you can feel in performance--smoother idle, easierstarting, better fuel economy, and cleaner emissions. We've been usingthe Ignitor in our Mustangs for more than 10 years, and it's one of thebest modifications you can make to an early Mustang.

After you've installed new spark plugs and a PerTronix Ignitor, theignition timing needs to be set properly. Adjust it for total advance,not necessarily timing at idle. With the vacuum advance working, rev theengine to 3,500 rpm and hold it there. Total timing should be 36 degreesBTDC. That's exactly 2 inches to the right of TDC on your small-blockFord balancer. Mark it or use timing tape to get it accurate.

Change the fuel filter. Get off to the right start with an unobstructedfilter and fresh fuel hoses. The hoses tend to dry-rot, which makes themunsafe. Make sure the fuel hoses you buy are actually for use with fuel,as it's easy to get it mixed up. Today's automotive fuels are harsh,which mandates the right hose.

Start the year off right with new belts, as they become stretched anddry-rotted during the winter. Good, flexible belts ensure properaccessory operation.

No one wants to suffer a boil-over, so here's a quick tip. Flush yourMustang's cooling system every spring and install fresh coolant. Youwant a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water. Antifreeze is there for threereasons: boil-over protection because it raises the coolant's boilingpoint, freeze protection because it lowers the freezing point, andcorrosion protection. Never run straight water in your Mustang's coolingsystem. Install a new thermostat and inspect the hoses while you'rethere. Classic Mustangs take a 180-degree thermostat, and late-modelsget a 192- or 195-degree thermostat.

If you've been plagued with overheating problems, you need to determinewhy. The standard, canned response is, "Old Mustangs run hot." This isnonsense. Outfit your Mustang with a high-capacity radiator, fan, andshroud to keep engine temperatures safe.

This is a good time to handle pesky maintenance issues, like noisyalternator bearings, a leaky power-steering pump, a groaningair-conditioning compressor, bad idler-pulley bearings, and more. Getthis stuff out of the way before summer driving begins.

We don't give this area enough attention, and often ignore itcompletely. Steering systems don't get our attention until they quit,which is stupid. Inspect your power-steering system (hoses, controlvalve, power ram, and ball-stud). If the ball-stud comes out of thecontrol valve, you'll lose your steering completely. Inspect this guyclosely and replace any marginal hoses. Inspect the rag joint betweenthe steering column and gear on tilt-wheels.