General impressions after driving the 'stang to work

[DougG69]

OK, after driving the car to work yesterday, here are a few things I think I think:


1) Power steering: I'm not loving it. Not on the highway with the little dead spot in the middle. Great in the parking lot. I'm pretty sure it will be gone next summer.

2) The ride is better with roller perches and the SorT strut rods. Not sure if it's the front coils or the KYB GR2 shocks, but it's a little 'springy' up front sometimes at lower speeds if the road isn't smooth. Will probably try some Bilsteins, Edelbrocks, or Konis at some point down the road. If that doesn't work, we'll try different coils.

3) I really need to adjust my low beams. But I might as well get the headlight relays wired up & put in the halogens I have on hand. I can always upgrade if that isn't enough.

4) The heater works! Which is good, considering who rebuilt the heater box & installed the new core (that would be me) ;) No leaks!

5) The 351C runs great. After it's warmed up a little, I can start the car by leaning in the window from outside & turning the key. It's no big block, but it promises to be fun. At highway speeds, the front end likes to raise up a bit if you goose the pedal on the right :)

Overall, things went off without a hitch. The car seems to be much more reliable than I've given it credit for. I guess time will tell.

It's a shame the car will have to be put up for the winter so soon :(

[monkeystash]

Sounds very successful to me, congrats!  Your color combo is just awesome too!

[tarafied1]

Sounds like your happy!!!
My front is a little springy since the roller perches too, John suggested Koni shocks (I have Grab-A-Track). I have not changed them yet. It also allows the front to raise a bit quicker on launches.
Anyway, I'm glad it's on the road!!! Enjoy!

[RyanG85]

Congrats on getting it out! Car looks great. I agree with the power steering, are you running a stock set up? I think the factory systems are way too loose feeling. Really like the road feel of the manual steering.

[Jonk67]

I like reading these 'driving impressions' when they include faults and pros, reminds you that you're driving a classic.

I got a lot of the play out of my PS (mostly rebuilt everything and put fresh grease in the gearbox) and also swapped my PS pulley to a slightly larger pulley. This slowed the pump down a little and gave me back some road feel/ less assist feel.

What springs are you running? I have Johns roller perches and made my own adj. SR but haven't driven since making those changes so I'm curious how they're going to change the feel of the ride and steering.
Jon

[cmayna]

Doug,
Not bad for a guy who likes clevelands   :10 :10

Yes, what coils are you running?

Yes, dump the power steering and go manual.  Did it with Shag and I'm very happy with the road feel especially at 70mph  :good

[DougG69]

I agree with the power steering, are you running a stock set up?

Yes, factory stock. Rebuilt by Randy @ http://www.stangerssite.com/Optimum/index.html

I got a lot of the play out of my PS (mostly rebuilt everything and put fresh grease in the gearbox) and also swapped my PS pulley to a slightly larger pulley. This slowed the pump down a little and gave me back some road feel/ less assist feel.

Swapping the pulley is a thought. Worth a try anyway. I don't think there's all that much play in the middle, you just can't feel any feedback at highway speeds because of the pump. Me no likey.

Yes, what coils are you running?

Whatever came with the "Real Big Kit" from Canadian Mustang / American Pony. I ordered the regular coils, but remember thinking that they sent 620s with a 1" drop. Which pissed me off at the time, but the car actually sits right where I want it in the front now :)

Yes, dump the power steering and go manual.  Did it with Shag and I'm very happy with the road feel especially at 70mph  :good

I would have definitely gone manual if I had an automatic transmission. Oh well, I guess I can handle Armstrong steering in the parking lots if I have to. Wonder if that roller idler arm will help?

[guruatbol]

I have to disagree with the views on power steering.

I have power on the 65 and it feels good on highway.

I have manual on the 67 and it is scary on the highway.  It is so touchy that it is just scary.  I haven't gone into it too much as the SWMBO wants power, so it will get power.

On the 65, I have a 67 power steering pump on it with the stock pulley, it seems to be awesome in parking lots and on the highway, I feel the road well and don't get too much assist.  It seems to be a very comfortable ride.

Both cars are manual transmissions and the 67 is not fun while trying to turn and shift and such at low speeds.  You have got to be patient for sure.  You have to stop, shift and then turn while sliding the clutch sometimes.

Oh, I am also running a larger steering wheel in the 67.  The 65 has a smaller wheel and the power is nice to have.  It doesn't feel like I get much assist anyway.  When in parking lots I have to give it a bit of gas to get the assist anyway.

Overall, you have to do what you want with your car, and if you are going to drive it daily, you should consider some mods for the power.

Mel

[DougG69]

...if you are going to drive it daily, you should consider some mods for the power.

I have heard someone mention a company called KRC which is supposed to have an adjustable valve to tune for 'road feel' on their pumps. Sounds expensive, but may be a viable solution.

[tarafied1]

I don't have PS but I do have the PS gearbox. The PS box has a "quicker" ratio but requires more leverage. It's really really hard to steer in a parking lot but feels great on the road. I have wondered about the roller idler arm too...

[Jonk67]

I have heard someone mention a company called KRC which is supposed to have an adjustable valve to tune for 'road feel' on their pumps. Sounds expensive, but may be a viable solution.

I wonder if you could adapt a flow valve into the stock system? KRC has them for their pumps and it looks like you'd have to adapt to/from AN fittings. Looks like the valves are ~$25ea., not too bad. Anybody know the PSI of our stock systems?

I remembered finding a co. that made valves with an adjustable setting I was considering before finding the larger pulley. I'll have to do some research and see if I can find that again, I think they were the same style fittings as our pumps too.  

I also have a smaller than stock wheel (MotoLita) so I guess that helps lessen the feel of the PS assist also, never thought of that but makes sense, less leverage on my part. Additionally my larger than 14" stock 225/60/15 tires probably give the PS some more resistance too. I guess every little bit adds up as I like the feel of my PS.
Jon

[DougG69]

I don't have PS but I do have the PS gearbox. The PS box has a "quicker" ratio but requires more leverage. It's really really hard to steer in a parking lot but feels great on the road. I have wondered about the roller idler arm too...

I feel your pain. Or I did when I had that 69 coupe many years ago with a 429 in it (no room for PS).

I think I remember seeing Sluggo post about having a roller idler arm in his car, but I don't recall him saying whether he had PS or not.

I wonder if you could adapt a flow valve into the stock system? KRC has them for their pumps and it looks like you'd have to adapt to/from AN fittings.

I have no idea, but I just fired off an email to the gentleman who rebuilt my PS system to see if he has any suggestions.

[sigtauenus]

I had Randy (stangerssite) rebuild mine too and I believe he said the spec output on the pump was supposed to be 450 psi.  Think he also said mine was putting out 700 psi or so after the rebuild.

[tarafied1]

Doug,
I got your fuel filler done today... cut it in half, welded in the deflector, tacked it all together, final welds, grind smooth, painted. I'll ship it out Monday.

[DougG69]

Whoohoo!

Looks great... better than it did when I sent it ;)

Many thanks!

[67 Fastback]

I don't have PS but I do have the PS gearbox. The PS box has a "quicker" ratio but requires more leverage. It's really really hard to steer in a parking lot but feels great on the road. I have wondered about the roller idler arm too...

Most likely a 16:1 box, as that's all I know they made for ps. With that being said, you can find a 16:1 manual box. That's what I have.

Also, what benefit is the roller idler arm??
Bill

[AzPete]

roller idler=easier turning

[67 Fastback]

roller idler=easier turning

Comparing prices, kinda a no-brainer... 80 bux for a roller idler or 55-65 bux for a non  :vic
Bill

[guruatbol]

Maybe I'll try the roller idler on the 67 and see what the difference is and if SWMBO can deal with it.  Anyone have a pic of one so I can see what the roller part looks like?

Mel

[AzPete]

Non roller

[DougG69]

I wonder if you could adapt a flow valve into the stock system? KRC has them for their pumps and it looks like you'd have to adapt to/from AN fittings.

I have no idea, but I just fired off an email to the gentleman who rebuilt my PS system to see if he has any suggestions.

Well, I just got an email back from Randy:

http://www.heidts.com/steering_kits_components.html

Looks like it should fill the bill.

[DougG69]

Thanks for the feedback on the roller idler arm too, guys!

[guruatbol]

Looks like the roller idler arm would be far less resistance and therefore need less leverage to turn.  I have got to add this to my winter projects....

Mel

[Jonk67]

That's what I remebered finding, the add on Heidt's valve, couldn't remember who made it.
Jon