Off season maintenance/upgrades

1347 · 12-24-2021, 11:21 AM

For some this has already started, for others it will be starting soon. What is on your list for this offseason, as the start of the new season is creeping up on us.

For me it consists of taking engine and trans out, checking bearings, touching up heads, going thru the trans. upgrading to 5/8th wheel studs.
Normal wheel bearing, brake maintenance, and some wiring work.
Also upgraded to a trailer based weather station. Then we will go back on the dyno before we put it back in the car.

Bob Lasko · 12-24-2021, 03:49 PM

Had the engine upgraded with new crank and other little things.

Most important think that I did was to clean the under chassis of the car and while doing so, found a split in the right frame rail. also found a crack on the weld for the rear engine plate.
I do this every year, never know what you can come up with.

car now in the trailer for the winter and when it coms out, new heim joint on the four link and a wax job.

Bob Lasko

FireSale · 12-24-2021, 03:56 PM

Ford 302 with N351 heads in a '68 Mustang coupe. Repaired glass hood and fabricated trick hinges to make it hinged and removable with no tools. Updated electrical system to make it coherent to tech. Upgraded to manual brakes with pressure gauge. Cleaned heads and replaced 250/750 springs with more sane 210/520s. New bearings all around-triple checked clearances.Reinstalled Crane cam with 351 HO firing order. New file fit rings. Got my high stall converter to fit. Trans brake solinoid shorted out last year, need to get to that. Going to add an air shifter to hit the 1-2 only so I can keep my hands on the wheel more. Want a better gas pedal to go with my better brakes. I spend half the winter taking stuff off and half looking for it to put back on.

Larry Hill · 12-24-2021, 06:27 PM

Adding more Classic Insturments in the 40* to 220* F range.

Carl Siwek Jr · 12-24-2021, 07:42 PM

some new wheels here

Casey Miles · 12-25-2021, 01:26 AM

I had the clock turned back to where my Camaro looks better than the day I got it almost 50 years ago. Also dropping new power plant between the frame rails. Should be fun.

Ken Kopecky · 12-25-2021, 11:30 AM

For me, I upgraded to a new tow vehicle. I just took delivery of it 2 weeks ago. 2022 Ford F350 with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel. Getting it ready to tow the trailer with getting the bed hitch plate and in bed wiring installed. Plus an exhaust and air intake upgrade over the stock parts to hopefully increase the mileage. Graphics to go on next month.

Ken Kopecky

SSDiv6 · 12-25-2021, 11:46 AM

Busy taking apart a 2016 Mustang to install a 7.50 cage and converting to a 3-Link rear suspension for N/A Factory Stock.

Bill Hawk · 12-25-2021, 01:56 PM

looking for to find hp

rboyle · 12-25-2021, 03:56 PM

Mostly to my execution of a plan. You can't win without it.

12-24-2021, 11:21 AM	#1
1347 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Monroe Twp NJ Posts: 453 Likes: 925 Liked 927 Times in 240 Posts	Off season maintenance/upgrades For some this has already started, for others it will be starting soon. What is on your list for this offseason, as the start of the new season is creeping up on us. For me it consists of taking engine and trans out, checking bearings, touching up heads, going thru the trans. upgrading to 5/8th wheel studs. Normal wheel bearing, brake maintenance, and some wiring work. Also upgraded to a trailer based weather station. Then we will go back on the dyno before we put it back in the car. __________________ Duane Hoven 1342 SS/GT

12-24-2021, 03:49 PM	#2
Bob Lasko Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilton,CT Posts: 608 Likes: 0 Liked 168 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Off season maintenance/upgrades Had the engine upgraded with new crank and other little things. Most important think that I did was to clean the under chassis of the car and while doing so, found a split in the right frame rail. also found a crack on the weld for the rear engine plate. I do this every year, never know what you can come up with. car now in the trailer for the winter and when it coms out, new heim joint on the four link and a wax job. Bob Lasko

12-24-2021, 03:56 PM	#3
FireSale VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lakewood Washington Posts: 1,407 Likes: 29 Liked 237 Times in 127 Posts	Re: Off season maintenance/upgrades Ford 302 with N351 heads in a '68 Mustang coupe. Repaired glass hood and fabricated trick hinges to make it hinged and removable with no tools. Updated electrical system to make it coherent to tech. Upgraded to manual brakes with pressure gauge. Cleaned heads and replaced 250/750 springs with more sane 210/520s. New bearings all around-triple checked clearances.Reinstalled Crane cam with 351 HO firing order. New file fit rings. Got my high stall converter to fit. Trans brake solinoid shorted out last year, need to get to that. Going to add an air shifter to hit the 1-2 only so I can keep my hands on the wheel more. Want a better gas pedal to go with my better brakes. I spend half the winter taking stuff off and half looking for it to put back on. __________________ Dale Shearon 68 Mustang 6394

12-24-2021, 06:27 PM	#4
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,299 Likes: 1,648 Liked 9,522 Times in 1,975 Posts	Re: Off season maintenance/upgrades Adding more Classic Insturments in the 40* to 220* F range. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

12-24-2021, 07:42 PM	#5
Carl Siwek Jr Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa Posts: 22 Likes: 29 Liked 13 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Off season maintenance/upgrades some new wheels here __________________ Carl Siwek Jr. I/SA 1908

12-25-2021, 01:26 AM	#6
Casey Miles Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 692 Likes: 119 Liked 445 Times in 83 Posts	Re: Off season maintenance/upgrades I had the clock turned back to where my Camaro looks better than the day I got it almost 50 years ago. Also dropping new power plant between the frame rails. Should be fun. Attached Thumbnails

12-25-2021, 11:30 AM	#7
Ken Kopecky Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 228 Likes: 329 Liked 272 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Off season maintenance/upgrades For me, I upgraded to a new tow vehicle. I just took delivery of it 2 weeks ago. 2022 Ford F350 with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel. Getting it ready to tow the trailer with getting the bed hitch plate and in bed wiring installed. Plus an exhaust and air intake upgrade over the stock parts to hopefully increase the mileage. Graphics to go on next month. Ken Kopecky Attached Thumbnails

12-25-2021, 11:46 AM	#8
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 2,991 Likes: 693 Liked 1,457 Times in 543 Posts	Re: Off season maintenance/upgrades Busy taking apart a 2016 Mustang to install a 7.50 cage and converting to a 3-Link rear suspension for N/A Factory Stock. Attached Thumbnails

12-25-2021, 01:56 PM	#9
Bill Hawk Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: manassas va Posts: 33 Likes: 0 Liked 20 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Off season maintenance/upgrades looking for to find hp __________________ Bill Hawk 1352 STK

12-25-2021, 03:56 PM	#10
rboyle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 583 Likes: 1,418 Liked 554 Times in 156 Posts	Re: Off season maintenance/upgrades Mostly to my execution of a plan. You can't win without it.