1967 Mercury Cougar

User avatar
Huzer
Posts: 4607
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby Huzer » Sat Apr 15, 2017 9:14

My frustration has subsided a little. I was able to determine where my leaks are coming from, and was able to get the pushrod in, but I still need to remove it to get the brake light switch on and adjust it. In the end, it should be two new flares on some brake lines. One leak is very minor, so my flare was almost good enough. The second line, it's just gushing out, so that one was terrible. For my first time at doing it, I'm not beating myself up too badly, I think the frustration is being 90% there. The good news is, I have more than enough brake line if I screw something up too badly.

I certainly hope to hang on to it and get it finished. If everything is too easy, I guess it's not a challenge and I don't get to learn as much, I tend to be impatient (surprise), so slowing down when things aren't going correctly is a rather new thing for me. A lift would also be super helpful! Ha.

User avatar
Huzer
Posts: 4607
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby Huzer » Mon Apr 17, 2017 9:14

Leaks resolved. The lower line was never even flared after I cut and supposedly reflared it. The flare nut was barely staying on there. The upper line, I reflared, tightened, and all is good. Next phase it to bleed the brakes. Once that's done, I'll fully install the pushrod with the stoplight switch, etc.

Things are better. After I bleed, I'll take it for a maiden voyage in the neighborhood, then take it for an alignment. After that, I'll take a break from working on it, or tackle small projects instead.

User avatar
Huzer
Posts: 4607
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby Huzer » Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:14

IT LIVES! Well, mostly. I have leaks at each caliper where the 90 degree fitting attaches to the caliper. I'll resolve those, rebleed, and should finally be done with the front end project. I drove it up and down the street last night, so once I get the caliper leaks resolved, I'll take it for a longer stroll. I'll try and get the alignment a little better before I take it somewhere. It's all outta whack right now.

User avatar
RX-7 Chris
Posts: 7800
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:14
Location: Colorado Springs
Contact:

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby RX-7 Chris » Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:14

Truth is any project will have setbacks like that.
1984 RX-7 GSL-SE [size=84]My restomod project[/SIZE]


1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL flat black w/ white interior, 2 dr fastback, 390 thunderbird, C6 auto, 2500 rpm high stall converter, shift kit, AC, Holley 750 cfm

[size=100]RIP 1983 RX-7[/SIZE]

My Car Blog

User avatar
Huzer
Posts: 4607
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby Huzer » Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:14

I resolved the leaks, bled the brakes, and I'm good to go. The pedal is nice and firm. Final step will be to adjust the pushrod and reinstall the stoplight switch. Then it's off to alignment. Feels like a long time, but it's only been a few weeks.

The 90 degree fittings in the caliper weren't installed tightly. I had gotten them tight-ish on the caliper when they weren't installed, and had forgotten to fully torque them in after they were mounted on the car, where I could have more leverage getting them tight.

I'll evaluate next steps. I know I want to do the rear springs. I'm unsure if I'll tackle the rear brakes yet or not. Right now, it stops significantly better than it did before, and the pedal effort isn't substantial.

User avatar
Huzer
Posts: 4607
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby Huzer » Mon Apr 24, 2017 9:14

I dropped off the car for an alignment this morning at Stang Auto Tech. They seemed comfortable with the lock out camber bolt set that's on there, but in case they weren't, I tossed a set of OEM style Moog bolts on the seat. I figured rather than get it there and have them say they couldn't/wouldn't do it, I'd rather it be aligned. I also figured $13 from Amazon shipped vs $30 locally for the OEM bolts was a better idea, too.

The drive there went smooth. No rubbing anywhere, the brakes were so smooth that I didn't even think about them until I got to the shop and thought that the pedal had stayed firm the entire time. No slow fade to the floor or anything.

Oh, and happy birthday to the Cougar. It was built 50 years ago today.

User avatar
RX-7 Chris
Posts: 7800
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:14
Location: Colorado Springs
Contact:

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby RX-7 Chris » Mon Apr 24, 2017 9:14

Nice. Just about ready for the first super cruise.
1984 RX-7 GSL-SE [size=84]My restomod project[/SIZE]


1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL flat black w/ white interior, 2 dr fastback, 390 thunderbird, C6 auto, 2500 rpm high stall converter, shift kit, AC, Holley 750 cfm

[size=100]RIP 1983 RX-7[/SIZE]

My Car Blog

User avatar
Huzer
Posts: 4607
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby Huzer » Tue May 02, 2017 9:14

I replaced the plugs and wires this past weekend. I've driven it around a bit, and I really like the car. I still need some more fine tuning, and a couple of small maintenance items, but I may be set for this year. I'd really like to get some seats to make it a comfier ride in the cabin, and just refresh the interior in general.

The brakes are really solid. I don't know if/when I'll put rear discs on. I'd say at this point, it is not a priority. Rear leafs will still happen at some point, as that should be a simple project. A 5 speed swap would go worlds towards making this a really solid cruiser. I still plan on a full drivetrain swap next year.

User avatar
RX-7 Chris
Posts: 7800
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:14
Location: Colorado Springs
Contact:

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby RX-7 Chris » Tue May 02, 2017 9:14

Time to take it out for some cruises.
1984 RX-7 GSL-SE [size=84]My restomod project[/SIZE]


1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL flat black w/ white interior, 2 dr fastback, 390 thunderbird, C6 auto, 2500 rpm high stall converter, shift kit, AC, Holley 750 cfm

[size=100]RIP 1983 RX-7[/SIZE]

My Car Blog

User avatar
Huzer
Posts: 4607
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby Huzer » Mon May 29, 2017 9:14

Adjusted the steering box this weekend. It made a decent difference, but I'll replace it. The manual transmission clutch Z bar linkage limits what I can do, if anything, other than stock. I'll drive it as is for a while, while I determine drivetrain plans for the future.

User avatar
RX-7 Chris
Posts: 7800
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:14
Location: Colorado Springs
Contact:

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby RX-7 Chris » Tue May 30, 2017 9:14

I still think build up the motor you have and install FI on it. Replace the tranny with a T5.
1984 RX-7 GSL-SE [size=84]My restomod project[/SIZE]


1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL flat black w/ white interior, 2 dr fastback, 390 thunderbird, C6 auto, 2500 rpm high stall converter, shift kit, AC, Holley 750 cfm

[size=100]RIP 1983 RX-7[/SIZE]

My Car Blog

User avatar
Huzer
Posts: 4607
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby Huzer » Tue May 30, 2017 9:14

You wouldn't be nervous to build up a 289 already bored 60 over?

User avatar
Shadowden
Posts: 2288
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2011 9:14
Location: Highlands Ranch
Contact:

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby Shadowden » Tue May 30, 2017 9:14

sleeve it?

User avatar
RX-7 Chris
Posts: 7800
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:14
Location: Colorado Springs
Contact:

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby RX-7 Chris » Tue May 30, 2017 9:14

Huzer wrote:You wouldn't be nervous to build up a 289 already bored 60 over?

I wouldn't want to bore it any more but if it was a strong motor I wouldn't have a problem with it. Just don't install a supercharger.

Aluminum heads, high flow duel plane intake, ungraded cam, and fuel injection. Just make sure the cylinder walls are good and you have good even compression. You could always have the motor rebuilt and sleeved at a later date or replace it with a new short block.

It it hasn't already been done, install electronic ignition and upgrade the coil. I put PerTronix Ignitor II with an MSD coil on the Galaxie and it made a huge difference in the way the car started and drove.
1984 RX-7 GSL-SE [size=84]My restomod project[/SIZE]


1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL flat black w/ white interior, 2 dr fastback, 390 thunderbird, C6 auto, 2500 rpm high stall converter, shift kit, AC, Holley 750 cfm

[size=100]RIP 1983 RX-7[/SIZE]

My Car Blog

User avatar
Huzer
Posts: 4607
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14

Re: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Postby Huzer » Tue May 30, 2017 9:14

I need to come down there some time and have you check the car out. Curious what your thoughts would be on it.


Return to “Piston Vehicle”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 39 guests