Messages

It's a beautiful car.  I've seen it in person.  This skit always comes to mind when I see it or pictures...  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAutKZtEibc

@Earl j...  Thank you for all the pic's.  Had forgotten about the cable drive tach's.  Think I know who may have one locally.  I'll ask...  Want the Minilites (or Minilite look), but still undecided.. May come down to what lands in my lap at the right time size & $-wise.  My dad used to call them all "upside down gold-mines".. He was in the industry, but never got the enjoyment.

As for doing it right... I want to try.. Some stuff is just sky high, and not right to do when/if a real car may need that part..  I have to consider since it will be street driven a fair amount (I have to have AC in Texas), I'd like to have some level of drivability (Would love another 715 CP carb, but at 1,200+?) may have to try the FiTech or similar route.  Aluminum heads vs. cast just for weight & drivability.  Headers?  Gut says go E-Z w/TriY, but am open...So maybe doing it right in this case leaves a little "wiggle room" for comfort.  @ 60, that's worth something to me.  The cars were apparently in a number of different configs over the years, so some poetic license to be taken perhaps... 

Let me ask the group...  Is there any definitive book/publication on the BME Cougars?  I've read everything on Shelby over the years...  Haven't seen much at all on the TA Cougars

@427Heaven... Yes... Thank you...  I thought so too on the price of the car..  Not so much.  I've been looking for 2 years now...  Lotta Cougar 'junk' (literally) out there..

Correct, the BME Cougars ran 2 - 4bbl Holley's (390 CFM each if memory serves)

@GT350hr, do you mean dropped?  They took their's down over an inch if I understood correctly..  Shelby did 1", BME did like 1.75 I believe.
Looking at the pics, I see Phillips point, but the body line looks straight.  If the grille was cut down, the body line  would be off.... Maybe I'm not following?

@Phillip If you haven't seen it, here's a great 3 part series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epz2Ari5SEM
Go to 1:31 on the 2nd video for Green Valley video.  I just re-watched.  Looks like Torque Thrusts to me on the GV video.

Another good one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOajM9PRP88

@ShelbyDoug, you need a Cleveland 'box' intake still?  I know who has one.

@GT350hr, correct!  They are "wall art" IMO...

@Royce, yes.  Sebring did not (does not) have trees like that.  Right on the Torque Thrusts.  Guessing Lime Rock as you say.

Bill-

Thank you for the moderation!  I realized quickly that was a handful of topics in that initial post.  Too much background detail was working against me.

Thank you Phillip!  Love the period photo's!  I had no idea that the headlights had Autolite stickers on them.  I've always seen tape.

Cobrask8, interesting on the FiTech.  I had high hopes for that one.  Sounds like you've got good experience with it.  I've run a 331 & a 347.  Both VERY strong!

1109RWHP, yes.  Not all period, but want to make it easy/fun to drive.  Will be a street car, even though it's a race car today.  I have to have AC!

Great point...  Initially, I was looking at doing...yet another 289/302 stroker, but I may refrain and go with a well built 289 and aluminum heads (weight) more than anything...Agree on the DNA aspect.  I did a 66 Carry Over car in the late 90's and it was super accurate with a lot of real (read that as EXPEN$IVE!) parts on it.  I let it go way to cheap, but that's life.  I am going with a WR top loader on this one... I considered another Tremec.  So, I hear you...if I could find some nicely done 289 heads on the cheap, I may do them instead of aluminum.  Appreciate the critical input.  Always good to hear.  it helps keep me between the guardrails...

Scott-  I wanted a 67 (again, my OCD!), but I did end up with a 68 (just have to get it here now!).  Spot-on on regarding the 2 Torque Boxes vs 1 only on the driver side.  I just found that out about 2 months ago.  Plus, I understand the 67's did not have a collapsable steering column... So, that's a plus ( I am sure Ralph Nader would be pleased too!).  We may need to do a separate thread on the FI...  Last car I did I was able to get a really nice 715...for $350.  Now, they are more than the 600HP FI kits.  SMH.  Thank you for the support & kind words guy's.  I'm trying to help re-cycle parts vs. getting all new, help clean out some shelves or garages and get you guy's (and gals) some pocket change in the process.

Hi Phillip-  Thank you for the note.  I'll get a hold of you when I am a bit closer on that piece of the project. I think I saw you comment on some forum that you did them for one of the original cars when it was restored... You are correct on the Minilites... I believe it was either Magstars or steel wheels in 67.  But, I've always wanted to do a car w/Minilites...  Also, I really wanted to buy, not build, but there are zero out there...that really surprises me.

I am in the DFW area.  Looking for the following.  When I do a replica, I like to do it 'right'.  Will be needing may of these parts/components.  Let me know what you have & what you want please..  Jim was always my immediate go-to when I needed something and none of my local contacts had it.  He always did a great job hooking me up with needed items in the past, and I was extremely sad to learn that he recently passed away.  Glad I took the time to stop by his place in 2012 when I was on a business trip in GB.  RIP Jim!

Also, as far as the aftermarket FI systems (vs. a 715), what are peoples experience?  Looking at ease of use to install/tune/run, and 2). How well do they work on track; e.g. starvation, etc.  Appreciate any thoughts.

Thank you in advance!!!

Wheels (Minilites (Maybe Mag Star's or wide steel wheels?) 15 x 7 front, 15 x 8 Rear

Tires BFG TA's – What size for front/rear that won't rub? How wide can I go?

Distributor; Dual point FoMoCo or period Mallory, Magneto? etc. (something w/o vacuum advance) (May have a period Mallory) Dual Points are just sky-high now...

Intake; open here.  (Believe I have locally, not sure)

Aluminum water pump

Front pulley set, brackets (alternator & AC, etc.) Compressor AC tag, bolts, etc. (Believe I have locally)

High energy alternator w/large pulley (Believe I have sourced)

9" Rear with TracLoc/31 spline; 3.50:1

Drive Shaft (balanced w/new u-joints) (May have locally)

Gas tank (size?). W/FI or w/o?

Carb or EFI kit?

Seats w/mounts (Sparco's/or vintage?)

Door panels?  Or aluminum w/pulls?

3 spoke (67) wheel black or red?

Hood – fiberglass?

Trunk – fiberglass?

289/302 long block. Needs to have the bell crank ball w/28 ounce balance – Stroker?

Headers/exhaust (DST, Tri-Y, Hooker or?) SS or coated?

Kevin Marti stuff (belts/hoses/regulator/solenoid/radiator cap, plug wires, etc.)

Valve covers?  TA/Comp? or?

Canton or Avaid pan (May have 1 local)

Oil Cooler (Harrison Style) or Fluidyne

Talbot mirrors (2)

BME Cougar livery/stickers, etc. (Think I have a go-to for this stuff)

Phillip-  Thank you. I have joined a few of the clubs, and browse all their forums.  I am disappointed by what's trading.  I may end up just doing a 67 Shelby notchback replica...

BigBlock, thank you...  I had not seen that site before, but had seem most of the cars.  Most are modded, and IMO, way over priced.  I either want to do a 67 Dan Gurney/Bud More Replica or find a nice clean OEM 67/68 XR7...

Thanks guy's...  I have scoured Hemmings for over a year now as well as the other Cougar sites listed.  Racing-Junk, and others.  Nothing I need or want - moistly trashed out cars, or rest-modded all to hell.  Also about a dozen other sites - literally go through on a daily basis.  Really disappointing.

Hi folks-  Have been away for a while..  Slightly off topic, but looking for a bit of a referral/reference please.  Have my eye open for a 67 or 68 XR7, 289/302, prefer a 4bbl; but a 2bbl would work, with a 3 speed automatic, AC is a must-have in the DFW area.  Prefer bucket seats, not a bench.  All original/not model/resto-modded.  Just not much I can find locally (DFW area) right now. Would prefer a running/driving car.  Going a slightly different direction, would also consider a Bud Moore/Dan Gurney 'replica' Cougar if at least reasonably cosmetically accurate; auto/4 speed/5 speed is fine. Really don't want a project.  Too old now for that!  Appreciate any leads.