1st Dyno Run 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1 351HO R Code Cleveland 4V 393-gHP 323-bHP 274-rwHP WOW!

• Report rights infringement
• published: 19 Aug 2014
• views: 2579

The LAST R CODE had its first Dyno day to get a BASELINE on 8/17/14. She joined 2 other BAMA (Bay Area Mustang Association) cars and a number of late model Shelby 500s and Mustangs making big #s, even over 600 rwHP. I was scared something would break. I've had problems all year with the restoration, especially the motor. She survived! And she even surprised Matt, dyno shop's boss. When I told him the car was rated at 275 hp in 1972, he told me to expect 200-220 hp at the rear wheels. But power came smoothly and sped up fast. Matt said, "Wow! ...got some respect for the Cleveland!" I was hoping for 275 HP not 200 HP. FIRST RUN STATS (REAR WHEELS) Max HP = 274.75 @ 5950 rpm Max TQ = 278.80 @ 4350 rpm Air Fuel Ratio = 15.01 = Lean 85.85 deg F, 29.72 in-Hg, 35% Humidity #'s in SAE NET * (Estimate) 323 HP / 328 TQ #'s in SAE GROSS ** (Estimate / Pre-1972 System) 393 HP / 398 TQ ORIGINAL FACTORY SPEC: 275 bhp @ 6000 / 286 tq @ 3800 [SAE Net] COMPARISON: 1971 Boss 351: 330 ghp @ 5400 / 370 tq @ 4000 [SAE Gross] * SAE NET, also known as Brake Horsepower bhp, is the system currently in use from 1972 to date. Horsepower and Torque are measured at the flywheel on an "engine" dyno, but with all accessories attached, such as air cleaner, belt driven fan, belt driven alternator and water pump, belt driven power steering pump if any, smog equipment, and a muffled exhaust system. Power loss from SAE NET to REAR WHEELS are typically estimated at 15% for a manual transmission to 20% for an automatic transmission. This Power Train Loss is parasitic friction from the transmission, drive shaft, differential and axle. ** SAE GROSS was the system for PRE-1972 cars. Horsepower and Torque was measured in theoretical conditions with headers and no exhaust, no belt driven accessories, no snorkeled air cleaner, etc. Estimates range from 15-20% loss from SAE GROSS (ghp) to SAE NET (bhp), and 30-45% loss from SAE GROSS (ghp) to REAR WHEELS (rwhp). History: 1972 - Dearborn, MI built in August 1972. August 1972 was the first month of 1973 production. 1972 production officially ended on July 1972. This R Code is not only the last of the R Code breed, but may be the VERY LAST R CODE in Ford & Mustang history. 1983 - Purchased from a private party in 1983 with 97,000 miles. 1988 - Transferred her to my younger brother when he was in high school. He had the motor balanced, blue printed and rebuilt with 0.030 forged flat top pistons. Then, he parked it at our cousin's outside under a tarp from about 1991 to 1999. 1999 - The Mach 1 was transferred back to me. But it was so far gone, interior and exterior-wise, I garaged the project until 2012. 2012 - Got it running. 2013 - March - Aug: Bare metal re-spray 2013 - Sept - Dec: Car broke down. Motor removed, Bottom End like new. All new Top End rebuild began. 2014 - Feb - April : New suspension, brakes, steering. Interior restoration, engine bay detailing. Prepping for APRIL 15, 2014 cruise to Las Vegas for Mustang 50th Birthday Celebration. 2014 April 15 - Couldn't finish the car. Told the BAMA caravan that I'd drive down on my own. 2014 April 16 - after a local test run, disaster strikes. BLOW BY! Took apart the motor bit by bit (fan, water pump, carb, intake. discovered that the TIMING CHAIN COVER let go... RUSTED OUT. Everything else was NEW, except the Timing Chain Cover and Water Pump. Sad. I fly to VEGAS, but had a good time as the wife flew down with me. Blessed it broke when it did. 2014 - May - June : Furiously with cut and bruised knuckles, repaired the motor MYSELF with a little help, and tried to sort out a million other details, to show my car with my club BAMA's annual car show, Ponies & Snakes. Ordered a alum Timing Chain cover and alum Water Pump from SpeedMaster! They are DA BOMB! The car ran and made it to show, but she was NOT ready. Too many systems not done and just dirty & greasy overall. I felt sad that I entered such a prestigious show with an unprepared car, compared to the gorgeous, perfect Ponies and Snakes on display. But people will never know how many hours, days, weeks, months, blood, sweat, tears spent just to get to that point (unless they restored a rust bucket too). FELT GOOD to just drive her. 2014 - July : Stressing to get her ready for Hot August Nights in Reno-Sparks. Still not 100%, but I went anyway. No A/C. Stop n go traffic. 3 hour drive became 4 hours, then 6 hours. 100 degree temps. Speedometer went out on me. The cable sat on the exhaust and melted away. Arrived 1145PM. Went to bed 130am. Woke up 445am to stage the car. Had FUN despite 3 small problems. People LOVED the Mach 1. Unbelievable how many cheers and call outs for the "MACH 1". Yay! Best fun was tach-ing 6000 rpm in front of cops and the crowds and not get yelled at or ticketed. 2014 - August - Dyno day! We made it!