Just found this project thanks to your email updates, loving it so far. I fully support leaving the patina as found.
Update by Tim Suddard to the
Shelby GT350 project car
Aug 16, 2011
We removed as many small parts as possible so we could label and bag them for reassembly later.
With the engine out, we removed the remainder of the engine accessory systems.
The transmission came out as well. With our transmission removed, we could give it a throrough inspection and confirm its OE status.
Some engine components were stubborn, but some good spray lube from CRC helped.
With the engine on a stand and the oil pan removed, we could tell that the engine wasn't original. However, the rods had been balanced and had recieved some high-performace attention along the way.
On the other side of the shop, our summer intern, Matt, earns his keep at the media blast cabinet.
Matt does good work. The bellhousing came out of the cabinet looking as good as new.
When dealing with rare cars like this Shelby, having all of the factory-installed bits is simply a godsend.
Our initial inspection revealed that most of our 1967 Shelby GT 350 is original, and our recent driveline teardown backs up that fact. While the engine was swapped at some point, the car still came with something desirable under the hood: a 1966 Ford 289 block topped with 1970 Ford 302 heads.
Tool marks indicate that the engine has been both rebuilt and balanced. Orlando Mustang’s Peter Geisler figures that that it has a mild performance cam.
The car came with a date-coded block that matches the chassis, so at some point we’ll have to decide what to do: either rebuild the engine that came in the car, source enough parts to build up our 1967 block, or start flipping through the Ford Racing catalog.
The teardown revealed more good news, though: The transmission, differential, power steering pump and radiator also have the correct date codes. Plus, our car came with factory-installed air, and the components are still original. When dealing with rare cars like this Shelby, having all of the factory-installed bits is simply a godsend.
Just found this project thanks to your email updates, loving it so far. I fully support leaving the patina as found.
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