ABANDONED Mustang Saved After 30 Years Part 5: Can we Bring the Original Paint Back to Life?

This 1982 Ford Mustang GL had been sitting since 1990 when the original owner parked it. Today we get the HVAC system functioning, Restore the original paint, and tie up all the loose ends to make the car road worthy and safe.
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[@williamcrandall1447]

Wow Craig, this whole series has taken me back. 2 weeks til my 35 th HS reunion. All the fun memories have been rushin back. Thanks for this revival. Fun stuff.

[@luciankristov6436]

Man this is an awesome series. It reminds of the JDM cars in japan abandoned in closed out garages. The restoration and all things they do to get them back and running. Pretty sick dude

[@HotrodDan]

As someone who worked in the collision trades back in the day, I'm betting the yellow is self-etching primer. Very durable; It's basically epoxy primer that requires very little if any chemical metal prep prior to spraying on. Would explain why it was so hard to remove.

[@johnweisinger7390]

When those yellow car covers deteriorate to nothing they'll stain whatever they're on

[@lancehigdon8683]

Put a 350 in it that would be badass

[@johnsarian_cu]

That rear end and the engine are decently matched. Full torque at low RPM works to make it feel torquey even if not fast. Everything about that setup screams MILEAGE hahaha.

[@albertgaspar627]

no kidding, i travel long distance just to see new car shows, and being able to do it on $20 with the AC blowing would be GREAT. So far I only have the 42 mpg thing down.

[@user-ei1vo8sg9m]

I own this car now and it only gets like 21 mpg

[@johnsarian_cu]

​@@user-ei1vo8sg9m Weird. My first wife had a similar one while she was in college back then. Got much better mileage than that. Maybe you need to ease off a little? LOL

[@kennethbrown5784]

How about a budget paint job?

[@rodcleve]

Great Video!! The AC compressor took a dump in the bed maybe because a r12 to r134a conversion requires different oils. The r12 oil needs evacuated and lines flushed with a cleaner. Mixing the two damages the compressor and containment the condenser and that new evaporator. Also need a pusher fan on the condenser like newer cars that use r134a. Look it up on youtube. lol. Good luck!

[@johnweisinger7390]

Exactly. Those with no ac experience don't realize the damage they do by half assing things. Flush, R134 compatible oil and seals, and for God's sake pull a vacuum on the system before just dumping refridgerant in it.

[@joenichols6185]

Hey Craig. I’m a commercial refrigeration technician. To properly convert a R-12 system to 134a, the oil needs to be drained out of the compressor, flush the lines, change the accumulator, and orifice/metering device, add new 134a compliant refrigerant oil, pull a vacuum on the system, and then charge with the correct amount of 134a. That compressor might’ve been hosed to begin with, so it was worth a try to dump some gas in it 😛 Keep up the great content 🤙🏼

[@andrewforster2858]

I would keep it og and use it as daily driver with mpg and see how much mpg you can squeeze out of it

[@albertgaspar627]

honestly, this can be fun. i had a stick shift 5.0 with 2.73 gears and coasting up to stop signs and not shifting above 2,300 rpm i got her up to 30mpg, so that's the goal to beat. with a proper setup, this could be a nice long distance hauler that can actually go into a car show, rather than showing up in a Geo metro that has to be parked outside the show

[@MrGixxer1300r]

You guys are doing a great job with that old mustang. It will be nice to see one more notch back on the road again. With gas prices being what they are this car came just in time. Again Great work Craig.

[@PhantomXR8]

Here in Australia Ford, before they designed the Crossflow engine, made the 2V head for our Falcons, originally for the 250, their casting allowed for a separate manifold to be bolted on. They ran a 2 barrel carb but you could get triple SU and Weber setups for the head. Also, when headers are installed you cut the single outlet off and run a true duel exhaust. It then had the V8 sound, not V6 type of sound. I know Classic Inline six make a similar head but I don't know if you'll get that nice V8 duals sound that the Ford Australia head gave us. Nice car and appreciate the work you did on it, can relate...... Craig.

[@GTABLAST-zw6ye]

I think you should get all the yellow off even if the front end is blue, you can always paint the front end silver to match the car

[@albertgaspar627]

as silly as it sounds, rattle can paint can do wonders for those willing to have a "50/50" paint job (great from 50 feet away or going past you at 50 mph).

[@canadaeast8358]

I enjoy your channel many it’s nice to see the mustang coming back to life. Keep up the good work guys

[@xozindustries7451]

I vacuumed all that bad foam out on my car and used the 3M contact cement in the green spray can to fix the headliner on my car, it worked perfect, I was amazed, it even shrunk up the stretched headliner up back into shape.

[@oviliaguilmette9424]

Watched you try your best but sometimes someone else's neglect tends to be tenacious to fix and/or buff out. Enjoyed watching you and your friends go at it.

[@mrmoss149]

" Yep ... Clean all that shit out". I was waiting for the quack. 🤣

[@kelvinhill9874]

Well done. Those old school Ford in-line sixes last forever and they respond really well to a turbo kit. Back in the day, I used to see them quite often.

[@MaxGiganteum]

The 200 I-6 engines are stout, durable and smooth running engines... thanks to their design; a natural balance and 7 main bearings. The only downside is the overall length of the block but they were never meant to be high performance, high revving engines in the first place. In spite of this, you can get a lot more out of them safely. In the past, I've known a few guys that were getting 200-250 HP out of them with longevity not being a factor. That may not sound like much but at 250 HP, you're talking more than double the factory rating. In a classic Mustang from say... 1965-68... or some other mid-sized Ford or Merc, that makes a very quick and surprisingly peppy car. I knew one guy that had such an engine in both an early falcon and a Ranchero. He could lay down twin strips of rubber in both to 3rd gear and it often surprised the hell out of folks who went for a ride but didn't know what they were getting into. He also won more than enough via street racing to pay for his engines, the 4 speed toploaders and the other parts needed to complete his 6 cylinder sleepers. Looking back, I wish I had had gone that same route with the one 1967 Mustang that I've owned in my life. It was a factory 200 I-6 car to begin with so it was a good candidate but alas, I sold it off to a mom who bought the car for her 16 year old daughter. Cool mom! Anyway, the bottom line is that the 200 is a very capable engine as long as you don't ask too much from them. My experience is that is why folks in the past have had problems with them... and you can't blame that on ANY engine. Best wishes! 🧰 👨🏻‍🔧 🇺🇸 - Max Giganteum

[@kelvinhill9874]

@asteinmann the smaller capacity sixes are every bit as tough. I’ve seen 200’s and 250’s with a million kilometres on them and never been rebuilt.

[@kbakeritsallaboutnobody.5761]

Install a procharger AKA belt driven turbo on the original 6 cylinder with a Holley Sniper EFI and it will be amazing.

[@HansenSpeedShop]

beverly hills cop vibes is what i get with this rig!

[@chadmccolm6544]

Putting a ford eco boost into would be cool to see in a old mustang. And would double the horse power. Great video

[@randomnonsense_1]

My first car at 17 was a 1981 Mustang with the straight 6 in it. It was a good daily driver, but a serious let down if you wanted any sort of power at all. :-) Had to rebuild the carb the day I brought it home just to be able to go to work the next day. I beat the snot out of that thing until I was able to buy a newer car about 3 years later. Ended up selling it to my aunt and she probably ended up selling it for crack or something. Never saw it again after that.

[@tomh6779]

Nice build! Love seeing a coupe. Kinda rare! Keep up the good work!

[@philipgilbeau5342]

Enjoyed the series, great work!

[@Takenski]

YESSSS DETAIL VIDEOOO

[@johngregson4030]

Perfect car for the blue tooth headunit hidden in the glove box that way you can keep that sick stock radio

[@arkhsm]

Classic Inlines give 1 to 5 levels of performance. Please keep the six it was born with, and just upgrade it, therefore keeping some of its frugal daily driver GL spec. character !!

[@arkhsm]

Keep the stock converter, but for more off the line snap, whack in some 3.27 ratio diff gears !!

[@nealpurdy1202]

What about low buck gears? 7.5 327 limited slip 83-84 mustang GT 7.5 345 open t5 2.3 87-93 7.5 373 open auto 2.3 87-93 7.5 373 limited slip turbo coupe Fix ac with new compressor Michaels/Joanne fabric sells foam backed headliner material in grey cheap fix Swap in some later black leather buckets? Rebuilt suspension and autocross it

[@charlesroyal3428]

nice paint job and interior just enjoy driving it.

[@oviliaguilmette9424]

Loved this video!

[@shelby371]

I love this mustang! It has charm for sure!!

[@Jgeneraledger23]

Interesting options; GL, Console, AM/FM Stereo, Air Conditioning, and probably the rarest option; factory Leather interior! Easy to miss, but that is Ford Leather interior, about a $600 option in '82. Won't burn your A## in the summer like Vinyl will.

[@i-still-cruz2430]

Can’t wait to see where you go with this car. Everyone is doing Coyote swaps. I hope you do something different with this one 👍

[@young11984]

Im hoping a turbo, 5psi, sniper 1bbl efi and leave it as is. Double the power/torque and likely better milage

[@thealgorithmisbroken]

hope it stays original. you don't see original ones anymore.

[@JohnnyAFG81]

That’s a great daily if you take care of it. Decent economy from those 200’s. Always wear gloves when using super clean. That shit burns fingerprints away

[@moneygooddude]

Some simple green and a brush should take care of the paint issues. Get a set of split headers with dual cherry bombs and you will have a few more horses and the sound Will Amaze you. I miss my 79 2.3 turbo, my 79 5.0 but most of all my 80 3.3 inline 6 auto! They are very dependable, with just a few mods they make a very dependable sleeper!

[@kennethelliott2267]

Man you should go to the pull part yard and pull set 3.73s out of a square style ranger or square style Aerostar minivan. The came wit 7.5 with 3.73 gear was like 30 bucks when we did it. Pepped up the 4cyl a lot and made it more acceleration when in traffic and keeping up. Still got over 20 something miles to the gallon with them. Also might think about looking for a guy in the foxbody Facebook groups that add Bluetooth/aux to factory radios. My buddy did it to his and has all new speakers and amps with the factory radio look so nice. I’d leave the 10 holes panted like they are kinda match the paint of the car.

[@fordfandiecast]

Nice little cruiser with gas as much as it is

[@chrissinclair526]

with a7.5 in rear end add 3.25=1 or 3.00=1 to help with better of the line response and will do good on highway. and exaust system should help,nice to see next gen keeping up the old cars.👍👍

[@albertgaspar627]

off the top of my head, i think a Ranger pickup or turbo t bird/cougar were the places to find better quality 7.5 inch parts for cheap.

[@williamhelms9942]

Studying the taillights, the looks of the Panther body style came through though she's a Fox body. She's almost like a baby Crown Victoria.

[@OtisENGINEuity]

I've seen that yellow primer a bunch, the 1946 Indian we have has it on the frame from when we had it redone in 1994, it's an old school high build primer. What probably happened was they went to repaint it, the brakes went out and they stopped and parked it instead of actually fixing it. Silver paint doesn't last for shit, it has no UV resistance and fades away in no time if you leave it out in the sun. (and that's coming from someone with painting training.. I painted the panel that's my av) I will say Matt Farrah proved that those cars look sick in gloss light gull gray.

[@melspencer9957]

Godzilla with the Indy Products pan and intake and front accessory package and a Procharger all done as a sleeper with the exterior untouched ! All the suspension redone with current modern components but looking the same as now. A killer project for the channel !!

[@melspencer1890]

Received a message re winners list. Can u send an email addy ? I don't have telegram.

[@bobfalfa76]

You should try a can of Sweet Patina on it, it's good stuff. As long as is not an LS, LS's are so over done in Fox Bodies, if a guy is building a no prep/street raced money car then by all means put a turbo LS in it. For me, anything but a pushrod Ford and a stick in a Fox Body just makes me feel dirty, although I do like a 2j swapped Fox, mean little engines.

[@c7d3p]

I've got the original sales receipt for my 1965 F100. Pretty cool to have that stuff.

[@miketitus3592]

Great job on the Fox Body- keep the Six.

[@garybraswell6571]

Well worth the effort, looks great

[@mostchilldude]

I saw a really good method for the paint on street muscle mag using clr mixed with water. using a scour pad dipped in that solution it seems like it works really well.

[@MaxGiganteum]

The scouring pad I get... but what would they hope to accomplish with CLR? Unless there was rust staining involved? Perplexing. 🤔 - Max Giganteum

[@roberttaylor5999]

That I6 runs smooth. Maybe throw a small turbo kit at it?

[@MaxGiganteum]

Craig, my vote is to get the A/C compressor sorted as well as the cooling system. I would take the opportunity to flush and derust the whole cooling system before I swapped out the water pump, thermostat and the radiator. Block off or bypass the hoses to the heater core before you do. Check all the hoses too if you already haven't. Also be sure to do a full lube on all the suspension components. Don't forget the U-joints. What would be my big challenge to you? Do basic bodywork... and PAINT. Now is your chance to get some real time in on a solid project so allow me to encourage you to take advantage of it. What color would I choose? I'm leaning toward the factory silver because it would be the easiest to pull off IMHO. Of course you could go for a full color change but that's a lot more work and you'd move away from being original which I'd stick with on this car. Good job so far, stick with it. Peace & good vibes! 👍🏻 🇺🇸 🐎 - Max Giganteum

[@albertgaspar627]

at the very, very least, pour a cupful of laundry detergent into the rad and run the engine for a few minutes after the thermostat opens. It'll act like a washing machine and clean for real cheap, then dump and flush the cooling system. When you refill, drill small holes in a NEW thermostat to let the air out of the system, jack up the front end and fill the rad. Let sit so the air bubbles rise to the highest point naturally and purge the system for you. fill the funnel with coolant, run the engine, and wait until all the bubbles stop (if they don't you may have a head gasket issue). hopefully you still have the original owner's manual--you'd be surprised how much they tell you to do to keep a car running.

[@MaxGiganteum]

- Albert wrote, in part: "When you refill, drill small holes in a NEW thermostat to let the air out of the system..." Yes, drill a single 1/8" diameter hole about 1/4" from the outside edge of the thermostat. One hole only! When you install the thermostat, place the hole in the top most position possible. If the thermostat lays flat in its natural position, the hole won't help so don't bother drilling. Yes, this does help purge the system of air and no, it won't effect the cooling system overall. Good tips overall by Albert! 🇺🇸 - Max Giganteum

[@albertgaspar627]

@@MaxGiganteum thank you.

[@riogrande163]

A 2.3 ecoboost or Barra would be perfect, very excited to see this build 👍

[@mitchellgildea6944]

I second the Barra swap suggestion

[@thealgorithmisbroken]

keep it original.

[@bengibson3955]

Go the turbo Barra. Green top motor with upgraded valve springs, head studs and oil pump gears on e85. I think Tuff mounts do a set of engine mounts for a bolt-up fitment.

[@mrmoss149]

" custom starry night headliner". 😆 😆 😆

[@christopherthompson5785]

When you said eco boost I peeked up. When I was 3-5 my parents had a turbo 4 banger notchback that was that yellow tan color, so that would be cool to see. Like if you could find a wrecked focus rsi and swap the whole power train over and stiffen the car up and make a turbo rally notch fox.

[@albertgaspar627]

Would love to do a wet sand but I have wellwater and drought conditions--probably raid the local lake for some dirty water for sanding the next project :) I feel for you yanking that dash, my 86 Gt let me know its 'core was bad in winter when i needed the defroster and got sweet smelling "steam" instead. took me a month to drop it since my ol' man wouldn't clear out the garage. I'd work, and have one hour outside each 30 degree day to work on it before dark. No wonder the garage wanted $800 for a $20 part. If you can get the dash out, that's the time to wire in a better stereo system when you can reach all of the wiring. Whenever a car sits, it's worth pulling the HVAC so you aren't recycling mouse turds to breathe as you drive. My late father used to tell me, "remember a car is designed to be built in a few hours while moving", you just had to figure out how they assembled the puzzle.

[@papatango5082]

Make a driver and a sleeper...don't change the outside appearance , put something in it that's uncommon or you don't see a lot off. please no LS or Coyote.... personally 2.3 turbo swap would be cool, you can get power out of them and they are easy on the wallet. You do You Craig!

[@luckent47]

Here in Michigan those were state police interceptors. Or course with 302s

[@luckent47]

Ssp's.. it all comes back in an hour or so lol

[@kennethbrown5784]

That 6 cly is the Barras granddaddy

[@rayeplin3733]

It's a power tour car if I ever seen one

[@mattshea9924]

Keep it all Ford bara

[@casualobserver1663]

4.2 V6 with an M90 setup from a Thunderbird , explorer rear with 3.73 LS and discs 4r70w or T5

[@richardbates2367]

Should have replaced the factory speakers while you had the dash pad off so you could actually use the factory radio Craig sir lol..

[@brianmaynard7320]

Not bad looking and that little 6I will give you some decent gas mileage and make a nice little run around car. I wouldn't mess with the engine.. Let it be.

[@johnhazard5231]

Changing heater cores in some cars is a monumental task. Obviously that's one of them.

[@jcmcclellan82]

They make an aluminum head for that engine that eliminates the horrible intake setup and allows you to run a 4 barrel carb if you'd want.

[@guyvannatta7905]

You're gonna play he'll trying to get it smogged in Cali if you change out the motor. Possibly look for an SVO motor from the same year?

[@brucegoolsbyjr8954]

2.3 eco boost swap ,With 3.73s Love the content

[@wescoupland3985]

Like the old school first generation 5 l the cobra looks so badass I've got a guy out here in Vancouver that has one with a hopped up 351 and the t5 running on like 200 shot of nitrous or some s*** it's really nice.

[@bigbird7838]

Very cool car

[@paliacho9]

Awesome. I would just delete broke n deteriorated plastics like the headliner. Patched plastic just looks bad and breathing that foam dust can't be good. Go the 'stripped car route; less is usually more. Thanks for the vids!

[@neilduncan8657]

You now have a 4 cylinder and a V8 of the same car. I have a similiar situation. I own a 1984 V8(mild built 1997 explorer 5.0 GT40 3 bar cam and springs) swapped Datsun S12 hatch, and a 4 cylinder 1986 Nissan S12 Notch both are similiar but the V8 hauls ass the 4 cylinder is very slow but sitting inside standing still it feels like the same car enjoyed the videos

[@sickwidit49]

I’d really like to see a how to on a maximums Motorsport steering shaft, they’re a bit pricey but I hear the steering on a fox is greatly improved!

[@ernestgeiger7060]

Sweet I had a 1983 gl they are cool

[@willhall62406]

Awesome!!!!!!

[@twisted5.0hh]

R134a and r12 don’t like to mix and I would assume there was left over r12 in the lines or some where and that’s what seized the pump I just converted my car and out ester in the lines dryer and pump and it was good

[@johnnyallenyork]

I would like to see the eco boost 2.5 out of the RS/mustangs !! That would be dope plus you get the 6speed manual!

[@johnnyallenyork]

@thecraig909

[@seankillian5062]

For clean the paint like that have you ever tried straight simple green in a spray bottle not diluted?

[@raulpompa9173]

You should turn it into a hyper miler... Get all those mpgs and mild upgrades... Maybe a a Mustang cobra front spoiler, like a highschool kid would do in the 80s

[@tomh6779]

Yeah, 2.3 ecoboost! Get the whole deal from the boneyard. Complete with alternator, a/c compressor, power steering etc, this way you get a dependable hi HP engine and drivetrain. Keep your eyes peeled for a wreck. Steal the computer and fuel injection.

[@DJRubenGAMINGTV]

EcoBoost motor Would be smart and pretty cool Fix the AC for sure

[@05gtdriver]

Really needs a set of LMR's 16" TRX replica wheels. Early Fox bodies just look "right" with TRX wheels IMO...

[@markstangsn9518]

Ac clutch are pretty cheap if that’s what it needs and I’m not sure but some distilled vinegar for cleaning

[@pmodd]

Considering how tidy and original the car is, it would be a shame to leave it looking like a rat-rod, when it could be a clean daily cruiser. Basic sand-down/prime/paint, swap the trashed front leather seats for something similar (e.g. weld some black leather BMW 5-series seats to the existing rails), swap the diff for a ratio that works and install a modern inline 6. I'd pick whatever engine represents good value and has decent power stock, since the more exotic or modified an engine, the less daily-able it becomes from the perspective of maintenance and reliability. If you pick something with an automatic box, be sure to install whatever cruise control came with it (awesome to have on a daily). It's like the MR2 mod where people install an NA V6 from a Camry; 200kw with reliability, cheap replacement engines and parts off the shelf.

[@young11984]

Damn man, all that effort to put a new evap in it and not even change the orifice tube or pull a vacuum to get all the non condensibles out of the system just throw that “mechanic in a can” BS in there. Another worst things ever made for the customers, mixed and excess oil pushed in to the system already contaminated with moisture, full of air and acid from previous contamination. Should have thrown a new compressor and condenser in since the worst part was already done by then anyway. Props for saving it and taking the time to get it running to enjoy the ole 6 banger, get a Sniper 1bbl efi and put a little T3 turbo on it set for 5psi and enjoy it with the different/unique engine. Barra or Ecoboost 3.5 would be bad ass too

[@robertjean659]

You need to get hold of an Aussie Barra turbo engine and make it a sleeper. 🇦🇺🇦🇺👍👍

[@thman6453]

Hotrod the 6 triple webbers and a header👍

[@meghannroberts8143]

Turbo yes

[@tomh6779]

Did you pull a vacuum on the a/c system?

[@larrywhitaker4667]

I bought a saddle that would break like saw dust and used that stuff on it and you could bend it anyway that you wanted just like when new

[@stephenheidelberger616]

does run!

[@gr8fulpn]

Engine Power on PowerNation built a straight 6 turbo build and got a ton of power out of it, I believe it was somewhere around 400+ hp

[@gr8fulpn]

V6 build

[@jcnpresser]

A turbo 4 would be different, those little svo’s were pretty quick little cars.

[@craigmiller7063]

You need to do the Ford pinto 2.0 block and the Volvo 2.4 head.

[@Spennyman10]

Cool little Mustang. It definitely deserves a decent little paint job. I don't care for patina on Fox bodies.

[@mikemoyercell]

Did you change the oil in the compressor? You are supposed to do that when doing a conversion as the oils from R12 and R134a are not compatible together.

[@craigtaylor115]

Best thing you could do would be to wet and dry it with 1500 that would get it off and keep it fairly smooth

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

When I could keep my foot out of it .My 1985 Ford Mustang GT would get 25 mpg. Yeah that didn't happen very often.

[@jeffpbillings7698]

Small block and a patina CHP paint job. How cool would that be?

[@michaelcuff3418]

Like hotrod says; it's self etching primer. I'd leave it on or reprise it again or leave it rust again. Up to you. It's your turd.

[@troypeacock5754]

It only had like 90 hp from factory maybe ebay turbo budget fun? It's awesome regardless.

[@oviliaguilmette9424]

Did you try minx oil on the seat?

[@chrisarmstrong3200]

at that point tear down the head liner and spray paint old foam and backer , it does an ok temporary finish

[@fredshanks2240]

Great episode! I’d comet and use magic eraser the wipe linseed oil over that for a nice shine .

[@thealgorithmisbroken]

Everyone commenting do an engine swap or turbo. Thats what everyone and their grandmothers do. When was the last time you saw an original 200 inline 6 Foxbody?

[@littlecabinknives8954]

Much better than when you pulled it from its grave.