29/05/2026
Another busy month in the workshop.
Two repeat customers in, this RHD 66 Mustang convertible for fuel system and carburettor repairs, in the past its had a electric pump fitted down by the gas tank as well as the original mechanical pump, both going at once made the fuel pressure unstable so a regulator was mounted to balance up the pressure. Owner wished to keep the electric pump as fires up easier after sitting for months on end, also went through the carburettor, new needle valves, gaskets, etc.
Then this 1971 XY Falcon ute in for service and fuel system repairs. Modern fuels seem to kill the fuel system when sitting for long periods. I fitted the carburettor new 11 years ago and its never been serviced so that’s a good run, fully dismantled and gone thought with new gaskets, needle valves, took considerable cleaning as the throttle ventures were discoloured and dirty. While at in replace the fuel pump and also fitted a fuel pressure regulator, runs great now.
In between vehicle servicing and other repairs ive been sorting this IDA Weber carburettor set for a Historic/Vintage mustang race car. The carburettors are custom modified 51mm IDA’s with enlarged fuel bowls and oversize needle valves, even though a linkage kit was supplied it wasn’t accurate enough to operate all four carburettors and allow of individual adjustability, so I had reengineer all the throttle rods using spherical rod ends, centre pivot turn buckle, etc. Quite a time consuming job but great satisfaction when sorted as the pull on the carburettors from idle to full throttle is now very smooth, this helps with accelerator pedal feel. I also made the custom fuel lines for each carburettor as well at the water outlet manifold. The aluminium intake manifold was ported by Marsh Motorsport as they are building the engine, I had to tidy up the outside edges for linkage clearance then had it HPC coated in silver, one very nice set up.
Parts sales have been average, this month sales was this used 71/3 Mustang 8inch diff strapped to a pallet and sent to Auckland, Camaro chin spoiler to Invercargill, Stainless Ford Hot-rod 289/302 Headers to Taupo and stainless Tri-Y headers to Auckland, couple of used Ford 8"/9" axles and a very rare Ford FE radiator header tank to Paraparaumu plus a few others, all keeps ticking over.
Enjoy the pics and take care out there. Dale at Coastline Autos, Tauranga, New Zealand.
