Beinner NEED HELP!!!

Don't you guys feel as though you don't know anything yet, look at this as a learning experience and just do your best. The good thing is that you guys are in college and having the times of your life now. Just be sure all the mechanical work is done by an experienced person and then do your best on the other. After you graduate with a degree, you can pay somebody to do it the right way!! These cars are like your first girl, you never forget them. ( Although for the life of me I can't remember my first girl.......but my first car! A '66 with pony interior, notch back that someone had planted a 351 in, now WHO could forget THAT!!)  

Note to the new guys: Don't let it get you down, us more experienced gentlemen(old Farts) weren't born knowing this stuff. It has taken a lot of OOPPS, busted knuckles, midnight thrashes,being covered in stuff that won't come out of your hair with any shampoo made,missed events, lots of questions, and sometimes a few select words in the garage where nobody can hear your foul mouth, to get the knowledge we have gained.  If your lucky you will find someone to mentor you in the process, but you have to be willing to read and do your homework on the hobby.This is a great way to learn but I still like books too.  I have a bunch in the cabinet in my garage and am always on the look out for more. One other point for those of you in college...THIS CAR IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR EDUCATION. I spent every Friday at the garage in Helena MT for a semester instead of in Butte in class, and for some reason my Dad was not happy when he found out I failed my only class on fridays. I eventualy went back to college and got a degree but it is way harder at 35 than at 18-20 trust me. The cars are great but get the degree and you will be better off. Don't get me wrong you can still have time for a hobby, but if you have to decide between the mustang and the schoolwork, do the school work and take the bus. Just another thing I have learned since getting my first mustang in 1980. Oh yeah I still have it too. Tom  

To clarify...I'm 43. Now, my wife might argue that I'm 19 most of the time....

My 1st love was a 1967 Firebird that I finished off in 1986 but it needed zero work, just paint and interior. This 68 Mustang needs sheet metal work,tranny work and sub-frame work. I've never welded, worked on a tranny or rebuilt a motor. There are parts in the trunk that I couldn't identify. I've got a ton of reading and blogging to do.

I bought this car as my son is 10 and he fell in love with it. I figured I'd do this now, while I'm still somewhat "cool" and have not yet become his pain in the ass "old man."

I'm planning on doing as much as possible. I purchased my 1st floor jack and 2 sets of jack stands yesterday.

Now what? <grins>

I figure I'll remove the fenders and see what the sub-frame looks like as well as get the motor running a bit smoother (again, I've never made creme bruelle, but I figure if I get a cook book, how hard could it be...right?)

Basic engine knowledge seems like the best place to start...any suggestions what/where?  

You know I like what your doing, I had girls who never wanted to work with me in the garage, dang. But like the guys here have been saying, you cant waste money on books. Get some of the old Ford manuals for 68 and buy the body and electrical manuals at a swapmeet. Engine work isnt too tough, actually you can get it from a book for the most part. Most of the mechanical work, while not easy can be done by a novice with a good book, or manual back up. Sure there are a few tricks but mostly it takes persistance. I am doing the body work now on my 68 and I find that is one of the most challenging areas on the car. I have always been mechanically inclined so I can pick up any tool and use it, but body work is tougher. It requires experience and a little art. If you have never done it, painting and rust/dent repair are tough tasks. I would leave those to last and get some help there. Plan out your budget and decide what pieces you will buy and what you will rebuild yourself. There is a much better aftermarket out there today, then there was say 10 or 15 years ago. Rebuilt engines, crate engines, crate trans, crate rear-ends all proliferate at at a reasonable price. The one thing that has changed for the worse is that junkyarding is more difficult now because most of the cars like your 68 have long since been picked over and gone from the local junkyard. But the good news is that you can pretty much assemble a 68 mustang from aftermarket parts now so we enjoy a good new parts market. If you need help , ask and then when your pointed in the right direction and you learn something, help the next guy because we all love this hobby and we want it to grow. Take that son to the next car show and talk to the guys with decent cars(not the undriveable show queens thats a different job), because they love to talk about their rides and you will learn something from every old guy. Sorry young guys, I know some of you are knowledgeable but I search out the old guys because they know more and they share. Have fun and good luck.  

Whatchasee:
To clarify...I'm 43. Now, my wife might argue that I'm 19 most of the time....

My 1st love was a 1967 Firebird that I finished off in 1986 but it needed zero work, just paint and interior. This 68 Mustang needs sheet metal work,tranny work and sub-frame work. I've never welded, worked on a tranny or rebuilt a motor. There are parts in the trunk that I couldn't identify. I've got a ton of reading and blogging to do.

I bought this car as my son is 10 and he fell in love with it. I figured I'd do this now, while I'm still somewhat "cool" and have not yet become his pain in the ass "old man."

I'm planning on doing as much as possible. I purchased my 1st floor jack and 2 sets of jack stands yesterday.

Now what? <grins>

I figure I'll remove the fenders and see what the sub-frame looks like as well as get the motor running a bit smoother (again, I've never made creme bruelle, but I figure if I get a cook book, how hard could it be...right?)

Basic engine knowledge seems like the best place to start...any suggestions what/where?

Start here

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-basics-channel.htm

http://autorepair.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tpub.com%2Fbasae%2F

http://autorepair.about.com/od/techtips/Tech_Tips.htm  
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My Name is Dennis and I approve this message !


"So that is how you shine a skunk ? "

Damn I wish this site was here 20 years ago when I restored my first Mustang. What a great help this "family" is. The books which helped me the most were...The '65 Shop Manual ( expensive yes but everything is in there ) Wiring diagram manual, and "How to rebuild a small block ford". Once you get your hands greasy ( and bloody your knuckles )you will see that these cars are actually fairly easy to work on and it makes it that much more enjoyable. Then you can get The restoration guide, recognition guide, paint guides, upholstery guides, and any other guide you see along the way. One word of caution, DO NOT ever get rid of these, even after the car is gone, as one day you will buy another Mustang and will need them. ( hind sight really is 20/20 )  

Question...

My 68 (289) came with a Hurst Shifter. It doesn't seem to work well but than, there's no fluid in the tranny (I assume, it had a leak when I bought it and it hasn't leaked since I got it home). I'd prefer to replace it with a stock shifter.

Thoughts on the Hurst from those in the know is greatly appreciated.

BTW, I purchased 'Haynes Repair Manual." There is no info on RUST (but I now know the difference between a Cam shaft and a Crank shaft). What is the best resource for sub-frame info?

Altho I won't be getting to the sheet metal for quite awhile(I'm planning on rebuilding the motor and tranny 1st) I have a couple of questions:

- Quarter skins or complete quarters? Keeping in mind that it has rusty skins on it now. Can you "reskin" a 1/4 panel twice? (I will have budget constraints)

- Headlamp buckets...oh my they're expensive. One is in pretty good shape, the other has a "cut" of about 3" and I fear that I won't be able to make it "right." Is there a relatively inexpensive source?  

Mil1ion,

Thanks for the links!  

Whatchasee:
Question...

My 68 (289) came with a Hurst Shifter. It doesn't seem to work well but than, there's no fluid in the tranny (I assume, it had a leak when I bought it and it hasn't leaked since I got it home). I'd prefer to replace it with a stock shifter.

Thoughts on the Hurst from those in the know is greatly appreciated.

BTW, I purchased 'Haynes Repair Manual." There is no info on RUST (but I now know the difference between a Cam shaft and a Crank shaft). What is the best resource for sub-frame info?

Altho I won't be getting to the sheet metal for quite awhile(I'm planning on rebuilding the motor and tranny 1st) I have a couple of questions:

- Quarter skins or complete quarters? Keeping in mind that it has rusty skins on it now. Can you "reskin" a 1/4 panel twice? (I will have budget constraints)

- Headlamp buckets...oh my they're expensive. One is in pretty good shape, the other has a "cut" of about 3" and I fear that I won't be able to make it "right." Is there a relatively inexpensive source?

There's a great artice in the tech section on 1/4 panel replacement have a look. I can tell you by experience that neither is a job for someone with beginning skills. Regarding the HL bucket, they're "pot-metal" and not easy to repair, sometimes you have to spend the *** I use NPD and California Mustang for my specialized parts sources.  

This forum and website are gold. Also, I would recommend a shop manual for your year(I got mine from CJ Pony Parts about 14 years ago, changed my life) and a wiring diagram(available in catalogs or if you're lucky on the internet). My shop manual is falling apart, but it's like a favorite pair of jeans, worn out but still great. Good luck and don't get discouraged, the people here are really an asset and are willing to share.  

OK, it's 2 AM and I've busted my 1st nuckle (rear seat belt bolt).

I have "pourous" sub-frame  in the front and will soon post pix for suggestions. The former owner did what appears to be a good job on one side...I may try to emulate.

I now have 2 books, both seem helpful, but I need to bone-up on welding skills and help my brother install a Jeep engine. I figure that I'll learn a bunch.

I have a great deal of patience and don't have a schedule, meaning that I'm in no hurry, this car is goint to be a frame-off resto.

As I get my shop in order I will post a separate thread with pix and a great many questions. I really appreciate the help.

Car show in Richmond, VA this weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing the old ponies.