1966 Coupe - time to upgrade!

**PaxtonShelby** · 05-03-2014, 07:24 PM

Hi all. A few months ago I decided to pull the trigger and upgrade my '66 coupe a little.

I bought the car in 1992, and after riding in a friend's '65 R-model clone with a roller 302 and a T-5, I spent the next 7 years resto-modding it to look like a Shelby T/A coupe, with a Shelby hood and side scoops, R-model front valance, and 16x8 Vintage 45 wheels with 225/50/16 BFGoodrich tires. In 1999 it was on the road, with a roller motor and T-5 from a 1985 GT, upgraded cam, TFS heads, 650 double pumper, long tubes, 9 inch Versailles rear with a 3:50 traction-lok, Granada front disks and Lincoln rear disks, and Global West suspension. The only original thing left besides the shell was the Ivy Green paint color. Life was good and I was grabbing gears and grinning ear to ear, all while out-handling just about anything on the road.

I was content for a few years, and ran 13.6 at 101mph on street tires with 60-foot times in the 1.8-1.9 range. At the time, that wasn't too bad, and was faster than most stock sports cars. It caught quite a few Mustangs, Camaros, Trans Ams and Corvettes by surprise. Then, one month in Mustang Monthly, I saw an ad for a Paxton Novi 1200 supercharger for a carbed 289/302. Uh ohhhhh.

So in 2002 or so I buy the Paxton. My buddy did the install and it ran 12.1 at 114 at Quaker City on Mickey Thompsons with a gentle 2900 rpm launch and granny shifting. 114 mph in a 40-year-old car feels faster than 140 in a new 5.0...by a long shot. Yep...that's all the power I'll ever need. Yup... Right...Sure...

Ok - so I'm a liar. No - it didn't really "need" more upgrading, but since I'm old enough to be counting backwards I figured what the hell.

To be continued...

**John4cam** · 05-03-2014, 07:27 PM

in for pics!

**Flyin Monkey** · 05-03-2014, 07:27 PM

**Terminated** · 05-03-2014, 07:54 PM

Such a nice ride, looking forward to updates!

**THE BIG KOALA** · 05-03-2014, 08:06 PM

Can't wait to see some pics.

**PaxtonShelby** · 05-03-2014, 08:08 PM

Thanks Fellas - here are some photos. Many of you have seen it before, but here goes...

**THE BIG KOALA** · 05-03-2014, 08:26 PM

Sweet!!!

**PaxtonShelby** · 05-03-2014, 09:24 PM

I had planned on building a 408 stroker and modding the Paxton brackets to fit. I know the 351 blocks fit in the first-gen Mustangs, but it is a tight fit. With the 302, I only have about 1/2 inch of hood clearance for the Paxton bonnet, and a 351 would probably need that plus a little more. Since I want to keep the Paxton, I sold the 351 block and picked up a sweet 331 stroker from Viper Ed. Thanks Ed! With zero miles on it - break-in time only - it is basically still in the wrapper. Zero balanced, forged everything, 8.5:1 with Canfield heads by FoxLake, and assembled by Ron Robart ( owner of FoxLake ). The block is a 1972? casting. Currently it has a hydraulic flat-tappet cam in it ( don't have the specs ), but I got a set of link-bar hydraulic roller lifters with the motor and I plan to switch to a hydraulic roller cam before the motor goes in.

Speaking of which - here is the new beast. Hopefully this week I will get it scuffed and sprayed black.

**John4cam** · 05-03-2014, 09:40 PM

This is getting better...

**TooFast98Cobra** · 05-03-2014, 09:47 PM

In for updates.

**PaxtonShelby** · 05-03-2014, 09:49 PM

Over the last few weeks I've been really busy, but managed to find a little time here and there to start the disassembly. Things came apart pretty easily, which was nice. Exhaust, driveshaft, radiator, Paxton, alternator...Today I finally had a few hours and dropped the T-5 and pulled the motor. The engine bay needs a good cleaning, but isn't too bad.

**PaxtonShelby** · 05-03-2014, 11:59 PM

My God - stuff is everywhere! And all of it needs detailed or painted. At least the underside of the car just needs a quick wipe-down. I had a feeling things were going to snowball a bit, and it looks like I was right. Lots of work to be done.

**Mark Aubele** · 05-04-2014, 12:38 AM

Please, for the sake of all that is holy, swap to a roller while you can. I will never deal with one of those cursed flat tappets as long as I live. :)

**PaxtonShelby** · 05-04-2014, 01:00 AM

I hear ya Mark. A roller is in the plans before the motor goes in - I just have to fit it in the budget. I also really need to get my hands on an Astro A-5 tranny and a blow proof bellhousing, but that will probably have to wait until next year unless I find a money tree in my backyard.

**cLockWise** · 05-04-2014, 01:12 AM

Beautiful car!

**PaxtonShelby** · 05-04-2014, 01:23 AM

Thanks Clock! I couldn't sleep, so tonight I started polishing the Paxton bonnet. It still needs some work, but at least it is coming along... Here is a before and after 20 minutes with Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish and a Mothers Power Cone on my drill. This combo really works well. At some point I need to use it on my wheels, as they are a little dull at the moment.

**95V6** · 05-04-2014, 03:11 AM

Gonna have it up and going for the PVGP?

**PaxtonShelby** · 05-04-2014, 03:22 AM

I hope to Barry - but I don't know if I will have enough time. I took the '14 to the PVGP last year, so this year I hope it is the '66s turn!

**Mark Aubele** · 05-04-2014, 10:24 AM

A friend of mine may have an Astro setup for sale. He bought it for a race car build and the motor ended up getting out of hand rpm wise so he ended up going with a Jerico. Want me to ask if he will sell? Never even installed in a car.