Mirror, Mirror, On the DoorI recently purchased a reproduction non-remote mirror for the passenger side of my '65 Mustang. The mirror did not come with a template to show where to drill the screw holes. I have contacted a few vendors, including the one I purchased the mirror from, but none have been able to help me. Do you know where I can get this template?Rob ScheckVia the Internet
As you may know, '65 Mustangs did not come factory equipped with outside rearview mirrors. Some may have been ordered with mirrors, however, most were dealer installed. Even though the mirror came with a template, most technicians were free to mount the mirrors wherever they pleased, thus we find our cars have the mirrors mounted differently from car to car. I'm surprised a template has not survived and been reproduced by today's aftermarket vendors. Most folks simply do what they did in 1965 and mount the mirror where it looks good. By 1966, mirrors were standard equipment and factory installed, so a '66 model serves as a good example.
Since you already have a driver-side mirror, I'd measure its position and install the new passenger-side mirror in the same spot. Unless, of course, the dealer installed your mirror so the window won't open. That has happened.
Idle ProblemsI have a '65 Mustang with a 302 out of an '86 Mustang. I replaced the fuel-injection with an intake and carburetor, and cannot make the car idle. I've changed the carb, distributor, plugs, and wires. I'd like to know if there is a different intake for an early model 302 versus the late-model version.Chris WoodhamSt. Stephens, AL
Although there are a few different intake manifolds for the small-block V-8, they should interchange without incident. I believe you have a vacuum leak between the manifold and cylinder heads. Try squirting some light oil or carb cleaner along the manifold-to-cylinder head joint with the engine running. The oil creates a temporary seal that affects the idle speed if there is indeed a leak. Be sure to tighten the manifold using the pattern illustrated in the shop manual so the manifold seats properly. There are different intake gaskets for various engines, so be sure you have gaskets for your '86 engine. I apply a brush-on, non-hardening gasket sealer to these gaskets because both vacuum and water leaks have bitten me in the past
About Those '70 SpindlesA previous owner installed '70 Mustang spindles and disc brakes on my '66 Mustang. Now I need new chamber rods and ball joints. My question is, which ball joints work with '66 upper and lower arms? Also, are the '70 spindles longer than '66 spindles? I feel my tires are sticking out of the fender a little too much. I'd also appreciate any advice to fix my camber fighting problems between the two front tiresJeff IrvinKahoka, MO
Dimensionally, the '70 Mustang spindles are the same as '66 spindles except for the tie-rod-end opening and wheel-bearing inside diameter. These areas were the weak links on earlier spindles, therefore the addition of '70 spindles is a definite improvement. Ball-joint size is the same for both spindles, so buy '66 ball joints to replace your worn joint, but continue using '70 wheel bearings and tie-rod ends.
I don't understand your situation with the tires or camber, however, the spindle swap will not affect either and should not be the source of the problem. I'd guess you're experiencing an alignment problem that can be easily corrected by a good front-end shop. The car should receive a front-end alignment after ball joint replacement anyway, so do the work before an alignment is performed.
Send your questions to: Beyond the Basics, c/o Bob Aliberto, P.O. Box 205, Salt Point, NY 12578. E-mail us at mustang.monthly@primedia.com.