Today I started removing components from the engine. I stared with the alternator and power steering pump and brackets. No problem with the alternator. I was able to remove the two top power steering pump bracket bolts, but the lower one broke off. I won't get into the details, but will divulge that I spent a substantial amount of time, effort and frustration getting the bracket off. The process included a hammer, angle drill, pry bar, and while I did finally get it off, I cracked the bottom of the bracket by getting overzealous with the hammer. I removed both motor mounts. The left side looks like it had been replaced at some point but the right side is defective. I have two new ones and a new tranny mount so all will be replaced. I pulled the distributor out. I removed the radiator hoses and disconnected the heater pipes. I removed the fuel pump and the guard that is over it. I removed the fan, fan spacer, and water pump pulley. I removed the timing belt cover. My next challenge is getting the crank pulley off. I got the bolt out with my impact, but when trying to pull it off with a 2-jaw puller, the inner groove started bending. I will take any advice from the experts on how to get it off without ruining the pulley. Is heat advisable? I think it might ruin the crank seal, but I need to get it off so I can replace the timing belt and clean up and paint the pulley. I plan to replace the seal anyway. I have sprayed penetrating oil where I could hoping it will loosen things up. I loosened, but didn't remove the water pump and thermostat housing bolts. Next weekend I plan to remove the intake and other fuel and emission system components. I will have to figure out what I need to keep for vacuum hoses. I want to eliminate as much as possible. I plan to remove and block off the EGR. The stock air cleaner won't be used so there are a bunch of hoses I won't need. I have a header so not cat converter will be used. There is a pic below of a component that I need help identifying. It is under the intake/carb and has a HW line that runs to or from one of the heater pipes on top of the engine. If anyone can identify it, please let me know what it is, what it does, and if it can be eliminated. Once I get more stuff off the engine I will clean it with lacquer thinner, then prime, paint, reassemble, and put it back in the chassis.
I got some good news on the title. The person I got the Mustang portion from found the title. The previous owner signed it over to him but he never registered it in his name. It is a PA title so he and I will have to go to a Notary in PA to get it in his name, then get it signed over to me. A bit of a hassle, but it's what I will have to do to get it in my name and registered in NY. I ordered and received a VIN tag that is stamped with the correct VIN so it will look official.
I'm in crunch time with a short window of opportunity to hit the goals I set for myself before calling it quits for the season. I will carry on...