Dazed and Confused
 

This is a project that is 32 years in the making. I bought the car as a sophomore in High School in 1980. It was my first car. It served as my summer cruiser and occasional bracket car for several years. After multiple engine combinations, it was disassembled in 1994 in preparation for a back half and wheel tubs. I didn't have the heart to cut the up. My wife and I had bought a 1985 Mustang GT (our first new car that we still own!) and we had been hooked by the autocross bug. We had also got hooked by the Jeep thing (you may not understand...) so the car sat in the corner of the shop from 1994 until last year.
I had always thought that it would be cool to resurrect the car back to it's TransAm/Mark Donohue roots but with todays technology. Then I started seeing Jimi Days AMX and I decided that it was time to dig it out of the corner.

The b/w photo was taken the day I bought the car. The one below it was just before all three cars did huge burnouts leaving our wedding in 1984!

Dazed and Confused
 

Attachment 43663
Stealing some good ideas from Randy Johnson and Jimi Day, I decided to build the car utilizing some parts that have been proven to work. I bought a Heidts Pro G from suspension kit from Randy at D&Z and then removed the front shock towers.
Attachment 43664

I have always dreamed about a big inch thumper big block motor. That's what this is going to get. We are building a Blue Thunder headed, FAST 2.0 557 Ford for it. The motor is going to be set back several inches. Ford Toploader 4 speed, Ford 9" full floater out of an ARCA late model. I have already installed a Ride Tech four link in the rear. It's not going to fit the typical Lat-G mold. But it is going to be built the way I want it!
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Headers are going to be a challenge, but it looks like Hooker Super Comps for a Torino will get me started. We will make them fit from there.

Nice work and great car. Im betting this isnt your first rodeo.

Nice! Like the name too.

Welcome

That looks like a cool project. It sure sounds like it has a cool history. :thumbsup:

I hope you start a build thread we can follow.

:cheers:

Vince-
I have been around cars my whole life. My Dad is still a car nut at 70+ years old. I have worked in the auto industry my whole life, including several years with QA1. We now own an auto repair business.
I have been involved in several builds over the years but this is my first "official" car build.

Ron-
My blood bleeds Ford Blue. I bought the Javelin after having a 69 Mach 1 pulled out from under me by an owner who agreed on a price then sold it for 250 buck more to a guy after I left to get the cash. I was a heart broken 16 year old! I bought this on the rebound after my Dad made a comment that at least it wasn't a Camaro and I would pass myself 12 times a day on the road.

I know you are an FE guy so you'll understand the last two photos.
We also have these in the family:
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The Shelby is a real deal car. My Dad bought it in 1980 with 19006 miles on it. It had sat half in and half out of a barn in Alabama for many years.
It's a 427 Side Oiler/automatic car. The interior is still all original except carpet. It still has the original brake pads in it! Paint was shot in 1990.
Other than a set of Shelby aluminum heads and Hooker headers (manifolds were missing when we got the car) the car is pretty much correct.

Thanks!
The movie really reminds me of many high school buddies. I can compare just about every character in the movie to someone that I hung out with in school. I graduated in 82 so it wasn't far off!!

The real reason I used the name is just the fact that it is going to be a completely confused collection of parts. AMC car, 69 Camaro front sub frame components, big block Ford engine, Ford trans and rear end. Everything else is going to be aftermarket.

It would have been really easy and faster to do an LS, but Jimi and Randy have already done that. I don't want to copy his any more than I already have. They did an amazing job on that car. I want to do something different.
I think this will accomplish that!!

Very cool collection of family cars and cool build going on now. Looking forward to watching it progress.

I can relate to the first picture also.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...a/Buckynew.jpg

I always like the 67s best even if the driving lights made them overheat.

Now if we could just get an FE in the Javeline :D

:cheers:

I love old Shoebox Broncos!! The Jeep has a 351W in it out of a 91 Bronco. I retained all of the factory fuel injection.
An FE in the Javelin was a thought. There is another 427 in my Dads garage looking for a home... He would like it to find its way into a 64 Fairlane Tbolt clone...

If you want help building a sweet Tbolt let me know. I know a guy :lol:

https://lateral-g.net/forums/show...ighlight=tbolt

Subscribed --- this is the best new build on Lat G in a long time…

Thanks! We'll see if we can live up to it!!
I am doing this at home in my spare time but working 6 days a weeks makes for slow going!

Just ordered headers today. I think we are going to have to do some modifications to make them work. For some reason nobody makes an engine swap header for an AMC Javelin with Ford big block!

Welcome!

T.C.

= SUBSCRIBED!

How do you suggest I start a build thread? Just start from the beginning with another intro or do something different?

Well

Your introduction is basically the start. All you ned to do is post it in the Project updates section.

Most people don't keep looking back at the new introductions once the threa falls down a page.

One of the Moderators will move this thread to the project updates if you want it to become the build thread.

We need to get you an avatar and a signature line also :lol: :lmao: :lol: :lmao: :lol: :lmao:

:cheers:

Right on man. :thumbsup:

If you would like it moved to the Project Updates section just say the word.

Heck-- I was proud of myself for figuring out how to post the pictures!!

If you don't mind, go for it. I will continue with the updates as I progress. I guess it is good incentive to keep chasing parts!

I have to commend you guys for always trying to stay positive. I have been involve in a couple of off road forums in the past that were completely the opposite and would light a guy up just for asking a simple, admittedly naïve question.

Here stupid questions turn into 4 pages of text book learning! You gotta love the generosity of the knowledge and enthusiasm from both members and vendors.

Yep now you just need to keep the updates coming.:thumbsup:

We'll be waiting :popcorn2:

I dig these old AMX cars. A neigbor down the street from were grew up had a couple and a few ther AMC's when I was a kid.

No new pictures but I picked up a Wilwood Brake/Clutch pedal assy. on Monday and on Tuesday the UPS guy dropped off a pair of Hookers for my Christmas present!
I ordered a set of Hooker Fox body Mustang headers. From my best precision guesswork it looks like I am going to be able to make them work with minimal tube modifications.
I will get a couple pics tonight to post up.

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I was hoping but not holding breathe that these Hooker motor swap headers would get me close. They did. I need to clearance the front subframe a little bit. The motor is still 1" off set to the right. Once the frame is clearance I will move it over and see how the passenger side fits. Steering is going to just barely slip between the primary's.[ATTACH][ATTACH]43933
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I moved the engine back another inch. It will require modifying the cowl flange slightly. I guess that is a good reason to clean it up or eliminate it.
I wasn't going for a complete custom engine compartment look but it is what it is.

I need to get to the engine builder this week and pick up my other cylinder head so I can mock it up with both headers in place to figure out mounts.

looking great!!

Shout out to another Minnesota member, and what a cool car!
I think you'll find about the friendliest group of guys right here, nobody unzipping to compare manhood at every turn!
Welcome!!!

I think you'll find about the friendliest group of guys right here, nobody unzipping to compare manhood at every turn!
Welcome!!![/QUOTE]


As a fellow Minnesotan, you know all too well that unzipping and comparing anything in this weather isn't gonna get anybody anywhere!!

Thanks for the shout! I've stared at your Mustang many times. I am in the exhaust business as well. We own the Midas in Shakopee.
I have installed many of your mufflers over the years!

The people that come on here with attitude -- they get run off pretty fast… and not in a bad way -- it's just that nobody bothers to respond to them.

This is by far the best forum in the Universe. -- WELCOME!

As a fellow Minnesotan, you know all too well that unzipping and comparing anything in this weather isn't gonna get anybody anywhere!!![/QUOTE]

Oh man, so that's why you Minni's are always so fricken happy. LOL

80 degress in SoCal today. Just sayin' :lol:

We could compare how deep our second belly-buttons are!:badidea:

No, two reasons... Nordic women and a great excuse to hide in the garage for 6 months at a time!!!

I spent some time tonight cutting the driver side subframe and tube. The passenger side went in with just some very minor trimming. Tomorrow night I will fill the relief holes and shoot a couple photos.
All in all, I am really surprised at how well the headers fit. I got really lucky when I decided to order these. I was originally going to build a set. This is substantially easier.
Once both headers are bolted in, I will need to figure out motor mounts. I had originally thought about doing motor plates but I think I found some 460 Ford motor mounts from Speedway that will work. I think...
I am getting excited because I am really looking forward to building the firewall and floor. At that point, it will start to feel like I am getting somewhere on the project.

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Last night I was able to get the sub frame clearance and the upright for the bay bar done. Tonight I will put the motor back in to see how these will fit.
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In order to make room for an air cleaner once the motor is set in place, it appears that I am going to have to modify my cowl. Anybody have a good idea on relocating the wiper motor? I have been digging around on some of the street rod sites but haven't found anything yet.

who needs wipers,use rainx :)