FIX MY FOX
by Matt Highley, Fox Mustang Restoration
Q
IN SEARCH OF POWER
Q
LX MAKEOVER
My ’87 convertible has manual crank windows, but I really want
power. Do you know who sells these parts?
I love the look of the ’82 GT front end, and I want to put it on my
’86 LX. What is needed to change the front end?
Roger Baker
Katy, TX
Vincent Weeks
Kingdom City, MO
A
Right now no one is making a conversion kit. Actually,
some of the power-window parts are not available new at
all. If you would like to do the conversion, here’s a list of the
parts you’ll need. The new parts that are available are window
switches, switch bezels, and power-window motors. The used
parts you will have to source are the window regulators, door
wiring harnesses, and armrest assemblies for power windows.
The door, glass, glass guide, and mount are all the same whether
you have power windows or not. All of the wiring under the
dash should already be there.
A
Since you have an ’86, you will not need to change the
wiring harness since all ’79-’86 Mustangs use the same
light. That’s the good news. The bad news is that you need
to change the hood, front bumper cover with the lower air
dam, fender extension, and the header panel. The only thing
available that is new is the lower air dam. The rest you will
need to find used.
Q
Q
GO REST, YOUNG MAN
Why is no one making the white armrest pads for the ’87-’93
convertibles?
Curtis McCowan
Columbus, GA
A
Since I do not manufacture these parts, I can only
speculate as to why they’re not being made. I assume it’s
due to lower production numbers since the white interiors
were only being used for some of the convertibles. As far as I
know, no one is making or plans to make these pads in white.
I do have a few sets of brand-new, original Ford (NOS) sets
left that can be found on my website, www.foxresto.com.
IN SEARCH OF POWER II
I just got a 302 block out of the junkyard and want to make a 347
stroker. I’ve heard modifications are needed to make this work. Can
you help me understand why the block needs to be modified?
Tony LaRocca
Red Bank, NJ
A
Let me start off by saying I am not a fan of the 347 stroker.
Because of the extended stroke the piston skirt is shorter and
the wrist pin is relocated to intersect with the oil control ring. A
result is that you get less lubrication control and also something
called piston slap.
As for modifications, you will need to bore the cylinder
to at least .030 over or more if your block needs it. Due to
the extended stroke, you will have to make a small notch in
the cylinder skirt where the connect [