Meant to update this sooner. In case your not familiar i am restoring classic mustang that i have owned for many years. It might help if you read the previous blog. So I have a lot to add but after a brief initial analysis and test starts. I found that I needed a new carburetor. The one I had on their was beyond repair, it would have needed more than just a overhaul kit. Anyway I went with the same cfm (600) and kept it Holley. But this time I got a non-adjustable one so that no adjustments would be needed beyond the idle rpm. I also noticed that it was having a hard time turning after a few cranks, so i upgraded the starter solenoid and that resolved that issue. The next issue I found was that since the car had been sitting for so long the gas in the gas tank had gone bad and the tank had developed a layer of sludge on the bottom. I bought a new tank along with a sending unit to replace it and am just waiting for a clear day to install it. Next I am tackling the brakes. I initially wanted to upgrade the brakes with a booster, but that combination only comes with disk brakes. So for now i will be just replacing the brake system to its original style. Ordered a new brake master cylinder and am going to spring for new wheel cylinders for both front and back as well.
On a side note I wanted to write something about this whole ordeal. I have tried and failed at many things. Most in fact. I have even comes to terms and believe that I am forever learning the hard way. Sometimes I think that the very few people who encourage me do it only because it is what family members or friends are supposed to do. Support you in any effort you choose, no matter how futile. I often imagine that they expect me to fail and that I will soon grow out of some idealistic phase. As if they are enabling me deeper into a delusional cause. Am I just being paranoid? I'm not sure if its their doubt or mine that has me worried that another failure is around the corner. Sometimes I am even convinced that I am delusional, and that i should cut my losses. It's a rational notion. Why pour money and time (both of which I little of) into something that will not help me, physically, mentally or in any logical sense.
But my Im not rational about this, at least not in the customary meaning. I refuse to be. My logic does not work in sense that measures bank account sizes or time I could have spent watching TV. Those things do not define what a person is. The load is heavy and arduous, but my resolve is strong and I have stood by enduring for to long. The reward is worth the headaches, the blood sweat and tears,the cut fingers and empty wallets. The invaluable understanding that comes with knowing what I am worth is what must be achieved. Given the knowledge of how steep the climb is will I quit? Turn around? Succeed?. Can I attain those goals set forth for me no matter hard the journey? Truth to these questions, I must seek. I must test myself if I wish to become more than what is expected of me. How does one know how sweet the fruit of labor taste without knowing the bitterness of personal defeat. And I have swallowed enough defeat. This project is not just a project to restore a vehicle, the vehicle is myself. A metaphorical projection of myself that I am slowly trying to restore or better yet "resurrect" after years of self indulgence, slothfulness and indifference to everything. Like this car I have led a life on the side lines and in the safety of driveways only being tested and driven to its fullest measure in rare circumstances. To long have we both rested idle, and long over due are we for an awakening. The potential of this vehicle I feel parallels that of mine, and soon I will restore it and myself beyond expectations.
peace be with you.
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