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Classic Mustang Tool Discussion - It’s Tool Time!Having the right tool for the job can mean saving time (and your sanity) From the December, 2011 issue of Mustang Monthly
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We've all been less than careful with tools over the years. Be honest now, how many times have you used a screwdriver as a pry bar or a scraper? Or perhaps you grabbed that nearby adjustable wrench to use as an impromptu hammer instead of walking back to your toolbox (all of eight feet, right?) to get the correct-sized ball-peen. It's OK, your secret is safe with us. Besides, if we turned you in to the tool police, we'd have to turn ourselves in as well! Getting away with these little "tool transgressions" usually means you were able to complete the task at hand while walking away with all ten fingers intact. Some jobs do require special tools--tools that you really should use for the job in question so that no damage occurs to the vehicle or those aforementioned ten fingers. Nowhere is that more prevalent than working on classic Mustangs. For example, classic Mustangs use stainless windshield trim to conceal and beautify the window glass mounting gasket area. In order to remove these trim pieces, a special window glass molding retaining clip tool is required to release the "death grip" on the trim from those little clips designed by some sadistic engineer from decades past. If you don't use the proper tool, you run the risk of damaging the molding, potentially scratching the nearby paint, or worst of all, breaking the glass. For around five bucks, you can purchase the right tool for the job and save yourself a lot of headaches, not to mention the potential damage to your ride and your wallet. In order to help you help yourself while working on your vintage Mustang project, be it basic maintenance or a full blown resto, we've gathered up a slew of special tools that we've always found helpful when working on our Mustangs. Many of these tools cost under $10 each, with only a select few taking a couple of Jacksons from your wallet, so needless to say, just about anyone can afford to do the job right. Besides, do we really need an excuse to buy more tools? I didn't think so. All it took was a call to National Parts Depot for the majority of these specialty tools, with a few other favorites we already had on hand from Eastwood checking in too. Check out the photos and start making that tool list!  Wiper Tool
Mustang wiper...  Wiper Tool
Mustang wiper arms are splined to the transmission shaft and retained by a high-tension spring clip. Removing the wiper arms for windshield or paint work can easily cause the wiper arms to go flying off, scratching your hood, breaking your windshield, or damaging your windshield molding. Using a pair of wiper arm pliers allows easy, yet controlled, removal of the wiper arms with no drama. Just place under the arm and gently squeeze. The rubber backing on the pliers protects your paint during the process.  Molding Clip Tool
Removing...  Molding Clip Tool
Removing window moldings without damage might be the toughest part of any glass work on your vintage Mustang. Using a molding clip tool, some finesse, and a lot of patience is the only way to get these moldings off in one piece.  A pair of molding pliers,...  A pair of molding pliers, like the ones shown here, is one way. Simply slide one half of the pliers along the molding until you find a clip, then bring the other half of the pliers up to meet the clip and squeeze the pliers. Gently pry up the molding to free it from the clip you're squeezing.  Headlight Bucket Spring Hook...  Headlight Bucket Spring Hook
Everyone has some sort of hook tool, right? Well, not one like this. This little guy is made from tool steel and is designed for installing (or removing) headlight bucket springs.  Those springs are super strong...  Those springs are super strong and needle-nose pliers are not the safe way to do it. Regular hook tools will flex or break, causing paint damage and possible personal injury. Carefully hook the end of the tool onto the pigtail of the headlight bucket spring and pull it towards you with a firm grip to either engage the spring's pigtail or disengage it from the headlight bucket when servicing the headlights, buckets, etc.  Glass Fuse Remover
We've...  Glass Fuse Remover
We've all used a pocket screwdriver or a pen knife to pry out glass fuses, and most of us have been pretty lucky doing it, but I'm sure if you poll your club members you'll find a few who have broken the fuse or cracked the fuse box. For a couple of bucks, every classic Mustang owner should have the proper glass fuse remover shown here. Simply pop it over the fuse, slide the metal lock in place, and pull the fuse out safely and cleanly.  Fuel Line Crimp Pliers
Have...  Fuel Line Crimp Pliers
Have you ever wondered how they crimp those special fuel line clamps on the show cars you see at events? Trying to crimp the clamp down with side cutters makes a mess and you can actually weaken the clamp or cut right through it. The proper crimp pliers, shown here with a new clamp in its jaws, are the best way.  To use the crimp pliers, load...  To use the crimp pliers, load it with a new clamp and slide it over the fuel line hose.  Position the hose on the metal...  Position the hose on the metal line or fuel filter, and squeeze the pliers to properly crimp the clamp in place. Any other way and the clamp won't look right for the judges!  Hog Ring Pliers
Upholstery...  Hog Ring Pliers
Upholstery work on vintage Mustangs is fairly easy. Open your favorite catalog and you'll find full material sets, new seat foam, and more to make the job a DIYer's dream. The only tough part of the job is "hog ringing" the new upholstery in place. You can find hog ring pliers in several styles, including bent nose, straight nose, spring open, and spring shut.  We prefer the spring shut...  We prefer the spring shut style to hold the hog ring in the jaws of the tool and have found both the straight and bent nose beneficial in covering seats.  Upholstery Pliers
Speaking...  Upholstery Pliers
Speaking of upholstery work, wouldn't it be nice if someone had a nifty tool that you could use that would help you hold material and its listing wires in place while you secured them with hog rings? Of course it would, and that's why they make these upholstery pliers for just that purpose. They easily grab vinyl and cloth without damage and allow you to pull the material tight for a wrinkle free look when done.  Wiper Pivot Remover
Got...  Wiper Pivot Remover
Got an early Mustang with threaded windshield wiper pivots? This little guy will be your best friend when it comes time to remove the wiper transmission, replace the chrome pivot shaft bezels, or paint your car. It quickly allows the user to install or remove the chrome bezels with no fuss or damage.  Bezel Tools
It's time to...  Bezel Tools
It's time to retire that old pair of needle nose pliers you use just for dash bezel trim. Yeah, I'm talking to you. One slip of the hand and your freshly painted dash is ruined.  Don't be cheap. Pick up this...  Don't be cheap. Pick up this nifty bezel tool for under 20 bucks and it'll easily thread wiper and headlight bezel nuts without any danger of scratching the dash.  While the '65-'66 Mustang's...  While the '65-'66 Mustang's ignition switch uses a spring-loaded locking mechanism with a keyed dash opening, the '67-'68 Mustang's ignition switch bezel threads onto the switch to secure it to the dash. Once again, a specialty bezel tool can handle the job best.  A separate tool is available...  A separate tool is available for '69 Mustangs, too.  Terminal Removal Tool
Much...  Terminal Removal Tool
Much of the vintage Mustang's wiring is simple plug-in connectors, but there are a few locations where new wiring requires the reuse of the original plug, such as when replacing a turn signal switch.  A terminal removal tool like...  A terminal removal tool like the one shown here makes extraction from the connector a breeze. It works with flat and round pin terminals. Simply insert it into the connector to disengage the terminal lock and pull the wire free of the connector. Don't waste time digging around with a screwdriver or pick tool; you'll just destroy the connector and/or terminals. Ask us how we know!  Headliner Tucker
Headliners...  Headliner Tucker
Headliners are never a fun project, but having the right tools can certainly help. This headliner "spoon" is used to tuck headliner material behind trim panels, into windlace, and so forth without tearing it.  Coil Spring Compressor
A...  Coil Spring Compressor
A coil spring compressor isn't really what some would call a specialty tool just for Mustangs, but we did want to mention this heavy-duty workhorse for one reason--get the right one! External spring compressors are tough, if not impossible, to use in the cramped shock towers of vintage Mustangs. The internal-type compressor, one style of which is shown here, really makes the job easier and safer.  Remember that the end coils...  Remember that the end coils need to be clear in order for the spring to properly seat on the spring perch and upper seat. Using the compressor as shown here will allow easy installation and you won't have to take it all back apart and move the compressor down a coil--a mistake we made once or twice "back in the day."  Trim Tool
Several of the...  Trim Tool
Several of the tools we've shown so far are available with this 10-in-1 trim tool. This baby can handle headlight springs, windshield moldings, wiper mounts, clip-on window cranks, door trim panel retainers, and more. It's certainly a handy and very used tool in our arsenal.  Window Tool
Don't risk breaking...  Window Tool
Don't risk breaking your door glass by clamping a vice grip wrapped in a shop rag to hold the glass up while working on a window regulator or window track (you know who you are!). This tool doesn't see too much use in our shop, but when we need it we're glad we have it.  Simply slide the tool into...  Simply slide the tool into the door cavity so that the rubber coated end grabs the window glass and the top of the tool extends outside the door shell. Lock the tool in place with the rubber coated handle by sliding it down over the tool and engaging the hole closest to the door shell. Your glass isn't going anywhere.  Pulley Tools
Do you know...  Pulley Tools
Do you know that Ford's power steering pulley is a press fit affair? Don't wait to find out the morning of that power steering pump replacement project! Pick up the right tools before the job. The power steering pulley removal tool is shown here.  To use the pulley removal...  To use the pulley removal tool, place the tool on the snout of the power steering pulley, capturing the pulley's snout. Slip the lock ring over the tool to hold it all in place and then tighten the inner shaft on the tool to pull the pulley off the pump.  To install your new or existing...  To install your new or existing pulley, you could use the el cheapo tool (basically a bolt and washer) that comes with your power steering pump, if it came with one at all. Or you can use the tool shown here. The large surface area applies even pressure and has a bearing to reduce turning resistance.  Thread the installation tool...  Thread the installation tool into the power steering pump's shaft until it seats and then turn the outer nut clockwise to press the pulley onto the pump.  Throw your power steering...  Throw your power steering belt on while the tool is still in place and verify the belt is running true, otherwise you can adjust the pulley's placement with either of the two pulley tools we've shown you here.  Clip-On Door Handles
Unless...  Clip-On Door Handles
Unless you have an early '65 model, most Mustang owners don't realize that Ford used clip-on style door handles and window cranks on those cars. The easiest way to slip these handles off without damage to the shaft or tearing the door panel is with a door handle tool. Slide it behind the handle and apply pressure to the retaining spring to free the handle from the shaft.  Once you have the door handles...  Once you have the door handles off, you'll need to get the door panel itself out of the way to work on your door's insides. A typical late-model door trim tool will scratch the painted door shells of the vintage Mustang, so always use a nylon based tool like this panel tool. It allows easy door panel removal and will not scratch painted surfaces.  Paper Clip
Alright, we've...  Paper Clip
Alright, we've saved the best tool for last--the almighty paper clip--because that's the only way you're going to get your ignition switch tumbler out of your vintage Mustang. Just ask Editor Farr how much fun ignition switch replacement can be!  Bend one end of the paperclip...  Bend one end of the paperclip 90 degrees open. Disconnect your battery and turn your ignition switch to the "ACC" position. Slip the bent end of the paper clip into the release mechanism hole on the face of the tumbler and then continue to turn the ignition switch tumbler further counter-clockwise to release the tumbler from the switch.  Bend one end of the paperclip...  Bend one end of the paperclip 90 degrees open. Disconnect your battery and turn your ignition switch to the "ACC" position. Slip the bent end of the paper clip into the release mechanism hole on the face of the tumbler and then continue to turn the ignition switch tumbler further counter-clockwise to release the tumbler from the switch.  Bottle Opener/Molding Remover...  Bottle Opener/Molding Remover
Wait a minute. That's a bottle opener. What kind of tool is that? Glad you asked. What you see here is the magic key for removing drip rail moldings on vintage Mustangs. Long a secret of restoration shops and those in the know, we're spilling the beans on this little wonder tip.  For the '65-'70 drip rail...  For the '65-'70 drip rail molding, simply wrap the opener's bottle cap end with a few passes of electrical tape and then use the opener to slowly and carefully twist the molding off of the drip rail, starting at the end and working your way around the molding.  Here's another view, showing...  Here's another view, showing the tool's bottle cap catch tab and how it grabs the molding to "roll" it off of the drip rail. Nifty, huh?  Here's another view, showing...  Here's another view, showing the tool's bottle cap catch tab and how it grabs the molding to "roll" it off of the drip rail. Nifty, huh?
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