Hey Everyone, About me: 24 yo Mechanical engineer, graduated from UC Berkeley. I live and work in Richmond, CA. I came across the H.A.M.B. many times doing Google searches for welding and car-related subjects. I have seen some very impressive home-built tools from all of you on this website and I decided this would be a good place to post progress on my project car. My grandpa gave me his 62 Ranchero when I was 15 and my dad helped me do a lot of work on it at that time. I drove it throughout high school and when I left for college, my younger brothers both drove it. Through the years it has kept its 170 cid straight six. We did as much as we could with it without getting too serious. My dad didn't want to invest in some real tools and we kids didn't have the income. The car was a looker but I was never happy with it. First of all, the engine was pathetic but it kept me out of trouble. Second, the POS 3 speed was so puny, I must have called the tow truck half a dozen times. AAA complained that I abused their free towing. A few years ago my dad installed a T5 conversion from Modern Driveline (which I am going to sell BTW). These days I have an income of my own and I am going hog wild in the tool department--air compressor, welders, pneumatic tools, engine hoist, plasma cutter... I have been collecting Mustang parts from junkyards and private parties on Craigslist: 302 from a '92, 8.8 rearend, T5 w/ short throw shifter, GT 40 heads, Explorer intake and TB. My plan is to port the GT 40 heads and use an aggressive cam and EFI to get ~300 whp. I'm painting it Wild Strawberry Red and doing some body customizations with my newfound favorite pastime, welding. For one it is getting a whole new front end under the hood and between the fenders from a BMW E36. I want to figure out a way to convert the whole weather sealing system to something more late-model. The solid foam rubber weatherstripping is stiff and you have to slam the doors to get them to close and they still leak. I want to use those hollow seals they have on new cars and use a double sealing system to eliminate the drip rails. Anyway I could ramble on and on about my "plans" for this car so I will shut up now and just post when I've actually accomplished something besides buying parts. -Andrew
Hey there, welcome from Idaho! If you’re ever in our neck of the woods stop by and say hello. Mark Lester
Welcome from North Texas. My Father-in-Law has had a few 62-65 Rancheros and Falcons. He helped convince me to buy something worth owning, then goes and sells all his shit? WTF?
Hey guys, thanks for the greetings from around the country. This is like AA for all us guys sick in the head with cars...spendin way too much money, pissing off the neighborhood, gettin' all dirty, distracted at work all day...
Howdy, from an old guy newbie. In my collection of projects I have a 61 Ranchero that was on the road in the 80's. Swapped in a 289 & 4 spd. 8 inch etc. Collected more stuff and have it all in the storage garage. They are great little fun trucks and get a lot of attention. Sounds like you have a good plan and abilities to get it done. Keep us posted. Rick
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