My Grandson's '66 Mustang Trip

(I thought I posted this last night but it was late and I was tired so here goes again)

Today, my oldest son asked me to go with him and his son (my Grandson) to look at and maybe buy a '66 Mustang so we left my house a little after lunch. The location of the car was about a 3 hour drive but we made it fine there and back. The little 289 ran like a top and there was never any drips or drools where we stopped for gas and (a very late) lunch. David and I both drove it some and the only two things we noticed were a slight whine in the rear end at around 60/65 and occasionally you could hear what sounded like a lifter tapping but not always. The Grandson doesn't have his license yet so he had to be content as a passenger and even tho it didn't have AC and it is Dog Days Of Summer here in Texas - - - he wanted to ride in the Stang all the way back. I'm afraid that ?we? have created a monster. LOL I'm sure that there will be little things that need attending as they start using it but we all were so pleased with it's performance today.

Looking it over
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1376189699

Trying it out for ?size?
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1376189735

Headed home
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1376189819

First fill-up
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1376189823

Let's go eat - I'm starving
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1376189823

Great lunch ! Old German Towns are way cool
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1376189823

Nothing but Rice Dryers and Water Towers for scenery
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1376189821

Back on the road headed home
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1376189824

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1376189822

Home Sweet Home - - - a long day but a great day
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1376189825

Very cool, an fun cars, especially at your gandson's age. I noticce it's a 3 pedal car too....will he be changing his own clutches? :LOL:


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Nice car and another good 3 generation road trip!!!! Sounds like a heck of a good day to me!!!!

As for the clutch changing, one of the first things I learned to do on my cars, too!!!!!!

:LOL::LOL::LOL:there's two things that his Dad and I need to do, and that's teach him how to (1)work and also (2)enjoy it:LOL::LOL::LOL:

a big 10-4, Dave, on the 3 gen day out - - - - one of the best I've experienced lately

And, of course.................................it's YELLO

I can tell this will be a bonding experience. Yes I still remember changing my first clutch. Just how long will he have to watch others drive his car hahaha birthday coming soon I hope for him.

It's interesting you should post this. Last night at a local cruise, we got into a conversation with a young man who had a '66 Mustang. As it turn's out, his grandpa had given it to him... after he had been asking for it since he was about 10!!!

His grandpa was wise, as he had taken that interest to another level by having his grandson help him to get it running and drivable... then surprising him on a birthday by giving the car to him!!

Today the grandson has become a Ford factory mechanic, and is planning to buy another early Mustang to build into a hot rod!!! That to me is a great way to "pass the torch" of "motorhead obsession" down in the family! :-)

It doesn't get much better than an American V8 3-pedal car for a first ride. Now all the lad needs is subscriptions to Hot Rod, Car Craft, Rod & Custom and Street Rodder.:D

All those of you who had operational AC in your first car, raise your hands. Yeah, that's what I thought.:LOL:

Wind down windows was the only air conditioning I had in my cars until I purchased the BMW that I still have thanks. I do admire the fact that the Stang is a manual as the number of young people we have here in NZ that if you asked them to drive a car that had an extra pedal, they wouldn't know how.

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Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

Wind down windows was the only air conditioning I had in my cars until I purchased the BMW that I still have thanks. I do admire the fact that the Stang is a manual as the number of young people we have here in NZ that if you asked them to drive a car that had an extra pedal, they wouldn't know how.

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We used to call that 255 AC - - - two windows down and drive 55

My son just called and said that Seth had already fixed some lights and things that weren't working, cranked it at least 100 times hahahaha and he's been around the short block in their subdivision learning how to work the clutch and brake. Won't take him long because the desire and passion is raging now. It is still about a year before he can get his learners permit but he's having fun with it already.

Well, Ken, you were right. I've just been informed that it's a '65 not a '66. They all looked alike to me. hahahahaha

Well that is good news with young Seth, the rodding future is assured in your family for sure. You can be the proud Grand dad for your son and now Grandson having the correct fluid flowing in their veins.

I'm happy for your grandson! That's such a cool first car. And great job with all the bonding and passing on all the interest in cars to a younger generation, Em.

Coincidentally my 17 y.o. son asked me if he could drive my '32 today so I let him. He has his drivers permit but no license yet. He was grins from ear to ear, blipped the throttle a couple times and luckily encountered a couple of his buddies on our drive.

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Originally Posted by techinspector1

It doesn't get much better than an American V8 3-pedal car for a first ride. Now all the lad needs is subscriptions to Hot Rod, Car Craft, Rod & Custom and Street Rodder.:D All those of you who had operational AC in your first car, raise your hands. Yeah, that's what I thought.:LOL:

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Well, Mr. Richard and Others, I need some arguing ammo because on the way back from Bryan Sunday in the '62, I was informed, by David, that Seth wanted to put an automatic trans in since he can't/couldn't/hasn't operate the floor stick right now. I kinda shook my head at the information but decided to keep quite until I get my argument all in order. Of course, the advantages, economics and JUST PLAIN BEING COOL will probably go in one ear and out the other so ANY and ALL help will be greatly appreciated.
TIA,
Em

Take him out and teach him how to drive the stick!! Explain to him that once he feels comfortable with the stick and understands the "feel" of the friction point he'll deny that he ever considered swapping it out for a slush box. If that doesn't work tell him that a Mustang with an automatic is a girl's car. ;):LOL::LOL:

Tell him shifting gears is better than texting. Only GIRLS drive automatics. The added left leg exercise will help his looks at the beach.

Tell'em If he can't drive a stick he deserves to walk!

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Originally Posted by 34_40

Tell'em If he can't drive a stick he deserves to walk!

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.....and start the conversation with, "Now listen here, Sally......" ;):LOL::LOL::LOL:

Driving a stick is no different that riding a motorcycle, riding a bike, rollerskating, running track, playing baseball, walking and chewing gum, (ya get it right) there all learned skills that don't always meet with success the first time. Ya keep trying and getting better and more comfortable with it.

Just an old man with arthritis who still love his 4 speeds.

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Originally Posted by Mike P

Driving a stick is no different that riding a motorcycle, riding a bike, rollerskating, running track, playing baseball, walking and chewing gum, (ya get it right) there all learned skills that don't always meet with success the first time. Ya keep trying and getting better and more comfortable with it.

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Thanks Mike, I'm gonna use this one. I just hope I can say it as convincingly as you just did but the "Now listen here Sally" did interest me some ! :LOL: He and his Dad have gone skiing for the last three years and now he's skiing and snowboarding so I know he has the skills. I"ve just got to convince him how ultra cool that floor stick is without sounding like a meddling Pawpaw. :confused:

Just a second bit you might add.......if he ends up with a girlfriend who can drive a stick he's going to be in for a lot of ribbing.
:D:D:D

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Originally Posted by rspears

If that doesn't work tell him that a Mustang with an automatic is a girl's car. ;):LOL::LOL:

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I believe we have a winner.


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Then you'll have to teach him how to double de-clutch.
Explain it by telling him that essentially it's just like marching . . . left right, left right . . .synchronising the hand movements to match.
Show him that snazzy double de-clutch from top to second to put power on at 4500 revs in second to pull out of a corner . . .
Sounds awesome when done right!
Very very cool!

None of his girly mates will be able to pull that stunt in an auto!

:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:

Learned to drive on my mom's 69 mustang, .. so you bringing back memories!

Johnboy's comment reminded me of something......you can always sit him down and make him watch this to pick up some pointers on driving a stick.

Bullitt - Steve McQueen Famous Car Chase - YouTube


Well maybe not :LOL::LOL::LOL:


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Originally Posted by Mike P

Johnboy's comment reminded me of something......you can always sit him down and make him watch this to pick up some pointers on driving a stick.

Bullitt - Steve McQueen Famous Car Chase - YouTube


Well maybe not :LOL::LOL::LOL:


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No!
Don't let him watch that!
That would set a bad example!




They're not wearing seat belts!

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Originally Posted by johnboy

No!
Don't let him watch that!
That would set a bad example!




They're not wearing seat belts!

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There was a shot of the guy in the Charger buckling up before the chase began......didn't help him much in the end.....:3dSMILE:

Em, I can't find whether you said it's a 3 or 4 speed currently. Perhaps, you can sell him on the merits of a cool T-5 with a hydraulic clutch:). I think it's a pretty easy swap on these cars and would be cooler than the automatic for sure!

Although, I must confess, I had a '66 Mustang coupe back in the 80s. It was a 289/auto. The auto trans started slipping. My dad had the pedals, clutch & 4sp tranny from a '65 Mustang he had parted out so we decided to swap it in. The result was I kinda hated it because the clutch was really stiff, the trans didn't really shift smooth or quick, and it was a pain as my daily driver. So I got the auto trans rebuilt and stuck it back in there. Now, if it has shifted as easily and smooth as these more modern sticks, I would have loved it! Just sayin....;)

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Originally Posted by randyr

.....So I got the auto trans rebuilt and stuck it back in there. Just sayin....;)

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We may have to consider revocation of your Man Card, Sally.....

Randy, now I"m embarrassed but, even tho I drove it for about 25 miles thru the back roads that day, I could not SWEAR that it was a 3 or 4. I do know that it shifted and drove great and my Grandson even said "Pawpaw, you drive it much better than Dad was doing. He was grinding and missing gears !" - - I rememeber telling him it was my years of experience driving POS's and this one was a pleasure.

You have a bit of a point Randy, relatively speaking the old 60s had long shifts and depending on the clutch could take a bit of strength to kick in. Years of wear it only aggravated the situation. That being said, when everything was tight and properly adjusted they really weren't that bad (remember the Mustang was originally targeted to sell to young secretaries).

Both Mello and his son have driven the car and they should have an idea of how it clutches and shifts, but I wonder if an afternoon adjusting, greasing (especially the cross shaft) and replacing shifter and clutch linkage bushings might make a difference.



.We must have been typing at the same time Mellow.

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Originally Posted by rspears

We may have to consider revocation of your Man Card, Sally.....

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:LOL::LOL::LOL: I can take the heat, Roger!!!

MUSTANG SALLY - WILSON PICKETT. - YouTube

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike P

You have a bit of a point Randy, relatively speaking the old 60s had long shifts and depending on the clutch could take a bit of strength to kick in. Years of wear it only aggravated the situation. That being said, when everything was tight and properly adjusted they really weren't that bad (remember the Mustang was originally targeted to sell to young secretaries).

Both Mello and his son have driven the car and they should have an idea of how it clutches and shifts, but I wonder if an afternoon adjusting, greasing (especially the cross shaft) and replacing shifter and clutch linkage bushings might make a difference.

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Somewhere along in the 80's I also had a Honda Prelude & a 280ZX. Both were 5sp sticks and had easy clutches & quick shifts. Compared to those, my Mustang conversion drove like my grandpa's old wheat truck!!
I definitely love a 3 pedal car but I want it to be more fun than pain!:LOL:

Thanks for all the ammo, Y'all . I think I"m gonna look around the National Forest Area and see if I can find a good location to take him and teach him to drive a floor shift and also tell him of the many advantages of a standard over an automatic while we're doing it. My 2000 Nissan Frontier just might be the thing to start with and once he gets some confidence then he can step UP to the Stang. My other two Grandkids could drive a stick when they were in their early teens but they were raised in the Country around farm equipment, farm trucks and stuff.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by randyr

My dad had the pedals, clutch & 4sp tranny from a '65 Mustang he had parted out so we decided to swap it in. The result was I kinda hated it because the clutch was really stiff, the trans didn't really shift smooth or quick, and it was a pain as my daily driver. So I got the auto trans rebuilt and stuck it back in there. Now, if it has shifted as easily and smooth as these more modern sticks, I would have loved it! Just sayin....;)

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Takes a good man to admit something like that Randy!!! Should be some sort of 12 Step Program you could get involved in to help overcome the grief and shame of going from being a 3 pedal man, to be simply shiftless!!!!:LOL::LOL::LOL::LOL:

When I built my 57 Plymouth, I used an 833 Overdrive 4 speed and rebuilt the stock Inland shifter, used a stock clutch and a 57 Plymouth pedal assembly (additionally I also left it a manual steering/manual (disc) brake car. When I finally got it together and could drive it my first impression was it drove just like the new base Road Runners we sold at the Chrysler Dealership I was working at back in 68-69........I LOVED (and still do) driving it.

That being said my daily driver for several years up to that time had been my 351W, 4 speed overdrive 77 Mustang II. A lot tighter steering, the short throw sifter and light clutch it was a fun car, but an apples and oranges comparison.

Some may remember my thread where I un-built the mustang for the wife to drive.......traded out the Edelbrock heads for stock smoggers, changed over the 4 speed to a C4 and replaced the Posi rear for a 2.79 open. Basically I turned it back into the the Mustang II that everybody justifiably makes fun of. I am keeping my man card however as I only drive the boring POS from the driveway to the shop about once every 6 months to change oil (and I usually check the street to make sure nobody sees me).



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SUCCESS - - - - Grandson does NOT want to put auto tranny in Mustang. I took my Nissan Frontier and picked him up today. It was a total surprise when I offered to take him to the National Forest and let him learn to shift a manual in the floor. He did great after a couple of tries and then it was stop when you want to practise and drive until you get tired. Sure is nice to have access to those forest service roads with NO traffic. I think we met one truck and trailerl while he was behind the wheel. OH BTW, I did tell him that autos in a Mustang were for the ladies and he understood perfectly. Thanks for all the input Y'all.

Just a few words of caution about basics on the older transmission/shifters---------Over the last few years, every one of the earlier floor shift 4 speeds that I have been under had some grossly screwed up shifters-------neutral gates weren't aligned, trans arms on backwards or wrong position, missing bushings on the arm ends-----------and when properly serviced with new bushings, aligned neutral gates , arms installed right location and proper direction, they all shifted very nice----not super short throw, but very positive feel and no missed shifts-----------


And then , there were the old column shift 3 speeds that didn't have syncro first gear---but you could put it in reverse and after getting a good roll rearwards, shift from reverse to second and then low, dump the clutch, floor the throttle and burn rubber like there would be no tomorrow-----------of course just the right rear (before posis)