Another Mustang Mess Up

[@edbeck8925]

I like the hose clamps holding the steering. Real quality!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

To be fair that was just done so it had some kind of steering to push it around, not to go on the road with

[@matzrat5006]

Engine looks beautiful in there . now its going to be done right.

[@SpeedyG289]

This channel is rapidly becoming one of my go to channels. Oye Kiwi.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Thanks man!

[@mrnovacan2158]

I saw you and Uncle Tony discussing this car and the red convertible that had been a coupe on his channel. I have seen you 2 checking out other mistakes,I finally got around to subscribing to your channel!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Welcome aboard!! Thanks for watching!

[@Anthony-qj7qe]

What a shame doing that to a customer, some people have absolutely no work ethics. Love your mascot Kiwi..... keep up the good work. 👍

[@fredflintstone8048]

It's a good lesson that if the price is too low, you are going to get a compromise in the quality of the job as Kiwi pointed out. It just wasn't enough money to do the job right. I'm sure the customer was thrilled at the price and jumped right on it. I blame the customer as much as I do the shop that did the work. If the customer is ignorant of what it takes to get the job done right, this kind of result will be more prevalent.

[@keithbellair9508]

The customer is a moron too obviously.. big block in that tiny car.. just stupid

[@keithbellair9508]

The moron should have known that $1500 in commiefornia will only get you garbage.

[@glenholmgren1218]

Good Stuff, Kiwi! Love your attitude and patience with UT! 👍🤣👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Well he is special so ya gotta be patient with him....😉🤣

[@2HacksGarage]

You have your work cut out for you on that one. Never ceases to me amaze me what people consider a job well done …

[@Involvod]

Really looking forward to you putting this one right and to see this channel do well which I'm sure it will. Great work guys

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Thanks man, my mustang had the same issues that were facing with this car so "I have a plan! "

[@cod8140]

Love the Videos man especially these uncover the mess videos! You know your stuff!

[@carlbeeblebronx9061]

Hi from Kaitaia, here from UTG.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Hey Cuz, welcome aboard!

[@1Darkvictory]

Hello, $1,500, way to cheap. Are you considering a big subframe? It might save time in the long run with the modifications the project will need to make it safe and dependable. I look forward to watching. Be well, Darren.

[@thman6453]

Hydroboost the breaks and get the break booster out of the way and that motor probably has a lumpy cam in it so the vacuum is going to be low

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

The brake booster is going for sure.

[@donthompson2188]

Might have to go to rear steer rack. That setup looks to be designed with the late SBF pan and location. Might be cheaper to build a 427 out of a 351 and put that in.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

That's the route I would've taken to start with. 351W with a stroker kit to 427.

[@TheTazzman1968]

You got this 😎👍kiwi.

[@stev3548]

FWIW, yeah that's a jaguar IRS setup, sans the jaguar sheet metal cage.

[@OlJarhead]

You can pay a lot to have a job done right the first time… or pay a lot MORE to have it done the second time.

[@ClaremontClassicGarage]

I was looking at a KR with a 428 at cruise night. What a tight fit.

[@38shaun]

Always an interesting watch… Being trained as a fabricator years ago, by very skilled Street Rod builder (were both Kiwi’s) I’m always amazed at the decisions people make. I’d say the works to far gone on this Muzzie. Shame the owner didn’t find you first. From the starting point of the Big Block, sure it is. But for what’s being tried to be achieved. A stroked/worked small block would have a better result? But I guess you can’t say it’s a Big Block then 😂. Glad it’s in your hands Kiwi. 👍

[@wffs5228]

Jaw dropping steering rack WOW just WOW 😮

[@forthwithtx5852]

Cool project. Kinda risky standing directly below Kev.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Lol, very good point!!

[@northernwolfhound7096]

Looks like more trouble than it's worth. Not the way I would go but to each his own. She is a pretty car though. Gonna be interesting to see how you make this work. Great content Kiwi , soon UTG is gonna be the little brother channel. 😁👍

[@davidnorth3411]

This is a good place to give advice to those looking to spend your money wisely. I’ve Done a few cars , floor pans , and metal work needs to be handled by experienced hands . This is in that same wheel house of advice , look at their experience first , let their work do the talking . The experienced does cost more , this is what happens if you let the price dictate the workmanship . I know what I say , the experience I can give .

[@jlletaw1954]

At least they knew when to stop & it's in the right place now...l'll be watching this series to see how it's done the right way...could we maybe ask Uncle Cathy what can be done to improve on the audio - the video part is good 👍

[@creeksidegarage852]

Many years ago I swapped my 302 powered 68 cougar to a 390 and I don't recall having any kind of issues...even for a young novice at that time. I bought mounts for the block right from ford and they sat essentially down on the small block mounts just had to change the up/down angle...I bought a C6 crossmember after I had done the motor mount mods and everything just lined up. I didn't have power brakes so can't say how that would have turned out..but I'm sure it would have been fine...I just used the oil pan that was on the motor ( came out of a truck).

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

The key difference here is the front mounted steering rack. Being a ford the oil pump is also at the front and they both want to be in the same place.

[@creeksidegarage852]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 yes the rack and pinion is the difference...back then when I did my swap I'm sure I would have had to scavenge from a mustang 2.

[@TaekwondoFitForLife]

Kiwi’s the man for the job! I’ll hope to be working with Kiwi soon, as I wish for him to put “new floor, carpet, custom roll-bar fab/ with head rest pads, headliner, and Dakota Digital gauges. 1963 Chevy C10/ 383 Stroker 5 speed Tremec installer possible too.. I’ve got the transmission and fresh engine to have delivered too.. Late Summer, into Fall project… “Interested Kiwi?” What’s your contact info Sir, if interested in talking? Thanks in advance, I’ve seen enough from you Sir, and I really hope we can get deal worked-out for this as I’d love to see you feature “some” of my old truck.

[@CharlesVanNoland]

I would've just left the original motor in there, jeez.

[@lancecooper4646]

Yep you can stroke a 351W for plenty of big block power, would've been cheaper & waaay easier 👍

[@grivolas2144]

With such a small car there's no need for an engine that big. To be honest that's to much power for me I be happy with 250 to 300hp out of that 351w.

[@paullaughry3460]

A lot of work indeed. At one time at least, some one bought the whole Heidts catalog for that car. I remember when Heidts launched that rear suspension, a Ford 9-inch differential with a billet housing with your choice of wilwood brakes mounted to it, using the axle shafts as the upper links. It had a few small issues but at that time your only other options were a c-4 corvette rear end arrangement or the as mentioned jag set up this is inspired by, if you absolutely had to have independent rear suspension in your classic car. fun stuff. It's going to be tough getting that front crossmember/steering rack and oil pan to play nice, but if anyone can work it out it's you guys.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Thanks man. I've done similar before it just ales a bit of time and the desire to do it properly.

[@davidhollenshead4892]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 The "desire to do it properly" is usually the second issue. The first is why remove a good small block to install a lame big block in the first place??? The Windsor family is the source of the best V8's from Ford for this era. They also produce more power than the car can actually use on public roads...

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

@@davidhollenshead4892 some of us just have a fatal attraction for big blocks. 😁😉

[@mlieser1230]

Looking forward to this series. Once done that will be one mean ride!

[@garryhatchett775]

Yikes! Scary work. I think it was beyond their skill level.

[@BareRoseGarage]

The old saying holds true.... "there's always someone willing to do it cheaper" And this is what you get. Like you said Kiwi, the 1500 bucks should've been the 1st clue for this. Those welds...... yeah...... that was something for sure. Let alone the 2 bolts holding all that in there. Oh well, it's in good hands now, and you will make it right as rain Kiwi. Because Good Work isn't Cheap, and Cheap Work isn't Good.

[@outlawbillionairez9780]

What a mess. That's a lot of engine weight in front of the steering axis. Any setback will be an improvement. Start over. 😉👍

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Every inch you can go back is equivalent to moving your your battery to the trunk. I'm figuring on a 4 inch set back so yea it will help for sure

[@outlawbillionairez9780]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 in handling and braking, 4" would be like night and day! This will be great to watch. 🙂👍

[@jodywales6760]

That chupracabre must really like you Kiwi. It's always hanging out.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Yeah he likes the camera more than he likes me. Wants his 5 minutes of fame😎

[@jimanastasio192]

When I was in high school, a classmate of mine had a '68 Mustang with a hot 302. At one point he replaced the 302 with a 351. I asked him if the engine was a Windsor or a Cleveland. He said he didn't know but said that he had to jump up and down on it to get in! I think Ford used the same technique to install the FE engines at the factory. I can't imagine an experienced pro quoting $1500 to put one of those big engines into a small block car. They just don't seem to fit very well.

[@427_FE]

I would like to know how the rear suspension could look like such a good install, and the front end looked like it was set up for a Cleveland , then someone thought let's put an FE in the same spot ! You have you're work cut out for you on this one ! Good luck , love your channel mate!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Thanks man. The front and rear suspension swap was done some years ago and the 351 Windsor installed. The 427 FE came later.

[@bluhammer06]

Watching all your videos, and admire your professionalism and skills. Sadly, being an old engineer I have seen much more hacking and cutting corner work in most everything over the years in most all areas. The poor consumers.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Welcome aboard!!

[@halnutt1790]

If there is any way you could give me the measurements from that heights suspension crossmember from the datum’s I would be greatly appreciative. Got a second hand 68 that had the front end removed at the firewall. Have spen5 two + years gathering parts but can not find good upper measurements for the engine bay….

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Give me a call and I should be able to give you that info

[@halnutt1790]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 great. Will do. 68 coupe. Hood relief on cowl to rad support. Cross measurements on top. For fender mounts. Have set up on frame table plz look at “NuttzanBoltz garage”. My other channel has a few looks at the car to wrap your head around. Greatly appreciate any input.

[@428eliminator3]

Gone In 60 Seconds....$1,500.🤑

[@keithmason9342]

Unfortunately this is another example of why Mustangs get a bad rap. It's not the car, it's unscrupulous shops that do questionable work, take the money and run. Fortunately for this owner, he brought it to the right shop. The car is on good hands and even though you may have to start over, it will be done right. Thanks and we'll see you next time.

[@romannumeral5547]

It never ceases to amaze me at the amount of butchery that comes into your shop that needs reparing. How did they do such a good job on the rear end swap and not get the engine and rack mounted properly? $1500 is barely enough to swap out the same kind of engine let alone put an FE big block in. It doesn't take long for fools and their money to be parted. Kiwi to the rescue.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

The rear end was installed by an entirely different shop.

[@romannumeral5547]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 Now it makes sense. Thanks.

[@geraldscott4302]

I wouldn't touch that car. That thing has been butchered from one end to the other. I have always been a hot rodder, but my intention was to go fast in a straight line, as long as it handled well enough to be safe at reasonable speeds, I didn't worry about it, so I kept it simple. I absolutely love solid rear axles. I also love proper sidewalls on tires. And I like small blocks. Big blocks tend to make a car nose heavy, and if you've already impaired the handling to some degree with other modifications, a lot of extra weight in the front can really be a pain to deal with. Just putting a 289 in my '72 Pinto changed the handling drastically.

[@kimschultz7105]

Mate I'd agree with a jag rear my mate had similar looking rear end in his hotrod and he said it came out of a jag.

[@73turbopinto]

Why would you have to cut the firewall for a FE engine? I had a 67 FB with a 427 /C6 with a set of Hooker comp hearers & power brakes direct bolt in with the correct engine mounts .

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

You don't have to, as you say they are available from Ford that way. This particular car is actually made a bit more difficult because of the Heidts suspension and front mounted steering rack. Add in a thick radiator and a serpentine front drive and we're running out of room in several places

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

New subscriber here. I learned about this channel from Uncle Tony and Mopar Al. Personally, I'm a GM guy but I love them all. I'm currently working on a 302 swap into a 94 Ford Ranger and I also own a 2 Dodge pickups...a 78 Lil Red and a 79 Warlock II 4x4.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Well your mixing it up nicely. Welcome aboard!

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 Yeah, the best part is that my wife, kids and now grandchildren are all involved in the hobby too!

[@Mustang-Mike]

You say it’s a 68 Mustang but the front grill looks like a 67 and the 68 has front side lights on the fenders which this car does not. Good luck with this one.

[@dcross6360]

If the Windsor worked, why change it?

[@DanEBoyd]

Not a fan of the blacked out chrome and stainless - it would all look so nice, shining against that black paint. I'd go for the stock hood with the two louvers too. And I'd get me a set of the OEM Styled Steel wheels, the new upsized ones to clear whatever brakes that thing has. Inboard rear brakes? WOW!!! Are those shit welds on those engine mounts?

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Yes they are. It looks like The Tin Man came along and took a dump.....

[@DanEBoyd]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 😆😅😂🤣

[@Smurphenstein]

Wow, three out of four bad so far. I am wondering if you were in NZ when the low volume vehicle rules came in? You seem to do a heck of a lot better work than a lot of US shops. Is that good training or as a result of coming from a country where we have a six monthly warrant of fitness?

[@TractorMan104]

Good luck!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Thanks man!

[@Dazzzlah]

I wonder if the moto for the previous shop is 'we might be dear, but fuck we're rough'.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Lol. That's funny!🤣

[@imskeptic1]

It's so discouraging to see this kind of shoddy workmanship so often. How do these pirates get away with this kind of malpractice? You don't know who to trust anymore, so you become afraid to trust anybody. Damn shame.

[@travismopargarage4949]

WOW and i thought the install in my d50 was a bad job whoever did mine just got the v8 in there good enough but that install is like theft

[@aussietaipan8700]

Just found your channel, liked and subscribed. I would love to see the serious for this work, do you have a play list for it?

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Still working in this one so keep watching! Thanks for subbing

[@OscarSegundo]

Any tips on what to look out for when considering a shop for work? They shouldn't be in business, if they did this kind of work who knows what else they did and is on the road waiting to fall apart.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Ask around, places like your local cars and coffee are a great source of info. About 10% of my work comes from my website and the other 90% is word of mouth.

[@peterkovacs8654]

The kiwi is on the case, it’ll be right again in no time

[@daveduckworth1800]

That Mustang has the rare "Quick Change" front suspension. Just cut the band clamps and the suspension is removed!!!!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

LOL not a popular option🤣

[@67L-88]

Honestly part of me feels bad for the other shop. It's kinda obvious they didn't know the scope of work when they quoted the work. They probably thought it was like a Chevy swap, bolt in bolt out and the car drives off the next day. By the time they knew it didn't fit they were in too deep they had parts and engines everywhere and no clue what to do about it. I would have put the other engine back in the car and given everything back to the owner with an explanation as well as a refund. At least they didn't ruin stuff on the car attempting to make it fit. I cant wait to see how it should be done!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Admitting your wrong or that you don't know how to do something doesn't come easy to many of us unfortunately. I've had to wave the white flag a couple of times, it's knowing when to thats the trick.

[@67L-88]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 Yes sir, knowing when you crossed the line of ut-oh and stopping is the mark of a professional so bravo to you. No one can ever do and know everything!

[@michfish2260]

Absolute butchery. What was that shop thinking? They make FE engine mounts designed to drop the engine if it needed to go lower. They also make transmission cross members for Tremec/FE setups to keep everything where it needs to be. The shop almost did more work to do the job wrong than to just get the correct parts.

[@Bradydog-in7ut]

Not only does Kiwi got to do the Jon correctly, he has also to essentially fix all the screw ups the other garage did. The weight of that big engine can’t be good for the cars mponenta taking all that weight…

[@jodycalhoun6319]

Kiwi makes it right should be you slogan.

[@mzimm460]

Are you hiding flightless kiwi birds in engine compartments?

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Smuggling not hiding. Were an upmarket operation here bud🤣😂

[@henryschilling1120]

I watched this real close and for the life of me don’t know why they butchered the front end. It’s totally unnecessary, a big block will fit right in. It’s tight but it’s a pretty easy swap. I drag raced a 69 Mach 1 with a 427 and the install from a 351w was easy. I just got some 390 block and frame mounts from a junk yard.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

They installed the Heidts front mustang II front suspension and the Heidts IRS in the rear. The front suspension has a front mounted rack so everything you knew about a big block into a stock suspension car goes out the window. The suspension works well with a a small block but gets difficult with the big block

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

So does anybody but you do a proper job of restoring old Mustangs? Holy smokes. BTW it looks to me like Kev is eyeing up that 427 as an upgrade for his Pacer...you better tell him it's staying in the Mustang before he hauls out the gas axe 🤣

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

There are good shops out there, the ratio of good to bad ones is far from ideal though. There's more money to be made doing it wrong .... the customers sometimes exacerbate the problem by wanting the "best price" but not often in my experience

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

We had to sit Kev down and have a chat.....

[@TonysHotRodGarage]

What a hack job! The owner of that shop in CA needs kicked in the nuts! It'll be nice when Kiwi's done with it though 👍

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Thanks man!

[@joe-hp4nk]

Mustangs are nice looking cars. But ford seems to go out of their way to do things the hard way.

[@knexmanmanmanman1781]

ohh that makes a little sense.. it was California aren't engine swaps illegal there?? they just wanted a quick buck i hope the old engine was trash so they didn't get a good engine out of it on top of the dudes cash

[@Thunder_6278]

If the 1st shop was knowledgeable, they would of told him not to swap.

[@UncleTonysGarage]

You talk funny

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Yeah I've been told that but some female cameramen like the accent soooo........😝😜

[@ramblingsadrift6477]

Very informative channel However all your videos need to have a wee bit more volume..

[@donteblack7294]

👍🏾👊🏽

[@unclebuzz6913]

See what you get, when marijuana is legalized. You get even crappier workmanship if you want to call that crap workmanship.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Not a lot of work done....

[@unclebuzz6913]

@@codybertram6122 you can trust a drunk. Not a doper.

[@chadmartin479]

I have to comment on customer, not just shop that did that work. Who in their right mind thinks you can put a big block into a small block car for $1,500? Maybe $1,500 for a couple of the special brackets you might need? To me, the customer Fully got their $1,500 worth, right.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

One thing I've learned in this business is that not all classic car owners have mechanical knowledge of their cars. They just love them and drive them. Some have a lot of knowledge, some next to nothing and there's a whole lot in between. So when a "expert" says "sure we can do that " people tend to believe them. Kinda like when we go to the doctors.......

[@chadmartin479]

Thanks for the insight - I guess your videos will help to educate.

[@Jglivermr2]

How do you even charge for this? Do you even attempt at an estimate, just run a clock? Then what if you make a mistake, and have to do something over, is that part of the labor, or do you not charge for that? I am really trying to figure out how to do this work, and still make a living. And clearly the traditional shop business model does not work....

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

It's not an easy way to make a living. I'll give a very loose estimate based on what I see. Then I explain that with the age of these cars and the checkered history they've all had it can vary of that estimate a lot. Communication is key, I feel it's very important to talk them through it as you go and explain any unseen issues you come up against as they happen. Don't wait till the end as it will come off as a list of excuses you've come up with to justify the high bill. I tell them there will be some head scratching time especially if someone's already screwed it up and your picking up the pieces. Ultimately you will end up eating some hours It's just the nature of the beast. But if you can fix what the other guy couldn't and you give them back a working car don't be afraid to charge them for that skill!!

[@Jglivermr2]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 I really appreciate this response. It seems like every car I get is picking up the pieces. I have only been doing this work on commission for a couple years now. The previous decade I spent fixing classics being paid by the hour. Never gave one thought to how my boss was handling the business side. Didn’t have to source parts, even think about labor time, and had to do much less research on how to actually do the work as well. So, your channel and this response are a big help. Thank you.

[@jontrudell7529]

😆

[@vinny667]

About how much of your business is fixing other shop's con jobs?

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Way more than I like .....

[@jasonhaney4319]

Is that 427 a side oiler

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

This one's not a a side oiler 😔

[@tomngerrycatnmouseproductions]

Top oiler

[@henryschilling1120]

Yeah top oiler. Real easy to tell if you know where to look.

[@tomngerrycatnmouseproductions]

@@henryschilling1120 Finally somebody knows their Fords!!!!

[@bccev770]

If you pay peanuts you get monkeys. Now Doctor Chris will show you how its done....🌝👌

[@gilbertwashburn7095]

Just a comment about the guys who put that motor in maybe they shouldn't work on cars new they need to work at a donut shop

[@throttlewatch4614]

That was definitely not a KZbin build lol

[@robertmedsker5305]

This job just reeks of a bad service writer and incompetent mechanic.. kiwi will do it right..

[@dougcoleburn1579]

Wow that is butcher work!

[@rheidtech]

Its a crusher. Lol

[@woodyofp8574]

It's rough to think that that's what $1,500 gets you. I mean, that's more than most of my whole cars cost me.

[@SonnyFastSpeed]

[@jontrudell7529]

MUSTANG MASTER KIWI & Classic Car Cult.ure leader utg Carb cult leader Andy umsg