Today, I got the new shock mount pockets tacked up in there. Still gotta tweak the original bracket a little for better final welds (there are some gaps between the original cross member and the new pieces on either side of the center brace that I need to address with a BFH and a drift through the access holes up top).

Otherwise, not going badly at all I think. Still glad I took Scott's advice - this is going to be much better than the Redneck Engineered idea I came up with.

Today, I cut out the old, bashed up shock mount 'pockets,' in preparation to graft-in the 'pockets' from a '69-'70 cross-member (thanks to my 7173Mustangs.com buddy Scott, for the advice on that one as well). They are a lot different in structure, and the repop part is twice as thick as what's on the car. I split the new 'member into thirds with the newly-repaired plasma cutter, then took the plasma to the Rustang's cross member (saved a TON of time, noise, and cut-off wheels). After lots of test fitting, I think it's almost time to get it all back together - just a few more tweaks for a better fit.

Here's the holes I made to get the new pieces in:

Just gotta treat the inside of the cross-member to some SEM Rust Mort, then Rust Bullet, and weld the new pieces in tomorrow. Then, it's all about rear quarters and trunk rehab.

I got my cowl done today - it's all back together, everything's solid, and coated in Rust Bullet. When I have more time later (after the shop closes and I get it home), I'll make the ugly patches pretty again.

Here's front end with the 'new' look slowly making its way toward the back of the car.

A shot of the passenger side - had to patch a couple of things and seal some more, but it's solid. I've also learned that there's a big difference between the $1.99 10-pack and $3.99 6-pack of foam brushes. Next time I'll pony up for the better ones. (ooh - neat lens flare effect, too)

And finally, the driver side - kinda sucks that the 'new' Rust Bullet makes the previous coatings look... well... old. That's OK because I'm going to scuff it all up later and spray another coat.

My wife says I need to quit calling it 'The Rustang,' and start calling it 'Frankenstang,' because of all the parts from other cars and the fact that you can still see the 'scars' from me putting it back together. Made me laugh. I'll make the 'scars' pretty later... but for now, gotta get the welding done ASAP.

I have to get the Rustang's trunk area squared away ASAFP. I just heard that the Auto Hobby Shop will be losing its welding certification soon because the management refuses to take responsibility for Building Manager duties. This is how jacked up things are in the Force Support Squadron. Kiss the Auto Hobby Shop 'goodbye' - it's just a matter of time now before poor management kills one of the best things Force Support has ever had to offer. Buncha dumb-asses anyway.

Tonight we had the pleasure of having Doctors John Irish and Ed Surface (both ASU Music Professors and members of the San Angelo Symphony) come to our brass band rehearsal and give us Master Instruction. Dr. Irish had us working on playing together as an ensemble with a tune we've played for years, stressing on the fundamentals of good listening and intonation - which helped immensely on the tune he worked with us. Then Dr. Surface worked on balancing our sound with another tune we just recently started playing during the Christmas season.

Both of them recorded us playing the tunes as we normally have played in the past, and again after working with us, and the improvement was definitely noticeable. We received lots of compliments from them as they noticed the improvements happening, and afterward as well. I think Donna's planning on having them back later in the year for more instructional assistance and to see if their lessons actually stuck.