What if I went on the Hot Rod Power Tour?

My son and I have been talking about going on the Hot Rod Power Tour this year.  He decided tonight that he was interested in going.  While I've driven the car quite a distance before, I've never driven the amount that Power Tour would require.  I'll need to get serious fast about addressing any areas of concern fast.  This post be my starting list of things I'd like to address in the next three months:

1) Hydraulic Clutch Upgrade - When I installed the power steering, I built a new Z-bar to clear the Borgeson steering box.  Unfortunately, something is off.  After quite a bit of adjustment, the clutch only releases when the pedal is almost to the floor.  I could keep working on it but I don't see it as the best long term solution.  I'm going to upgrade to a Tilton hydraulic release bearing and Wilwood clutch master cylinder setup from Modern Driveline.  

2) LED Taillight & Turn Signals - I recently replaced the rear taillight bulbs with LEDs.  The change is incredible.  I'm going to do the front turn signals as well so that when I brake or am turning it is abundantly clear.  

3) Differential Fluid - As a safety measure, I plan to drive the Mustang around and pump out the fluid and then put in all new fluid.  I'm sure there is some debris in from the break in process and it would be good to be 100% sure if it full with good fluid.

4) Parking Brake - The parking brake is still disconnected under the car from the power steering project.  I'll need to get everything connected and adjusted so that it begins to work again.  Never know when you might need it.

3) Exhaust Leaks - I need to replace the header and collector gaskets.  I believe they leak since I broke the seal on them when I installed the power steering.

4) Windshield Leak - The windshield leaked horribly during a rain storm when Aaron and I went to Tulsa a few years ago.  I have a new seal, 3M sealant, and suction cups to help pull the windshield.  I've just not done it as I fear I'll find rust and the project will snowball.

5) Coolant Leaks - I have coolant leaks in a few areas including the thermostat housing and timing cover.  I need to get them fixed and should time this to match any other cooling upgrades.

6) Headlight Relays - I've had the headlights shut off on a few occasions.  This only occurred after switching to a headlight relay system that will provide the headlights will full battery power.  The headlight switch only triggers the relays as is known to be a weak link but I'd be surprised if it were the cause but I might replace it anyway.

8) Oil Leaks & Dented Oil Pan - I'm leaking a little oil along the back of the engine.  When I pull the transmission, I plan to look around at the back of the block.  Hopefully it isn't the rear main seal.  While I'm at it, I need to work on a dent I put in the bottom of the oil pain. I don't want any leaks so that if we can drive on a track I can participate.  

10) Leak from A/C Dryer - I noticed this week a small wet spot under the A/C dryer.  I'll need to tighten that fitting and then make sure the A/C system is fully charged.  

12) Front Passenger Ball Joint - Last weekend, I jacked the front of the car up to cycle the power steering without the wheels on the ground.  While it was up, I pulled on the wheel to see if all was well with the wheel bearings.  I noticed the passenger side upper ball joint has some play so it needs to be replaced.

14) Cooling System - I'll often be stopped in traffic and need to ensure the cooling system works perfectly.

16) Bleed Brakes & Master Cylinder - I'll do this after the hydraulic clutch install but want to bleed the master cylinder and the system again.  I don't feel that the pedal is as firm as it should be.  Might as well do it now rather than wonder the whole week of Power Tour.

17) EFI - This is last on the list but I'm planning to install a Holley Terminator X EFI system.  They are backordered so I don't know if it will be installed before Power Tour but I'm going to plan on it.  

Ideally, all of the above would be done by April 15th.  That is when I expect the Holley system to ship.  I'll then have that point until the trip to get it installed and do some additional testing.

Spare Tire Bracket & Trunk Layout

I'd like to take a few road trips or go on Power Tour in the Mustang.  I'm not sure if I'll make Power Tour this year but I started thinking of what I would take.  This led to buying a few Dewalt plastic totes to go in the back of the car with supplies.  I also wanted a toolbox but space was really tight due to the spare tire bracket.

The spare tire bracket in my Mustang looks different than the others that I've seen.  It protrudes more into the area above the gas tank.  The parts which extend over the gas tank look like gussets but they don't attach at the bottom.  I decided to trim it back a little this morning so that I'd have some additional storage space.  

Before trimming it, I drew out the shape of the metal in the event I want to recreate it later.  It was fairly easy to cut off as it was pretty mild 13 gauge steel (.0895 on micrometer).  With it trimmed, I used a grinder and even a file to get it to look super smooth.  I then coated it with some Rustoleum satin black paint.  I tried to feather in the paint so it does not stand out much and it turned out good.

I gained over an inch which seems rather pointless at first.  However, that inch now allows me to put in a Craftsman tool box between the two Dewalt storage trays.  I could stack things on top of it all if I needed as well.  The layout looks good to me but I don't have everything together that I'd expect to take.

I've struggled with bringing a spare but have decided against it.  I think I'm far more likely to have another problem than a flat tire.  A spare would take huge amounts of space in the truck.  Additionally, it is really hard to find one which would work over the front brakes and be exactly the same size as the rear tires so the TrueTrac would not be harmed by using it.