Montego Upgrades!

"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562)
04/07/2015 at 16:13 • Filed to: MONTEGO, UPGRADES, MONTEGO PROJECT, 1968, MUSCLE CAR, MERCURY, MUSCLE MERCURY, 302, 5.0, V8

Well I had yesterday off and my brother in law was in town for the day so him and I tackled the upgrades I got for the Montego yesterday.

Here's the write up from last week about the parts I ordered (and a recap of the car itself):

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

So I put on everything but the spark plug wires, those are for the future whenever I upgrade the ignition. So that means I put in new Thermostat, Water Pump, Radiator Hoses, Heater Bypass Hose, Alternator Belt, Power Steering Belt and Valve Covers.

Here's a timeline of the engine bay from when I bought it to now in it's various states.

I'm so happy with the Valve Covers, I think they look fantastic and I've been wanting them since I first bought the car. I'd like to get the matching air cleaner eventually, but for now the Edelbrock one (which was a gift - FREEBIE) will do just fine. Can't really see it in the pictures, but the new Spark Plug Wire Holders are the Ford Racing ones as well.

(Edit: needed a better looking lead image! Used another from the final product)

DISCUSSION (47)

Party-vi > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 16:20

Kinja'd!!!

If I had known you were looking for some valve covers I would have given you my old ones.

Kinja'd!!!

Jcarr > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 16:20

Looking good! I don't know my engines by sight. 302? 351? 390?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Party-vi
04/07/2015 at 16:22

Nope! Had to be these ones! I'm mildly incredibly obsessed with them.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 16:23

I'm so sorry, but whenever I see your username I think of this:

Kinja'd!!!

ttyymmnn > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 16:24

Looks fantastic! Really nice.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Jcarr
04/07/2015 at 16:25

Thank you!

It's a 302!

The tall valve covers make it look a bit bigger than it is. It would fill out the engine bay a lot more if it were a 390! Wouldn't be much different if it was a 351 though.

I know because a buddy of mine with a 390 Torino GT parks next to me at car shows just so we can freak people out haha.

Kinja'd!!!

On the left is his 68 Torino, on the right is my 68 Montego.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ttyymmnn
04/07/2015 at 16:26

Thank you! I'm hurting today man, all day in the garage (930AM - 6PM) with no power/air tools.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
04/07/2015 at 16:27

lol.

I'm a fan of obscure cars, but not from that continent lol.

ttyymmnn > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 16:27

It builds character. And muscles.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 16:29

Nice!
On a slightly unrelated note. My grandfather used to have a 390 GT/CS Mustang. Unfortunately he got rid of it like 30 years before I was born. '68, 390, 4 speed. First car he bought when he went in the Navy. Kinda stemmed by another comment you made that it made me remember.

CalzoneGolem > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 16:30

Wow, that sure made your engine look better!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ttyymmnn
04/07/2015 at 16:42

Hahaha, yeah. It was a great day, it's fantastic therapy for me to turn wrenches for a day

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
04/07/2015 at 16:43

Oh that Mustang must have been glorious! 390 breaks into the big block category!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CalzoneGolem
04/07/2015 at 16:44

Massive difference vs the old Powered by Ford blues.

Which will get mounted on the garage wall.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
04/07/2015 at 16:57

oh and just hover my icon next to my name to see mini version of this for a reminder:

Kinja'd!!!

Funktheduck > Party-vi
04/07/2015 at 18:46

What size engine are those for?

Funktheduck > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 18:47

Now I know what valve covers my truck is getting.

lone_liberal > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 19:00

Nicely done! My project is a little behind yours. This was the sorry state of the engine bay when I fired it up for the first time last year. Since then the front sheetmetal has been bolted back on and the brakes have been completely gone through including a new master cylinder and front calipers. Now that it's spring I'll be finishing up the wiring (the front lights still need to be done) and hopefully the interior installed. Still, hearing it run for the first time was quite a boost for morale.

Kinja'd!!!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Funktheduck
04/07/2015 at 19:47

These are the tall ones in case I ever do roller rockers. They have a cheaper set that is lower depending on your budget.

These are so fantastic though. I can reply with a link to them tomorrow for you!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > lone_liberal
04/07/2015 at 19:53

The first start after major work is one of the best feelings in the world man.

Give me some details, I can't remember your project. I see v8 and Orange covers. Has me thinking Chevy? Lack of front fender makes this game difficult (and small screen on mobile)

lone_liberal > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 20:07

Yeah, that moment when it starts and it becomes a car instead of a pile of parts is the best. It's a '71 Camaro that was a $800 basket case when I bought it. Xenu willing, it should be back on the road this year. After that I get to tackle the rot in the rear quarters. Thankfully that's cosmetic and not structural but it still has to be done.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > lone_liberal
04/07/2015 at 20:17

Mine was $2500 and I spun the tires on the way home.

Customization started when the original 2 barrel carb needed to be rebuilt....honestly who rebuilds a single 2 barrel? 4 barrel Holley acquired, Edelbrock Performer RPM acquired, dual Super 44s acquired and now it's a lot easier to spin tires haha. Should keep cool this summer with the colder thermostat (dropped 10 degrees to 180 from stock) and that's a heck of a water pump on there.

I need a lot less body work though (and my lights work...) oh and it has 60k original miles with the original window sticker.

lone_liberal > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 20:29

The main problem with my car was the previous owners. The engine had to be pulled because they had used the wrong motor mounts so of course the bolt holes didn't match up with those in the cross member. So the engine was bolted down by one bolt on each side. The wiring had so many splices in it that I completely replaced the wiring harness (hence the light isssue), the rear was held up by air shocks and not the well worn springs, etc. Every time I dug in to a system I found something that was screwed up. At least I'm to the point of bolting stuff on instead of ripping it off now.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 20:59

I bet it was an amazing car to have in 1970-1971ish. They had to get rid of it because they couldn't latch the car seat things in it when my uncle was born in '71. He's wanted a performance car again ever since.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > lone_liberal
04/07/2015 at 21:20

wow, sounds like you're doing good work saving it tho!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
04/07/2015 at 21:21

He should get a late 60s Cougar. Mustang performance and more class! Mercury!

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 21:46

I'd love him to get some old car but I think it's likely gonna be a Mustang or Camaro of the newest variety most likely. Which I'm totally fine with as well.

Funktheduck > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/07/2015 at 22:01

Sweet

Party-vi > Funktheduck
04/08/2015 at 06:16

Small block Ford Windsor, so 289W, 302W, 351W,.

Funktheduck > Party-vi
04/08/2015 at 11:37

I want to replace my Moroso covers some day. Got them second hand and one of them always has a slight leak.

Party-vi > Funktheduck
04/08/2015 at 11:40

I've never had a set of valve covers that didn't leak, but then again the rest of my car leaks so it hasn't really been an issue.

Funktheduck > Party-vi
04/08/2015 at 11:50

Yeah. I've always had one side leak. So annoying. Mine leaks gas if i fill past half a tank. This spring/summer goal is to get the fuel system replaced. Gonna check the tank when I drop it to see if it's good or needs replacing. If it needs replacing I then have to decide if I wanna go stock and keep the spare tire or go for the 38 gallon tank. I definitely don't need 38 gallons but for some reason I want it.

Party-vi > Funktheduck
04/08/2015 at 11:52

When I fill my tank, as the gas expands to ambient temperatures it tends to overflow haha. Also, if I take long sweeping right-hand turns I tend to lose gas as well. It's a bit of a pain really. I think my tank holds about 22 gallons.

Funktheduck > Party-vi
04/08/2015 at 11:59

Mines 19 gallons which seems small for a truck. The rubber lines that go from the pick up to the hard lines are shot. Not sure if the fuel pump is dying or just sucking air from the bad rubber lines. I want to replace it anyway with an electric pump with a hidden switch.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Funktheduck
04/08/2015 at 13:29

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-302-…

Here's the valve covers I bought! They should fit any Small Block Windsor Motor.

Funktheduck > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/08/2015 at 14:08

mmmm....summit racing

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Funktheduck
04/08/2015 at 14:21

The best part is I'm only a few hours from their distribution so free ground shipping = overnight shipping for free!

I checked around...advance with coupons, amazon, jegs, EBAY even, summit is the best deal.

God DAMN they are epic looking and honestly - they are seriously well built. you'll need longer valve cover bolts, these things are thick compared to stock covers. I upped the bolt size from 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch and it worked perfect. Yes I made my local advance store do a store-to-store transfer so I could get enough bolts haha. They only had 8, needed 12.

Funktheduck > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/08/2015 at 14:37

Oh man. I remember when I was about 15 going there. Got up around 6 am and drove down with my stepdad. Spending a bunch on parts for my truck after waiting in a massive line of older/old guys. It was awesome.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Funktheduck
04/08/2015 at 14:41

Haha. I just ordered online and they delivered it that quick.

Thanks UPS - now stop moving my doormat on top of my box, its even more obvious that a box is there you jackasses

Funktheduck > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/08/2015 at 14:46

At least they deliver. I've never had problems with the major delivery people. I ordered something on amazon and they shipped using Lazership. Package never showed up. No one ever contacted me. I just got a message from amazon saying my order was returned because my address was undeliverable. They never tried to deliver it.

We went to the store because there was no online ordering at the time. It was either in store pick up or ordering through the catalog.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Funktheduck
04/08/2015 at 23:20

fair enough! I do love the basically free overnigh shipping. One time it caught me by surprise, didn't even look up tracking thinking o. Free ground shipping it would be at least 3+ days. Nope, next day delivery.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Party-vi
06/12/2015 at 14:50

Just saw this reply to Funktheduck, I was demonstrating how to tag articles with someone haha.

And so far so good - no leaks on either side (it’s a first for me).

this evil ass shit is the reason why:

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail…

Party-vi > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/12/2015 at 14:59

Good to know - I always have issues with leaks on my 302. I’m just a bit worried about that 300F temperature range.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Party-vi
06/12/2015 at 15:01

My dad has used that stuff for decades and actually recommended it to me, it’s the only thing he’s ever used on valve covers (that works anyhow). I tried Edelbrock’s gaskacinch and that stuff was crap.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Party-vi
06/14/2015 at 09:41

Hey I’m actually looking to do a replacement aluminum radiator. Any oppopinions on a brand or something I should look for?

Party-vi > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/14/2015 at 12:17

Be Cool or Griffin, but Summit has some good aluminum ones for sale as well.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Party-vi
06/14/2015 at 13:06

Have you heard of US Radiator?

My dad is a dealer for them so I can get a massive discount on them. Might even get a 4 row radiator out of it.