May 2025 UPDATE

Well there was some actual progress made on the Torino in May. I got my chassis stand modified to allow my core support to be mounted to it so I can work on it setting on my roll around shop stool and got it positioned so I can easily access both sides...

then started breaking it down so I can install the AC condenser to verify everything fits together like it should and there's no interferences or vibration contact points.

Got the condenser assembly set out but then couldn't find the mounting brackets! Have run across them countless times over the course of the past several weeks but now that I'm ready for them, they've become the needle in the haystack... 😡 Always something!!!

I got the sandblast cabinet operational again so I blasted the valve covers for the 460...

So next weekend I'll have another look for the condenser brackets as well as blasting a bunch of pieces I have setting on the blast cabinet that need shot.

HANG IN THERE

ZEBRA 3 OUT

April 27, '25 UPDATE.... kinda

 Well I think the cosmos is trying my patience because I made NO progress on the Torino...AGAIN!

First went to remove the sandblasting cabinet lens protector only to discover I had made a bone headed mistake and laid down two strips of double sided tape that had glued the lens to the cabinet too!While the protectors may have been junk, the tape adhered VERY WELL, so I postponed changing out the protector to the new style I received last week until I can find a windshield knife or some other tool to get the new lens out without busting it!

So next task on the agenda was to fill/burp my engine hoist jack to see if that would fix the rapid leak down of the cylinder when I was trying to use it. Filled it up with fresh oil (man I was surprised how much oil it took!), burped it and it seemed to be holding pressure like it should, so I pumped it up to about 3/4 of the travel and going to see if it leaks off any this week.

Final task planned was to modify my chassis stand to also accept the core support so I can assemble everything to verify they all fit together nicely and come apart easily for any future repairs that may arise. Well there was supposed to be 2x4s in the old parts cage that I could utilize for the modification but the material was actually part of the old shelves/racks parts were once stored on. I wasn't in the mood to try and disassemble lumber that had been put together decades ago, so I put away my stuff and called it a day.

Fingers crossed that next weekend will be a bit more productive!!!

April 3, '25 Update... and it's not an April Fool's Day joke!!

Kinda been jumping around working on as much as I can in my current physical condition but I am making a little progress getting her ready for another attempt to get her into a new bodyshop for final bodywork and paint.

Towards the end of February, I removed the remaining hoses from the water pump and masked it off for blasting again. The Dupli-Color engine enamel didn't adhere correctly to the aluminum and is flaking off in spots, so I'll blast it and try again... 

Originally I had wiped it down with lacquer thinner, mounted it to the engine, shot the assembled engine with Dupli-Color engine primer before applying the Dupli-Color Ford Dark Blue. Evidently I missed a step someplace during the initial painting of the engine so hopefully blasting the pump will give it some tooth for the paint to stick to!

I also started working on the door template for an LE style stripe. Looking at a photo of my original LE, it appears the upper edge of the stripe changes angle just past the middle of the door.

A friend has two untouched LE's that he's working on that are still original paint so he sent me dimensions of those stripes to help me nail down the correct door shape of the factory stripe...

I also recently picked up a remote oil cooler adapter for my 460 so I broke it down so I could blast it as well once I get the blast cabinet back on line....

I also got several of the engine brackets repainted satin black and ready to be rehung on the engine....

I also got a replacement mini shop vac for the sandblasting cabinet and got it hung and hopefully the replacement blast window will arrive this week so I can get the cabinet back up and running and get several parts shot so they can get refinished and ready to put back onto the 460!

So I'm finally getting back at it and pray the next outing to a bodyshop will find her coming home with her final colors, glasswork and trim installed and ready for final assembly...

FINGERS CROSSED

ZEBRA 3 OUT

February 9, '25 Update

WELCOME TO 2025!!

My build posts from the last year (when my back ordeal began) have been very lame and unproductive. If you're like me, you're getting tired of seeing NO PROGRESS and are looking forward to some REAL PROGRESS on this build!

I was actually back over at the dealership Saturday morning looking at where things stood and planning out my next courses of action...

Noticed I have several pieces that I will need to reblast and reshoot and a few areas and parts on the engine that I'll need to refinish as well. These should be easily accomplished in my current state but I do see I have a few other tasks that will be a bit of a challenge to address.

While I haven't fully recovered, I did start PT for my balance problems this past week so praying my balance will recover to some degree that will allow me to stand and bend over for extended periods without bobbing and weaving around or falling on my face... kinda like a little kid with a 25 pound noggin!!!

Fingers crossed and wish me luck....

THANKS ALL

ZEBRA 3 OUT