Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

All,

Here is what I'll be wrenching on in the coming months/years. I'll be taking this 1989 foxbody 5.0 and turning in to a bracket car for the near term and a M/S or M/SA stocker after that. I've owned this car since 1994. It was spotless when I bought it and only had 32k miles on the clock. I drove it as my D/D for about 5 years and then on/off for another 5 years, or so, as I cycled through various other D/D's and a full-on NMRA drag race car. I've always wanted to turn this car in to a racer but starting a family has meant no time for wrenching and it has lived in my garage on stands for the last 5 years only being driven once or twice a year.

Nothing much special to see here. Just your run-of-the-mill 5.0 with about 120,000 miles that probably nobody on this website will much care about. She's got some rust, but is far being a piece of swiss cheese. All the usual bolt-on mustang mods have been on this car at one time or another: headers, off-road x-pipe, sub-frame connectors, U/L control arms, NOS 150hp dry kit, B&M ripper shifter, H/D cobra clutch, black magic fan, under drive pulleys, 3.73 gears, K&N, msd 6al, removed the a/c (which was stupid)., etc. On a pair of 8.5-inch slicks she went as fast as 12.21 @ 113 on the bottle at around 3400lbs w/my 225lbs in the driver seat.

I'll start out with some 'before pics'.

http://classracer.com/classforum/[IM...ps8293d45a.jpghttp://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps8293d45a.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps8dd637c7.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps69ed20a4.jpg

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psb0acdf55.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps624f4840.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps5dd06c7f.jpg

Here is the 'period correct' cassette that to this day resides in the center console:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps8a50e815.jpg

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps64d99077.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps777d09c5.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psa6caea5a.jpg

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

OK, let's get started:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...cer/car001.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...cer/car002.jpg

So now here it is......now what?

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

So here is where we're currently at:

I've pulled the exhaust, gas tank, drive shaft, and stripped the engine down to the short block. Every nut, bolt, bracket and any other type of fastener fought me tooth and nail along the way which served as a reminder as to why I so much more like working on race cars versus street cars. The trans is 4 bolts away from being dropped and the engine 2 bolts away from being hoisted out. As you can see, I've got some rust issues that I'll need to contend with. If you look closely, you can see the frame rails (next to the headers) have rusted through in typical foxbody fashion (on both sides) so I'll have to break out the cut-off wheel and remove those sections and replace. Good thing I bought that Hobart MIG over the summer!!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps7cc288e5.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psbd7671dc.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps03286a2d.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps88625cfa.jpg

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

So my first question to you is:

Should I go the Evan Smith route and convert the car to 1993 Cobra specs? This will allow me to dump a sh#t-ton of money in to some GT-40 iron heads instead of the E7 stockers. For some reason, dumping money in to E7's just doesn't seem right so I'm leaning towards a cobra conversion. But in doing this, I'll need to also get a host of other things such as an OE cobra intake, untouched GT-40 iron heads, cobra body kit, etc., which all just adds to the cost of the project. I do love the look of the 1993 Cobras though.....wish I could just run an Cobra spec engine in my LX bodied car.

I believe going the Cobra route would also change my class designation too, yes?

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Here is the 'period correct' cassette that to this day resides in the center console:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps8a50e815.jpg[/QUOTE]

The choice in period correct music selection is spot on. Metallica's pinacle album!

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

I think the Cobra hp rating is far more advantageous, when you factor in the better heads and intakes, the problem [for me] is the fact that it's a stick only, and finding correct engine and body parts.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Hmmmmm....stick only. Did not realize that but it makes sense considering you couldn't buy a 93 cobra with an auto Trans.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

You may want to pick what class you are going to run first if you are in a lower class where you dont need a rollbar that will save you alot of money and will be kinder on your suspenision parts. I think M is the break for that. Cobra route if you want to go faster higher class low 11s you will need a good stick, clutch and a 9in rear end rear suspenision renforcing. You are going to need a tranny, I take it yours has a AOD in it you will need a C4. Just some thoughts I went through when I built mine. I have a notch back and run K/SA in the high 11s.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Just curious as to why you would need a 9" over the 8.8? Also to the OP dont scrap the 10 holes i would be interested in them if you want to sell them fairly cheap.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Only in a stick car you need a 9in. Stick will brake axle housing and other parts, Autos are alot kinder on rear ends they dont smack the tires as hard.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

I was just curious because we have been 4.70s in the eigth with high 1 teen 60fts. Was just curious.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Not a Stock or S/S car with a stick, is it? Yeah, I`ve seen several 9 to high 8 second "power adder" type Mustangs work with a 8.8, BUT those cars normally launch fairly lightly, with low boost, retarded timing, etc, and then once its rolling get to full power. Hardly the same thing as dropping the clutch at 6000+ RPM. Plus with the high speeds those boosted cars run, they normally run much less rear gear ratio than a Stocker. With no Pro gears available for a 8.8, I`ve broke 2 sets of 5.13 "street gears" in my 85 Mustang stickshift Stocker, running mid-low 12s. Don`t forget the low ratio gears a Stocker typically runs have much fewer teeth on the pinion, and shorter teeth on the ring gear, than say a 3.7-4.10 ratio, and are obviously more prone to impact breakage. Then factor in the weak axle tubes, and poorer ratio selection, compared to a 9", and I certainly would prefer a 9" over the 8.8, at least with the stick.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Scott, I've been out of the Stocker game for awhile but I'd take the HO @ 215hp over the '93 Cobra @ 252. Take a look at the '88 Saleen: HO combo, it can make I/SA @ 2750#, and you can run an auto. Some added expense for the body kit. I haven't surfed every year of the 87-93 LX Hatch cars, but I think the Saleen is the only one that will make I/SA right now. Double check me, if you find one (12.99 factor or lower) there would be no reason to do the Saleen other than to be different. If you don't care about running the faster class then stick with what you've got.

I never broke an 8.8 in my '93 Cobra Stocker. If you were buying everything from scratch I'd go the 9" route. You've already got an 8.8, beef it up as your budget allows. It'll last forever.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Nope, gonna hang on to these. I've actually got two sets of 10-holes. Some day I'm going to sand and polish up the second set to see if I could make them nice and shiny.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Thanks for the replies guys! Jeff, now that is an interesting idea about the Saleen. I/SA huh? I wouldn't have to run that ugly whale tale rear wing would I? I'll have to check the rule book I guess. I've always hated that wing.

While I figure out what my goal will be for this car I was wondering what the stick shifted guys are running for clutches, flywheels, and transmissions? I really think running a stick would be make things more exciting, but ultimately wouldn't be as consistent. While I know a lot about the c4 and AOD trannies out there, I don't know a lot about the stick combos you guys use. So what are you stick guys running?

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Jerico DR4 transmission with a 10" McLeod Soft Lok clutch in my 85 Mustang, same model trans and clutch in my 427/428FE powered Fairmont bracket car, but with a 10 1/2" disc.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Yeah, it's a package deal.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

This car would probably run 7.20s but I get what you are saying, basically it shocks everything more.. The way we build the braces for the housing, i'm not saying you couldn't break a tube but I'd have to see you break or bend one. Thanks for the info

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

saw this add for gt-40 heads do with it what you want.
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ442842923

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Jeff/Anyone,

I've spent the last 45 minutes on nhraracer.com trying to hunt down the specs for Saleen mustangs and have found absolutely nothing. Where are you guys getting your info on the Saleen and its I/SA potential? Obviously, I am missing something somewhere....

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

The engine specs are the same as any '88 225/215hp 5.0 HO found in the GTs and LXs. You can find car itself in the Stock Car Classification Guide under 1988 Ford. It's the last Mustang listed.

What are you looking for specifically?

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Ya know what, it was a rookie mistake on my part. I was looking at the classification for 1989 which is my cars model year and there is no Saleen specs. Why do the Saleen's get to weigh so much less? I'm guessing its because of the Saleen's lighter weight suspension parts = lighter shipping weight?

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Well, here's what I've been up to tonight while most of you are watch bowl games and drinking beer. LOL!

First, I pulled the T-5. (Sorry about the size and orientation of this pic. I rotated it in photobucket and when I view it in there it looks right, but not here for some reason - Yes I did save my changes in photobucket!)
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psdc2c03db.jpg

Then I went after the short block.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps3eda6add.jpg

I still have the car up on jack stands so I was questioning whether I'd be able to get the engine up high enough to clear the fenders and core. Turns out I had about 6 inches to spare!! Yeeeeehaaaaa!!
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps339cd93a.jpg

And here is where I stopped for the night. My master bedroom is right over the garage so I didn't want the compressor to be kicking on/off too late and wake up the wife. This is what 120K miles and a few years of sitting around looks like. Before I do anything else I'm going to have to head over to Harbor Freight and pick up a parts washer.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps6656095a.jpg

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

what do you guys recommend for getting rust off the exterior surfaces of the block? Sand blast? Angle die grinder with some of those fiber surface cleaner discs?

In my experience I've been fortunate to only have worked on new racing blocks so they were always nice and clean before we painted them. I've never really had to contend with all this rust and sludge. I guess I'm spoiled.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

I can't see any reason why a Saleen would be any lighter than a Mustang GT. Back in the day I think someone had Ford submit a "creative" shipping weight for the Saleen so that it would fit the faster SS/GT classes with a Cleveland.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

I know where there is a 428 FE GT/B Saleen Mustang that is really light...........pretty sure he has dipped in the 8's as well

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

About 5 miles from my house. :) The LeBlanc Saleen is a bad hombre. 8.9x in GT/A.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

I may have heads, intake and other parts for sale.

Evan

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

You probably already know this ,but other readers may not.
The rear trailing arms are bolted into sheet metal brackets on these cars.
Significant beefing up and bracing is needed in those areas.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Are you talking about the torque boxes?

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

I'd call them trailing arm brackets..

Or if you want...... no torque boxes

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Good luck on this project I remember when you built that nitrous renegade car back in the day that looked like a lot of fun.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Yeah, that thing was fun for awhile until we got tired of melting pistons. The switch to a Vortech cured that problem! LOL! I can't take credit for building that one though. That was mainly Dale, the crew chief and brain behind the operation. Pat and I learned most everything we know about cars from him.

This build, however, will be all me. Well, as much as I can do by myself. That's not to say I won't be reaching out for some help from friends or guys on here once in awhile. I don't own a machine shop and I'm a novice welder so machine work and the cage will be farmed out - well, I'm undecided on the cage....I might attempt that one with some supervision and more welding practice.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

So I went out to the garage tonight with the intention of completely pulling apart the short block.

I took off the oil pan and oil pump and turned the motor over on the stand (right side up). I heard something fall in to the drip pan on the floor and found three items. Can you guess what they are/where they came from? Keep in mind, short of swapping intakes a few times over the years, this long block has NEVER been apart!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psb55dc408.jpg

Next I took off the crank pulley and water pump. Then I tried to find the puller for the balancer. I searched allover the place before I realized that I do not own a puller!! Doh!! At that point, I lost my motivation and decided to call it a night. Better make another trip to the store to get one of those.

So here's where I left it:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...pscdaf402b.jpg

I've got a parts washer ordered and on the way so once I get that balancer off I can take off the timing cover, yank the timing gear/chain and cam, and then pull apart the rotating assembly and clean it up. Typing that reminds me that I still also need to remove the spider and lifters. I will be very interested to see how much wear and tear I find in this 120k mile engine.

Assuming the crank, rods, and pistons are reusable and the block looks OK I'll hone the block (ball hone - no machine shop for me unless absolutely necessary!) and clean/paint the block. Then I'll order up some ARP bolts, new bearings, new rings, new oil pan/pan gasket, rear main seal, and a new high volume oil pump. I've already got all the gaskets, new balancer, and a meziere water pump "in stock" and we'll start putting her back together. Oh yeah, the radiator has seen better days so I'll need to replace that too - which reminds me I'll need to go in the basement and dig out that electric fan.

All that sure was easy to type, we'll see if it actually goes that easy. In my experience, it usually never does.....

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

If you are going to replace the rod bolts you should have the rods resized. I have done it without this step but it is not the right way to go.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

just how i like them , plain jane simple looking.nice project.have fun should be competitive.....:D

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

Well guys, sorry I haven't updated in awhile. I'm between jobs right now and its taking me longer than expected to find a new one. Therefore, the race car is on the back burner. Wait, let me rephrase, spending money on the race car is on the back burner.

Lots of free and/or low-buck work can still be done but I doubt anyone wants to see pics of me sanding the car. LOL.

Re: Foxbody Stocker/Bracket Racer
 

I haer ya !!!