Classic Ford Mustang Restoration Improvements - Street Survival Guide

Sway Bar Noisy?
We learned this one from JMC Motorsports in San Diego. Urethane bushings can get downright noisy. JMC suggests wrapping the sway bar with Teflon tape at the bushing, which yields freedom of movement without noise.

Traction Bars
Traction bars have always been a wild and crazy bolt-on for those who like to hook up. Who can forget those bright-yellow Lakewood traction bars of the '70s? They're still with us, and you can get yours from Summit Racing Equipment. But what if you desire a softer, quieter approach to traction? You have a couple of options. Shelby-style underride traction bars are available from Mustangs Plus for those who want invisible traction devices. These bars help you hook up at the light when morning commutes become more competitive.

Belt One On
Accessory drivebelts are crucial. Without them, batteries die and engines overheat. Although a lot of us like the original equipment look of reproduction belts, they aren't the best choice for your street-survival arsenal. Belt technology has improved significantly over the past 40 years.Serpentine belts first appeared on the '79 Mustang, and the idea has gotten better with time. You can retrofit your classic Mustang with a serpentine-beltdrive package or find a way to improve the original idea. V-belt technology has also improved significantly in the past few years. Gates, for example, offers conventional V-belts, which have the same benefits as reproduction belts.If you want to improve performance and reliability, try the Gates Polyflex JB belt, which is ribbed for better performance. Ribs increase surface area and get rid of heat better. Gates also offers the Automotive XL belt design, also ribbed. These ribbed belts, although not original in appearance, provide better performance and last longer if you keep them properly adjusted.

Single Wire, Greater Reliability
Vintage Mustang charging systems suffer from many potential problems that can leave you stranded. That external voltage regulator is one of them, especially if it's mechanical. Solid-state regulators help, but they don't eliminate the issue of having too many components in a charging system. Single-wire, high-amperage alternators employ an internal voltage regulator that's easy to service and replace. What's more, there's more power available to support high electrical demands such as a sound system and power windows.The Mr. Amp 100-amp alternator from Performance Distributors provides all the great benefits of a high-amp, single-wire alternator and keeps a decidedly original appearance in the process. Performance Distributors also has Autolite and Motorcraft single-wire, internally-regulated alternators for classic Mustangs. The beauty of both is you can keep the external voltage regulator in place for an original look. The single-wire system completely bypasses the stock regulator without disconnecting anything.

What about A/C?
Classic-Mustang owners are faced with the decision of which refrigerant to use in the air-conditioning system. Systems before '92-'93 had R-12 refrigerant, which the Environmental Protection Agency outlawed ten years ago. This forced us to rely on remaining supplies to service our older Mustangs, so it's scarce and more expensive.There are a lot of substitute refrigerants out there to replace R-12, but they all have disadvantages. R-134a, which became available in 1993, has become the mainstream refrigerant for new and used cars. It doesn't cool as well, and it runs higher head pressures, putting additional stress on automotive A/C systems. However, many of the other substitutes have a certain amount of R-134a in them. So it makes more sense to simply convert to R-134a, which should be done by a qualified air-conditioning specialist.We suggest a larger condenser in front to make the most of your R-134a charge. Your system must be completely flushed clean of R-12 and R-12 oil. If your compressor is marginal, we suggest a new one designed for R-134a refrigerant.

Put the Sport In Sporty
Classic-Mustang bucket seats are known for discomfort. Those hard thrones cut off the circulation in your bottom and don't do much for your back either. TMI Products and Mustangs Plus have a solution, not only for the discomfort, but to remedy mediocre appearance as well. It's called the Sport Seat, a transformation seat kit that bolsters the bottom and rounds out the back. All you need is a Sport Seat kit and a good upholsterer. Regardless of what kind of upholstery you're using, fill out the foam with padding to make your seats more comfortable.

Broomstick In A Barrel
Sloppy shifters not only feel awful, they can leave you stranded whether they're manual or automatic. Getting factory shifters to work like new is easy and takes about an hour. Manual factory shifters need a simple rebuild kit from Scott Drake. Pull the shifter boot, then remove the shifter handle. Clean the handle base, and install new cups, springs, and white grease. You're back in business.

Ditch The Points
The Ignitor, by PerTronix, was the first no-brainer electronic-ignition retrofit for vintage Autolite, Motorcraft, and even some aftermarket distributors. This fiercely reliable ignition system, small enough to hold in your hand, installs in 30 minutes and lasts virtually forever. Switch to electronic ignition for reliable service, improved idle, and better fuel economy.

Should The Unthinkable Happen ...
It's no mystery why vintage-Mustang fuel tanks are a safety hazard. Because the fuel tank is also the trunk floor for '65-'70 models, the integrity in a rear-end collision is always a concern. Look to three potential forms of safety equipment to help you out.Fuel Safe fuel cells, available from Mustangs Plus, are one solution, although costly at around $900 for a Mustang-specific fuel cell, but they are designed to keep you safe in a rear-end collision.If you retain the original tank, then opt for Tank Armor and the rear-seat barrier. Tank Armor, available from Autoworks International, is a thick, heavy stainless steel plate designed to bolt over the Mustang fuel tank to protect the tank from heavy items. It also helps keep fuel contained in a collision, although this cannot be guaranteed even with a Fuel Safe cell.The rear-seat barrier from American Pony helps shut out road noise and keeps fuel out of the passenger compartment in a rear-end collision. These are mandatory safety items when driving a classic Mustang every day.