Gee - I have lots of "got aways": 1977(8?) my buddy bought a '66 Fairlane GT less engine for $800.00. The fresh 428 was available separately for $300.00 but my buddy didn't have any more cash and I was broke. Begged my dad for the money, but he said no way. I still remember how cool that 428 looked with the deep oil pan and a Shelby lettered sidewinder intake. Looking back - my dad was right not to give me the money.

Next was a rust free '70 boss 302. Another buddy bought it as a daily driver with a regular 302 in it. He located a Boss 302 engine locally, rebuilt it and put it in the car. He was in to Galaxies and didn't want the Boss. The paint was faded, and the tires were junky but the interior was nice and the body was straight. He told me the first person with $3000.00 takes it. It was about 1983 - and I was a broke kid - so on it went to somebody else. I did get to drive it a few times. It sounded great!

A while later, I had a job and a little money. I came across an Emberglow '66 Mustang convertible. It was a running driving straight 6 auto. The floors had been replaced, and the rest looked O.K. it needed a top and the paint was a little faded (would be a perfect "patina" car today). I had the money but I balked at $1900.00 and got stubborn. Told the guy I didn't want to pay over $1500.00 and I walked away. After sleeping on it, I decided to pay the asking price and I went back. I got there just in time to see the new owner loading it on a trailer and taking it away.

I have lots of others - but I'll stop there before I make myself feel too bad.

I have a 17" 7 blade fan and thermal clutch that I got at NAPA. Works great.

I had a claim with Hagerty about two years ago when a shelf unit collapsed in my garage, dumping its contents onto the hood of my Mustang. The claim process was pain-free. I used their recommended high-end car restoration shop: https://www.dragoneclassic.com/. The car is actually better now than before the repair. No change in my rates either.

MS wrote:

If the flywheel was wrong, the imbalance would be jarring your teeth loose, not like the gentle imbalance you describe. Betting on torque converter.

When I did it it felt like a dead miss. Not teeth jarring.
 

Another possibility: the dipstick is wrong, and they added the right amount of oil. If you have changed your own oil in the past, and added the correct amount and KNOW that the dipstick is correct - that's the only way to be sure. I have had at least a few old cars where the previous owner replaced the dipstick with some unknown replacement - I had to re-mark those to the correct level. I also had at least one where the dipstick tube had been cut down about an inch - so that one would read overful even when the right amount of oil was in the pan. Just something to consider before you just drain out some of your oiul.

About ten years ago I had a set of Torque Thrust "D" wheels widened by Weldcraft Wheels in Michigan. The TTDs are cast wheels. I had them widened by one inch to the inside. They came out great. I have had zero problems. My experience is that the "one inch" widening comes out slightly less when finished - more like 15/16" than a full inch. Be sure to inquire with the vendor so you know what to expect.

Thanks for the input. Years ago, I searched for a long time to find a nice original hood to replace the one I had that somebody installed hood pins into. I still have the hood pinned hood if I get desperate. I remember back then that everyone had a low opinion of the repro hoods. I had hoped that things had gotten better over the last ten years. Guess not.

As you already stated - the available idle solenoids require that you tap the gas pedal to raise the idle when the compressor kicks on. That works for me, but isn't ideal. Some of the old Autolite 4100 4 barrels had a "Hot Idle Compensator" valve that was activated by a bimetallic strip. When the temp got high enough a tiny valve opens to allow more air into the intake tract raising the idle speed. It is a controlled vacuum leak through the carb. I was thinking that a small solenoid activated valve plumbed in to the intake could accomplish the same thing. When the compressor kicks on, the solenoid would open a valve to raise the idle speed.


 

I have a Danmar D7-X

We got an amazon delivery intended for a neighbor the other day. It was delivered by "Amazon Logistics". It was a little weird - we live way off the road in the woods and so does our neighbor. Their driveway comes off of a different street about 1/2 mile away, so even though our houses are only about 200 feet apart, we have different street addresses. The driver had only left about 5 minutes prior - so I called amazon to let them know that they'd dropped off at the wrong address. Person on the phone wanted my account information, and I explained that this had nothing to do with MY account, but I could give them my address, and the intended delivery address so that they could let the driver know about the error and come pick the packages up to re-deliver to the correct address. The amazon rep told me that if I wouldn't give them my account info, that there was nothing further that could be done. I was instructed to either keep the items or throw them away. Of course I just walked through the woods to our neighbor's house to give them their packages but I was surprised with Amazon's response. I have no idea what the value of these things was - and either did the amazon rep. Is this their normal way to handle things?

Well - you're about two months late for the free C-4 I just gave away. I do have a running '88 Lincoln town car that has a 5.0 in it - non roller. It has 92,000 miles on it and it has lived a very sedate life. Unfortunately, I'm in Connecticut, so I assume shipping will cost more than the engine is worth. If nothing else works out - let me know and we can discuss further.

I did it on my '65 - easy peasy. I used one of the plates that bolts in place of the carb, and the hook from the hoist went directly to the plate - no chain. It's easier than everyone thinks it is.

Did it idle fine before you opened the secondary throttle plates more to expose the transfer slot? If so - return the secondary plates to their original position.