Montego Project Update

"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562)
08/10/2015 at 14:17 • Filed to: MONTEGO, MONTEGO PROJECT, RADIATOR, UPGRADES, PROGRESS, PROJECT CARS, FORD RACING, MERCURY MUSCLE

Long overdue update on the Montego Project.

For those of you who don’t know about my project car it’s a 1968 Mercury Montego MX with a Ford 302 V8. To recap the upgrades: I’ve upped to a 4 barrel Holley from the stock 2 barrel, added an Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake Manifold, True Dual Flowmaster Super 44 2.5” exhaust, dropped the thermostat 10*, new Super Cool waterpump.

If you notice those last 2 were about keeping it cool. This has been a challenge since I took it to the Woodward Dream Cruise my first year owning the car, frankly it’s been overheating ever since. It’s been 4 years.

With the waterpump and my 3rd thermostat in it, I finally caved and bought a new radiator. I got a great deal on a custom 4 core radiator and if this doesn’t fix the problem I’m in big trouble haha.

So we ripped out the old stock 2 core radiator and I of course snapped a trans line, why not right? If anyone has pics of how the trans lines hook up in a 68-70 Torino with a 302 and C4 auto trans please provide!!!!! I need to confirm the Torino ones are the same so I can order replacements. I did a temp fix with some rubber trans hose and hose clamps for the time being.

That was the only major issue, I also replaced the old heater hoses with period correct Autolite hoses....why? Because the Autolite onces are black with red stripes and that’s PERFECT for my engine compartment.

So I drove it around the block, and it did great, I’m going to have to take a longer drive to make sure it’s doing well, but it sure as hell looks nicer under there! Check it out!

New radiator first, and then I’m going to do an image progression from the day I got it to now, it’s amazing how much it’s changed.

(yeah I need a new radiator cap, this one looks ROUGH on that nice new radiator)

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Original:

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Get that giant air cleaner out of there, free chrome Edelbrock:

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Free chrome one was way too tiny and I have no interest in Chrome under the hood:

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Black was much better, it’s time to remove the Blue Powered by Ford valve covers though:

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See those rust orange hoses? That shit’s gotta go! As it sits today:

PROGRESS!

DISCUSSION (47)

Tripper > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 14:20

looks might clean under there!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Tripper
08/10/2015 at 14:21

Thanks! It’s coming together! Once I upgrade the distributor, I have red Ford Racing wires for it.

Noah - Now with more boost. > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 14:23

The engine bay looks great!! It’s so refreshing to see a classic american v8 build by someone who is not interested in polishing their motor. LOL.

Cé hé sin > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 14:25

Kinja'd!!!

Those with OCD will freak at this bit.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Cé hé sin
08/10/2015 at 14:26

lol.

This is actually from the day I bought it, I don’t think he had the door shut well. Either way, body work once the engine works lol

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 14:27

Damn, just a small color change made all the difference under there.

Best of luck with the new radiator.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Noah - Now with more boost.
08/10/2015 at 14:28

Haha, nah no chrome for me. The chrome/fake wood trim around the car will be removed when it gets painted too.

Plans for the car are Red with Black Detail on the outside, and Black with Red detail on the inside/under hood.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
08/10/2015 at 14:29

Thanks it’s unbelievable the impact of those 2 hoses.

Also, it’s really helpful to live 5 minutes from an NPD warehouse....

Noah - Now with more boost. > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 14:30

You’re shaving the trim off too!? This is going to look ice cold cool when you’re done. I hope I catch that post!

camaroboy68ss > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 14:32

The fender probably just needs a few shims because even the top pinstripe is off a little

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Noah - Now with more boost.
08/10/2015 at 14:38

Haha, that’ll probably be in years when I have the cash to paint it, but it’ll be replaced with a black stripe. I’ve also given quite a lot of thought to a black hood scoop. they fit perfect width on the bulge in the hood. Mine for reference:

Kinja'd!!!

And a Cyclone with a color matched hood scoop:

Kinja'd!!!

desertdog5051 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 14:38

From back in the day when you could actually work in the engine compartment. Looks good, MM.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > camaroboy68ss
08/10/2015 at 14:40

The door was replaced with a 1969, some body shop must have failed at leveling class. For now, I just want it to run right and run loud! That chrome and wood trim along the base will be removed when I paint it in the future, as will that top pin stripe. The chrome and wood will become a black stripe.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > desertdog5051
08/10/2015 at 14:40

Thanks man! I’m short so it’s almost TOO much space sometimes to reach to the center or in the back. Though they had to have room because these came with big blocks too.

StoneCold > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 14:41

If you’re not crazy for keeping the car original, I’d spring for something like this dohikeythingamawhat . Otherwise, looking at some of the sites, they do seem to be different in every picture. ( Example ). For our ‘66 Mustang, and what we’re going to do for the ‘70, we just bent our own lines: http://www.ebay.com/bhp/hand-tube-… .

I know that’s a lot more work, but it is the one way to be sure.

Also, that giant air cleaner...do you still have that?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > StoneCold
08/10/2015 at 14:45

I wouldn’t mind the external trans cooler, but if I were going that route I would have ordered a radiator that didn’t have an internal one built in lol

Oh, and of course I do. Though I plan on keeping all original parts in case someone (or me) wanted to back track to stock one day.

Why are you in need of one? How much do they go for?

JR1 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 14:57

Holy cow that engine bay looks so clean. But the real question is, will it do a burnout?

uofime-2 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 14:59

Can you get a shroud for the fan?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JR1
08/10/2015 at 15:01

I could spin the tires with the 2 barrel on it.

4 barrel, intake upgrade, and exhaust.

Yes.

The answer is Yes .

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > uofime-2
08/10/2015 at 15:02

I may be able to, but it would take some custom fitting with the new radiator, it’s mountings aren’t 100% original.

crowmolly > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 15:05

Did it have a stock shroud?

uofime-2 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 15:05

If it still has issues it would be worthwhile to fit one, shrouds improve cooling by about 20% when the car is going less than 30mph.

If that doesn’t do it you could switch to electric fan(s).

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > crowmolly
08/10/2015 at 15:07

No it did not. though you can buy them aftermarket that fit Torino’s.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > uofime-2
08/10/2015 at 15:08

Yeah I was thinking about hooking electric fans up on it if this didn’t do it, though the those stats are really enticing for the sub 30 mph impact.

Why not both?! lol we’ll see how it does.

crowmolly > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 15:08

FWIW I seem to remember hearing that a fixed blade fan with no shroud is considered the worst setup for cooling.

RallyWrench > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 15:11

Looking good, solid progress!

StoneCold > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 15:15

We wouldn’t want all those cores to go to waste! XD

I am, but only to cut up to form a RAM AIR setup for the ‘70

Kinja won’t let me up load a photo, but here :/

So, don’t worry about it, you should hold on to yours then.

uofime-2 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 15:16

Oh, yes you would absolutely want to have shrouds for your electric fans. BeCool sells universal kits with fans, shrouds and the electrical bits to make it work correctly

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > crowmolly
08/10/2015 at 15:16

It’s entirely possible lol.

Just working with what I have. The idea of a shroud has always been a popular one in my mind so it may happen. Like I said to uofime-2 it’ll take some modification to get one to attach to my new radiator, because this replacement radiator wasn’t quite as stock replacement as claimed (shocking) so we’ll see how it does, and I may add one anyhow because why not. Its not like it’s going to HURT the cooling to add one on.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RallyWrench
08/10/2015 at 15:17

Thank you!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > StoneCold
08/10/2015 at 15:18

Haha, nice.

Yeah I’m keeping major components that match the car. One buddy of mine on here was after my original 2 barrel carb, and I disappointingly had to say no.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > uofime-2
08/10/2015 at 15:20

Thanks for the info! I’ll see how it goes now, and then think of adding a shroud (Which should be cheap) then consider electric fans.

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > crowmolly
08/10/2015 at 15:22

Seconding this. Without a shroud, the fan can’t ‘pull’ air through the radiator - instead it circulates the air inside the engine compartment.

StoneCold > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 15:29

“On here” On Oppo?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > StoneCold
08/10/2015 at 15:32

Yes sir.

I’ve hung out with him in person too, but yes on OPPO

uofime-2 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 15:40

No problem, I hope you can get that sweet machine running well so you can get maximum enjoyment out of it!

StoneCold > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 15:41

If you could point me in his direction, I could possibly assist in his two barrel endeavors.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > uofime-2
08/10/2015 at 15:41

Thanks! It’s sat too long. Must melt tires....must melt tires....

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > StoneCold
08/10/2015 at 15:42

Hahaha. I’m guessing it’s worked out by now, but Travis - XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I never know what his username is anymore haha. Is LSX Hunting

https://kinja.com/thespunbearing…

Chasaboo > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/10/2015 at 23:02

I like the Montego. I think it has good lines. Enjoy your build.

pip bip - choose Corrour > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/11/2015 at 07:18

very good!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Chasaboo
08/11/2015 at 09:20

Thanks man! Me too, it is just a bit different, just enough to stand out and make people go...huh?

DirtyBird > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/07/2016 at 14:37

the white edelbrock on the air cleaner is more of an ocd thing than the door trim IMO

have you checked to see if your clutch fan might need replacing?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > DirtyBird
01/07/2016 at 14:57

Yeah I want the red ford racing that matches the valve covers, but I needed a bigger one and that one was a gift - AKA freebie. The little chrome one wasn’t letting enough air in. It’ll get changed at some point. The Ford Racing one is roughly 80 bucks.

The radiator is working great, the problem is the coolant coming out of the back of the motor.

Freeze plugs is the best guess but the best way to get at them is to pull the motor, I think it might be possible to get to them with the transmission dropped out of it. Either option sucks.

DirtyBird > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/08/2016 at 10:38

Nothing a little red paint can’t fix, and ouch.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > DirtyBird
01/08/2016 at 10:48

Yeah I thought about doing some red paint but I’m not sure how to match the paint color of the Valve Covers. You want some OCD moments imagine having 2 different red paints under there. That sounds like a nightmare.

DirtyBird > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/08/2016 at 13:05

blacked out would work too lol