[novicewannabe]

Hi everyone I am new to this forum and hope I am putting this question in the right section.
I am about to look at a 1968 Mustang and as I am completely new to car restoration and maintenance I am very concerned about what to look for.
Here is what the seller could tell me about the 68:
"It started out as a 6 cylinder car, and was changed over to a V-8 by a friend of mine. He had the motor and transmission installed about three years ago, and it runs great. The motor has a performance cam installed, so it has that muscle car sound when idling, known as a "lope" to it. It has Hedman shorty headers, with dual exhaust with flowmaster mufflers. The car has no Ac. It's an automatic, and has a shift-kit installed, so under heavy acceleration, the car will "bark" the tires when it shifts out. All of the brakes, bushings, wheel cylinders, bearings, etc are all new in the vehicles suspension. It will literally stop soo fast that you'll hit your head on the windshield! The car already has installed the new carpet, with the back seat already recovered. Also the new floor shifter is in. The front seats need the new ulpholstery installed, and the door panels, sound deadening, all chrome emblems, new door pulls, new chrome door handles and window handles, and the factory correct wood grain steering wheel (new) all needs to be installed. The car is a good daily driver. I trust it to go all over with no problem. It's going to need new tires not long from now, from them dry cracking some. The bad on the car is the rear, lower quarter panels. They need at bare minimum the lower patch panels to be installed. The floor boards have been patched, and are great for a daily driver, but not "show car" finished. "
I need this car to be a daily driver, to and from work (8 miles). I really need to know what to look/listen for when I go look at it.
Any advice or tips would be amazing! thanks!

[D W Fry]

Make sure fraim rails and shock towers are good. check torque boxes are good, also 6 cylinder cars had lighter spindles. should have upgraded spindles when v8 installed.

[Print Dad]

Hello novicewannabe,
In addition to the advice already offered I have several thoughts.

This car is a race ready vehicle meaning it could probably have been beaten. Driving hard on a car can have a price. It sounds like the body has issues with rust. This is not a good start as once they start rotting it is hard to keep up with unless you spend a lot of Money.
Because the engine is there for race, take your finger abd wipe the inside of the exhaust pipes for signs of carbon or worse yet oil.
I am not saying this car is beat to death but it could be hurt.
You should have a mechanic with you who can do a compression test or give you their opinion.
Remember once you purchase it is yours.

It is not all doom and gloom however. The caar sounds like it would be a fun drive but it sounds as though you may be young. Are you ready for a performance car yet. Kids will ant to run you.

I offer this advice as a Ford fan and a father...........Jim

[novicewannabe]

thanks for the advice and tips.
Print dad - I am not as young as I want to be (35) hahaha, but I agree it sounds like it is ready for or has raced. I am not looking for a car to run the roads. I needed something that had most of the engine work put into it already and I could learn as I went. looking for a ride with personality and appeal, not a death wish.
Thanks again. I think I just need to talk him into letting me take it to a mechanic first.
here is a link for photos of the 68
http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/a...968%20Mustang/

[novicewannabe]

Thanks guys!
i was a little worried that she might be ragged out. he is wanting to get rid of it at too low of a price.
1968 Mustang pictures by towman2277 - Photobucket

[dne']

HI! Welcome! I was just looking at the photos. I'm thinking it will have to be a heck of a deal! 1000.00 Here's what I suggest you do~this is your homework assignment~ make an extensive list of what you want out of this car, how much you're willing to spend! and believe you me~ you can spend a large sum of money quickly! the parts add up so darned fast and buying used parts is just not a good idea, and spending a large amount of time on Ebay only to get CRAP eats your time and money too!
Just taking in consideration the simple things: bodywork, paint, wheels, tires, suspension, brakes, AC someday(1500-2000), then things you don't know until you've had it for a while. I'm just going by what I've learned. You want it to look good! It's a classic and is expected to look good to impress you, your friends and us!
well, that's all I'm good for right now, I couldn't sleep! Please don't rush out and buy this car without at least checking what I said earlier. There are mustangs out there that someone else has put the money out on, the labor, etc. and everything you'd want in a classic, shop!
dne'

[novicewannabe]

thanks dne'
We are actually talking about an even trade for my 2001 Saturn. She is very "plain Jane" but she is dependable. So the up front cost would be minimal, if she's not a rust bucket and runs as well as he claims. I just don't want to lose my shirt on the deal so thanks to everyone for the tips.

[Print Dad]

Originally Posted by novicewannabe

thanks dne'
We are actually talking about an even trade for my 2001 Saturn. She is very "plain Jane" but she is dependable. So the up front cost would be minimal, if she's not a rust bucket and runs as well as he claims. I just don't want to lose my shirt on the deal so thanks to everyone for the tips.

Hello again,
I forgot to mention a few other important things to look for.
I offer these ideas for this car and any others in the future.
1. - With an automatic trani...pull the dipstick and look at the fluid color.
It should be pink and not smell burned2

2. - Pull a spark plug from each side of the block.
The plugs should look pretty clean, (no oill mess)

Lastly don't be in a rush to buy anything. There are plenty of cars out there

Good Luck........Jim

[gtjoe]

If you are not mechanically inclined, take it to a trusted mechanic and have him check it out. Paying a small fee now could save you lots later. Also, find your local Mustang club and enlist their help in checking out this car.

[andrewmp6]

I would give 1500 tops for that car the way it is in those pictures.First off he just shoved a v8 in a inline 6 car did not change out everything else that is different between the two its still a 4 lug.Which means the rear end is the 7.5 its a ticking time bomb with a v8 the front springs are too weak for the weight of the v8 and tiny drum brakes in the front.The front seats are from a 71-73 mustang and look out of place in it.Its gonna need a lot of body work its been hit in the front the bumper and under the grill is bent besides the rust in the quarters.To fix the body and swap to the v8 suspension and rear end your looking 6k up easy.I would pass on it find you a good v8 car not a inline 6 car they shoved a v8 in and done it wrong.If you really want this car pour water in the cowl vent its the vent holes by the wipers and windshield if the water leaks out in the floor run away from that car.It should run out down the sides of the car inside the fenders and out on the ground.But the cowl vents on these cars rust out easy ford never painted them just primer and dirt and leafs clog up the drain holes and it rust out.Its a pain to fix too gotta pull the windshield and cut 100 some odd spot welds.

[novicewannabe]

Well I am convinced. I think I am going to pass on this one guys. Maybe I will just save up my nickels and dimes and find one in a few years that I can afford to work on.
Thanks to everyone!!!

[dne']

keep looking, you'll find a much better deal!
dne

[andrewmp6]

Yeah save up and look took me 6 months to find my 68.I paid 3 grand for it only thing it really needed was a new carb and the front valance was bent.Make sure the cars you look at has 5 lugs on each wheel.A inline 6 car is cheaper to buy but if you want a v8 car start with a v8 car.