Engine bay clean up and air conditioning install part 1

Time to get rid of the rusty look.

I started by removing the sway bar, cleaning it up and giving it a paint.

A few months ago I purchased a Classic auto air, AC kit for the mustang.

This is a fairly large undertaking with parts to be installed in the engine bay and also a new heater box.

I have been collecting AC pump brackets for a month or so now to give it the original look. 

I have acid dipped the large parts and painted them and replaced the bearings on the two pulleys.

Once all the parts were on hand, I wanted to paint the front of the engine as it looked very rusty.

I also wanted to freshen up the front part of the engine bay as there were rusty looking parts and the black paint had warn away.

I removed the radiator, battery and tray and all the electrics from the front half of the engine bay and then painted the block and water pump.

Then masked and covered everything so it did not get covered in blue paint and painted the engine.

I then masked up the engine and painted the engine bay.

I then cleaned up the power steering pump and gave that a rattle can resto.

Then set about reinstalling everything.

Now for the next job that is the heater box replacement. 

Ram Air

 Time for another small change.

I decided it was time for another small change so decided to install Ram Air on the mustang.

This is a simple change that can be removed with out trace if needed.

The system comes with a much bigger air cleaner assembly and the ducting that screws to the inside of the bonnet. It also include vacuum activated flaps on the bonnet scoops.

The air cleaner comes painted black, so I did a test install and then obtained the correct blue paint and proceeded to paint the air cleaner.

I think it has made a big difference to the engine performance as it can now take in more air.

Very happy camper!..

Next step.. A few car shows and probably AC.

New Hood Scoops

 Time for a change in the colour scheme on the bonnet.

For some time, the solid gold colour of the bonnet had me thinking.

Some time ago, I added the 351 RAM AIR stickers to try and break up the full gold bonnet.

While this does look good, I had been thinking of getting some repro bonnet scoops to paint black and install and store the original gold scoops.

While at the 2025 Mustang state concours, I happened to be talking to a guy that had a stand selling model cars. He also, in the past owned a 71 mustang. He mentioned that he had some OEM hood scoops for sale with him. I expected the price to be fairly high as they were OEM units but he advised he only wanted $100 for them. He pointed out that someone in the past had tried to smooth them over and added body filler that has subsequently come lose. I figured a quick sand blast would fix that issue. So I snapped them up.

Upon inspection, the divots in scoops that the person had tried to cover were also present in the OEM scoops on my car. So no issue for me as they look / are factory.

I got to work sand blasting all the old paint and mounds of body filler from the scoops then painted them satin black.

I get installed them and I have to say it does look great.

I boxed up the original gold ones for use one day if I get sick of the black scoops.

Here are a few pics of the before and after.

Here are a few pics of the finished result.

Nice.. I like it and a number of others have said the same.. 

So the black hood scoops will stay.

Next change on the cards is Air conditioning and possibly Ram Air.

2025 Mustang Round up & State Concours

 Another year, another Mustang round up.

On Sunday the 19th of October 2025 the Mustang Club of Vic again held the Mustang round up and State Concours.

There were about 250 to 300 mustangs. Below are pics of all the 72, 72, 73 cars that were there.

The weather was a little breezy but a rather nice day.