Spring Cleaning - Engine Bay

Step 1: remove obstructions

Idle hands, and all that

The machinist hasn't gotten our parts back yet, but it's not like there isn't a crap ton of other stuff to do on the Mustang. I figured it was high time to start thinking about the engine's nest, since we're actually not that far away from finishing the motor. Since the bay still looks a bit ratty, I put on some music, got out some cleaning gear, some tools, and went at it.

Scrub a dub dub

Before: Not horrible, but still too dirty to move forward

If we are going to repaint the bay, deconstructing and decluttering was the first order of business. I started by removing the hood hinges, hood latch, horns, heater hoses, and wire harness. Interspersed in all that, I put the penetrating oil and/or 409 and elbow grease to everything I could reach. It's looking pretty good, good enough to take a wire wheel to anyway. Feeling pretty good that I was able to save the wire harness. Hopefully it can be reused.

More mud wasp nests in the right headlight cup!?!

I was briefly toying with the idea of removing the whole right fender, but got hung up on the rocker panel trim (couldn't quite see how I'd remove it without damaging, so left it for later). I did remove the antenna though.

Strange things found:
1) the previous resto included an attempt to repair rust holes behind the headlights with sheet metal screws and bondo. It's the kind of repair where I would bet real money on this exact phrase being uttered: 'nobody is ever going to see this ever again'.

Closeup- I'm just glad they were not alive

2) More mud wasp nests! These things got into everything. Just glad they are not alive.

Not much excitement this week I guess, just more cleaning and exploring (and singing. If you were within earshot, I apologize).

Removing the fascia

Hey, it's bondo jammed in the hole and painted! Heh.

Uhm, what's that?