So today I screwed around with the Mustang some more. I adjusted the high speed idle on the choke down to about 1700 rpms (was at about 2k). I put a noticeably softer spring in the secondaries too.
Then I went after the distributor. I learned that the initial timing was set at about 35 BTC... no wonder it would barely start when it was warm. It also had a bushing in the distributor that would let it advance up to 21 deg more at higher RPM. SO it was WAY advanced all over the place. I also replaced the cap and rotor. Now for some reason the tach periodically jumps though. I hope that goes away on it's own.
So I put lighter springs in to bring the advance in sooner, I put a bushing in that would allow total advance of 28 degrees under RPMs, and I turned initial timing down to about 6 degrees BTC. This gives me about 34 deg total advance that comes in completely by about 3800. Now the car starts right up when it's warm, and idles better both in gear and neutral. I didn't get a chance to drive it though, but I can't imagine any issues.
I also learned that my 3000 stall converter is really a bone stock, 1500 rpm converter. I put it in gear, brake torqued it in the garage, and by 1500 rpms, the rears are spinning... that's a problem I'm going to have to remedy. I'll most likely go with the same TCI unit I have in the Caddy which is about 3000 stall, but still has good drivability. I used one also in the Trans Am that I liked.
I think I'll go down to the Canton swap meet next weekend and maybe find a 9" with a more streetable gear in it. I think a 3.73 would be ideal to make this a good all around cruiser and a lot more cruising friendly. I'm going to focus on making it a better driver and more reliable for the street, then if it's not fast enough at that point, I'll work to make it faster. I really don't think this motor is as hairy as advertised. I believe the 10:5 - 1 compression, but I think it's not too much more than a stock '70 cam.
More to come...
-BP