The second "remodel" project started in June of '91, after my 9 month stay in Saudi Arabia. The Mustang II front, motor mounts, narrowed 9", cage, rear frame mods and aluminum box (a true work of art) were done by Jerry Hill of Hill Engineering in Newberg, Oregon. The rear suspension is Art Morrison 4-Bar with poly bushings, panhard bar and coil overs. The fuel cell is a Jaz unit with two Mallory pumps connected to two 1/2" polished aluminum fuel lines running to the firewall where they change to #8 braided steel (it takes LOTS of fuel to make power!). The rear end housing has Dutchman 31 spline axles, 4:10 posi and nodular center section. I have installed engine and trans coolers under the bed, connected with braided steel lines and AN fittings. The frame is boxed and the X member modified to accept a TH400 with shift kit and 3200 stall converter. The trans pan, flywheel cover and engine oil pan are all cast, ball milled, polished aluminum pieces from Vintage Undies in Iowa.

The motor is a 454 bored .030 with Lunati rods, Speed Pro pistons and Oddy solid cam. Heads are stock steel but have Manley valves and needle bearing rockers. The blower is BDS 6-71 underdriven 10% with twin Barry Grant 750's. On the dyno this combo made 751hp/ 660 ft lbs of torque @ 5500 rpm (almost enough HP for a 2800lb truck!) The engine was built by Norm Wizner Racing of Lilburn,GA (dyno by Grimes Automotive, Alpheretta, GA). I was sitting in the garage with a friend, Jordan Coletta, after finishing the paint job on his '40 Ford coupe, lamenting the fact that the cab on my truck was too small to include the entire family and the idea was born to extend the cab and make it a 3-door ( I think we must have sniffed too many paint fumes) Out came the paper, some drawings and measurements done, the final design decided on and about 200 hours later the project looks like it will be worth completing. Future plans call for a 2" chop, pancake cut the hood and reradius the front wheel wells (gotta be DOWN in the weeds).

As it sits right now the chassis is painted (purple) and all fuel and brake lines are done. The rear housing, all locater bars, front A-frames and complete exhaust system are silver HPC coated. The plan calls for a black exterior with polished box interior. Interior will be grey with tweed and leather. Dash board is aluminum with Auto Meter gauges installed in housings angle milled to face the driver. Tilt, Hurst and Recaro finish things off. Thanks for your interest!!! I hope I didn't wear you out. I owe many people many thanks for their help and support on this project--these are the people that make street rodding such a great sport! Randy Johnston

If you would like to contribute to SMD please send all entries to Robert Curtis.

This extremely cool page hosted by
Get your own Free Home Page