Here is my 1974 AMC Javelin. The price was right and ran fairly well. A major factor in the purchase was it is a pre-smog car and doesn't require any emissions testing.

The Javelin needed to have a wicked timing chain cover leak corrected to prevent any further damage to the front end rubber. The idler arm bushings on the passenger side, along with the sway bar end links desolved from the leak making the car a handful to drive. I did not want an unsafe car that ate tires faster than big block on a 400 hp shot of nitrous launching off of a line lock.

The Javelin did also need a new radiator due to age and lack of regular maintence. A local shop wanted to charge an insane price of 450.00 to install a new upper tank. Great, a new upper with a rotting core and lower tank too? Forget that stuff. An internet vendor sold me a brand new 4 core unit for only 289.00, shipping included. So take that over priced hack shop and take that credit card.

Project Red Rocket For towing parts and other projects an '83 F250 was found locally for only 500.00. It is in rough but running shape. It has a 351 windsor with a 4 speed and is only a 2wd, great for towing. It was purchased from the original owner and it needed a starter. It is just a plain jane ride and could not be more of a mundane truck, but the strong suit for it is that is original as the day it rolled off the dealership lot and has a ton of potential. The only power items are the steering and brakes, it did not even come with a/c.

Project Red Rocket Project Red Rocket came back from the body shop where I had the box installed. I looks way better and now the tail gate will go on without fear of it falling in to traffic and killing someone. Yeah, the truck looks funky but that's how I am rolling for now.

A used set of tail lights and a cluster with a factory tachometer for the truck were scored from E-bay to upgrade Red Rocket. The original lamp covers since the original ones were shot. I also checked the brake lights since I did not have any turn signals and the brake lights were erratic at best. About 10 minutes, some dielectric grease and a fresh set of 1157/1156 bulbs and they were working again.

A new exhaust system installed since the catalytic converter was jamb packed with carbon and was replaced. The shop installed a Flow Master unit with 2.5 inch duals to replace the wimpy factory 2.25 single pipe set up. The difference was felt and it is much easier to start since it isn't backed up with carbon anymore. Gee, I might even get another .5 miles to the gallon now and leaves rubber in first and second gear really easy.

The Z/28 I dediced to keep my Z and will get it ready for some action next season for the strip. The emissions thing is a real pain in the ass out here and I don't care for it. I'm no tree hugger so I needed a tow vehicle.

1979 Mustang Ghia The turbine wheels were swapped from the '85 and the car was washed and pressure washed the engine bay in prep for the engine from the '85.

The Donor mobile The '85 GT is going to be a parts car for the engine and other parts for the Capri; it was bought for only $350.00. The GT has a wicked 302, bucket seats, and other interior trim items. The larger sway bars and gas shocks will ket the car handle even better. I got it to turn over the other day by jumping it at the soleniod but seems that there is no spark to fire it up. The fuel line was shot and dry rotted; it leaked like there was no tomorrow. But hey, the Holley didn't leak.

Most of the goo from the harness was removed and can see the duraspark system was bypassed and an accel distributor with a HEI style module, #35361 was installed, which doesn't work for crap either.

Mind you that the Duraspark distributor is long gone. Whomever hacked the wiring together did a really piss poor job and making connectors work and I suspect a bad ignition switch too. I will start lining up the parts to try to turn the current engine compartment into a test stand just to get the motor to start prior to pulling it out.

1985 Mercury Capri I have not gotten the motor out yet. I am still in shock on how bad it was under the intake from the leaks and suspect a cracked block or bad head, but will settle for a leaking intake manifold gasket. My driveway turns into a swarmp when the Oregon rains hit and cannot get to the cars to work on them, yet.

The Capri is a great car. Put the keys in a start up and drive away. It may be used, but thats alright with me. It's made in the US.

1985 Mercury Capri RS 5.0