Montego Project Updates!

"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562)
04/23/2014 at 14:54 • Filed to: None

Well everyone, the 68 Montego left the garage for the first time in 6 months on Monday morning!

It drove great! But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Step one was to check all fluids, it's a 1968 and it's been stationary for 6 months, it's always good to check.

Oil? Perfect level, needs a change tho, it's dirty...but it's all there! And that's an accomplishment in itself.

Coolant? Low...typical. Filled up.

Brakes? low...filled up.

Power Steering? Had to check when hot- perfect, clean and full

Trans Fluid? Had to check when hot- perfect again!

Now you guys know why I keep all these fluids in my trunk at all times.

Biggest leap to take Monday morning was the fact that I haven't been able to start it with a key because of a bum neutral safety switch. I'm going to have to do some minor engineering to make the replacement NSS fit my car so I needed a temp solution, I hard wired it for now (505Turbeaux will be SO HAPPY TO HEAR THIS PART), that's what's pictured above. My friend took that picture while he was waiting for me to finish re-wiring under the dash, key knees/legs sticking up from drivers seat haha.

So with that taken care of we were off! Had to fill the tires, put in some fresh gas and then it roared around town like it hadn't been parked for 6 months, more like 6 hours.

Only problem is I'm still having valve cover gasket issues. Oil's leaking out, I'm not sure if I should just re-do the gaskets (AGAIN) or get new valve covers (which I want anyhow for a style change).

We'll see this was still just it's first time out. Hoping to take it out on Saturday again, supposed to be nice!

Bonus pics:

DISCUSSION (29)

505Turbeaux > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 14:56

hard wire all the things!

Haha what is up with the valve cover gaskets though? I am sure you cleaned the surfaces well before you installed. Are you using cork or rubber?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 505Turbeaux
04/23/2014 at 14:57

I used rubber, which I think I'm regretting. I did it so I'd be able to take them off again if needed. Which is going to be needed because I need valve seals done on it soon. It may be the opportune time to change the gaskets over to cork and get the new valve covers on.

JR1 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 14:58

Are you still thinking about putting new wheels on the Montego? I remember you had previously mentioned it.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 14:59

Awesome! Glad to hear you got it out. This was a particularly long winter, you must be excited that you actually could finally get it out.

505Turbeaux > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 14:59

yeah with the old stuff I use cork almost all the time. Get those valve seals done, light coat of RTV on both sides ( I usually just stick the gasket right to the head, then apply RTV on the leading surface, install covers, and it is USUALLY leak free

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JR1
04/23/2014 at 15:01

I 100% plan to. The need for new valve covers may delay that though is there is plenty of treadlife on my current stock skinny bitch tires lol.

Current needs: minimum valve cover gaskets, new valve seals, and possible new valve covers. then floor pan fixes for minor holes (been quoted about 200 bucks).

Then maybe i'll be on to wheels/tires. Unless you have a cheap set available? lol

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
04/23/2014 at 15:01

OH MAN IT WAS SO GREAT.

I always forget how surprisingly effortless it is to drive for being 46 years old.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 505Turbeaux
04/23/2014 at 15:02

yea my mechanic was like what are you using rubber on this for?! Haha

I'm going to have to take it to the shop for the valve seals tho, I don't have a compressor to pump air in the cylinder.

Cherry_man1 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 15:04

Mercury Valve covers?

EL_ULY > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 15:04

heck yeah dude awesome!!!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Cherry_man1
04/23/2014 at 15:10

this is what I'm wanting a set of, and the matching air cleaner:

Kinja'd!!!

(in defense the current ones say "Powered by Ford" on them)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > EL_ULY
04/23/2014 at 15:11

OH DID IT SOUND GOOD TOO!

My friend that was with me was like "Damn, now I have to buy exhaust for my car"

JR1 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 15:12

Nope sorry I do not, besides that is what Craigslist is for!

EL_ULY > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 15:16

and me.... "damn, now I need to hunt down a 69 Fairlane 500 Fastback!"

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JR1
04/23/2014 at 15:18

Hahaha, I've seen some sets on there. I found a set of Torino GT Wheels with (probably crap) tires on them for about 120.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > EL_ULY
04/23/2014 at 15:19

Gota love one of those!

What's fun is I have a car show buddy that has a 68 Ford Torino, we park next to each other and blow peoples minds:

Kinja'd!!!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Cherry_man1
04/23/2014 at 15:23

follow up, crap now I'm searching for mercury logoed valve covers.

thanks lol

Cherry_man1 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 15:25

Ya so does my Torino. there are some out there you just got to find them!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Cherry_man1
04/23/2014 at 15:27

I'm searching and apparently for small blocks they all say ford.

The FE big blocks had a cool M and lightening bolt type thing

Cherry_man1 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 15:28

Really now? o.o

EL_ULY > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 15:29

gallons of droool!

off to CL to find one then cry because broke sauce :(

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Cherry_man1
04/23/2014 at 15:32

whelp, guess its time for a big block swap!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > EL_ULY
04/23/2014 at 15:33

yea cool guy, I gota message him soon to see about upcoming shows!

His car is PERFECT. Oh and it's a big block! (my little 302 is louder though, he's jealous)

Cherry_man1 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 15:37

XD Maybe so! But keep it original.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Cherry_man1
04/23/2014 at 15:39

Just kidding, I don't have the money for a big block, and while I've upgraded some stuff I want it to be relatively close to my prized dealer window sticker from 68. and a 390 would not match!

I could always put on Edelbrock or Holley valve covers, but I like the black with red detail of these Ford Racing ones.

And it's definitely not all original, giving the Edelbrock Performer RPM intake and Holley 4 barrel that is on it (besides the exhaust). It was originally a 2 barrel carb.

Cherry_man1 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 15:44

Then time to get a 5.0L Crate and shove it in.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Cherry_man1
04/23/2014 at 15:47

That seems fair.

I refuse to return to the wimpy 2 barrel though

davedave1111 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/23/2014 at 16:03

You don't need a compressor for that, just a pump. Or they say a bit of rope/string, but I've never tried either, so don't take my word for it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > davedave1111
04/23/2014 at 16:08

I'll have someone with ASE on their arm handle it for me. My bank account won't support replacing them if i screw em up