JUNKYARD 1966 V8 Mustang - Will It Run And Drive After Decades? 

What did you think about this Mustang?

Dylan, those wheels are not keystone classics. They are the very...very rare one piece magnesium Keystone Rogue wheels. Be careful if you use them. They tend to get super brittle with age.

A lot of people don’t know how much life old run down cars still have. It can look rough on the outside but still have a good heart. Keep saving them.

You can buy a 66 mustang roof replacement for it for $370 through classic industries. Matter of fact,you can get most all the replacement parts through that site. It might be worth your time to fix the rust and bring it back to where it needs to be. The old girl does deserve it since you did rescue her from the crusher.

Best line in the video..."This thing is garbage and it runs!" Had me cracking up.

The 289 is one of the best engine's ever made! I swapped a '66 289 in a '97 Ranger, fit's like it was designed for it. All kinds of goodies with it (I went a little overboard)! What a runner that will never stop running.

Hey Dylan, I'm an avid vintage Toyota enthusiast, I managed to track down where those taillights of yours came from, they came from a 1975ish Toyota Carina ST/GT1600, i have no idea how someone thought to use those on that mustang its really fascinating let alone find them carinas were barely sold in the united states hopefully you find this comment!

Don't worry Dylan anyone that has worked on or helped work on a Ford has felt the spirit of Ford in the face every once in awhile.

Man! Watching you guys blast the grime off the tail lights of this mustang was incredibly satisfying! So glad our Powerhorse pressure washer is serving you well with your junkyard rescues. And yes, baby girl definitely seemed impressed with the unit. 😆

Always crazy to see a scrapyard bound car roll over and maybe even fire up with a little help. Even today, Facebook is full of 20 year old cars that were given up on due to the work needed. The owner unable to do the work. The estimate costing too much. This is why DIY is a super important job skill

I had one of these was an inline but it was cool. Could not afford to fix it sold it and a year later the new owner sent me finished restoration pics. Made my day. I hope you save this one

My Grandfather had bought a beautiful 67 mustang for my grandmother (used in 73, 74) . He could tune it with his ear, his finger, and a water bottle..... If the car was proper, the water did not move. We had to change the alternator to a bigger one to play chet atkins on the 8 track.....to get air , a bigger belt, ......For 30 years , people would ask grandma would she sell it.....i had first dibs but wasnt around when it was time to put it out to pasture.....the second guy took it and did something similar to what you have there..... a fire breather.. Good luck!

I love the spirit you have throughout the revivals, with increasing enthusiasm as you get closer and closer to being on the road. Briar is such a good kid and great worker. I also just love when you take it for a ride. Finally spits out a burnout, leaves a big cloud hovering through the trees and ends with a gunshot of a backfire after multiple attempts at some donuts. I can only imagine what the neighbors in the surrounding area are thinking, "That McCool boy must be at it again with one of his old cars". Please keep doing what you do and God bless!

Earlier in the video, I was thinking that maybe this one could be a candidate for a fastback conversion. Then I saw rhe underneath and all the structural damage it has. Defintiely pull the decent drive train for another worthy project and crush the body. As always thanks for the entertainment while I am at work!

I'm pretty sure those wheels are the predecessors to the Keystone Klassic. They were called Rogues, pretty rare too .. I believe.

My Dad sold Fords from 1957-1968. His 1965 demo was the first Mustang in town a basic 6cyl manual. It didn't last a week and the cycle continued from Mustang to Mustang until he was tired of going through demos and got a Fairlane. The 289 has been the basis of so many Ford power plants and in my opinion one of the best engines the company ever produced. This girl wants to live, and I agree that the powertrain should be saved for a future project there's more gone than is on this rig). His best Ford demo (before he went to GM) was a 68 Mustang convertible with a 390 4spd. I wish I had that car, it was a beaut.

Mercy, your daughter is adorable, you must be so proud! Lots of good parts, you did right by it, gave it one last bath and took it for a romp down the road. You might have an issue with the timing chain, when you just can't seem to ever get the timing dialed in, that's usually it. Don't drive that car, it's just not safe. The whole front could collapse while you're in it and you not only have people who need you, but you could end up hurting someone else who's just driving home from work. This one isn't worth it!

It's been a long while but I think that Mustang was called a "California Special". They came in blue or gold color with white vinyl top, fancy interior, long tail lights that were segmented (like the early Cougars), covers on the side vent things behind the doors and a hood scoop that may or may not have turn signal indicator lights facing the driver. The engines (I think) came with the ribbed valve covers. You said it had a repaint so the white sill stripe that would have said California Special was probably removed. The OE tail lights probably broke and the Toyota's fit in the holes. In 1967 when I was 9 washing cars with my neighbor friend (we got .50 cents for each car) at his father's Ford dealership there was a new one in the showroom. We weren't allowed to touch it. Ever. It was his Mom's. That body is too far gone. Call Josh (sleeperdude) and see if he wants the power train for his Falcon.

Somebody back in the day did some really cool mods, and they spent a good amount of time with those taillights. The car is collapsing on itself as you are driving it.

Someone loved that mustang. A really really long time ago

Great job my friend May Gods Blessings continue to shine upon you and your family

i miss the full on restoration series on vehicles it was fun watching each step being done

Sounds like a good swap for the Falcon Futura with the bad I-6, engine to rear end should bolt right up!

I love that you take the time to get a car running that most people would run away from. Lots of after-market parts available for the old Mustangs. But I wouldn't blame you if you just want to part it out. If the engine is original, it's definitely a 289 because that was the only V8 you could get that year.

it's so sad to see that it's fully rusted out and it's unsavable but the car looks pretty good that's just pure classic beauty nice work dylan

This is the perfect candidate for a fastback swap. If the engine and transmission are numbers matching, I'd give them a deep cleaning and go through them, new gaskets, bearings, etc. and leave them in there. New factory-style interior, a fastback roof, and it'd be one hell of a car.

Bet that thing looked really cool in its day. The flares are awesome. Not sure how I feel about the tail lights but I can appreciate what they did there. Cool car!

you truly are a blessed man. you have a beautiful wife and a precious child and a loyal dog and a great career and you love God.. i am happy for you dylan .

I agree, perfect to take the running gear and transplant into a clean 6cly.

my 2nd car was a 65 Pony GT. Bought it in 77 for 950 bucks. Red with white vinyl top, pony int, 289 hi po , 4 spd, disc brake. Quick too.

I had a 66 that I bought in 1968. 289 2 barrel, 3 speed. Best car I ever owned. Well the most favorite car I ever owned.

Just amazing how good that little engine runs after all those years! And that there was any car left after getting blasted by the pressure washer! :D Good video! Got yourself a new subscriber from Sweden here.

I love mustangs and while they do make everything to rebuild this car, I have to agree this one is not worth the effort but does have some good parts.

That's a very nice parts car you have there. Being a 66 Mustang, I'm sure the sheetmetal is available to fix it, but that would be quite the project.

I love an old 289. Thank you for saving this one!

No way when i like a plymouth fury u post a restoration vid then i like a z28 chevy camaro u post it and now i like the SAME MUSTANG U POST IT thanks man.

Would love to see this car get restored, but it's looking like a real basket case. This would be quite an ambitious restoration project, but I'd bet you'd get an awful lot of views since so many people would want to see if you can pull it off. And I'd be one of them.👍👍

On the radiator petcock that wouldn't turn, I knew what was going to happen as soon as you got out the heat. Those old brass radiators are soldered together. It doesn't take much heat to melt the solder to melt.

Tail lights are from a 1975 Toyota Carina 1600ST. Google it, theres a silver car with the exact tail lights. Even has the little circle. Its a JDM only car though, no idea how the tail lights got to america

I like how it pops after letting off. Love it.

It was fun watching you get this pile of rust actually to move on its own once again. Yes the car is definitely unsafe but the drivetrain probably is okay, or not after you got done beating on it 😉 keep up the good work and the great content Dylan and Breyer👍✌️🇺🇲

Those tail lights are from a early 1970s Toyota Celica 🤘🏻, also this mustang is way to rough, awesome video nonetheless 🤝

Motor and transmission seem good . when you pull the motor you should check the timing chain and replace all the gaskets.

Dylan, I enjoy your videos. This Mustang is CRUNCHY! LOL! Yeah, save the motor and whatever else you can. Keep on wrenching.

its amazing how smooth that engine is , just shows appearance is not everything

Wow Dylan, it runs great for having sat so long. That's gotta be the rattiest rotted car you've done to date. Very creative with the shifter linkage! Never have I seen a mustang with toyota tail lights, doesn't look bad actually! Similar to the GT California special or the shelby type lenses.

Dylan you have a mini - Gold mine just in parts. Hope you can find the right Mustang to rescue. Great video. Tom in Idaho

When somebody first saiyng is "I hate to leave it to scrap!" Is the man! ❤

Friend of mine had a 67 mustang back in high school (1977) didn't have any visible rust . But when we put it on a 2 post lift and as it came up the right front wheel stayed on the ground along with the suspension and part of the frame. I kept thinking of that as you were driving that poor thing.

Dylan’s Auto Orphanage takes in another abandoned classic.

I agree, find a good body, and make one good car out of the two. I love Mustang's, so thank you for this video!

That tail light is from a ~1975 Carina GT Coupe! That would be a sweet car to have too. I don't think we ever got that version of the Carina here in the states. Rear bodywork was different on the ones we got. Would have had a twin cam twin carb 1.6 2T-G or the 2.0 18R-G.

Great - the engine still runs after all these years! I see a lot of body work in the future of this Mustang!😎👍

This takes Rustang to a whole new level!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

That thing actually sounded pretty good from the time you 1st started it, amazing honestly!! I'd pull the motor and trans, any thing that's still good, glass, trim, little hood scoop etc. and junk the rest, it's done. Haven't finished the video yet so don't know if you said your plans for it or not but that body is history. Now finished the video, don't know why you were out there trying to blow up a getting rare 289!? And you could have certainly get it running better if you were going to beat on it like that, obviously your carb rebuild didn't work! But that engine is a good base for a rebuilder, those 289's are like the 327 Chevys, getting hard to come by if that's the route you want to go for whatever reason.

Poor old Mustang. Kudos to you for getting it going (sorta) and giving her the opportunity to do a few last doughnuts. Be careful spinning your wheels on the gravel though, good way to get rock chips in the paint. If it were mine I'd pull the engine, go through it and put it back for a nice project. Then put the rest of it to sleep. Run it through the crusher and recycle what little metal that's left in her.

Check the shock towers. Those year mustangs (65-66) are famous for shock towers popping at the welds facing the engine. That’ll cause it to pull to one side. Trust me, check the shock towers. Also, don’t you know about the baseball bat trick for clearing fenders from tire rubbing? Bat (or pipe) between the the tire and fender at the rocker, pull forward and let the bat or pipe roll with the tire. Just be careful.😂 Also, the 289 has a tendency to jump time if the cam gear is worn out.

Hey Dylan thank you for video I enjoyed it and congratulations to you and your wife with the new little one

Dont see factory V8 mustangs from back in the day very much they mostly came with straight 6s dylan very cool to see and its not locked up nice 6:30 @Dylan McCool

The '66 Mustang will always be my favorite body style next to the '70. Obviously every Mustang fan's dream is Eleanor with the body kit and the 427 SOHC "Cammer" engine, but I'd be happy with the OG 429 side oiler. I also REALLY liked the 1970 Boss 302 in yellow with black stripes, but whatever model it'd have to be a manual trans.

Agree- the wheels on that '70 are slick. Cross between what you found on the late'70's C3 'Vette, Mexican A & F bodies, and the Kelsey Hayes rim Mopar used on the Mirada

So glad you're restoring such an awesome muscle car!

The car is toast Dylan. But got an engine and transmission. Thanks for sharing! 💯👍👊

I watch all your vids for quite some time now but always get a bit more hyped for the Fords...Your Thunderbird refurbish and giveaway was my fav.

My first thought was celica but they seem a little different those were always compared to the mustang and I think whoever built that was going for the celica style. It broke my heart when I seen the underside of that car I had hope for it until I seen that.

Thing looks like someone's backyard, homemade GT-350 or something. Didn't they have some sort of California special edition in '68, with horizontal Cougar like tail lights back in the day? I sure hope the '70 is a car worth restoring. I had one when I was young, I loved it.

She had one more good burnout left in her. A proper send off and giant middle finger to the crusher. If you do like you said you were planning, and put the engine in a new shell, please, try to save as many parts from this car as you can, mainly, the rear valance and tail lights, that really captures a unique soul of this car and whatever mustang body that engine goes in should keep the vibe going. Not to mention most of the trim is still good, dash, steering wheel, and other parts of the interior that can be recovered or repainted.

I cannot believe they were gonna scrap that.. People would give their leg for that over here in the UK. You guys take your Mustangs for granted.. Great work getting it to run!

That mustang is R O U G H 😢😢😢

love this id love to see it restored they sell every single peice for this car new so parts arent hard to find the color reminds me of my moms 64 1/2 mustang she had that got totaled one day im gonna build a car similar in that cars memory just gotta find the right car

Good Afternoon Dylan , it is great to see you again today and I hope you are doing well and having a great day today 😊 !

You can make nicer looking flares by putting a piece of pipe between the tire and the fender and slowly rolling the car forward wile letting the pipe bend the edge of the fender up. Saw Freiberger and Dulcich do that once.

Dylan. Have you ever considered moving the tree line a bit closer to the garage?

Sad it's not very savable, i can imagine how cool that car was when it was in good condition. on another note what's the story on the 68 caddy in the shop? it looks pretty nice!

I had a blast watching y’all have a blast!! Sounds like a win to me!! 😂🤣😂🤣

G,day Dylan from Sydney Australia. Congratulations on becoming a father, do your best and teach your children to know God's love. The old Mustang Like the front end of the car. What about a "cut and join" with the roof and back end of another. TIG at the window pillars? 👉👈🤪

Would make a great fastback project with a new roof.

Ya know Dylan, this car would be a great candidate for a fastback conversion. 👀

Congratulations on the Baby Girl Dylan I have a 4 month Old Son Turned 4months Yesterday gotta love them at that age always wanting to be held and cant get nothing done lol 😂 1:25:31 @Dylan McCool

And the mustang instantly disintegrates the moment he revives the engine or moves it 😂😂😂 I think that thing was born rusty…..bless you Dylan for trying to rescue such a rusty car. I suggest you call it the crustang. Love the custom taillights on it.

I love that you save these old classics! Great job little mustang!

Hey Dylan, it’s Paul. We met at Ford fest at joshes tent that noise when you hook the battery up to me sounds like the voltage regulator clicking. Those old Fords were notorious for making that noise. It can be a little discerning but it’s fine it’s typical keep doing what you doing brother. See you soon.

The tires and wheels you took from the red mustang looks dang sharp on that blue mustang wow That profile aginst the flares is nice 34:00 @Dylan McCool

Congratulations on your baby girl

My absolute favorite Mustang is the 1966 GT. As much as I love a Mustang, I would absolutely not want to own that one. I'm glad you took the time with it to get it back on the road for a little while at least. This would actually be a decent car for someone just wanting to learn how to fix cars.,

I got 2 85 Z28's an 86 Z28 and a 87 Trans Am that were going to be scraped, paid $800 for all 4 and parted them out and made some pretty good coin.

Love your show. Like to see you take the mustang and the 65 falcon and make a cool cheap hot rod.

Sure is great seeing you put these ole car's back on the road 🛣️. Very interesting 🤔 content, thanks 👍 for sharing.

Dylan brother u are such a genuine good guy and i truly appreciate that about u. Absolutely love your content keep doin what u do man and ill definitely keep watching 💯

Good job guys getting the old mustang running

Oh man Gorgeous Ford Rolling across the field sounds So good 2:38 @Dylan McCool

Excellent video Dylan :) & Bryer :) you guys this 1966 Ford Mustang found nice 289 V8 2 barrel looks like Thrust brand of Cherry Red Bombs on daul exhaust and rare Automatic transmission to ! I think motor maybe need time chain plus gear to change help out , that taillights think from 1970's Toyota Ceilca GT car 2 door one and brakes on that Mustang all drums in good condition surprises me ! But think lots parts fix up a good condition car to with ! You guys did super job on this one !

Loved the video almost forgot about the fire truck you have until I saw you drive passed it would love to see you restore it so it would help protect you guys and your land

Thanks Dylan I love the first Mustang thanks for the great video definitely deserves reshelling have a great weekend 👍😃

Briar made reference to a tictok that showed how to tune by ear and it worked out. Thanks for validating it for me, Briar....it is something you have to learn over time and experience.....i personally like GM AND SOME FORDS AND CAN DO SOME DODGES....LIKE THIS.....LISTEN TO YOUR ELDERS CAUSE THEY HAD TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY WHAN THEY CAME UP IN CARS.....without dynos and electrical tuning with computers....now put a water bottle on the hood above the intake and see how close you came to a smoothe running car

That thing runs pretty darn smooth

Finally got time to settle in and watch this 2 hour movie! Been looking forward to it. Keep up the great work. I love mustangs. Just too bad that its so far gone. I think that its still worth the effort. Call her the Crust-Stang. Or Rust-Stang. but that is over used.

Somebody spent some serious money having that interior diamond tucked and whoever that was must've really loved this car. If the body wasn't so trashed (it CAN be saved obviously, but it'd take ALOT of hard work), I'd say keep it, do your best to work on it, but it's pretty well trashed from rust and hacking. Truly sad as I LOVE these first generation Mustangs. I was just happy to see that this one had a 289 and not the moronic inline six cylinder like Leo Beebe intended. I especially enjoyed when Ken Miles told Leo Beebe what he thought of the all new Mustang. The 289 2bbl was a great engine, but I'd have still swapped in a 351C and a 4 speed manual.

Nice car in the 60-70s, too bad it’s shot, good to see it run again.

Great job Briar. Maybe Dylan can be taught after all. I truly can't believe there was as much power left in that engine as that. Too funny.