Now that his revived 1965 Ford Mustang is roadworthy and proven, Mike from Classic Mustangs 429 has taken on a new project: a 1967 Mercury Cougar. Honestly, we’re glad to see anyone take interest in Mercury’s foray into the pony car market. Effectively Mustang XL, the Cougar was an upmarket, sport/luxury take on the Mustang’s overall platform. With hidden headlights, sequential taillights, and plusher interiors, Cougars should be a car enthusiasts would flock to. You would think, anyways. Instead, we usually see them parked, abandoned, and left alone because it’s not a Mustang. Sad, really.
Mike’s Cougar originally was going to be a parts car, but this cat got a stay of execution because he took pity on it. Why destroy when you can at least try to rebuild? This car is rough, but we can appreciate that mantra, so let’s watch as Mike tackles the stuck 289 V8. How long has this little screamer been locked up? Who knows. All we know is that after sitting for a few months filled up with diesel, the engine still wasn’t moving. Time for…wait. What is the torch for?
OOOOO, FIRE GOOD!!! Seen a lot of amazing things done with the application of heat and, sometimes, ice immediately after, so this made sense. That Cougar don’t look that bad, actually (shaddup, it’s a SUBFRAME!), and these cars aren’t a dime a dozen anymore, so, maybe…
why not try the flywheel ring gear and a large pry bar to turn engine over????
I’m surprised you didn’t have a few lifter missiles flying….kinda like when you try to weld on a oil pan and blow the v/c off the motor!….BEEN THERE DONE THAT!
What a waste of time! The thing will be a weak oil burner. Shoulda started off pulling it out, Flipping it over and pound out the pistons from their bottoms. Then off to a machine shop to bore it out.
Have you seen the coldwarmotors video of the straight 8 challenge where they free a stuck piston using a custom made block bolted down with the head bolts and then a portapower pump. Pretty gnarly.