Topic: 1979 Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pacecar

[$64stang]

Steering wheel center cap,,, I have seen a Mercury Capri on an orginal car!

[loophole]

Just acquired a 79 Mustang Pace Car.  Hasn't been started in 10 years.  Stored in heated garage. Changed oil, gas, put oil in cylinders.  Turned over once and now it won't do anything.  Key in ingnition buzzer works until I try to start engine, then quits.  After sitting for few hours buzzer works.  Any ideas where to start with this electrical problem?  thanks

[carlite65]

my 1st check would be the battery....10 years is a long time for one to last.

[loophole]

Put new battery in. 

[roadrunner]

Load check battery, remove alternator and test, check all electrical connections for continuity, and remove and test starter for starters. Turn engine over by hand at the harmonic damper bolt. I usually remove distributor and use a drill with the oil pump rod tool to spin the oil pump over to make sure engine is lubricated. I always make sure that the engine is at TDC of compression stroke and mark where the distributor was set at and mark a reference for the rotor where it was pointed before removing so that I can get it back in at the same spot so that it will fire. I also make sure that the carb bowl has fuel in it so that the engine doesn't have to crank as long. It's easier on the starter. That's what I do on a car that has sat a long while and I have never failed to get one running that way. Good luck.

[loophole]

Thanks for the detail..I really appreciate the information.  I will keep you up on my progress.

[chalkys_explorer]

 i would suggest that the ignition switch, the electrical part, is shot. They are renowned to fail and usually just fall apart. You'll know if it's the original because the factory used breakaway bolts so you'll most likely have to cut slots in the head with a hacksaw.

[loophole]

Thanks.  We actually got it started.  The relay on the wheel well was bad.  Even after sitting for 12 years, it fired up and ran pretty good.  Changed all fluids, belts, wires, etc.  It runs like a top now with no leaks.

[mustangmania]

As a person who owns and has restored a 1979 Pacecar I found some very interesting things about them. I'm writing a post for some of us who own them, people who are restoring them, and people who want to buy them.

Thanks for the post Steve!  I am one of those who wants to buy one.  If anyone has one for sale, please PM. Also, Steve PM me, I'd like to talk to you about your VIN database.

[mustangmania]

I lived in Indianapolis at the time, worked at a Ford dealer and was a member of the
Mustang Club of Indianapolis. Our club was involved in the 500 festival parade. Ford
supplied a group of Pace cars to certain people for the month of May that were driven
around town and in the 500 activities. This sounds like one of those cars, they did have
the special sticker you mention that was just put on that group of cars. From what I
remember they were all low serial numbers and were 302 automatics without A/C.
I would say that you have something special and unique.

Hi, I am desparately trying to compile information on the 1979 Mustang Pace Car "festival" cars.  You mentioned that you worked in Indy at a Ford dealer during that time.  I would love to talk to you.  Please email me through this board.  Thanks! Bill