Desperate Mach1 Revival

SN90FiveOh · Jul 25, 2020

Been away from mustangs for about a year now, had kids, bought a house, you know life stuff. Just recently started looking for another one for a project. The 03-04 Machs have always been one of my favorites so when I found a severely abused one I felt that I had to save it.

Towed it home with my good buddy @lwarrior1016 from two states away
Guy claimed to not know exactly was wrong with it and he just didnt want to go any further with it. Come to find it appears to have a spun bearing somewhere as I cranked it and drove it into the driveway and it died several times and after a few startups it wouldnt turn over again. I believe I just warmed it up enough to lock something up.

It is damaged on the driver side but came with a fender, door, and new bumper.
Upon pulling the fenders off its obvious it was damaged a little more than the guy claimed.

Took some quick measurements today and it doesnt seem to have affected anything. Going to take some more tomorrow and see if I can find anything extremely out of line.

Here are some pictures after cleaned for the first time in years

Plan for now is still completely undecided. If I am going to build an engine Im not sure what my power goal would be with this car. Dont want to strip it down and make a race car but also would like it to hold its own.

I dont have any experience with wrecked vehicles so if any body guys want to chime in and tell me its totaled go ahead lmao. Excited to be back in a Mustang!

Jepostang · Jul 25, 2020

Get the frame checked out and see if it's worth restoring

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white95 · Jul 25, 2020

You should talk to my buddy Brett Smith. He’s a NOLA area guy and he’s know who to put you in contact with. Are you on Facebook?

SN90FiveOh · Jul 25, 2020

@white95 I know brett. Ill shoot him a text now. Didnt think of him yet.

Silver95bird · Jul 25, 2020

its mach1. theres nothing there that i see exceeding the book value. its a fixer for sure.
always loved those wheels.

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white95 · Jul 25, 2020

Silver95bird said:
its mach1. theres nothing there that i see exceeding the book value. its a fixer for sure.
always loved those wheels.

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The aftermarket dished rear wheels really look at home.

SN90FiveOh · Jul 25, 2020

@Silver95bird That is also what I was thinking. It would take alot more than that to make me not want to mess with this car and yes these wheels will be on it as long as I own it, I love them.

RAU03MACH · Jul 25, 2020

As a mach 1 owner I am glad to see you fixing it
Another one back on the street
And hay guys get on the el paso tx craigslist
There is a mach 1 for 2700 around there
Not a clean title but clean car needs some work

evilcw311 · Jul 25, 2020

Have it put on a frame rack. If it all truly measures good and the stability of the frame isn’t compromised then put it back together and move forward. Glad to see a Mach getting saved.

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ttocs · Jul 25, 2020

Looks like its in better shape than mine was. I would start off on a frame rack and have them make sure its straight and after that it doesn't look that bad. do NOT order reproduction parts. Go to the yard and find damaged oem stuff before the new as the new metal is thin enough I do not like to lean on one of my fenders and I have heard enough bad stories about bumper covers not fitting well either. Its not hard at all to patch torn bumpers or if there is a hole in them, they sell a 3m kit for it at vatozone.

RAU03MACH · Jul 25, 2020

That one on the el paso T.x craigslist
Is pretty clean it was a bumper cover and a lower control arm bent and the insurance totaled it
It is a clean car
I did take pictures of it
If any one is interested

Silver95bird · Jul 25, 2020

ttocs said:
Looks like its in better shape than mine was. I would start off on a frame rack and have them make sure its straight and after that it doesn't look that bad. do NOT order reproduction parts. Go to the yard and find damaged oem stuff before the new as the new metal is thin enough I do not like to lean on one of my fenders and I have heard enough bad stories about bumper covers not fitting well either. Its not hard at all to patch torn bumpers or if there is a hole in them, they sell a 3m kit for it at vatozone.

This. ^
Oem parts from a yard is better than aftermarket, assuming good condition.
If the frame is straight, OEM parts fit much better. Also stay away from reconditioned bumpers and headlights. Ive bought new aftermarket lights and they were decent, i got mine at blue oval industries. my aftermarket header panel was cheaper but fitment was 90% ok. Ymmv of course, just sharing my experience.

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white95 · Jul 26, 2020

If it doesn’t measure out, cut the front off and go tubular.

evilcw311 · Jul 26, 2020

white95 said:
If it doesn’t measure out, cut the front off and go tubular.

Hell yes to this if necessary!!!!!!

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Venom351R · Jul 26, 2020

Awesome save! The 03/04 Mach's have the 4v engines so it's already a good base. My opinion if you do build it up some to hold its own I'd suggest doing some forged internals and throwing some boost at it.

SN90FiveOh · Jul 26, 2020

white95 said:
If it doesn’t measure out, cut the front off and go tubular.

This was actually my first thought, but a quick look online I only saw kits like the Team Z that replace everything forward of the strut towers. I would have to go tubular all the way from the firewall.

SN90FiveOh · Jul 27, 2020

Interior was filthy so I gave it a quick vacuum and wiped down the seats.

Decided to remove the engine from the bottom since Ill be going through the suspension and trans while I'm in there.
Heres what I got done in between the rain. I'll have it out sometime this week.

TTSaleen · Jul 27, 2020

Nice!

evilcw311 · Jul 27, 2020

SN90FiveOh said:
Interior was filthy so I gave it a quick vacuum and wiped down the seats.
View attachment 5712
View attachment 5711

Decided to remove the engine from the bottom since Ill be going through the suspension and trans while I'm in there.
Heres what I got done in between the rain. I'll have it out sometime this week.

View attachment 5713