Try loosening the plug while the engine is hot to see if it will budge at all. I usually find that if the plug moves at all, it can be coaxed out with a liberal application of penetrating oil and rocking the plug in and out by alternately loosening and tightening. Should the hex area break off, the head must be removed so that the remaining threads can be drilled out.
The Old SwitcharooI recently purchased a '68 Mustang fastback. The VIN is 8F02JI35557. The car needs a total restoration. I know what all the VIN codes indicate for this car. So here is my question: Did any '68 Mustang fastbacks come with a factory- or dealer-installed sunroof? This car had a sunroof at one time; the original sunroof came with the car and has Candyapple Red paint on it. Please help with any info you can provide.
I also have a '66 hardtop that I am in the process of restoring. I am switching the six-cylinder for a V-8. My question is, if I have purchased a 289 that came from a '64 Ford Galaxie five-bolt tranny bellhousing, what is the best trans to use for the easiest installation? I am also replacing the rearend on the '66 (from a four-lug to a five-lug). What other Ford makes will interchange with the least amount of trouble?
Also, will you be writing a how-to on floorpan installation on a '66 Mustang in the near future? Your other how-tos have helped greatly in the restorations of both my cars.
Thanks for a great magazine, and keep up the good work.Scott BurggrafBrandenburg, KY
Sunroofs were not available from the factory in 1968, nor was there a factory-designated unit for dealer installation. There were, however, aftermarket units manufactured that could have been installed by either a dealer or other shop.
The five-bolt bellhousing engine will accept any small-block transmission, as long as you obtain the bellhousing with the transmission. I'm not sure if you'd prefer a standard or automatic trans. In either case, a late-model transmission will not bolt-up to a five-bolt bellhousing. Keep in mind that the early, narrow-bolt pattern manual transmission is the safest bet for stick-shifting.
Rear axle housing overall widths changed, along with main body styling changes; however, the distance between leaf spring perches remained unchanged from 1965 to 1973. The best situation is to stay with stock overall widths to avoid tire clearance problems with the quarter-panels. The '65-'66 Mustangs, as well as '64-'65 Falcons, are the same and bolt-in directly. The '57-'59 big Ford axle housings are also of the correct dimensions, but they require the larger 9-inch differential and are not necessary for a basically stock, street-driven vehicle.
Floorpan replacement is quite straightforward, but a competent welder should be employed. Remove the seat reinforcement pan and install one-piece floors for a quality job.
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