I bet you're right about it being the intake, they always leak. Another common leaking spot is the valve covers. This is true to basically every old american V8, lol.

With low-ish compression, I'm going to hold off doing anything to the drivetrain. I'll finish the rear suspension and call it good for the year. New leafs/shackles etc should run me around $300 or so.

I need to firm up drive train plans. A T5 is definite. I don't have an engine or rear end in mind yet. I know something in the 302 family. I'll keep browsing CL for items. So until I have that nailed down, I'll research.

If you want a cheap rear end upgrade, you could swap in an 8.8 from an Exploder. LSD (potentially), disk brakes, 31-spline axles. Looks like they'll bolt in with minimal modification.

http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/vinta ... dated.html

Nothing new to report. I rotate the truck and Cougar for DD status. Right now, it's the Cougar's turn. If I'm to keep up with the rotation, I need to resolve the exhaust leak. It's bad. It's still fun to drive it around though.

Oh yeah, I've officially had it for 2 years now too. Picked it up on Sept 1, 2015.

Took the car out tonight. It's running like complete garbage. I don't know what happened, but barely enough power to get back up the hill to my house. Definitely seems like something ignition/timing/etc related. I'll work on that stuff tomorrow. Crap.

check and see if one of the plug wires came loose.

Plugs:

That is some soot!! Maybe remove the carburetor and just put a smaller fuel hose directly into the manifold so it runs a little leaner!

Glad it is all sorted out. Sad I missed the chat to have a Holley vs Edelbrock debate with Mr. Cool.

Get a cheapo plug abrasive cleaner at HF and you can have those plugs usable again.

https://www.harborfreight.com/pneumatic ... 32860.html

At $1 each, I just replaced the plugs.

I've been investigating body work. One interesting thing I've discovered is that the opposite side corners (so front passenger to driver's rear) wheel arches are the same. Conveniently, I'll be replacing the passenger side front fender, and the driver's side rear quarter is the rusty one, the passenger side rear arch is fine. So the good news there, I've already got my own patch panel to fix that. There are no repop Cougar body panels. There are a handful of patch panels available, all for the lower quarter sections. I hope to get the front end and the floor fixed up this fall.

I also discovered the issue with my instrument panel not lighting up...blown fuse. Well, hopefully that's it. The fuse was definitely blown. I ordered new fuses to replace all that are installed in the car.

sounds like you are getting it figured out.

Quote on the front end: $3k. Yikes. That was from one place, need to find a couple of other shops. For that, fix the front end, fix rust on door, respray door/hood to blend.

Estimate #2, $900. $8k for the entire car.

The cost of paint alone has gone way up.

I had a guy offer me $4500 for it today. I told him no. Looking forward to getting it spiffy, eventually.

$4500 is way low, the values have gone up. That car is pushing $10k easy.

https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationt ... ury-cougar